• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.21-26
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• 2016

Purpose Because of many advantages, PET-CT Scanners generally use CT Data for attenuation correction. By using CT based attenuation correction, we can get anatomical information, reduce scan time and make more accurate correction of attenuation. However in case metal artifact occurred during CT scan, CT-based attenuation correction can induce artifacts and quantitative errors that can affect the PET images. Therefore this study infers true SUV of metal artifact region from attenuation corrected image count -to- non attenuation corrected image count ratio. Materials and Methods Micro phantom inserted $^{18}F-FDG$ 4mCi was used for phantom test and Biograph mCT S(40) is used for medical test equipment. We generated metal artifact in micro phantom by using metal. Then we acquired both metal artifact region of correction factor and non metal artifact region of correction factor by using attenuation correction image count -to- non attenuation correction image count ratio. In case of clinical image, we reconstructed both attenuation corrected images and non attenuation corrected images of 10 normal patient($66{\pm}15age$) who examined PET-CT scan in SNUH. After that, we standardize several organs of correction factor by using attenuation corrected image count -to- non attenuation corrected count ratio. Then we figured out metal artifact region of correction factor by using metal artifact region of attenuation corrected image count -to- non attenuation corrected count ratio And we compared standard organs correction factor with metal artifact region correction factor. Results according to phantom test results, metal artifact induce overestimation of correction factor so metal artifact region of correction factors are 12% bigger than the non metal artifact region of correction factors. in case of clinical test, correction factor of organs with high CT number(>1000) is $8{\pm}0.5%$, correction factor of organs with CT number similar to soft tissue is $6{\pm}2%$ and correction factor of organs with low CT number(-100>) is $3{\pm}1%$. Also metal artifact correction factors are 20% bigger than soft tissue correction factors which didn't happened metal artifact. Conclusion metal artifact lead to overestimation of attenuation coefficient. because of that, SUV of metal artifact region is overestimated. Thus for more accurate quantitative evaluation, using attenuation correction image count -to-non attenuation correction image count ratio is one of the methods to reduce metal artifact affect.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.85-95
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• 2010

Purpose: The degradation of an image quality and error of the beam dose calculation can be caused because the metal artifact is generated during the CT simulation of head and neck patient. The usability of the gantry tilt scan for reducing the metal artifact tries to be appraised. Materials and Methods: The inferior $20^{\circ}$ gantry tilt scan was made in order to reduce the metal artifact and $0^{\circ}$ reconstruction image was acquired. The AAPM CT performance Phantom was used in order to compare the CT number of the reconstructed image and Original image. the difference of volume was compared by using the acrylic phantom. The homogeneity of the CT number was evaluated the Intensity volume Histogram (IVH) as in order to evaluate an influence by the metal artifact. A dose was evaluated as the Dose Volume Histogram (DVH). Results: in the comparison of the CT number and volume, the difference showed up less than 0.5%. As to the comparison of IVH, in the gantry tilt scan, influence by an artifact was reduced and the homogeneity of the CT number was improved. The comparison of DVH result reduced the mean dose error of the both sides parotid 0.2~6%. Conclusion: In the Head & Neck radiation therapy, It is difficult and to distinguish tumor and normal tissue and the error of dose is generated by the metal artifact. The delineation of the exact organization was possible if the Gantry tilt scan was used. The CT number homogeneity was improved and the error of dose could be reduced. The Gantry tilt scan confirmed in the Head & Neck radiation therapy to be very useful in the exact radiation therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.5-9
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• 2008

