• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.261-267
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• 1999

Purpose : In FSRT (Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy) planning, we studied the usefulness between multiple arc FSRT and conformal FSRT by comparing tumor shape and DVH (dose volume histogram). Materials and Methods In Chungnam Univ. hospital, we had treated the sixteen patients with FSRT from Aug. 1997 to Dec. 1998. In choosing multiple arc FSRT or conformal FSRT, we had considered If (irregular factor) after calculating tumor volume and surface area. We had considered multiple arc FSRT if tumor shape was similar to sphere or the value of If was less than 1.25, conformal FSRT if tumor shape was very irregular or If was more than 1.3. For evaluation of treatment planning, we had considered the appropriate DVH for tumor volume and for critical organs. Results : The errors between reference point and the coordinates point on AP, Lat radiography were less than 1 mm before treatment. We had planned $3\~$5 arcs for multiple arc FSRT, $5\~6$ports for conformal FSRT. The mean dose distribution of tumor volume of cumulative DVH between multiple arc FSRT and conformal FSRT was 90.6, 85%, respectively. The dose of critical organs irradiated was less than $5\%$ maximum dose of cumulative DVH. Conclusion : We had obtained the similar value between multiple arc FSRT and conformal FSRT, so that we had appropriate treatment planning of FSRT for multiple arc FSRT and conformal FSRT according to tumor shape and size.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.313-323
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• 2009

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been demonstrated to be a practical method for the diagnosis of various brain diseases such as acute infarction, brain tumor, and white matter disease. In this study, we used two techniques to examine the average signal intensity (SI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the brains of patients who ranged in age from 10 to 60 years. Our results indicated that the average SI was the highest in amygdala (as derived from DWI), whereas that in the cerebrospinal fluid was the lowest. The average ADC was the highest in the cerebrospinal fluid, whereas the lowest measurement was derived from the pons. The average SI and ADC were higher in $T_2^*$-DW-EPI than in FLAIR-DW-EPI. The higher the b-value, the smaller the average difference in both imaging techniques; the lower the b-value, the greater the average difference. Also, comparative analysis of the brains of patients who had experienced cerebral infarction showed no distinct lesion in the general MR image over time. However, there was a high SI in apparent weighted images. Analysis of other brain diseases (e.g., bleeding, acute, subacute, chronic infarction) indicated SI variance in accordance with characteristics of the two techniques. The higher the SI, the lower the ADC. Taken together, the value of SI and ADC in accordance with frequently occurring areas and various brain disease varies based on the b-value and imaging technique. Because they provide additional useful information in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with various brain diseases through signal recognition, the proper imaging technique and b-value are important for the detection and interpretation of subacute stroke and other brain diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.435-441
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• 2018

In this study, we performed to design an image guiding algorithm to improve the efficiency and safety of treatment of varicose vein by focused ultrasound. The algorithm was suggested by different guiding images according to the location of varicose veins. In the case of deep-seated varicose veins, the target area was marked on the surface of the blood vessel in the obtained cross-sectional blood vessel ultrasound image. In the case of the superficial varicose vein, A guiding system based on image segmentation algorithm of the vascular region was suggested and designed two different algorithms according to varicose veins progression degree. as a results, the algorithm based on ultrasound image show a small error with $830{\mu}m$ at maximum. However, the algorithm based on charge coupled device image has a maximum error of 8.3 mm in some data. Therefore, it is expected that additional study is needed for superficial varicose vein image guiding algorithm, and it is expected that the accuracy of blood vessel tracking should be evaluated by constructing simple system.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.143-150
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• 2014

In general radiotherapy, mega-voltage (MV) x-ray images are widely used as the unique method to verify radio-therapeutic fields. But, the image quality of MV images is much lower than that of kilo-voltage x-ray images due to scatter interactions. Since 1990s, studies for the scatter correction have performed with digital-based MV imaging systems. In this study, a novel method for the scatter correction is suggested using scatter to primary ratio (SPR), instead of conventional methods such as digital image processing or scatter kernel calculations. We measured two MV images with and without a solid water phantom describing a patient body with given imaging conditions, and calculated un-attenuated ratios. Then, we obtained SPR distributions for the scatter correction. For experimental validation, a line-pair (LP) phantom using several Al bars and a clinical pelvis MV image was used. As the result, scatter signals of the LP phantom image were successfully reduced so that original density distribution of the phantom was restored. Moreover, image contrast values increased after SPR correction at all ROIs of the clinical image. The mean value of increases was 48%. The SPR correction method suggested in this study has high reliability because it is based on actually measured data. Also, this method can be easily adopted in clinics without additional cost. We expected that the SPR correction can be an effective method to improve the quality of MV image guided radiotherapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2017

