• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2017

A high degree of precision and accuracy in Gamma Knife Radiosurgery(GKRS) is a fundamental requirement for therapeutical success. Elaborate radiation delivery and dose gradients with the steep fall-off of radiation are clinically applied thus necessitating a dedicated Quality Assurance(QA) program in order to guarantee dosimetric and geometric accuracy and reduce all the risk factors that can occur in GKRS. In this study, as a part of QA we verified the accuracy of single-shot dose profiles used in the algorithm of Gamma Knife Perfexion(PFX) treatment planning system employing Variable Ellipsoid Modeling Technique(VEMT). We evaluated the dose distributions of single-shots in a spherical ABC phantom with diameter 160 mm on Gamma Knife PFX. The single-shots were directed to the center of ABC phantom. Collimating configurations of 4, 8, and 16 mm sizes along x, y, and z axes were studied. Gamma Knife PFX treatment planning system being used in GKRS is called Leksell GammaPlan(LGP) ver 10.1.1. From the verification like this, the accuracy of GKRS will be doubled. Then the clinical application must be finally performed based on precision and accuracy of GKRS. Specifically the width at the 50% isodose level, that is, Full-Width-of-Half-Maximum(FWHM) was verified under such conditions that a patient's head is simulated as a sphere with diameter 160mm. All the data about dose profiles along x, y, and z axes predicted through VEMT were excellently consistent with dose profiles from LGP within specifications(${\leq}1mm$ at 50% isodose level) except for a little difference of FWHM and PENUMBRA(isodose level: 20%~80%) along z axis for 4 mm and 8mm collimating configurations. The maximum discrepancy of FWHM was less than 2.3% at all collimating configurations. The maximum discrepancy of PENUMBRA was given for the 8 mm collimator along z axis. The difference of FWHM and PENUMBRA in the dose distributions obtained with VEMT and LGP is too small to give the clinical significance in GKRS. The results of this study are considered as a reference for medical physicists involved in GKRS in the whole world. Therefore we can work to confirm the validity of dose distributions for all collimating configurations determined through the regular preventative maintenance program using the independent verification method VEMT for the results of LGP and clinically assure the perfect treatment for patients of GKRS. Thus the use of VEMT is expected that it will be a part of QA that can verify and operate the system safely.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2020

The standard uptake values (SUVs) strongly depend on positron emission tomographs (PETs) and image reconstruction methods. Various image reconstruction algorithms in GE Discovery MIDR (DMIDR) and Discovery Ste (DSte) installed at Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul Samsung Medical Center were applied to measure the SUVs in an anthropomorphic torso phantom. The measured SUVs in the heart, liver, and background were compared to the actual SUVs. Applied image reconstruction algorithms were VPFX-S (TOF+PSF), QCFX-S-350 (Q.Clear+TOF+PSF), QCFX-S-50, VPHD-S (OSEM+PSF) for DMIDR, and VUE Point (OSEM) and FORE-FBP for DSte. To reduce the radiation exposure to radiation technologists, only the small amount of radiation source ¹⁸F-FDG was mixed with the distilled water: 2.28 MBq in the 52.5 ml heart, 20.3 MBq in the 1,290 ml liver and 45.7 MBq for the 9,590 ml in the background region. SUV values in the heart with the algorithms of VPFX-S, QCFX-S-350, QCFX-S-50, VPHD-S, VUE Point, and FOR-FBP were 27.1, 28.0, 27.1, 26.5, 8.0, and 7.4 with the expected SUV of 5.9, and in the background 4.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.1, 1.1, and 1.2 with the expected SUV of 0.8, respectively. Although the SUVs in each region were different for the six reconstruction algorithms in two PET/CTs, the SUV ratios between heart and background were found to be relatively consistent; 6.5, 6.8, 6.5, 6.5, 7.3, and 6.2 for the six reconstruction algorithms with the expected ratio of 7.8, respectively. Mean SNRs (Signal to Noise Ratios) in the heart were 8.3, 12.8, 8.3, 8.4, 17.2, and 16.6, respectively. In conclusion, the performance of PETs may be checked by using with the SUV ratios between two regions and a relatively small amount of radioactivity.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2014

