• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 1998

To make practical application of the MR image for stereotactic radiosurgery, the target point-achieved by acquisition of MR image in stereotactic radiosurgery planning system must agree with the actual isocenter of irradiation in real treatment. And the amount of distortion of the MR image must be known to make a correction for the agreement. A radish containing abundant water content was chosen as a homogeneous phantom for the purpose of verification of the agreement in this experiment. A dosimetric film was firmly attached to the small specially fabricated acryl plate and needle puncture was made through the film just into the acryl plate and a drop of oil was dropped into the hole of the film. The acryl plate with film was inserted into the radish and the dorp of oil represented the target point in MR image. After the image acquisition by stereotatic radiosurgery planning system, we achieved stereotactic coordinate of the target point represented by the oil drop. And we proceeded to actual irradiation to the target point according to the procedure of stereotactic radiosurgery. After the irradiation, the film in the radish was developed and processed and the degree of coincidence between the center of the radiation distribution and the target point represented by the hole in the film was measured. The discrepancy between two points was under 0.5 mm. so we could confirm good coincidence in homogeneous phantom such as radish. On the other hand, authors tried to use our home-made device for estimation of distortion of MR image.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.67-67
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• 2003

It is crucial to minimize setup errors of a cancer treatment machine using a high energy and to perform precise radiation therapy. Usually, port film has been used for verifying errors. The Korea Cancer Center Hospital (KCCH) has manufactured digital electronic portal imaging device (EPID) system to verify treatment machine errors as a Quality Assurance (Q.A) tool. This EPID was consisted of a metal/fluorescent screen, 45$^{\circ}$ mirror, a camera and an image grabber and could display the portal image with near real time KIRAMS has also made the acrylic phantom that has lead line of 1mm width for ligh/radiation field congruence verification and reference points phantom for using as an isocenter on portal image. We acquired portal images of 10$\times$10cm field size with this phantom by EPID and portal film rotating treatment head by 0.3$^{\circ}$, 0.6$^{\circ}$ and 0.9$^{\circ}$. To check field size, we acquired portal images with 18$\times$18cm, 19$\times$19cm and 20$\times$20cm field size with collimator angle 0$^{\circ}$ and 0.5$^{\circ}$ individually. We have performed Flatness comparison by displaying the line intensity from EPID and film images. The 0.6$^{\circ}$ shift of collimator angle was easily observed by edge detection of irradiated field size on EPID image. To the extent of one pixel (0.76mm) difference could be detected. We also have measured field size by finding optimal threshold value, finding isocenter, finding field edge and gauging distance between isocenter and edge. This EPID system could be used as a Q.A tool for checking field size, light/radiation congruence and flatness with a developed video based EPID.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 1999

We developed a sterotactic radiosurgery system which is comprised of 1) collimators with small circular aperture, 2) an angiographic target localizer, 3) a target localizer used for alignment of planned target position with isocenter of treatment machine, and 4) a treatment planning system named LinaPel. In this study, we performed a series of treatment simulations to specify and analyze geometrical errors contained our in-house radiosurgery system. As results, 1) using Geometrical Phantom(Radionics,USA), the accuracy of target localization by LinaPel was determined as Avg. =(equation omitted) the accuracy of mechanical isocenter was found out to be 0.6 $\pm$ 0.2 mm, 3) the positional difference of target localization which determined by CT and angiography was 0.8 mm, and their size difference was 1.5 mm, and 4) the positional error during whole treatment was found out to be 0.9 $\pm$ 0.3 mm. With these results, we concluded that our in-house radiosurgery system can be used clinically. However, these range of accuracies need periodical quality assurance strongly.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.146-149
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• 2002

The aim of stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS) is to deliver a high dose to a target region and a low dose to critical organ through only one or a few irradiation. To satisfy this aim, optimized irradiating conditions must be searched in the planning. Thus, many mathematical methods such as gradient method, simulated annealing and genetic algorithm had been proposed to find out the conditions automatically. There were some limitations using these methods: the long calculation time, and the difficulty of unique solution due to the different shape of tumor. In this study, optimization protocol using ideal models and data base was proposed. Proposed optimization protocol constitutes two steps. First step was a preliminary work. Some possible ideal geometry shapes, such as sphere, cylinder, cone shape or the combination, were assumed to approximate the real tumor shapes. Optimum variables such as isocenter position or collimator size, were determined so that the high dose region could be shaped to fit ideal models with the arrangement of multiple isocenter. Data base were formed with those results. Second, any shaped real targets were approximated to these models using geometry comparison. Then, optimum variables for ideal geometry were chosen from the data base predetermined, and final parameters were obtained by adjusting these data. Although the results of applying the data base to patients were not superior to the result of optimization in each case, it can be acceptable as a starting point of plan.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.68-73
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• 2002