Monte Carlo simulations were used to assess dose enhancement effects for 60-, 90-, 120-, and 150-kV X-rays, and for 6- and 15-MV X-rays. The MCNPX code was used for a computer simulation of the ICRU slab phantom, and gold, gadolinium, and iron oxide (Fe2O3) were employed as dose enhancement agents. In consideration of the buildup region of the incident energy, agent concentrations of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/g were inserted on the surface of the phantom at a depth of 5 cm. Based on baseline values obtained in the absence of dose enhancement agents, a quantitative analysis was performed by evaluating depth-dependent changes in the absorbed energy and the dose enhancement factor (DEF). A higher concentration of dose enhancement agents led to a greater dose enhancement effect with iron oxide, gadolinium, and gold in descending order. For kilovoltage (kV) X-rays, as the incident energy was decreased and as the energy became closer to the ionization potential of the atoms in the enhancement agent, the dose enhancement effect increased. In the megavoltage (MV) X-ray range, dose enhancement was higher at 6 MV compared with 15 MV. However, the overall dose enhancements were significantly lower compared to the results obtained with kV X-rays.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.813-819
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• 2018

To demonstrate the 3D usefulness of MDCT, a 73-year-old male patient with subclavian thrombosis was obtained 3D images of maximum intensity projection (MIP), volume rendering, and multiplanar reformation (MPR) to clearly detect and locate the subclavian artery. The data will be provided to the patient for diagnosis and treatment. The scan data were acquired as 3D CT images MIP, volume rendering, curved MPR, and virtual endoscopy images. In the 3D program, the ascending aorta was measured as 364.28 HU, the left carotid artery was 413.77 HU, and the left subclavian artery was 15.72 HU. MIP coronal image shows the closure of the subclavian artery in the left side. Three-dimensional volume images were obtained with 100% permeability and 87-1265 HU. The coronal curved MPR and sagittal curved MPR images show the closure of the subclavian artery due to thrombus using 3D image processing. In the case of subclavian arterial occlusion due to thrombosis, the patient is scanned with MDCT and 3D image processing can be used to confirm occlusion of subclavian artery.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.149-155
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• 2002

Recent advances in radiation transport algorithms, computer hardware performance, and parallel computing make the clinical use of Monte Carlo based dose calculations possible. To compare the speed and accuracies of dose calculations between different developed codes, a benchmark tests were proposed at the XIIth ICCR (International Conference on the use of Computers in Radiation Therapy, Heidelberg, Germany 2000). A Monte Carlo treatment planning comprised of 28 various Intel Pentium CPUs was implemented for routine clinical use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of our system using the above benchmark tests. The benchmark procedures are comprised of three parts. a) speed of photon beams dose calculation inside a given phantom of 30.5 cm$\times$39.5 cm $\times$ 30 cm deep and filled with 5 ㎣ voxels within 2% statistical uncertainty. b) speed of electron beams dose calculation inside the same phantom as that of the photon beams. c) accuracy of photon and electron beam calculation inside heterogeneous slab phantom compared with the reference results of EGS4/PRESTA calculation. As results of the speed benchmark tests, it took 5.5 minutes to achieve less than 2% statistical uncertainty for 18 MV photon beams. Though the net calculation for electron beams was an order of faster than the photon beam, the overall calculation time was similar to that of photon beam case due to the overhead time to maintain parallel processing. Since our Monte Carlo code is EGSnrc, which is an improved version of EGS4, the accuracy tests of our system showed, as expected, very good agreement with the reference data. In conclusion, our Monte Carlo treatment planning system shows clinically meaningful results. Though other more efficient codes are developed such like MCDOSE and VMC＋＋, BEAMnrc based on EGSnrc code system may be used for routine clinical Monte Carlo treatment planning in conjunction with clustering technique.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2017

