• 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.84 no.1
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• pp.240-252
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• 2023

Purpose To assess the effect of deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) for head CT in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods We collected 126 pediatric head CT images, which were reconstructed using filtered back projection, iterative reconstruction using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR)-V, and all three levels of DLIR (TrueFidelity; GE Healthcare). Each image set group was divided into four subgroups according to the patients' ages. Clinical and dose-related data were reviewed. Quantitative parameters, including the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and qualitative parameters, including noise, gray matter-white matter (GM-WM) differentiation, sharpness, artifact, acceptability, and unfamiliar texture change were evaluated and compared. Results The SNR and CNR of each level in each age group increased among strength levels of DLIR. High-level DLIR showed a significantly improved SNR and CNR (p < 0.05). Sequential reduction of noise, improvement of GM-WM differentiation, and improvement of sharpness was noted among strength levels of DLIR. Those of high-level DLIR showed a similar value as that with ASiR-V. Artifact and acceptability did not show a significant difference among the adapted levels of DLIR. Conclusion Adaptation of high-level DLIR for the pediatric head CT can significantly reduce image noise. Modification is needed while processing artifacts.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.367-373
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• 2021

A quality assurance of computed tomography(CT) have done seven items that were water attenuation coefficient, noise, homogeneity, spatial resolution, contrast resolution, slice thickness, artifact using by standard phantom. But there is no quality assurance items and methods for CT simulator at domestic institutions yet. Therefore the study aimed to access the CT dose index(CTDI), table tilting, image distortion, laser accuracy, table movement accuracy and CT seven items for CT simulator quality assurance. The CTDI at the center of the head phantom was 0.81 for 80 kVp, 1.55 for 100 kVp, 2.50 for 120 mm, 0.22 for 80 kVp at the center of the body phantom, 0.469 for 100 kVp, and 0.81 for 120 kVp. The table tilting was within the tolerance range of ±1.0° or less. Image distortion had 1 mm distortion in the left and right images based on the center, and the laser accuracy was measured within ±2 mm tolerance. The purpose of this study is to improve the quality assurance items suitable for the current situation in Korea in order to protect the normal tissues during the radiation treatment process and manage the CT simulator that is implemented to find the location of the tumor more clearly. In order to improve the accuracy of the CT simulator when looking at the results, the error range of each item should be small. It is hoped that the quality assurance items of the CT simulator will be improved by suggesting the quality assurance direction of the CT simulator in this study, and the results of radiation therapy will also improve.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to develop an assist device that could correct and support patient position during biopsy on computed tomography (CT) using 3D printing technology. The development method was conducted in the order of 3D design, 3D output, intermediate evaluation for product, final assist device evaluation. The 3D design method was conducted in the order of prior research data survey, measurement, primary modeling, 3D printing, output evaluation, and supplementary modeling. The 3D output was the 3D printer (3DWOX 2X, Sindoh, Korea) with additive manufacturing technology and the polylactic acid (PLA) materials. At this time, the optimal strength was evaluated to infill degree of product as the 3D printing factors into 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%. The intermediate evaluation and supplementation was measured noise in the region of interest (ROI) around the beam hardening artifact on the CT images. We used 128-channel MDCT (Discovery 75 HD, GE, USA) to scan with a slice thickness of 100 kVp, 150 mA, and 2.5 mm on the 3D printing product. We compared the surrounding noise of the final 3D printing product with the beginning of it. and then the strength of it according to the degree of infill was evaluated. As a result, the surrounding noise of the final and the early devices were measured at an average of 3.3 ± 0.5 HU and 7.1 ± 0.1 HU, respectively, which significantly reduced the noise of the final 3D printing product (p<0.001). We found that the percentage of infill according to the optimal strength was found to be 60%. Finally, development of assist devices for CT biopsy will be able to minimize artifacts and provide convenience to medical staff and patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.255-260
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• 2011

We wanted to evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional reconstructive images using computed tomography for rib fracture patients. The reconstruction used in clinical multi planar reformation(MPR), volume rendering technique(VRT), and image data using quantitative methods and qualitative methods were compared. Much more, the artifact shadow was minimized to reconstruct with 3D volumetric image by using an law data in the analysis of the reconstructive image and chest CT scan of the evaluation result fractures of the thoracic patient. And we could know that the fractures of the thoracic determination and three dimension volume image reconstruction time were reduced.

