• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.30 no.1_2
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• pp.139-151
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• 2018

Objectives : A self-made "Tomotherapy couch device" capable of correcting the Yaw direction was fabricated and evaluated for its usefulness. Materials and Methods : "Tomotherapy couch device" capable of correcting the Yaw direction is made of rigid fibreboard with a flexural strength of $200kg/cm^2$. CBCT Image from Novalis Tx and Iso-Align Phantom from MED-TEC were used to evaluate the physical accuracy. The treatment plan was designed using Accuray $Precision^{TM}$ and In House Head and Phantom. Accuray $PrecisionART^{TM}$ and $Precision^{TM}$ was used to evaluate dose. Results : Evaluation results, the self-fabricated device accurately corrected the setup error, Target dose was within 95 %~107 % of all. In order to directly evaluate the OAR dose according to the Yaw change, the absolute dose was measured. As a result, when the error in the Yaw direction was $3^{\circ}$, the specific OAR showed a maximum difference of 18.4 %. Conclusion : "Tomotherapy couch device" capable of correcting the Yaw direction can be manufactured at a lower cost compared to the effect, and it can prevent the patient's MVCT image dose for re-imaging. Accurate radiation therapy without errors can be performed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.671-678
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• 2018

Objective: This study examined the predictive factors for prolonged length of stays of adult patients with acute appendicitis (AA) in an emergency department (ED). Methods: This was a retrospectively clinical study including patients in an ED. All patients were diagnosed from the clinical symptoms and a typical physical examination, and had undergone a computed tomography (CT) evaluation on the ED visiting date. All data were collected from the electrical medical records. The clinical parameters analyzed were the laboratory data, including the white blood cell count with differential values, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, initial vital signs, duration of admission, coexisting perforation of the appendix in the CT findings. The relationship between the clinical parameters and length of stay was assessed. Results: A total of 547 patients with AA were enrolled in this study. Among them, there were 270 male patients with a mean age of $40.7{\pm}15.8years$. The baseline characteristics, initial clinical features, laboratory, and imaging studies results of 129 patients in the prolonged length of stay (pLOS) group, and 418 patients of the non-pLOS group in AA were compared. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed the predictive factors related to pLOS in AA to be as follows: age 40 years or older, body temperature over $37.3^{\circ}C$, CRP level greater than 5.0 mg/dL, and evidence of perforation in CT findings (P<0.001). Conclusion: If we check age, fever, CRP level and find evidence of perforation, it might be helpful for predicting the increasing period of length of hospital stay for patients with AA in ED.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2022