In standard teletherapy, a treatment plan is generated with the aid of a treatment planning system, but it is common to perform an independent monitor unit verification calculation (MUVC). In exact analogy, we propose and demonstrate that a simple and accurate MUVC in Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) is possible. We introduce a concept of Modified Clarkson Integration (MCI). In MCI, we exploit the rotational symmetry of scattering to simplify the dose calculation. For dose calculation along a central axis (CAX), we first replace the incident IMRT fluence by an azimuthally averaged fluence. Second, the Clarkson Integration is carried over annular sectors instead of over pie sectors. We wrote a computer code, implementing the MCI technique, in order to perform a MUVC for IMRT purposes. We applied the code to IMRT plans generated by CORVUS. The input to the code consists of CORVUS plan data (e.g., DMLC files, jaw settings, MU for each IMRT field, depth to isocenter for each IMRT field), and the output is dose contribution by individual IMRT field to the isocenter. The code uses measured beam data for Sc, Sp, TPR, (D/Mu)$\_$ref/ and includes effects from MLC transmission, and radiation field offset. On a 266 MHZ desktop computer, the code takes less than 15 sec to calculate a dose. The doses calculated with MCI algorithm agreed within +/- 3% with the doses calculated by CORVUS, which uses a 1cm x 1cm pencil beam in dose calculation. In the present version of MCI, skin contour variations and inhomogeneities were neglected.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.525-532
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• 2016

High-energy linear accelerators are increasingly used in the medical field. However, the unwanted photo-neutrons can also be contributed to the dose delivered to the patients during their treatments. In this study, neutron fluxes were measured in a solid water phantom placed at the isocenter 1-m distance from the head of an18-MV linac using the foil activation method. The produced activities were measured with a calibrated well-type Ge detector. From the measured fluxes, the total neutron fluence was found to be $(1.17{\pm}0.06){\times}10^7n/cm^2$ per Gy at the phantom surface in a $20{\times}20cm^2$ X-ray field size. The maximum photo-neutron dose was measured to be $0.67{\pm}0.04$ mSv/Gy at $d_{max}=5cm$ depth in the phantom at isocenter. The present results are compared with those obtained for different field sizes of $10{\times}10cm^2$, $15{\times}15cm^2$, and $20{\times}20cm^2$ from 10-, 15-, and 18-MV linacs. Additionally, ambient neutron dose equivalents were determined at different locations in the room and they were found to be negligibly low. The results indicate that the photo-neutron dose at the patient position is not a negligible fraction of the therapeutic photon dose. Thus, there is a need for reduction of the contaminated neutron dose by taking some additional measures, for instance, neutron absorbing-protective materials might be used as aprons during the treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.141-145
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• 2005

Purpose : It is known that the neutron is generally generated from the photon, its energy is larger than 10 MV. The neutron is leaked in the container inspection system installed at the customs though its energy is below 9 MV. It is needed that the spacial effect of the neutrons released from radiation treatment machine, linac, installed in the medical canter. Materials and Methods : The medical linear accelerator(Clinac 1800, varian, USA) was used in the experiment. Measuring neutron was used bubble detector(Bubble detector, BDPND type, BTI, Canada) which was created bubble by neutron. The bubble detector is located on the medical linear accelerator outskirt in three different distance, 30, 50, 120 cm and upper, lower four point from the iso-center. In addition, for effect on protect material we have measured eight points which are 50 cm distance from iso-center. The SAD(source-axis-distance), distance from photon source to iso-center, is adjusted to 100 cm and the field size is adjusted to $15{\times}15cm^2$. Irradiate 20 MU and calculate the dose rate in mrem/MU by measuring the number of bubble. Results : The neutron is more detected at 5 position in 30, 50 cm, 7 position in 120 cm and with wedge, and 2 position without mount. Conclusion : Though detection position is laid in the same distance in neutron measurement, the different value is shown in measuring results. Also, neutron dose is affected by the additional structure, the different value is obtained in each measurement positions. So, it is needed to measure and evaluate the neutron dose in the whole space considering the effect of the distance, angular distribution and additional structure.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.403-409
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• 1995