Recently the development of portable digital wireless imaging system, which acquires digital radiation images by using wireless LAN telecommunications function in an easy and fast way, provides lots of convenience for people. Considering the characteristics of portable imaging tests on emergency and critical patients, this study aims to suggest guidelines for Digital wireless detector by evaluating the effect of de-centering of focus-grid and displacement of subject in detector on the quality of image. The equipments used for this study were Elmo-T6 Digital Mobile X-ray system (SIMAZU Corp.), el' Tor ($14{\times}17$ "Wireless detector), Grid (10:1) and Chest & head phantom. After acquiring post-processing image according to dose increase and de-centering image of grid-focus and head phantom displacement image, this study compared, analyzed and evaluated these images by using a digital image analysis program by Image J. In the change of images based on dose increase, images were rough in the dose of 0.5 mAs, while there was no difference among images in the proper dose of 1~2 mAs and, especially from 2.5 mAs, average value of pixels radically decreased, affecting contrast. Over 3 mAs, contrast dropped due to saturation phenomenon of lungs. As the result of analysis using Image J program, with the increase of displacement between focus-grid and head phantom, the frequency of low pixel value also increase, causing the outline of surface image to disappear, which in turn affects contrast. For better quality imaging, a radiographer must be aware before the time of test that the image quality can be changed based on the critical patient's posture, movement, respiration, displacement of X-ray tube and distance of imaging.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2016

In this study, among various factors having influence on SUV, we intended to compare and analyze the change of SUV using CT(4 type) and MRI(3 type) contrast agents which are commercialized now. We used Discovery 690 PET/CT(GE) and NEMA NU2 - 1994 PET phantom as experimental equipment. We have conducted a study as follows; first, we filled distilled water to phantom about two-thirds and injected radioisotope(18F-FDG 37 MBq), contrast agent. Second, we mixed CT contrast agent with distilled water and MRI contrast agent with that water separately. And then, we stirred the fluid and filled distilled water fully not to make air bubble. In emission scan, we had 15minutes scanning time after 40 minutes mixing contrast agent with distilled water. In transmission scan, we used CT scanning and its measurement conditions were tube voltage 120 kVp, tube current 40 mA, rotation time 0.5 sec, slice thickness 3.27 mm, DFOV 30 cm. Analyzing results, we set up some ROIs in 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th slice and measured SUVmean, SUVmax. Consequently, all images mixed 3 types of MRI contrast agent with distilled water have high SUVmean as compared with pure FDG image but there was no statistical significance. In SUVmax, they have high score and there was statistical significance. And other 4 images mixed 4 types of CT contrast agent with distilled water have significance in both SUVmean and SUVmax. Attenuation correction in PET/CT has been executed through various methods to make high quality image. But we figured out that using CT and MRI contrast agents before PET/CT scanning could make distortion of image and decrease diagnostic value. In that reason, we have to sort out the priority of examination in hospital not to disturb other examination's results. Through this process, we will be able to give superior medical service to our customers.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 2001