Roots play important roles in water and nutrient uptake and in response to various environmental stresses. Investigating diversification of cultivars through root phenotyping is important for crop improvement in adzuki beans. Therefore, we analyzed the morphological and architectural root traits of 22 adzuki bean cultivars using 2-dimensional (2D) root imaging. Plants were grown in plastic tubes [6 cm (diameter) × 40 cm (height)] in a greenhouse from July 25^th to August 28^th. When the plants reached the 2^nd or 3^rd trifoliate leaf stage, the roots were removed and washed with tap water to remove soil particles. Clean root samples were scanned, and the scanned images were analyzed using the WinRHIZO Pro software. The cultivars were analyzed based on six root phenotypes [total root length (TRL), surface area (SA), average diameter (AD), and number of tips (NT) were included as root morphological traits (RMT); and link average length (LAL) and link average diameter (LAD) were included as root architectural traits (RAT)]. According to the analysis of variance (ANOVA), a significant difference was observed between the cultivars for all root morphological traits. Distribution analysis demonstrated that all root traits except LAL followed a normally distributed curve. In the correlation test, the most important morphological trait, TRL, showed a strong positive correlation with SA (r = 0.97^***) and NT (r = 0.94^***). In comparison, between RMT and RAT, TRL showed a significantly negative correlation with LAL (r = -0.50^***); however, TRL did not show a correlation with LAD. Based on RMT and RAT, we identified the cultivars that ranked 5% from the top and bottom. In particular, the cultivar "IT 236657" showed the highest TRL, SA, and NT, while the cultivar "IT 236169" showed the lowest values for TRL, SA, and NT. In addition, the coefficient of variance for the six tested root traits ranged from (14.26-40%) which suggested statistical variability in root phenotypes among the 22 adzuki bean varieties. Thus, this study will help to select target root traits for the adzuki bean breeding program in the future, generating climate-resilient adzuki beans, especially for drought stress, and may be useful for developing biotic and abiotic stress-tolerant cultivars based on better root trait attributes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.123-129
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to analyze differences in imaging quality and dose difference between intra-venous (IV) and intra-arterial (IA) liver dynamic computed tomography (CT). Herein, retrospective, blinded analysis was conducted to analyze signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios in cases of patients who underwent IV or IA liver dynamic CT for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), an interventional procedure for hepatocellular carcinoma. The dose length product (DLP) value stored in Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS) was used to calculate the effective dose and thereby compare differences in the dose between the two methods. The mean liver and spleen signal to noise ratio (SNR) was greater in IV-liver dynamic CT than in IA-liver dynamic CT; however, contrast to noise ratio (CNR) was higher in IA-liver dynamic CT than in IV-liver dynamic CT. However, there were no differences in DLP and effective dose between the two methods. In conclusion, our findings showed that IA-liver dynamic CT showed a similar effective dose and superior CNR compared with IV-liver dynamic CT. Further studies must analyze 3D angiography CT of the hepatic artery to clearly distinguish the feeding artery, which is the essential step in interventional procedures for hepatocellular carcinoma.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.41-46
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• 2011

Purpose: The result of exam using an imaging device is very closely related with the image quality. Moreover, this image quality can be changed according to the condition of image acquisition and evaluation method. In this study, we evaluated the image quality according to the difference of pre-set method in PET/CT image. Materials & Methods: PET/CT Discovery STe16 (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, USA), Chest PET phantom (Experiment 1) and 94 NEMA phantom (Experiment 2) were used. Phantom were filled with $^{18}F$-FDG maintaining hot sphere and background ratio to 4:1. In the case of experiment 1, we set the radio activity concentration on 3.5, 6.0, 8.6 kBq/mL. In the case of experiment 2, we set the radio activity concentration on 3.3, 5.5, 7.7, 9.9, 12.1, 16.5 kBq/mL. All experiments were performed with the time-set method for 2 minutes 30 seconds per frame and the count-set method with one hundred million counts in 3D mode after CT transmission scan. For the evaluation of the image quality, we compared each results by using the NECR and SNR. Results: In the experiment 1, both the NECR and SNR were increased as radioactivity concentration getting increased. The NECR was shown as 53.7, 66.9, 91.4. and SNR was shown as 7.9, 10.0, 11.7. Both the NECR and SNR were increased in time-set method. But the count-set method's pattern was not similar with the time-set method. The NECR was shown as 53.8, 69.1, 97.8, and SNR was shown as 14.1, 14.7 14.4. The SNR was not increased in count-set method. In experiment 2, results of both the NECR and SNR were shown as 45.1, 70.6, 95.3, 115.6, 134.6, 162.2 and 7.1, 8.8, 10.6, 11.5, 12.7, 14.0. These results were shown similar patten with the experiment 1. Moreover, when the count-set method was applied, the NECR was shown as 42.1, 67.3, 92.1, 112.2, 130.7, 158.7, and SNR was shown as 15.2, 15.9, 15.6, 15.4, 15.5, 14.9. The NECR was increased but SNR was not shown same pattern. Conclusion: Increment of administered radioactivity improves the quality of image unconcerned with the pre-set method. However, NECR was not influenced by increment of total acquisition counts through simple increasing scan duration without increment of administered activity. In case of count-set method, the SNR was shown similar value despite of increment of radioactivity. So, the administered activity is more important than the scan duration. And we have to consider that evaluation of image quality using only SNR may not be appropriate.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2007