• Proceedings of the Korean Information Science Society Conference
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• 2005.11b
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• pp.859-861
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• 2005

X-ray를 이용한 CT(Computed Tomography : 이하 CT)영상은 사물에 대해 회전하면서 X-ray가 투과하여 감약 정도에 따라서 영상을 획득하지만 검사 목적과는 관계없이 발생되는 통계적인 오차로 인해 정확한 CT영상의 구성을 교란하거나 방해하여 영상의 질을 저하시키고 미세 부분의 관찰 능력을 감소시키는 장해 음영인 아티팩트(artifact)라는 노이즈가 발생한다. 이러한 노이즈를 제거하는 필터를 설계 할 때는 두 가지 고려해야 할 사항이 있는데 첫째는 영상내의 노이즈을 정확히 판단하여 효과적으로 제거해야 하며, 둘째로는 원래의 영상에 가깝도록 경계와 같은 세부 영역을 보존해야 한다는 점이다. 기존에는 mean 필터나 median 필터, 그리고 Gaussian 필터 등을 사용했지만 상세한 부분을 보존하기에는 실패하는 단점이 있다. 따라서 본문에서는 wavelet 변환을 하여 영상의 주파수 대역을 저주파 영역과 고주파 영역으로 분리하여 각각의 영역에서 노이즈를 제거할 수 있도록 적합한 필터를 설계하고 방법을 제안하여 그 필터를 CT 3차원 뇌혈관 영상에 적용하여 많은 노이즈를 제거하였고 낮은 Threshold값에서도 작은 혈관을 관찰 할 수 있었다.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.90-94
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• 2013

Purpose: In the PET/CT images, various artifacts cause degradation of the quantitative assessment. Most hotspot generated by radiopharmaceutical injection errors cause an artifact and degrade the quality of the images as well as the accuracy of the quantitative evaluation. The purpose of this study is to assess effectiveness of the elimination of the hotspot at the injection sites using shifting the center of DFOV (Display Field of View, DFOV) method and evaluate the quantitative evaluation of result. Materials and Methods: GE Discovery STE 16 (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, USA) and 1994 NEMA phantom were used for imaging acquisition. Phantom was filled with 0.005 MBq/mL of $^{18}F-FDG$. A hotspot was artificially placed on the outside of the phantom. The ratio of hotspot area activity to background area activity was regulated as 200:1. After image acquisition with routine protocol, all of the images were reconstructed using the shifting the center of DFOV method that wasn't overlapped with hotspot. Those images obtained before and after applying the shifting reconstruction method were compared. ROIs (Region Of Interests) were set in the hotspot areas, meanSUVs and standard deviations were calculated. Percentage differences were calculated with those meanSUVs and standard deviations. The evaluation on the effects of the shifting reconstruction method was done by comparison of the meanSUVs and the standard deviations, which were calculated for background areas unaffected by hotspot. Results: In the areas of unaffected by hotspot, meanSUVs before and after applying the shifting of center of DFOV method were $0.67{\pm}0.06g/mL$ and $0.65{\pm}0.06g/mL$, respectively. In the artifact areas affected by hotspot, meanSUVs before and after applying the shifting of center of DFOV method were $0.32{\pm}0.08g/mL$ and $0.56{\pm}0.12g/mL$, respectively. The percentage differences of the area adjacent to the hotspot and the area distant from the hotspot were 65.3% and 97.4%, respectively. Conclusion: In the PET/CT images, meanSUV was improved by 32.1% when the effect of artifact was removed with application of the shifting the center of DFOV methode. In other areas unaffected by artifacts, meanSUVs were not significantly different after applying DFOV center shift method. As shown in the result, adverse effects of hotspot made by swelling in the injection site can be reduced by applying DFOV center shift method. Therefore, DFOV center shift method can be applied for the more precise quantitative evaluation, and contribute to the increase of the diagnostic value of the images.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.279-285
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• 2015