In the computerized tomography(CT), various filters are using in the reconstruction algorithm to reduce or eliminate the artifacts which are intrinsically induced by the imperfection of mathematical methods for reconstruction, lack of real informations about anatomic structures in the projection image, errors in data acquisition and so on. Hann filter was used to evaluate the filter effects on the elimination of reconstruction artifact in the CT image. The quantitative study was done by changing cut-off frequency of Hann filter from 0.1 to 0.9 with frequency increasement by 0.2. NPS analysis was fulfilled for the quantitative evaluation of filter effect.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.107-114
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this study is evaluation for the applicability of O-MAR(Metal artifact Reduction for Orthopedic Implants)(ver. 3.6.0, Philips, Netherlands) in head & neck radiation treatment planning CT with metal artifact created by dental implant. Materials and Methods : All of the in this study's CT images were scanned by Brilliance Big Bore CT(Philips, Netherlands) at 120kVp, 2mm sliced and Metal artifact reduced by O-MAR. To compare the original and reconstructed CT images worked on RTPS(Eclipse ver 10.0.42, Varian, USA). In order to test the basic performance of the O-MAR, The phantom was made to create metal artifact by dental implant and other phantoms used for without artifact images. To measure a difference of HU in with artifact images and without artifact images, homogeneous phantom and inhomogeneous phantoms were used with cerrobend rods. Each of images were compared a difference of HU in ROIs. And also, 1 case of patient's original CT image applied O-MAR and density corrected CT were evaluated for dose distributions with SNC Patient(Sun Nuclear Co., USA). Results : In cases of head&neck phantom, the difference of dose distibution is appeared 99.8% gamma passing rate(criteria 2 mm / 2%) between original and CT images applied O-MAR. And 98.5% appeared in patient case, among original CT, O-MAR and density corrected CT. The difference of total dose distribution is less than 2% that appeared both phantom and patient case study. Though the dose deviations are little, there are still matters to discuss that the dose deviations are concentrated so locally. In this study, The quality of all images applied O-MAR was improved. Unexpectedly, Increase of max. HU was founded in air cavity of the O-MAR images compare to cavity of the original images and wrong corrections were appeared, too. Conclusion : The result of study assuming restrained case of O-MAR adapted to near skin and low density area, it appeared image distortion and artifact correction simultaneously. In O-MAR CT, air cavity area even turned tissue HU by wrong correction was founded, too. Consequentially, It seems O-MAR algorithm is not perfect to distinguish air cavity and photon starvation artifact. Nevertheless, the differences of HU and dose distribution are not a huge that is not suitable for clinical use. And there are more advantages in clinic for improved quality of CT images and DRRs, precision of contouring OARs or tumors and correcting artifact area. So original and O-MAR CT must be used together in clinic for more accurate treatment plan.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2010

Purpose: The X-ray attenuation coefficient based on CT images is used for attenuation correction in PET/CT. The polychromatic X-ray beam can introduce beam-hardening artifact on CT images. The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of dental metal prostheses in phantom and patients on apparent tracer activity measured with PET/CT when using CT attenuation correction. Materials and Methods: 40 normal patients (mean age $54{\pm}12$) was scanned between Jan and Feb 2010. NEMA(National Electrical Manufactures Association) PET $Phantom^{TM}$ (NU2-1994) was filled with $^{18}F$-FDG injected into the water that insert implant and metal prostheses dental cast. Region of interest were drawn in non-artifact region, bright steak artifact region and dark streak artifact region on the same transaxial CT and PET slices. Patients and phantom with dental metal prostheses and dental implant were evaluated the change rate of CT Number and $SUV_{mean}$ in PET/CT. A paired t-test was performed to compare the ratio and the difference of the calculated values. Results: In patients with dental metal prostheses, $SUV_{mean}$ was reduced 19.64% (p<0.05) in the non-steak artifact region than the brightstreak artifact region whereas was increased 90.1% (p>0.05) in the non-steak artifact region than the dark streak artifact region. In phantom with dental metal prostheses, $SUV_{mean}$ was reduced 18.1% (p<0.05) in the non-steak artifact region than the bright streak artifact region whereas was increased 18.0% (p>0.05) in the non-steak artifact region than the dark streak artifact region. In patients with dental implant, $SUV_{mean}$ was increased 19.1% (p<0.05) in the non-steak artifact region than the bright streak artifact region whereas was increased 96.62% (p>0.05) in the non-steak artifact region than the dark streak artifact region. In phantom with dental implant, $SUV_{mean}$ was increased 14.4% (p<0.05) in the non-steak artifact region than the bright streak artifact region whereas was increased 7.0% (p>0.05) in the non-steak artifact region than the dark streak artifact region. Conclusion: When CT is used for attenuation correction in patients with dental metal prostheses, 19.1% reduced $SUV_{mean}$ is anticipated in the dark streak artifact region on CT images. The dark streak artifacts of CT by dental metal prostheses may cause false negative finding in PET/CT. We recommend that the non-attenuation corrected PET images also be evaluated for clinical use.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.153-158
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• 2016