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of performing nuclear medicine quality control in korea and to test selected protocols of quality control of nuclear medicine counting system and gamma camera. Materials and Methods: Fifty three hospitals were included to investigate the current status of nuclear medicine quality control in korea. The precision of dose calibrator and thyroid uptake system was measured with Tc-99m 35.52 MBq for 2 minuets and Tc-99m 5.14 MBq for 10 sec every one minute, respectively. The sensitivity of CeraSPECT$^{TM}$ with low energy high resolution parallel hole collimator was measured using two cylindrical phantoms with 15 cm in diameter and 12 cm and 30 cm in heights containing Tc-99m. The correction factor for sensitivity of CeraSPECT$^{TM}$ was calculated using phantom data. The system planar sensitivity, uniformity, count rate and spatial resolution were measured for Varicam gamma camera with low energy high resolution parallel hole collimator using 140 keV centered 20% energy window, 256$\times$256 or 512$\times$512 matrix sizes. Results: The quality control of dose calibrator and well counter were showed poor performance status. On the other hand, The quality control of gamma camera and other systems were showed relatively good performance status. The results of precision of dose calibrator and thyroid uptake system was $\pm$1.4%(<$\pm$5%) and chi^2=29.7(>16.92), respectively. It showed that the sensitivity of CeraSPECT$^{TM}$ was higher in center slices compared with the edge slices. After correction of nonuniform sensitivities for patient data, it showed better results compare with prior to correction. System planar sensitivity of Varicam gamma camera was 4.39 CPM/MBq. The observed count rate at 20% loss was 102,407 counts/sec (head 1), 113,427 counts/sec (head 2), when input count rate was 81,926 counts/sec (head 1), 90,741 counts/sec (head 2). The spatial resolution without scatter medium were 8.16 mm of FWHM and 14.85 mm of FWTM. The spatial resolution with scatter medium were 8.87 mm of FWHM and 18.87 mm of FWTM. Conclusion: It is necessary to understand the importance of quality control and to perform quality control of nuclear medicine devices.vices.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2006

A parallel plate detector containing PTFE films in FEP film for relative dosimetry was designed to measure the response of detectors to S and 10 MV X-rays from a medical linear accelerator through different thicknesses of lead. The dielectric materials were 100 m thick. The set-up conditions for measurements with this detector were as follows: SSD=100 cm the test detector was at a depth of 5 cm and the reference chamber was at a depth of 10 cm from the phantom surface for 6 and 10 MV X-rays. Lead blocks were designed to cover the irradiated field. They were added to the tray to increase thickness sequentially. We found that the detector response decreased exponentially with the thickness of lead added. The linear attenuation coefficients of the test detector and reference chamber were 0.1414 and 0.541, respectively, for 6 MV X-rays and 0.1358 and 0.5279 for 10 MV X-rays. The test detector response was greater than that of the reference chamber. The response function was calculated from the measured values of the test detector and reference chamber using optimization. These optimized constants for the detector response function were independent of theenergy. As a result of optimizing the response function between detectors, the use of a relative dosimeter was validated, because the response of the test detector was 1% for 6 MV X-rays and 4% for 10 MV X-rays.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.219-228
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• 2012

The tangential breast intensity modulated radiotherapy (T-B IMRT) technique, which uses the same tangential fields as conventional 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) plans with physical wedges, was analyzed in terms of the calculated dose distribution feature and dosimetric accuracy of beam delivery during treatment. T-B IMRT plans were prepared for 15 patients with breast cancer who were already treated with conventional 3D-CRT. The homogeneity of the dose distribution to the target volume was improved, and the dose delivered to the normal tissues and critical organs was reduced compared with that in 3D-CRT plans. Quality assurance (QA) plans with the appropriate phantoms were used to analyze the dosimetric accuracy of T-B IMRT. An ionization chamber placed at the hole of an acrylic cylindrical phantom was used for the point dose measurement, and the mean error from the calculated dose was $0.7{\pm}1.4%$. The accuracy of the dose distribution was verified with a 2D diode detector array, and the mean pass rate calculated from the gamma evaluation was $97.3{\pm}2.9%$. We confirmed the advantages of a T-B IMRT in the dose distribution and verified the dosimetric accuracy from the QA performance which should still be regarded as an important process even in the simple technique as T-B IMRT in order to maintain a good quality.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2009