Purpose: We investigated whether the diagnostic performance of SPECT scintimammography (SMM) can be improved by adding computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) of ultrasonography (US). Materials and methods: We reviewed breast SPECT SMM images and corresponding US images from 40 patients with breast masses (21 malignant and 19 benign tumors). The quantitative data of SPECT SMM were obtained as the uptake ratio of lesion to contralateral normal breast. The morphologic features of the breast lesions on US were extracted and quantitated using the automated CAD software program. The diagnostic performance of SPECT SMM and CAD of US alone was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The best discriminating parameter (D-value) combining SPECT SMM and the CAD of US was created. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of combined two diagnostic modalities were compared to those of a single one. Results: Both SPECT SMM and CAD of US showed a relatively good diagnostic performance (area under curve = 0.846 and 0.831, respectively). Combining the results of SPECT SMM and CAD of US resulted in improved diagnostic performance (area under curve =0.860), but there was no statistical differerence in sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the combined method and a single modality. Conclusion: It seems that combining the results of SPECT SMM and CAD of breast US do not significantly improve the diagnostic performance for diagnosis of breast cancer, compared with that of SPECT SMM alone. However, SPECT SMM and CAD of US may complement each other in differential diagnosis of breast cancer.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 1992

Routine chest radiography is generally imaged by high voltage technique but some radiological technologists use low voltage for imaging. High voltage is usually said between $120\;kV{\sim}140\;kV$. Some RTs like using heavy filtration but others seldom like using it. However which is better for use calcium tungustate film screen system or ortho system and high contrast film or wide latitude c-type film for the exculusive use of chest radiography. We could not make a decision which is ideal method for use. In my opinion any method is not always exellent for chest radiography. In my experiments that I had at Kaken hospital in Japan last year I expect to keep the balance between image quality and diagnostic range and to reduce radiation dose for patients. My experiments are as follows. 1. We have looked into system characteristics(speed and contrast) in accordance with kVp($80{\sim}140$) and added filter($no{\sim}1/16\;VL$) in three screen film systems(BX3+CRONEX4, SRO750+MGH, SRO750+MGL). 2. We have looked into skin dose and film dose with same D=1.8 lung field density in accordance with kVp($80{\sim}140$) and added filter($no{\sim}1/16\;VL$) in three screen film systems. 3. We have compared with the evaluation between correlation of physical image quality(MTF) and optical diagnostic capability. Result are follows. 1. Speed of BX3+CRONEX4 became higher in accodance with kVp and thickness of filter but speed of ortho system was not as like regular system. Thicker filter diminished the speed over 100 kV range in SRO750+MGL. In case of SRO750+MGH speed of 1/16VL filter was looked into lower than speed of 1/4VL filter. Sensitivity of ortho system depends on tube voltage and added filter. 2. Skin dose has been detected $225\;{\mu}Gy{\sim}66\;{\mu}Gy$ in BX3+CRONEX4 from 80 kV, no filter to 140 kV, 1/16VL filter. SRO750+MGH could reduce the patient dose $1/2{\sim}1/3$ level in comparison to that of BX3+CRONEX4. 3. The higher kV was the worse MTF became the thicker filter was the worse MTF became too. MTF of BX3+CRONEX4 was detected better than MTF of SRO750+MGH but SRO750+MGH's optical detectability of small lesion in lung field came out better than that of BX3+CRONEX4. Conclusion Recently routine chest radiography is generally imaged by high voltage but it seems to be there are some questions in using of film screen combination. In high voltage chest radiography the subject contrast will come down that means latitude become wider. In this case if we select the low contrast film screen system(C or L type) the film contrast will fall down extremly and detectability of small lesion will be deteriorated. Wide latitude C, L type film has a merit of high detectability on mediastinum. Furthermore high contrast film screen system has the advantage to keep the high contrast in low density region as like mediastinum and heart shadow. Therefore in low subject contrast high voltage chest radiography we would rather choose the high contrast film screen system(H type) I think. From a view point of patient dose detectability of mediastinum and lung field. The optimum technical facter was found out 120 kV, 1/16VL filter : BX3+CRONEX4, 140 kV, 1/4VL filter : SRO750+MGH, 100 kV, 1/4VL filter : SRO750+MGL.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.389-403
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• 2008

