• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.181-185
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• 2002

The melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy is a rare neoplasm arising in the first year of life. A 33-day-old female infant had an enlarged alveolar ridge on the right anterior maxilla. Intraoral examination revealed a nonulcerative swelling at the site. An intraoral radiograph showed an ill-defined radiolucency on the right anterior maxilla and displacement of primary incisors from their alveolar sockets. CT scans revealed an expansion of the surrounding bone and partial destruction of the anterior wall of the premaxilla. Histopathologic examination showed the cytoplasm of neuroblastic cells and eosinophilic, epithelioid cells frequently contained a dark brown granular pigment that stained positively to vimentin and HMB45, focally positive to NSE and cytokeratin. Four weeks after the operation, CT scans showed a rapidly growing soft tissue mass occupying right maxillary sinus encroaching to the orbit and nasal cavity. The final diagnosis was made as a malignant melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.277-281
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• 1988

Although widely used in external beam treatment planning, computed tomography scans are infrequent in incranial tumors by implanting of Radioactive isotope. This incranial brachytherapy has only become possible by using CT scans and stereotaxic operation methods. The coincidence of single source and tumor axes in brachytherapy is very important to determine the therapeutic dosages. Eventhough using the CT scan, according to spatial location of tumor tying, the section of tumor will be seen enlargement, cause the tumor will be cut off with slight angle to its axes. Correct analysis of tumor size from source is required for rotated axes in analytical geometry.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.855-858
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• 2010

Kawasaki disease (KD) causes multisystemic vasculitis but infrequently manifests with deep neck infections, such as a peritonsillar abscess, peritonsillar or deep neck cellulitis, suppurative parapharyngeal infection, or retropharyngeal abscess. As its etiology is still unknown, the diagnosis is usually made based on typical symptoms. The differential diagnosis between KD and deep neck infections is important, considering the variable head and neck manifestations of KD. There are several reports on KD patients who were initially diagnosed with retropharyngeal abscess on on computed tomography scans (CT). However, the previously reported cases did not have abscess or fluid collection on retropharyngeal aspiration. Therefore, false-positive neck CT scans have been obtained, until recently. In this case, suspected neck abscess in patients with KD unresponsive to intravenous immunoglobulin could signal the possible coexistence of suppurative cervical lymphadenitis.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2014

Recent research in endodontics has highlighted the need for three-dimensional imaging in the clinical arena as well as in research. Three-dimensional imaging using computed tomography (CT) has been used in endodontics over the past decade. Three types of CT scans have been studied in endodontics, namely cone-beam CT, spiral CT, and peripheral quantitative CT. Contemporary endodontics places an emphasis on the use of cone-beam CT for an accurate diagnosis of parameters that cannot be visualized on a two-dimensional image. This review discusses the role of CT in endodontics, pertaining to its importance in the diagnosis of root canal anatomy, detection of periradicular lesions, diagnosis of trauma and resorption, presurgical assessment, and evaluation of the treatment outcome.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.151-159
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• 2021

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is one of the crucial diagnostic tools in modern medicine. However, careful monitoring of radiation dose for CT patients is essential since the procedure involves ionizing radiation, a known carcinogen. Materials and Methods: The most desirable CT dose descriptor for risk analysis is the organ absorbed dose. A variety of CT organ dose calculators currently available were reviewed in this article. Results and Discussion: Key common elements included in CT dose calculators were discussed and compared, such as computational human phantoms, CT scanner models, organ dose database, effective dose calculation methods, tube current modulation modeling, and user interface platforms. Conclusion: It is envisioned that more research needs to be conducted to more accurately map CT coverage on computational human phantoms, to automatically segment organs and tissues for patient-specific dose calculations, and to accurately estimate radiation dose in the cone beam computed tomography process during image-guided radiation therapy.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate optimal CT scan parameters to minimize patient dose to the irradiation and maintain satisfactory image quality in low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) scans. In a chest anthropomorphic phantom, chest CT scans were performed at different kVp and mA within reference of 3.4mGy in volume CT Dose Index (CTDI_vol). The following quantitative parameters had been statistically evaluated: image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and figure of merit (FOM). Nine radiographers conducted the blind test to select the optimal kVp-mA combination. Results indicated that the kVp-mA combination of 80kVp-90mA, 100kVp-50mA, 120kVp-30mA and 140kVp-30mA were obtained high SNR and CNR. The 120kVp-30mA combination offered good compromise in the FOM, which showed the quality and dose performance. In the blind test, an image of 80kVp-90mA obtained a high score with 4.7 points, and 120kVp-10mA or 140kVp-10mA with a low tube current were observed severe noise and poor image quality, thus resulting in decreased diagnostic accuracy. On the other hand, in the combination of high kVp and high mA(140kVp-90mA), the image quality was improved, but the radiation dose was also increased. the FOM value of 140kVp-90mA was lower than 120kVp-30mA. The application of appropriate scan parameters in low-dose chest CT scans produced satisfactory results in dose and image quality for the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 2020

