• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.237-246
• /
• 2016

This study is therefore aimed at measuring the surface dose rate and the spatial dose rate in and outside the radionuclide facility in order to ensure safety of the patients, radiation workers and family care-givers in their use of such equipment and to provide a basic framework for further research on radiation protection. The study was conducted at 4 restrooms in and outside the radionuclide facility of a general hospital in Incheon between May 1 and July 31, 2014. During the study period, the spatial contamination dose rate and the surface contamination dose rate before and after radiation use were measured at the 4 places-thyroid therapy room, PET center, gamma camera room, and outpatient department. According to the restroom use survey by hospitals, restrooms in the radionuclide facility were used not only by patients but also by family care-givers and some of radiation workers. The highest cumulative spatial radiation dose rate was 8.86 mSv/hr at camera room restroom, followed by 7.31 mSv/hr at radioactive iodine therapy room restroom, 2.29 mSv/hr at PET center restroom, and 0.26 mSv/hr at outpatient department restroom, respectively. The surface radiation dose rate measured before and after radiation use was the highest at toilets, which are in direct contact with patient's excretion, followed by the center and the entrance of restrooms. Unsealed radioactive sources used in nuclear medicine are relatively safe due to short half lives and low energy. A patient who received those radioactive sources, however, may become a mobile radioactive source and contaminate areas the patient contacts-camera room, sedation room, and restroom-through secretion and excretion. Therefore, patients administered radionuclides should be advised to drink sufficient amounts of water to efficiently minimize radiation exposure to others by reducing the biological half-life, and members of the public-family care-givers, pregnant women, and children-be as far away from the patients until the dose remains below the permitted dose limit.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.32-36
• /
• 2016

Purpose In nuclear medicine examination, $^{131}I$ is widely used in nuclear medicine examination such as diagnosis, treatment, and others of thyroid cancer and other diseases. $^{131}I$ conducts examination and treatment through emission of ${\gamma}$ ray and ${\beta}^-$ ray. Since $^{131}I$ (364 keV) contains more energy compared to $^{99m}Tc$ (140 keV) although it displays high integrated rate and enables quick discharge through kidney, the objective of this study lies in comparing the difference in exposure dose of $^{131}I$ before and after wearing apron when handling $^{131}I$ with focus on 3 elements of external exposure protection that are distance, time, and shield in order to reduce the exposure to technicians in comparison with $^{99m}Tc$ during the handling and administration process. When wearing apron (in general, Pb 0.5 mm), $^{99m}Tc$ presents shield of over 90% but shielding effect of $^{131}I$ is relatively low as it is of high energy and there may be even more exposure due to influence of scattered ray (secondary) and bremsstrahlung in case of high dose. However, there is no special report or guideline for low dose (74 MBq) high energy thus quantitative analysis on exposure dose of technicians will be conducted based on apron wearing during the handling of $^{131}I$. Materials and Methods With patients who visited Department of Nuclear Medicine of our hospital for low dose $^{131}I$ administration for thyroid cancer and diagnosis for 7 months from Jun 2014 to Dec 2014 as its subject, total 6 pieces of TLD was attached to interior and exterior of apron placed on thyroid, chest, and testicle from preparation to administration. Then, radiation exposure dose from $^{131}I$ examination to administration was measured. Total procedure time was set as within 5 min per person including 3 min of explanation, 1 min of distribution, and 1 min of administration. In regards to TLD location selection, chest at which exposure dose is generally measured and thyroid and testicle with high sensitivity were selected. For preparation, 74 MBq of $^{131}I$ shall be distributed with the use of $2m{\ell}$ syringe and then it shall be distributed after making it into dose of $2m{\ell}$ though dilution with normal saline. When distributing $^{131}I$ and administering it to the patient, $100m{\ell}$ of water shall be put into a cup, distributed $^{131}I$ shall be diluted, and then oral administration to patients shall be conducted with the distance of 1m from the patient. The process of withdrawing $2m{\ell}$ syringe and cup used for oral administration was conducted while wearing apron and TLD. Apron and TLD were stored at storage room without influence of radiation exposure and the exposure dose was measured with request to Seoul Radiology Services. Results With the result of monthly accumulated exposure dose of TLD worn inside and outside of apron placed on thyroid, chest, and testicle during low dose $^{131}I$ examination during the research period divided by number of people, statistics processing was conducted with Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test using SPSS Version. 12.0K. As a result, it was revealed that there was no significant difference since all of thyroid (p = 0.345), chest (p = 0.686), and testicle (p = 0.715) were presented to be p > 0.05. Also, when converting the change in total exposure dose during research period into percentage, it was revealed to be -23.5%, -8.3%, and 19.0% for thyroid, chest, and testicle respectively. Conclusion As a result of conducting Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, it was revealed that there is no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Also, in case of calculating shielding rate with accumulate exposure dose during 7 months, it was revealed that there is irregular change in exposure dose for inside and outside of apron. Although the degree of change seems to be high when it is expressed in percentage, it cannot be considered a big change since the unit of accumulated exposure dose is in decimal points. Therefore, regardless of wearing apron during high energy low dose $^{131}I$ administration, placing certain distance and terminating the administration as soon as possible would be of great assistance in reducing the exposure dose. Although this study restricted $^{131}I$ administration time to be within 5 min per person and distance for oral administration to be 1m, there was a shortcoming to acquire accurate result as there was insufficient number of N for statistics and it could be processed only through non-parametric method. Also, exposure dose per person during lose dose $^{131}I$ administration was measured with accumulated exposure dose using TLD rather than through direct-reading exposure dose thus more accurate result could be acquired when measurement is conducted using electronic dosimeter and pocket dosimeter.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.459-466
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference of dose and image quality according to the material of the additional filter plate by selecting copper and nickel. First, the absorbed dose was measured using a Rando phantom setting the additional filter plates of copper and nickel None, 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, and 0.3 mm under 120 kVp, and 6.3 mAs. Second, We acquired image according to filter thickness of copper and nickel. by changing the tube voltage of 90 kVp, 100 kVp, 110 kVp, 120 kVp and exposure indexes of 400, 800 and 1600. Third, we obtained the SNR and CNR values using the Image J program and evaluated quantitatively and then evaluated image quality. As a result, Absorbed dose measurements showed that nickel was higher than copper, and the absorbed dose decreased as the thickness increased(p<0.05). Furthermore, Quantitative analysis of images showed no significant difference between the two images according to change the voltage and the exposure index(p>0.05). In conclusion, this study confirms that the nickel addition plate can maintain the current image quality while reducing the exposure dose compared to copper.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.341-349
• /
• 2011