The eye of human is a radiation sensitive organ and this organ should be shielded from radiation exposure during brain CT procedures. In the brain CT procedures, bismuth protector using to reduce the radiation exposure dose for eye. But protecting the bismuth always accompanies problem of the image quality reduction including artifact. This study aim is the eye radiation exposure dose and image quality evaluation of the new tube current modulation such as new organ based-tube current modulation, longitudinal-TCM, angular-TCM between shielding scan technique using bismuth and lead glasses. As a result, radiation dose of eye is reduced 25.88% in new OB TCM technique then reference scan technique and SNR new OB TCM is 6.05 higher than bismuth shielding scan technique and lower than reference scan technique. In clinical brain CT, new OB TCM technique will contribute to reduction of radiation dose for eye without decrease of image quality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2013

In study suggested clinical availability to shoulder forced traction method in term of quality of image, the patient's convenience and stability, according to whether to use of shoulder forced traction bend using computed tomography(CT) that X-ray calibration and various mathematic calibration algorithm application can be applied by AEC. To achieve this, 79 patients is complaining of cervical pain oriented that shoulder forced traction bend use the before and after acquires lateral projection scout image and transverse image. transverse image of a fixed size in concern field of pixel and figure the average HU value compare that quantitative analysis. Artifact and pixel and resolution to qualitative clinical estimation image analysis. the patient feel inconvenience degree that self-diagnosis survey that estimate. As a result, lateral projection scout image if you used shoulder forced traction bend for the depicted has been an increase in the number of a cervical vertebrae. transverse image concern field shoulder forced traction bend use the before and after for pixel and the average HU-value changes was judged to be almost irrelevant. Artifact and resolution and contrast, in qualitative analysis of the results relating the observer to the unusual result. So, the patients of 82.27% complained discomfort that use of shoulder forced traction bend in self-diagnosis survey. No merit of medical image by using of bend from result was analyzed quality of image to quantitative and qualitative method judged. Nowadays, CT is supplied possible revision of quality of radiation by reduction of slice and automatic exposure controller, etc and application of preconditioning filter process due to various mathematic revision algorithm. So, image noise by beam hardening artifact should not be a problem. shoulder forced traction bend of use no longer judged clinically availability because have not influence of image quality and give discomfort, have extra dangerousness.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.951-958
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• 2021

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) obtained using dual-layer dual-energy CT (DL-DECT) for evaluating brain tumors. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 32 patients with brain tumors who had undergone non-contrast head CT using DL-DECT. Among them, 15 had glioblastoma (GBM), 7 had malignant lymphoma, 5 had high-grade glioma other than GBM, 3 had low-grade glioma, and 2 had metastatic tumors. Conventional polychromatic images and VMIs (40-200 keV at 10 keV intervals) were generated. We compared CT attenuation, image noise, contrast, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between tumor and white matter (WM) or grey matter (GM) between VMIs showing the highest CNR (optimized VMI) and conventional CT images using the paired t test. Two radiologists subjectively assessed the contrast, margin, noise, artifact, and diagnostic confidence of optimized VMIs and conventional images on a 4-point scale. Results: The image noise of VMIs at all energy levels tested was significantly lower than that of conventional CT images (p < 0.05). The 40-keV VMIs yielded the best CNR. Furthermore, both contrast and CNR between the tumor and WM were significantly higher in the 40 keV images than in the conventional CT images (p < 0.001); however, the contrast and CNR between tumor and GM were not significantly different (p = 0.47 and p = 0.31, respectively). The subjective scores assigned to contrast, margin, and diagnostic confidence were significantly higher for 40 keV images than for conventional CT images (p < 0.01). Conclusion: In head CT for patients with brain tumors, compared with conventional CT images, 40 keV VMIs from DL-DECT yielded superior tumor contrast and diagnostic confidence, especially for brain tumors located in the WM.