• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.419-425
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to produce a shielding material to reduce a dose on the genital gland, one of the superficial organs, at a CT scan on the whole abdomen and hardly affect picture quality and examine its utility. This research made 22 mm silicone and 7.3 mm aluminum having the similar material quality and effect of previous bismuth. By using the non-shield, bismuth, 22 mm silicone, and 7.3 mm aluminum shielding materials, this author conducted a comparative experiment measuring the decay rate of the genital gland's exposure to radiation, change of the CT number and noise in the image, and the CT number, noise, and uniformity in the AAPM phantom. According to the results, exposure to radiation is reduced in bismuth as 29.96%, silicone 22 mm as 13.10%, and 7.3 mm aluminum as 18.27%. In bismuth, however, the image's CT number varies a lot, and uniformity is measured to be inappropriate in the AAPM phantom scan; therefore, it indicates great change in terms of picture quality in superficial organs like the genital gland. Concerning superficial organs like the genital gland, if 22 mm silicone and 7.3 mm aluminum are used as shielding materials, it will be helpful in reducing variation in picture quality and also decreasing radiation exposure to radiation.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.29-44
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• 1991

A Study on the distribution and types of the total 40 CT units, as of 1st October 1990, in Pusan area(29 for whole body CT units, 11 for brain CT units) were carried out during the period from January 1989 to December 1989 to find out the status of operation and utilization of whole body CT units. The results were as following ; 1. As of 1st October 1990 in Pusan area, a total of 40 CT units(29 for whole body CT units, 11 for brain CT units) were set up and operated. The number of cases of CT examination performed per day per unit were appeared to be less than 5 cases among 59.5% of CT units, and 2.7% of the total units has peformed more than 16 examinations. 2. The CT units under operation occupied 93.5% of the total and 2.6% of the total units was not properly been operated due to mechanical breakdown. This results is appeared to be better than other reports. 3. The average number of scanning per week for each CT were 35 cases and the average days under operation of the unit per week were 6.7 days. Consequently, the average days under operation of units was higher than that of the other reports, but the average number of scanning was lower. 4. The cases referred from other institutes to hospitals were 6.4% of total cases. 5. As a site of scanning, the brain appeared most frequently with 71.2% of the total cases and followed by spine 12.4%, abdomen 8.5%, and thorax 3.6%, respectively. 6. Positive rate by scanning was 70.8% of total cases, and it was 98.9% with thorax, abdomen 96.3%, spine 93.1%, and brain 38.4%, respectively. According to the results of this study, it is highly recommended that the regulations and the guidelines for setting-up of such high cost medical equipments as CT units be provided in order to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the system.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2010

Purpose: Whole-body CT is a very attractive diagnostic tool to clinicians, especially, in trauma. It is generally accepted that trauma patients who are not alert require whole-body CT. However, in alert trauma patients, the usefulness is questionable. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of the medical records of 146 patients with blunt multiple trauma who underwent whole body CT scanning for a trauma workup from March 1, 2008 to February 28, 2009. We classified the patients into two groups by patients' mental status (alert group: 110 patients, not-alert group: 36 patients). In the alert group, we compared the patients' evidence of injury (present illness, physical examination, neurological examination) with the CT findings. Results: One hundred forty six(146) patients underwent whole-body CT. The mean age was $44.6{\pm}18.9$ years. One hundred four (104, 71.2%) were men, and the injury severity score was $14.0{\pm}10.38$. In the not-alert group, the ratios of abnormal CT findings were relatively high: head 23/36(63.9%), neck 3/6(50.0%), chest 16/36(44.4%) and abdomen 9/36(25%). In the alert group, patients with no evidence of injury were rare (head 1, chest 6 and abdomen 2). Nine(9) patients did not need any intervention or surgery. Conclusion: Whole-body CT has various disadvantages, such as radiation, contrast induced nephropathy and high medical costs. In multiple trauma patients, if they are alert and have no evidence of injury, they rarely have abnormal CT findings, and mostly do not need invasive treatment. Therefore, we should be cautious in performing whole-body CT in alert multiple trauma patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.207-218
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• 2020