Purpose: The detection and exact localization of penetrating foreign bodies are crucial for the appropriate management of patients with dentoalveolar trauma. This study compared the efficacy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and spiral computed tomography (CT) scans for the detection of different foreign bodies composed of 5 frequently encountered materials in 2 sizes. The effect of the location of the foreign bodies on their visibility was also analyzed. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, metal, tooth, stone, glass, and plastic particles measuring 1×1×1 mm and 2×2×2 mm were prepared. They were implanted in a sheep's head in the tongue muscle, nasal cavity, and at the interface of the mandibular cortex and soft tissue. CBCT and spiral CT scans were taken and the visibility of foreign bodies was scored by 4 skilled maxillofacial radiologists who were blinded to the location and number of foreign bodies. Results: CT and CBCT were equally accurate in visualizing metal, stone, and tooth particles of both sizes. However, CBCT was better for detecting glass particles in the periosteum. Although both imaging modalities visualized plastic particles poorly, CT was slightly better for detecting plastic particles, especially the smaller ones. Conclusion: Considering the lower patient radiation dose and cost, CBCT can be used with almost equal accuracy as CT for detecting foreign bodies of different compositions and sizes in multiple maxillofacial regions. However, CT performed better for detecting plastic particles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2020

The number of CT scans is increasing every year due to the improvement of the medical standards of the public, and thus the annual dose of medical radiation is also increasing. In this study, we evaluated the effective dose of the human body exposed to CT scans and estimated LAR. First, five region were selected from the CT diagnostic reference level guideline, and the effective dose of human body exposed to each examination was evaluated by clinical CT device. Second, the human organs and effective dose were calculated using the ALARA-CT program under the same conditions. Third, lifetime attributable risk (LAR) estimated by the effective dose exposed through the previous CT scan was estimated. As a result, the most effective dose was 21.18 mSv during the abdomen 4 phase scan, and the dose level was below DRL for all other tests except for the abdominal examination. As a result of evaluating effective dose using a dose calculation program under the same conditions, the results showed about 1.1 to 1.9 times higher results for each examination. In the case of organ dose, the closer the organ to the scan site, the higher the scattering ray. The lifetime attributable risk to CT radiation dose in adults was gradually decreased with age, and the results were somewhat different according to gender.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.505-515
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• 1997

Background : We assessed the accuracy of staging in evaluation of bronchial invasion, thus found the role of CT in patients who underwent resective surgery in primary lung cancer. Materials and Methods : Authors retrospectively analized the preoperative CT scans of 156 patients receiving pneumonectomy(n = 95) and lobectomy(n = 61). Among lobectomy patients, 7 patients subsequently performed pneumonectomy because of positive resection margin of bronchus in frozen biopsy. We also retrospectively analized CT scans of non-operated 60 patients who performed sufficient bronchoscopic biopsy. Bronchial wall thickness more than 3mm, irregular wall thickening and reduction of diameter by CT were defined as bronchial invasion. The pathologic examination of resection margin were positive in 20, stump recurrence occurred in 6 of the operated group, and the pathologic examination of biopsy of bronchial wall were positive in 34 of the non operated group, and these were an regarded as bronchial invasion. Results : The CT assessment of bronchial invasion revealed low sensitivity (11.5%), low positive predictability(38%), but high specificity(96%) and relatively high accuracy (84%) in the operated group and higher sensitivity (62%), higher positive predictability(95%) in non-operated group. Conclusion : In lung cancer patients who underwent operation, CT showed very low sensitivity and positive predictability in evaluation of bronchial invasion. Because the usefulness of CT in evaluation of bronchial invasion is limited, therefore aggressive fiberoptic bronchoscopic biopsy is thought to be necessary before surgical attempt.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.400-404
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• 2014

Objective : Clip artifacts limit the visualization of intracranial structures in CT scans from patients after aneurysmal clipping with cobalt alloy clips. This study is to analyze the parameters influencing the degree of clip artifacts. Methods : Postoperative CT scans of 60 patients with straight cobalt alloy-clipped aneurysms were analyzed for the maximal diameter of white artifacts and the angle and number of streak artifacts in axial images, and the maximal diameter of artifacts in three-dimensional (3-D) volume-rendered images. The correlation coefficient (CC) was determined between each clip artifact type and the clip blade length and clip orientation to the CT scan (angle a, lateral clip inclination in axial images; angle b, clip gradient to scan plane in lateral scout images). Results : Angle b correlated negatively with white artifacts (r=-0.589, p<0.001) and positively with the angle (r=0.636, p<0.001) and number (r=0.505, p<0.001) of streak artifacts. Artifacts in 3-D images correlated with clip blade length (r=0.454, p=0.004). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that angle b was the major parameter influencing white artifacts and the angle and number of streak artifacts in axial images (p<0.001), whereas clip blade length was a major factor in 3-D images (p=0.034). Conclusion : Use of a clip orientation perpendicular to the scan gantry angle decreased the amount of white artifacts and allowed better visualization of the clip site.