This study was to measure the patient dose difference between 3D treatment planning CT and 4D respiratory gating CT. Study was performed with each 10 patients who have lung and liver cancer for measured patient exposure dose by using SOMATON SENSATION OPEN(SIMENS, GERMANY). CTDIvol and DLP value was used to analyze patient dose, and actual dose was measured in the location of liver and kidney for abdominal examination and lung, heart and spinal cord for chest examination. Rando phantom were used for the experiment. OSLD was used for in-vitro and in-vivo dosimetry. Increasing overall actual dose in 4D respiratory gated CT-simulation using OSLD increase the dose by 5.5 times for liver cancer patients and 6 times for lung cancer patients. In CT simulation of 10 lung cancer patients, CTDIvol value was increased by 5.7 times and DLP 2.4 times. For liver cancer patients, CTDIvol was risen by 3.8 times and DLP 1.6 times. The accuracy of treatment volume could be increased in 4D CT planning for position change due to the breaths of patient in the radiation therapy. However, patients dose was increased in 4D CT than 3D CT. In conclusion, constant efforts is required to reduce patients dose by reducing scan time and scan range.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.889-896
• /
• 2023

Changes in the energy spectrum were analyzed using ^99mTc as a point source and a scattering phantom, and the shielding effect of the lead apron according to the changed gamma ray energy was evaluated. In the gamma ray energy spectrum of the scattering phantom, the photo peak area decreased and the compton scattering area increased compared to the point source. The coefficients for each energy range according to the change in the shape of the gamma ray source showed a reduction rate of up to 66.1 % at a distance of 20 cm compared to the coefficient of the point source, and in the compton scattering area, the coefficient of the scattering phantom was 122.2 % at a distance of up to 40 cm compared to the coefficient of the point source. In the difference in shielding rate according to the distance between the source and the scattering phantom using a gamma camera, the photo peak area showed similar results, but in the Compton scattering area, the shielding rate of the scattering phantom at a distance of 20 cm increased by 29.2 % compared to the shielding rate of the point source. As the distance increased, the difference in shielding rate decreased. In measuring the shielding rate of the lead apron using a radiation dosimeter, the difference in the shielding rate of the scattering phantom was up to 15.3 %, and as the distance increased, the difference in the shielding rate between the two sources decreased. The shielding rate of the lead apron of the scattering phantom is higher than that of the point source, and the effectiveness of the lead apron increases as the distance to the source increases. As a result, wearing a lead apron when directly confronting a patient who has injected radioactive pharmaceuticals is expected to be helpful in reducing radiation exposure.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.249-256
• /
• 2024