The following recommendations are presented herein: All trauma patients admitted to the resuscitation room should be constantly (or periodically) monitored for parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, electrocardiography, Glasgow Coma Scale, and pupil reflex (1C). Chest AP and pelvic AP should be performed as the standard initial trauma series for severe trauma patients (1B). In patients with severe hemodynamically unstable trauma, it is recommended to perform extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (eFAST) as an initial examination (1B). In hemodynamically stable trauma patients, eFAST can be considered as the initial examination (2B). For the diagnosis of suspected head trauma patients, brain computed tomography (CT) should be performed as an initial examination (1B). Cervical spine CT should be performed as an initial imaging test for patients with suspected cervical spine injury (1C). It is not necessary to perform chest CT as an initial examination in all patients with suspected chest injury, but in cases of suspected vascular injury in patients with thoracic or high-energy damage due to the mechanism of injury, chest CT can be considered for patients in a hemodynamically stable condition (2B). CT of the abdomen is recommended for patients suspected of abdominal trauma with stable vital signs (1B). CT of the abdomen should be considered for suspected pelvic trauma patients with stable vital signs (2B). Whole-body CT can be considered in patients with suspicion of severe trauma with stable vital signs (2B). Magnetic resonance imaging can be considered in hemodynamically stable trauma patients with suspected spinal cord injuries (2B).

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.188-189
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• 2006

A 53-year -old man underwent $^{18}F$-FDG whole body PET/CT because of the detected liver mass on abdominal CT. The PET/CT showed a huge liver mass ($9{\times}9cm$, SUV: 12.12 ) in the right lobe and a focally hypermetabolic lesion in the right lower quadrant of abdomen (SUV: 9.12). At first, we suspected that the focal hypermetabolic lesion in RLQ was the physiologic uptake of ureter or a metastatic lesion of small bowel. We repeated the abdominal PET/CT next day. The focally hypermetabolic lesion was identified as the appendiceal mass. He underwent right hemicolectomy and right lobectomy of the liver. It was confirmed that the lesion was appendiceal adenocarcinoma with liver metastasis. Cancer of the appendix is an uncommon disease that is rarely suspected before surgery. But, we suggest that PET/CT is useful to identify the small lesion like appendiceal malignant mass.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.275-278
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• 2006

We report the case of a 73-year-old man who had prostate cancer with bone metastases. Tc-99m HDP Whole body bone scan revealed multiple areas of increased bony uptake consistent with widespread bone metastases. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) demonstrated mild F-18 FDG uptake in the lymph nodes of neck, abdomen, and pelvis. However, abnormal F-18 FDG uptake was not seen in the skeletal system. Biopsy and immunohistochemical stains of left supraclavicular mass showed metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma. Currently, there are a few reported cases of F-18 FDG PET/CT evaluation of bone metastases in prostate cancer. We discuss the discrepancy between F-18 FDG PET/CT and bone scan in the detection of osseous metastases of prostate cancer.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.141-150
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• 2024

Background: Computed tomography (CT) scans in the Republic of Korea have spiked, reaching approximately 9 million examinations annually in 2017. CT provides significant medical benefits, but radiation exposure remains a concern. This study aims to analyze CT scans in Korea, as a basis study for radiation safety management. Materials and Methods: The raw data of total CT scans was obtained from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and analyzed by CT scan type, patients' age and sex, and medical facility type. CT scans trends were analyzed considering the disease incidence. Results and Discussion: In 2017, CT scans accounted for 8,977,300. Usage per capita was 0.18 in males and 0.17 in females. CT scans increased with age until the 50- to 59-year-old groups, then decreased. CT scans were high in abdominal/pelvic (35%), chest (26%), and head (22%) regions due to higher disease rates. Head CT was most frequently used for infants and children. Abdominal/pelvic, chest, and spine CT were more frequent for older groups. The CT scans in the upper and lower extremities was high in child and juvenile groups. Chest and abdominal/pelvic CTs were higher in males, whereas spine, whole spine, and CT densitometry were higher in females. The proportion of CT scans of tertiary and general hospitals, hospitals, and clinics accounted for ≥80%, 13%, and 5%, respectively. Abdomen/pelvis, chest, and head/neck CTs were mostly conducted in tertiary and general hospitals, spine CT in hospitals and clinics, extremity CT in hospitals, and CT densitometry in clinics. Conclusion: The trend of CT scans varied based on the incidence rate for each patient's sex and age, and serious illness diagnosis by medical facility type. The results of this study provide data and guidance for evaluating the radiation exposure of the Korean population by CT and developing management policies for medical radiation safety.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.107-111
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• 2009