Purpose : Authors tried to enhance the safety and accuracy of radiosurgery by verifying stereotacitc target point in actual treatment position prior to irradiation. Materials and Methods : Before the actual treatment, several sections of anthropomorphic head phantom were used to create a condition of unknown coordinates of the target point. A film was sandwitched between the phantom sections and punctured by sharp needle tip. The tip of the needle represented the target point. The head phantom was fixed to the stereotactic ring and CT scan was done with CT localizer attached to the ring. After the CT scanning, the stereotactic coordinates of the target point were determined. The head phantom was secured to accelerator's treatment couch and the movement of laser isocenter to the stereotactic coordinates determined by CT scanning was performed using target positioner. Accelerator's anteroposterior and lateral portal films were taken using angiographic localizers. The stereotactic coordinates determined by analysis of portal films were compared with the stereotactic coordinates previously determined by CT scanning. Following the correction of discrepancy the head phantom was irradiated using a stereotactic technique of several arcs. After the irradiation, the film which was sandwitched between the phantom sections was developed and the degree of coincidence between the center of the radiation distribution with the target point represented by the hole in the film was measured. In the treatment of the actual patients, the way of determining the stereotactic coordinates with CT localizers and angiograuhic localizers was the same as the phantom study. After the correction of the discrepancy between two sets of coordinates, we proceeded to the irradiation of the actual patient. Results : In the phantom study, the agreement between the center of the radiation distribution and the localized target point was very good. By measuring optical density profiles of the sandwitched film along axes that intersected the target point, authors could confirm the discrepancy was 0.3 mm. In the treatment of an actual patient, the discrepancy between the stereotactic coordinates with CT localizers and angiographic localizers was 0.6 mm. Conclusion : By verifying stereotactic target point in actual treatment position prior to irradiation, the accuracy and safety of streotactic radiosurgery procedure were established.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.171-180
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• 2014

In this study, the authors attempted to measure the skin dose by irradiating the actual dose on to the TLD(Thermo-Luminescence Dosimeter) and EBT3 Film used as the In-vivo dosimetry after planning the same treatment as the actual patient on a Phantom, because the erythema or dermatitis is frequently occurred on the patients' skin at the time of the proton therapy of medulloblastoma patient receiving the proton therapy. They intended to know whether there is the usefulness for the dosimetry of skin by the comparative analysis of the measured dose values with the treatment planned skin dose. The CT scan from the Brain to the Pelvis was done by placing a phantom on the CSI(Cranio-spinal irradiation) Set-up position of Medulloblastoma, and the treatment Isocenter point was aligned by using DIPS(Digital Image Positioning System) in the treatment room after planning a proton therapy. The treatment Isocenter point of 5 areas that the proton beam was entered into them, and Markers of 2 areas shown in the Phantom during CT scans, that is, in all 7 points, TLD and EBT3 Film pre-calibrated are alternatively attached, and the proton beam that the treatment was planned, was irradiated by 10 times, respectively. As a result of the comparative analysis of the average value calculated from the result values obtained by the repeated measurement of 10 times with the Skin Dose measured in the treatment planning system, the measured dose values of 6 points, except for one point that the accurate measurement was lacked due to the measurement position with a difficulty showed the distribution of the absolute dose value ${\pm}2%$ in both TLD and EBT Film. In conclusion, in this study, the clinical usefulness of the TLD and EBT3 Film for the Enterance skin dose measurement in the first proton therapy in Korea was confirmed.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.129-133
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• 2017

The machine log files recorded by a scanning control unit in proton beam therapy system have been studied to be used as a quality assurance method of scanning beam deliveries. The accuracy of the data in the log files have been evaluated with a standard calibration beam scan pattern. The proton beam scan pattern has been delivered on a gafchromic film located at the isocenter plane of the proton beam treatment nozzle and found to agree within ${\pm}1.0mm$. The machine data accumulated for the scanning beam proton therapy of five different cases have been analyzed using a statistical method to estimate any systematic error in the data. The high-precision scanning beam log files in line scanning proton therapy system have been validated to be used for off-line scanning beam monitoring and thus as a patient-specific quality assurance method. The use of the machine log files for patient-specific quality assurance would simplify the quality assurance procedure with accurate scanning beam data.