• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.207-213
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• 2023

Computed tomography (CT) images are used as the basis for proton Bragg peak position estimation and treatment plan simulation. During the Hounsfield Unit (HU) based proton stopping power ratio (SPR) estimation, small differences in the patient's density and elemental composition lead to uncertainty in the Bragg peak positions along the path of the proton beam. In this study, we investigated the potential of dual-energy computed tomography image-based proton SPRs prediction accuracy to reduce the uncertainty of Bragg peak position prediction. Single- and dual-energy images of an electron density phantom (CIRS Model 062M electron density phantom, CIRS Inc., Norfolk, VA, USA) were acquired using a computed tomography system (Somatom Definition AS, Siemens Health Care, Forchheim, Germany) to estimate the SPRs of the proton beam. To validate the method, it was compared to the SPRs estimated from standard data provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The results show that the dual-energy image-based method has the potential to improve accuracy in predicting the SPRs of proton beams, and it is expected that further improvements in predicting the position of the proton's Bragg peak will be possible if a wider variety of substitutes with different densities and elemental compositions of the human body are used to predict the SPRs.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.253-259
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• 2017

The study examines changes in calcium volume on born by comparing two figures; one is measured by dual energy computed tomography(DECT) followed by applying variation in monochromatic energy selection(keV), material decomposition(MD), and material suppressed iodine(MSI) analysis, and the other is measured by conventional single source computed tomography(CSCT). For this study, based on CSCT images taken by using human mimicked phantom, 70, 100, 140 keV and MSI, MD material calcium weighting(MCW) and MD material iodine weighting(MIW) of DECT were applied respectively. Then calculated calcium volume was converted to Agatston score for comparison. Volume of human mimicked phantom was in inverse proportion to keV. The volume decreased while keV increased(p<0.05). The most similar DECT volumes were reconstructed at 70 keV, the difference was showed $35.8{\pm}12.2$ for rib, femur ($16.1{\pm}24.1$), pelvis($13.7{\pm}18.8$), and spine($179.0{\pm}61.8$). However, the volume of MSI was down for each organ; the volume of rib was 5.55%, femur(76.34%), pelvis(55.16%) and spine(87.58%). The volume of MSI decreased 55.9% for rib, femur(80.7%), pelvis(69.6%) and spine(54.2%) while MD MIW reduced for rib(83.51%), femur(87.68%), pelvis(86.64%), and spine(82.62%). With the results, the study found that outcomes were affected by the method which examiners employed. When using DECT, calcium volume of born dropped with keV increased. It also found that the most similar DECT images were reconstructed at 70 keV. The results of experiments implied that the users of MSI and MD should be cautious of errors as there are big differences in scores between those two methods.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.311-316
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• 2017

Generally assessing bone mineral density (BMD) were performed on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) the same as dual energy CT (DECT) with a rapid-kVp switching. The purpose of this study is to compare the different of BMD value between DEXA and DECT method, and evaluate usefulness of DECT method. Using scanner for BMD measurements were GE, Healthcare Discovery 750 HD for DECT and Hologic QDR 4500W for DEXA. For compare BMD value in each method, scanned lumbar spine phantom and subjects visiting Korean National Cancer Center from April 2015 to December 2015, records of 50 patients. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. The mean BMD value measures for spine phantom and for subjects in each scanners presented strong correlation (r=0.948 with p<0.05 for phantom; r=0.635 with p<0.05 and Kendall's tau $({\tau})=0.46$ with p<0.05 for subjects) and linear relationship between DECT and conventional DEXA. DECT technique for BMD measurement will provide a very useful methodology without additional radiation dose.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.20-30
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• 2010

In this paper, a new tomographic scan method with fixed installed detectors and rotating source from gamma projector was presented to diagnose the industrial plants which were impossible to be examined by conventional tomographic systems. Weight matrix calculation method which was suitable for volumetric detector and statistical iterative reconstruction method were applied for reconstructing the simulation and experimental data. Monte Carlo simulations had been performed for two kinds of phantoms. Lab scale experiment with a same condition as one of phantoms, had been carried out. Simulation results showed that reconstruction from photopeak counting measurement gave the better results than from the gross counting measurement although photopeak counting measurement had large statistical errors. Experimental data showed the similar result as Monte Carlo simulation. Those results appeared to be promising for industrial tomographic applications, especially for petrochemical industries.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.1003-1011
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• 2020

This study aims to compare and evaluate the image differences between single and dual sources in applying a technique to reduce metal artifacts using dual energy CT. Discovery CT 256 (GE, USA) as a single source device and Somatom Definition Flash (Siemens Health Care, Forchheim, Germany) as a dual source device. The self-made phantom (pigs with medical titanium screws inserted) was quantitative and qualitatively evaluated under the same conditions by varying the dose under the same conditions using a dual energy CT. The evaluation method was compared by measuring SNR for metal artifacts (scattering, stripe) generated by metal inserts, divided around bones and around tissues. There was a difference in images in the method of reducing metal artifacts between single-source and dual-source devices. In a single source device, the linearized prosthesis by metal implantation showed a greater decrease than the image obtained from a double source device, and the surrounding tissue was well observed without interference from the artifact. In dual-source devices, scattering and stripe artifacts caused by metal inserts decreased more than on a single source device, and signals from adjacent tissues surrounding the metal implant were well observed without diminishing. If the examination is conducted separately between single source and dual source devices depending on whether the area to which the patient is intended to be viewed during the examination is adjacent to the metal insert or the total tissue surrounding the metal insert, it is believed that diagnostic helpful images can be obtained.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.173-181
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• 2021