Beam hardening artifact can be caused by metal material when performing PET exam. Therefore, we studied a solution decreasing artifact caused by metallic dental implant. The higher voltage, the lesser artifact in CT exam. But Higher voltage dosen't affect PET exam. The thicker silicon the lesser artifact in CT and PET exam. Both methods make less artifact in CT and PET exam. But considering safety of patient, the way of using silicon is better.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.279-280
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• 1998

A new algorithm is developed that can reduce the metal artifact on CT caused by pedicle screws. Metal artifact has been recognized as a major problem in precise reading of CT images. In particular, spine surgeons have been bothered with the artifact appearing on CT taken after pedicle screw insertion. To reduce the artifact, our new algorithm first finds the center line from CT images, and then overlays an exact size screw image on the CT. The exact screw is obtained from an actual design specifications of screw, and the CT images are processed to maximize bone margins while minimizing screw images through adjusting the window width and level. 실험 결과 단순한 Window W/L 조절로는 해결되지 않는군요. This algorithm provides spine surgeons with more accurate CT images and thus better interpretation of CT to ascertain the success or failure of pedicle screw insertion.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2017

In the analyzed cardiac CT algorithm applied when comparing the MAR self-made metal artifact reduction in pacemaker inserted phantom degree. Result of comparing the energy value by CT showed a decrease in the CT value in the case of BKG 40 KeV in WSA maximum decreased to 663.2% in the case of 140 KeV BHA were increased a maximum of 56.2%. In addition, the maximum was decreased by approximately 145% based on a 70 KeV artifacts in CT value comparison by type WSA, BHA was to increase up to approximately 46.38%. MAR Algorithm is believed to provide a more quality cardiac CT image if the energy changes, or have the effect that by type and irrespective of reduced metal artifacts occurrence of artifacts applied to the pacemaker when tracking a heart CT scan after inserting MAR algorithm.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Purpose: The effect of artifact was analyzed, which occurs from fiducial marker during the liver Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) using the fiducial marker. Materials and Methods: The size of artifact of fixed fiducial marker and length of mobile fiducial marker locus were measured using the On-Board Imager system (OBI) and CT simulator, and 2D-2D matching and 3D-3D matching were carried out, respectively, and at this time, the coordinates transition value of couch was analyzed. Results: The measurement of fixed fiducial marker artifact size indicated CT 4.90, 8.10, 12.90, 19.70 mm and OBI 5.60, 10.60, 14.70, 29.40 mm based on the reference CT slice thickness of 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 mm. Meanwhile, the measurement of mobile fiducial marker locus length indicated CT 42.00, 43.10, 46.50 mm, and OBI 43.40, 46.00, 49.30 mm. The coordinates transition of 1.00, 2.00, and 8.00 mm occurred between 2D-2D matching and 3D-3D matching. Conclusion: It was confirmed that the therapy error increased during IGRT due to the influence of artifact when CT slice thickness increased. Thus, it may be desirable to acquire the image less than 2.50 mm in slice thickness when IGRT is implemented using the fiducial marker.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.655-662
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• 2016

We investigated on the usefulness of MAR algorithm by making a comparison of the CT value between before and after applying the MAR algorithm in dual energy CT, using the various kinds of medical metals, causing the artifact to lead to the low image quality. As a result, the artifact was reduced in most cases (P<0.05); in particular, the artifact was highly reduced (P<0.05) using high density material, like alloy-stainless (reduced by 78.1%) and platinum, for example GDC coil (reduced by 76.1%). The effect of decreasing the Black hole artifact was outstanding in both the alloy-stainless and alloy-titanium (P<0.05). However, in case of GDC coil-a type platinum, white streak artifact was reduced effectively (P<0.05). Therefore, in case of patients who have medical metals inserted, we think that high-quality image information can be provided by decreasing the artifact caused by high density material through MAR algorithm in dual energy CT.