Purpose 3D 프린팅 기술은 3D 스캔이나 모델링을 통하여 적측가공 방식으로 제작하는 기공기술로서 금형 없이 직접 생산이 가능하고 빠른 시간 내에 제작이 가능하여 최근 다양한 산업분야에서 본격적으로 적용되고 있다. 3D 프린팅 기술은 의료분야에 있어, 영상의학 및 방사선 치료분야에서 다양하게 활용되고 있지만 핵의학 분야에서는 관련 연구가 미비한 실정이다. 그러므로 본 연구는 기존에 적용되고 있는 핵의학분야 팬텀과 3D 프린팅 기술로 제작된 텀의 특성을 비교하고 적용 가능성을 평가하는데 목적을 두었다. Materials and Methods 방사선 투과도 변화측정 국제기준 팬텀인 알루미늄(Aluminum) 계단 쐐기(step wedge)를 기준($140mm{\times}62mm{\times}35mm$)으로 PMMA(Poly Methyl Meta Acrylate)와 ABS(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)재질로 각각 동일한 크기의 팬텀을 제작하였다. PMMA 팬텀은 핵의학 분야에서 주로 적용되는 팬텀의 성분과 동일한 소재로 제작하였고, ABS 팬텀 제작은 3D 프린팅 기술의 액체 기반형의 SLA(Stereo Lithography Apparatus)기법을 사용하여 제작하였다. 본 연구는 SPECT/CT장비 BrightView XCT(Philips Health Care, Cleveland, USA)를 이용하였다. 영상 획득은 Rectangular Flood phantom(Biodex, New York, USA) $^{99m}TcO_4$ 3, 6 mCi와 $^{57}Co$ lood phantom(adqual, New Hampshire, USA) $^{57}Co$ 20 mCi를 이용하여 Aluminum, PMMA, ABS 팬텀에 대해 60 min 리스트모드(List mode)로 획득하였다. 획득한 영상의 분석을 위해 관심영역(ROI)을 설정하여 각 팬텀의 단계별로 평가하였다. Results 방사선원의 종류 및 방사선량에 따라 ABS 팬텀의 계수치는 PMMA 팬텀의 계수치와 유사한 값을 나타내며, 두께의 증가에 따라 선형적으로 감소하였다. Aluminum, PMMA, ABS 팬텀의 선감약계수를 비교했을 때, Aluminum 팬텀의 선감약계수는 나머지 두 팬텀보다 수치가 높았고, PMMA, ABS 팬텀에서는 근사치의 선감약계수가 나타났다. Conclusion 3D 프린팅 기술로 제작된 ABS 팬텀을 기준으로 PMMA 팬텀은 두께가 증가함에 따른 계수치의 변화가 유사하게 선형적으로 감소하였고, 선감약계수도 근사치로 나타내었다. ABS 팬텀의 핵의학적 적용 가능성을 확인할 수 있었으며, 추후 연구를 통해 세부적인 교정치(correction value)를 적용한다면 활발한 적용이 가능하리라 사료된다.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.167-175
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the variation of the dose which is delivered to the patients with glottis cancer under IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy) by using the 3D registration with CBCT (cone beam CT) images and the DIR (deformable image registration) techniques. The CBCT images which were obtained at a one-week interval were reconstructed by using B-spline algorithm in DIR system, and doses were recalculated based on the newly obtained CBCT images. The dose distributions to the tumor and the critical organs were compared with reference. For the change of volume depending on weight at 3 to 5 weeks, there was increased of 1.38~2.04 kg on average. For the body surface depending on weight, there was decreased of 2.1 mm. The dose with transmitted to the carotid since three weeks was increased compared be more than 8.76% planned, and the thyroid gland was decreased to 26.4%. For the physical evaluation factors of the tumor, PITV, TCI, rDHI, mDHI, and CN were decreased to 4.32%, 5.78%, 44.54%, 12.32%, and 7.11%, respectively. Moreover, $D_{max}$, $D_{mean}$, $V_{67.50}$, and $D_{95}$ for PTV were increased or decreased to 2.99%, 1.52%, 5.78%, and 11.94%, respectively. Although there was no change of volume depending on weight, the change of body types occurred, and IMRT with the narrow composure margin sensitively responded to such a changing. For the glottis IMRT, the patient's weight changes should be observed and recorded to evaluate the actual dose distribution by using the DIR techniques, and more the adaptive treatment planning during the treatment course is needed to deliver the accurate dose to the patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2014

This paper tries to examine whether the application of joint mobilization to subjects who have the forward head posture due to malalignment in the cervical joint has influence on posture changes and functions in the cervical joint. The subjects were 39 students from G University in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The cervical joint mobilization was applied to 20 subjects and not to 19. The students with a cervical lordosis angle of $21^{\circ}C$ or less, an anterior weight bearing (AWB) of 15mm or greater, and a cervical extension ROM of $70^{\circ}C$ or less in terms of radiography were selected as subjects under their voluntary agreement. The patients actively performed the joint mobilization slowly 8 times per session while therapists continuously applied sustained accessory glide to their painful joints 3 times per week for 4 weeks along with the cervical expansion and flexion in SNAGS among other Mulligan's (1995) techniques. The measurement was carried out in terms of radiographic inspection and neck disability indexes. As a result of the experiment, it turned out that the subjects with the forward head posture had changes in the cervical AWB and ARA, the ranges of expansion and flexion, and the NDI(Neck Disability Index) after the intervention for the experimental group by applying cervical joint mobilization. There were no changes observed in the control group. In conclusion, the application of joint mobilization turned out to have influence on the improvement of cervical joint postures, and craniocervical region functions.