Meningiomas are usually benign neoplasms in which extracranial metastases occur very rarely. We report a case of multiple extracranial metastases of an atypical meningioma following a local recurrence. A 68-year-old man presented with left-side motor weakness and dysarthria for two weeks. A computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intraventricular tumor. We performed a total mass removal, and the histopathologic findings were consistent with benign meningioma. Eight months later, the meningioma recurred. We performed a reoperation and whole brain radiation therapy postoperatively. The histopathologic findings showed atypical meningioma. Six months later, CT and MRI revealed metastases to multiple vertebrae, lung, ribs and perirenal soft tissue so a decompressive laminectomy with mass removal was performed. The histopathologic findings of the spinal tumors showed atypical meningioma. The results from perirenal biopsies were consistent with metastatic meningioma. In conclusion, extracranial metastasis as well as local recurrence must be considered in atypical or anaplastic meningioma. There must be regular follow-ups. Finally, an evaluation of the chest, abdomen and bone is necessary, especially when related symptoms or signs develop.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.280-285
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• 1999

We report 1 patient with Primary aldosteronism caused by malfunction of adrenal gland. which occupies 1-2% of the whole Hypertensive disease. The patient was 35 year-old female with the history of hypertension. She was hospitalized at Department of Circulatory Internal Medicine. College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, because of low limb weakness, chest discomport, palpitation and dry mouth. The value of serum potassium level was o.6 and at last adenoma was diagnosed on the basis of abdomen CT scan. The Primary aldosteronism manifests myasthenia, headache, dry mouth, palpitation. In laboratory findings, it especially shows specific U -wave in EKG due to low serum potassium level resulted from excessive flow-out through urine. It could be regarded as ‘Flaccid paralysis of Limbs(?症)‘, the Oriental medical term which indicates a condition of general weakness. We report on this case with a review of literature.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2004

Purpose: To develop a whole body frame for the purpose of reducing patient motion and minimizing setup error for extra-cranial stereotactic radiotherapy, and to evaluate the repositioning setup error of a patient in the frame. Materials and Methods: The developed whole body frame is composed of a base plate, immobilizer, vacuum cushion, ruler and belts. The dimension of the base plate is 130 cm in length, 50 cm in width and 1 cm in thickness. The material used in the base plate of the frame was bakelite and the immobilizer was made of acetal. In addition, Radiopaque angio-catheter wires were engraved on the base plate for a coordinate system to determine the target localization. The measurement for radiation transmission and target localization is peformed in order to test the utilization of the frame. Also, a Matlab program analyzed the patients setup error by using the patient's setup images obtained from a CCTV camera and digital record recorder (DVR). Results: A frame that is useful for CT simulation and radiation treatment was fabricated. The frame structure was designed to minimize collisions from the changes in the rotation angle of the gantry and to maximize the transmission rate of the Incident radiation at the lateral or posterior oblique direction. The lightening belts may be used for the further reduction of the patient motion, and the belts can be adjusted so that they are not in the way of beam direction. The radiation transmission rates of this frame were measured as 95% and 96% at 10 and 21 MV, respectively. The position of a test target on the skin of a volunteer is accurately determined by CT simulation using the coordinate system in the frame. The estimated setup errors by Matlab program are shown 3.69$\pm$1.60, 2.14$\pm$0.78 mm at the lateral and central chest, and 7.11 $\pm$2.10, 6.54$\pm$2.22 mm at lateral and central abdomen, respectively. The setup error due to the lateral motion of breast is shown as 6.33$\pm$ 1.55 mm. Conclusion: The development and test of a whole body frame has proven very useful and practical in the radiosurgery for extra-cranial cancers. It may be used in determining target localization, and it can be used as a patient immobilization tool. More experimental data should be obtained in order to improve and confirm the results of the patient setup error.