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of treatment plans using full Arc and Partial Arc Coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy and Non-Coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy to minimize radiation treatment side effects, such as pneumonia, and protect normal organs in esophageal cancer radiotherapy. 30 patients who underwent Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer were included. Compared planning target volume, lung, heart, spinal cord and total monitor units among three treatment plans: fVMAT(2 Full Arc), pVMAT(4 Partial Arc), and ncVMAT(2 Partial Arc + 2 Non-Coplanar Arc). All plans met the PTV criteria, showing uniform distribution. The average dose to the heart was 5.8 Gy for fVMAT, 6.97 Gy for pVMAT, and 7.6 Gy for ncVMAT, with the lowest value in fVMAT, which was statistically significant. However, the average lung dose was 9.01 Gy for fVMAT, 7.71 Gy for pVMAT, and 7.12 Gy for ncVMAT, with V_5Gy(%) values of 52.22%, 38.61%, 36.35% and V_10Gy(%) values of 37.8%, 27.33%, 24.15% respectively. ncVMAT showed the lowest values, while fVMAT had the highest, with statistical significance. In conclusion, ncVMAT effectively reduces lung radiation exposure in esophageal cancer radiotherapy, potentially reducing the incidence of side effects such as pneumonia. However, considering factors like setup accuracy and treatment time, applying an appropriate treatment plan may lead to better outcomes.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.183-188
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The concern of improving the quality of life and reducing side effects related to cancer treatment has been a subject of interest in recent years with advances in cancer treatment techniques and increasing survival time. This study is an analysis of differing scattered dose to the contralateral breast using common different treatment techniques. Materials and Methods: Eclipse 10.0 (Varian, USA) based $30^{\circ}$ EDW (Enhanced dynamic wedge) plan, $15^{\circ}$ wedge plan, $30^{\circ}$ wedge plan, Open beam plan, FiF (field in field) plan were established using CT image of breast phantom which in our hospital. Each treatment plan were designed to exposure 400 cGy using CL-6EX (VARIAN, USA) and we measured scattered dose at 1 cm, 3 cm, 5 cm, 9 cm away from medial side of the phantom at 1 cm depth using ionization chamber (FC 65G, IBA). We carried out measurement by separating effect of medial tangential field and lateral tangential field and analyze. Results: The evaluation of scattered dose to contralateral breast, $30^{\circ}$ EDW plan, $15^{\circ}$ wedge plan, $30^{\circ}$ wedge plan, Open beam plan, FIF plan showed 6.55%, 4.72%, 2.79%, 2.33%, 1.87% about prescription dose of each treatment plan. The result of scattered dose measurement by separating effect of medial tangential field and lateral tangential field results were 4.94%, 3.33%, 1.55%, 1.17%, 0.77% about prescription dose at medial tangential field and 1.61%, 1.40%, 1.24%, 1.16%, 1.10% at lateral tangential field along with measured distance. Conclusion: In our experiment, FiF treatment technique generates minimum of scattered dose to contralateral breast which come from mainly phantom scatter factor. Whereas $30^{\circ}$ wedge plan generates maximum of scattered doses to contralateral breast and 3.3% of them was scattered from gantry head. The description of treatment planning system showed a loss of precision for a relatively low scatter dose region. Scattered dose out of Treatment radiation field is relatively lower than prescription dose but, in decision of radiation therapy, it cannot be ignored that doses to contralateral breast are related with probability of secondary cancer.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.107-114
• /
• 2015