Purpose To evaluate the ability of the Hounsfield unit (HU) measurement of the femoral neck during multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for assessing osteoporosis compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Materials and Methods Forty-two patients with femoral neck fractures who underwent MDCT and DXA from July to December 2016 were included in this study. HU measurements were made of the cancellous portions of the normal contralateral femoral neck on MDCT. Bone mineral density (BMD) and T-scores were obtained at the femur DXA. Correlations of HU values with BMD and T-scores were analyzed using Spearman's correlation test. Results The mean BMD and T-score of the femoral neck were 0.650 g/cm² and -2.4, respectively. The mean HU values for the normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups were 131.9, 98.9, and 41.3, respectively. HU values at the femoral neck were positively correlated with BMD (r² = 0.670; p < 0.001) and T-scores (r² = 0.676; p < 0.001). Conclusion The HU values of the femoral neck on MDCT are significantly correlated with BMD and T-scores of femur DXA. The HU values may serve as a diagnostic tool for the screening of regional bone quality when MDCT is performed for other reasons.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.835-841
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• 2023

The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic ability of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) for Composition determination of urinary stones in phantom model. Seventeen cases with urinary stones who underwent DECT were enrolled in the study. The composition of the urinary stones was extracted from the seventeen patients were analyzed with DECT in phantom model with fresh pork. The volume scan method using Dual-energy software was used and the scanned image sets were assessed. All 17 urinary stones of the phantom model were analyzed according to the stone composition using DE stone Analysis were divided into uric acid stones (n=6, 35.29%) and non-uric acid stones (n=11, 64.71%). These urinary stones were pathologically confirmed. The mean attenuation values of uric acid stones at 135 kV, 100 kV and 80 kV was 348.87 ± 166.37 HU, 345.33 ± 151.18 HU and 337.94 ± 172.77 HU, respectively. The mean attenuation values of non-uric acid stones at 135 kV, 100 kV and 80 kV was 551.93 ± 297.09 HU, 747.04 ± 351.31 HU and 958.19 ± 424.72 HU, respectively. At 80 kV, uric acid stones and non-uric acid stones showed significant difference in the attenuation values(P<0.05). The attenuation values of DECT could differentiate the compositions of urinary stones between uric acid and non-uric acid stones at 80 kV in phantom model.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 1997

Purpose : The Dual-Energy Quantitative Computed Tomography(DEQCT) was compared with bone equivalent $K_2HPO_4$ standard solution and ash weight of animal cadaveric trabecular bone in the measurement of bone mineral contents(BMC). Method and Materials : The attenuation coefficient of tissues highly depends on the radiation energy density and effective atomic number of composition, The bone mineral content of DEQCT in this experiments was determined from empirical constants and mass attenuation coefficients of bone,fat and soft tissue equivalent solution in two photon spectra. In this experiments, the BMC of DEQCT with 80 and $120kV_p$ X rays was compared to ash weight of animal trabecular bone. Results : We obtained the mass attenuation coefficient of 0.2409 0.5608 and 0.2206 in $80kV_p$, and 0.2046, 0.3273 and $0.1971cm^2/g$ in $120kV_p$ X-ray spectra for water bone and fat equivalent materials, respectively. The BMC with DEQCT was acomplished with empirical constants $K_1=0.3232,\;K_2$=0.2450 and mass attenuation coefficients has very closed to ash weight of animal trabecular bone The BMC of empirical DEQCT and that of manufacturing DEQCT were correlated with ash weight as a correlation r= 0.998 and r= 0.996, respectively. Conclusion : The BMC of empirical DEQCT using the experimental mass attenuation coefficients and that of manufacture have showed very close to ash weight of animal trabecular bone.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.6
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• pp.1286-1297
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• 2022

Purpose To assess the usefulness of various metal artifact reduction (MAR) methods in patients with hip prostheses. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 47 consecutive patients who underwent hip arthroplasty and dual-energy CT. Conventional polyenergetic image (CI), orthopedic-MAR (OMAR), and virtual monoenergetic image (VMI, 50-200 keV) were tested for MAR. Quantitative analysis was performed in seven regions around the prostheses. Qualitative assessments included evaluation of the degree of artifacts and the presence of secondary artifacts. Results The lowest amount of image noise was observed in the O-MAR, followed by the VMI. O-MAR also showed the lowest artifact index, followed by high-keV VMI in the range of 120-200 keV (soft tissue) or 200 keV (bone). O-MAR had the highest contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in regions with severe hypodense artifacts, while VMI had the highest CNR in other regions, including the periprosthetic bone. On assessment of the CI of pelvic soft tissues, VMI showed a higher structural similarity than O-MAR. Upon qualitative analysis, metal artifacts were significantly reduced in O-MAR, followed by that in VMI, while secondary artifacts were the most frequently found in the O-MAR (p < 0.001). Conclusion O-MAR is the best technique for severe MAR, but it can generate secondary artifacts. VMI at high keV can be advantageous for evaluating periprosthetic bone.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2022

This study compared the aortic root image by using the ECG gating and non-ECG gating methods. We observed the presence or absence of progression of the aortic root image in the images examined by the high pitch (flash) chest pain protocol method and in the patients tested without ECG gating by the conventional method. The AAPM phantom was scanned by using high pitch (flash) chest pain protocol and general chest pain protocol. CTDI values were compared. By ECG gating, the blurring of ascending aorta was significantly reduced compared to the existing non-ECG gating test method, and the image quality of the aortic root was improved. Within the parametar range that did not show differences in noise, uniformity, and high contrast resolution, CTDI values were lower when tested with the high-pitch chest pain protocol. It was found that there is an advantage in dose reduction, and if it is applied and applied to diagnostic fields such as dissection using the dose reduction mode in the cardiac field, it is a very important test for patients who need rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment as well as a dramatic reduction in exposure dose. It is presumed to be a method.