In Angle's Class III malocclusion, which has higher incidence in Korean than Western, depressed midfacial profile with protruded lower lips and mandible may give rise to many functional, esthetic, psychological, social problems. Due to the different malocclusion incidence according to racial differences, many previous studies focused on the relationship between Class II malocclusion and nasal airway obstruction. Previous studies used lateral cephalography which has limitations of 2 dimensional image with projection error and identification error. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze morphologic differences in the nasal airway between normal occlusion and Angle's Class III malocclusion patients using 3-dimensional facial computed tomography. Thirteen normal occlusion(7 men and 6 women) and sixteen skeletal Class III(7 men and 9 women) patients were selected and 3-dimensional facial computed tomography taking was performed. Comparison between two group in volume and sectional area of nasal airway were carried out. The results were followed. 1. In the comparison of absolute nasal airway volume, oropharyngeal space of experimental group were larger than control group but there are no significant difference in other. 2. In the comparison of relative nasal airway volume, oropharyngeal space of experimental group were larger than control group but there are no significant difference in other. 3. In the oropharyngeal space width on frontal and lateral view, the similar tendency was revealed between two groups. 4. In the lateral curvature of nasal airway, the similar tendency was revealed between two groups.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2009

Purpose: The aims of this study were to analyze correlation between the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 2-[F-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) on positron emission computed tomography (PET-CT) scan and the degree of contrast enhancement on computed tomography (CT) scan in lung cancers, and to recognize the difference in SUVmax and CT enhancement between groups of different histopathologic subtypes. Materials and Methods: Our study included 53 patients of pathologically confirmed primary lung cancer, who were performed PET-CT and post-contrast chest CT. We calculated initial and delayed SUVmax (SUV1, SUV2), difference between SUV1 and SUV2 (SUVd), retention index (RI), and the degrees of CT contrast enhancement of lung cancers. We analyzed these variables for subtypes of lung cancers. Results: The values (mean$\pm$ standard deviation) were $8.3{\pm}4.4$ for SUV1, $10.7{\pm}5.7$ for SUV2, $2.4{\pm}1.6$ for SUVd, $30{\pm}14$ for RI and $47.1{\pm}14.8$ HU (Hounsfield Unit) for degree of CT contrast enhancement. The difference of SUV1 and degree of CT enhancement between subtypes was not meaningful. SUV1 showed positive correlations with SUVd (r=0.74, p<0,01) and tumor size (r=0.58, p<0.01), but no significant correlation with degree of CT enhancement (r=0.06, p=0.69). In 10 cases, there was discrepancy in the same mass between the area of highest FDG-uptake and the area of highest contrast enhancement. Conclusion: We suggest that FDG uptake in lung cancer does not have a positive linear correlation with degree of CT enhancement. And there is no significant difference in FDG uptake and degree of CT enhancement between different subtypes of lung cancers.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.294-307
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• 2013

Purpose : To investigate the correlations between Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB) scores and the gray matter volumes (GMV) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitively normal (CN) elderly subjects with correcting the genotypes. Materials and Methods: Total 75 subjects were enrolled with 25 subjects for each group. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon genotypes, SNSB scores, and the 3D T1-weighted images were obtained from all subjects. Correlations between SNSB scores and GMV were investigated with the multiple regression method for each subject group using both voxel-based and region-of-interest-based analyses with covariates of age, gender, and the genotype. Results: In the AD group, Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) delayed recall scores were positively correlated with GMV. In the MCI group, Seoul Verbal Learning Test (SVLT) scores were positively correlated with GMV. In the CN group, GMV negatively correlated with Boston Naming Test (K-BNT) scores and Mini-Mental State Examimation (K-MMSE) scores, but positively correlated with RCFT scores. Conclusion: When we used covariates of age, gender, and the genotype, we found statistically significant correlations between some SNSB scores and GMV at some brain regions. It may be necessary to further investigate a longitudinal study to understand the correlation.