The purpose is reducing radiation dose while maintaining of image quality in liver dynamic CT(LDCT) scan, by protocols generally used and the tube voltage set at a low level protocol compared to the radiation dose and image quality. The target is body mass index, 18.5~24 patients out of 40 patients who underwent the ACT(abdominal CT). Group A(tube voltage : 120kVp, SAFIRE strength 1) of 20 people among 40 people, to apply the general abdominal CT scan protocol, group B(tube voltage : 100kVp, apply SAFIRE strength 0~5) was 20 people, set a lower tube voltage. Image quality evaluation was setting a region of interest(ROI) in the liver parenchyma, aorta, superior mesenteric artery (SMA), celiac trunk, visceral fat of arterial phase. In the ROI were compared by measuring the noise, signal to noise ratio(SNR), contrast to noise ratio(CNR), CT number. In addition, qualitative assessments to evaluate two people in the rich professional experience in Radiology by 0-3 points. We compared the total radiation dose, dose length product(DLP) and effective dose, volume computed tomography dose index(CTDIvol). The higher SAFIRE in the tube voltage 100 kVp, noise is reduced, CT number was increased. Thus, SNR and CNR was increased higher the SAFIRE step. Compared with the tube voltage 120kVp, noise, SNR, CNR was most similar in SAFIRE strength 2 and 3. Qualitative assessment SAFIRE strength 2 is the most common SAFIRE strength 2 the most common qualitative assessment, if the tube voltage of 100kVp when the quality of the images better evaluated was SAFIRE strength 1. Dose was reduced from 21.69%, in 100kVp than 120kVp. In the case of a relatively high BMI is not LDCT scan, When it is shipped from the factory tube voltage is set higher, unnecessary radiation exposure when considering the reality that is concerned, when according to the results of this study, set a lower tube voltage and adjust the SAFIRE strength to 1 or 2, the radiation without compromising image quality amount also is thought to be able to be reduced.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.461-465
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Nasal bone fracture may be the most common fracture among facial trauma. However, diagnosis and treatment tend to be overlooked while the reduction and maintenance of fragments remain complicated. Thus, the results are plagued with high rate of nasal deformity which leads cosmetic and functional discomfort. We took advantage of the fact that the nasal bone is one of the thinnest facial bone while at the same time being located close to the skin and utilized ultrasound in performing reduction of nasal bone. Methods:This method was performed on 25 patients with nasal bone fracture. The CL 15-7 linear array transducer (10-15MHz) ultrasound which provides a total of 7 views (3 axial views and 4 transverse views) of the elevator under the bony fragments was enough for the surgeon to accurately perform the reduction. Results: In our class, an accurate and precise reduction has been made possible by real time images before, during, and after the procedure with the help of ultrasound while reducing the exposure to radiation. Conclusion: Compared to previous methods, satisfaction of patients has increased in the nasal tip, minimal fracture of the side wall and secondary reduction cases. Therefore, the incorporation of ultrasound in the closed reduction of nasal bone may prove to be a useful method.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.55.1-55.11
• /
• 2020

Background: Computed tomography urography (CTU), based on the excretion of contrast medium after its injection, allows visualization of the renal parenchyma and the renal collecting system. Objectives: To determine the optimal contrast medium dose allocation ratio to apply in split-bolus CTU in dogs. Methods: This prospective, experimental, exploratory study used 8 beagles. In 3-phase CTU, unenhanced-, nephrographic-, and excretory-phase images were obtained with a single injection of 600 mg iodine/kg iohexol. In split-bolus CTU, two different contrast medium allocation ratios (30% and 70% for split CTU 1; 50% and 50% for split CTU 2) were used. Unenhanced phase image and a synchronous nephrographic-excretory phase image were acquired. Results: Although the attenuation of the renal parenchyma was significantly lower when using both split CTUs than the 3-phase CTU, based on qualitative evaluation, the visualization score of the renal parenchyma of split CTU 1 was as high as that of the 3-phase CTU, whereas the split CTU 2 score was significantly lower than those of the two others. Artifacts were not apparent, regardless of CTU protocol. The diameter and opacification of the ureter in both split CTUs were not significantly different from those using 3-phase CTU. Conclusions: Split-bolus CTU with a contrast medium allocation ratio of 30% and 70% is feasible for evaluating the urinary system and allows sufficient enhancement of the renal parenchyma and appropriate distention and opacification of the ureter, with similar image quality to 3-phase CTU in healthy dogs. Split-bolus CTU has the advantages of reducing radiation exposure and the number of CT images needed for interpretation.