Purpose : This study proposes the keyhole method in order to improve the time resolution of the proton resonance frequency(PRF) MR temperature monitoring technique. The values of Root Mean Square (RMS) error of measured temperature value and Signal-to-Noise Ratio(SNR) obtained from the keyhole and full phase encoded temperature images were compared. Materials and Methods : The PRF method combined with GRE sequence was used to get MR temperature images using a clinical 1.5T MR scanner. It was conducted on the tissue-mimic 2% agarose gel phantom and swine's hock tissue. A MR compatible coaxial slot antenna driven by microwave power generator at 2.45GHz was used to heat the object in the magnetic bore for 5 minutes followed by a sequential acquisition of MR raw data during 10 minutes of cooling period. The acquired raw data were transferred to PC after then the keyhole images were reconstructed by taking the central part of K-space data with 128, 64, 32 and 16 phase encoding lines while the remaining peripheral parts were taken from the 1st reference raw data. The RMS errors were compared with the 256 full encoded self-reference temperature image while the SNR values were compared with the zero filling images. Results : As phase encoding number at the center part on the keyhole temperature images decreased to 128, 64, 32 and 16, the RMS errors of the measured temperature increased to 0.538, 0.712, 0.768 and 0.845$^{\circ}C$, meanwhile SNR values were maintained as the phase encoding number of keyhole part is reduced. Conclusion : This study shows that the keyhole technique is successfully applied to temperature monitoring procedure to increases the temporal resolution by standardizing the matrix size, thus maintained the SNR values. In future, it is expected to implement the MR real time thermal imaging using keyhole method which is able to reduce the scan time with minimal thermal variations.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.301-308
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• 1982

Chungkook-jang Koji was fermented with rice straw at $40^{\circ}C\;and\;50^{\circ}C$ for 72 hours. The changes of proximate composition, pH, titrable acidity, nitrogen compounds, protease activity and free-amino acids during the fermentation were investigated. Moisture, lipid and protein contents remained essentially unchanged during the fermentation. The pH was gradually increased from 6.4 to 7.46 and 7.82 at $40^{\circ}C\;and\;50^{\circ}C$, respectively, after 72 hour fermentation. Amino type and water soluble nitrogen increased as fermentation progressed. however, the former slightly decreased after 60 hour fermentation. Chungkook-jang fermented at $40^{\circ}C$ showed somewhat higher protease activity than $50^{\circ}C$. However, protease activity at both fermentation temperatures showed the same trend; that is, it increased until 48 hour fermentation and thereafter decrease. Free amino acid content of Chung-kook-jang after 72 hour fermentation at $40^{\circ}C$ was 6 times greater than that of the steamed soybean, while it was 2.5 times greater at $50^{\circ}C$. Based on these results. it seems that the optimum fermentation conditions for Chungkook-jang were $40^{\circ}C$ and 72 hours.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.261-268
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• 2010

This study is compared that the dose distribution by experimentation and radiation therapy planning (RTP) when the air cavity region was treated high energy photon. The dose measurements were performed with a 6 MV photon beam of linear accelerator. The polystyrene and self made acyl phantom were similar to tissue density of the human body. A parallel plate chamber was connected to an electrometer. The measurement setup was SCD (Source Chamber Distance) 100 cm and the distance of surface from air cavity was 3 cm. Absorbed dose of interface were measured by area and height. The percent depth dose were measured presence and absence of air cavity, depth according to a ratio of field size and air cavity size. The dose distribution on planning was expressed to do the inhomogeneity correction. As the area of air cavity was increased, the absorbed dose were gradually reduced. It was slightly increased, when the height of air cavity was changed from 0 cm to 0.5 cm. After the point, dose was decreased. In case of presence of air cavity, dose after distal air cavity interface was more great than absence of air cavity. The rebuild up by field size and area of air cavity occurred for field size, $4{\times}4\;cm^2$, $5{\times}5\;cm^2$ and $6{\times}6\;cm^2$, with fixed on area of air cavity, $5{\times}5\;cm^2$. But it didn't occur at $10{\times}10\;cm^2$ field size. On the contrary, the field size was fixed on $5{\times}5\;cm^2$, rebuild up occurred in area of air cavity, $4{\times}4\;cm^2$, $5{\times}5\;cm^2$. but, it did not occur for air cavity, $2{\times}2\;cm^2$, $3{\times}3\;cm^2$. All of the radiation therapy planning were not occurred rebuild up. It was required to pay attention to treat tumor in air cavity because the dose distribution of planning was different from the dose distribution of patient.