• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.201-208
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• 2008

물리적 평가(physical evaluation)가 영상품질의 객관화와 정량화를 위한 토대를 제공함에도 불구하고, 부정확하고 가변적인 특성을 지닌 주관적 평가(subjective evaluation)가 영상평가에 중요한 역할을 하게 된다. 본 연구에서는 디지털 방사선 영상의 물리적 평가와 주간적 평가의 단점을 상호 보완하고 객관적 정량화를 위한 새로운 방법을 제안하고자 한다. 임상에 사용되고 있는 4대의 디지털 방사선 영상 촬영장치로부터 동일한 임상조건에서 흉부 팬톰 영상을 획득하였다. 물리적 영상평가를 위하여 디지털 흉부 팬톰 내에서 3개의 영역(폐, 심장, 그리고 복부)에 존재하는 CNR (contrast-to-noise ratio)를 측정하였고 분할(segmentation)과 정합(registration)등 다양한 영상처리기술이 적용되었다. 주관적 평가는 5명의 관찰자에 의한 저 대조도 물체의 식별 정도를 점수화 하였다. 두 평가의 특성을 보완 및 결합하고자 퍼지적분 이론이 도입되었다. 4대의 시스템으로부터의 평가결과가 비교되었으며, 물리적 평가와 주관적 평가가 항상 비례하지 않음을 보였다. 물리적 평가에서는 높은 점수를 보였던 시스템이 주관적 평가에서는 상대적으로 낮은 평가를 보였다. 본 연구에서 제안한 퍼지적분에 의한 영상평가의 정량화는 물리적 평가와 주관적 평가를 모두 포함하는 총체적인 평가 방법이며, 다양한 영상품질 평가에 유용할 것이라 사료된다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.483-489
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• 2022

This study proposes a new skull lateral examination, and provides an improved examination environment for patients and radiologists. The study was divided into three groups. One group was divided into the SID (source to image receptor distance) 110 ㎝ and 180 ㎝ in the skull lateral posture, the other group The other group was divided into an position in contact with the detector and an position without contact with the detector, and the other group was divided into male and female groups, considering that the difference in shoulder width between adult males and females would affect the dose and image quality. For dose evaluation, the ESD (entrance surface dose) was measured at the EAM (external auditory meatus), and the conditions were applied equally at 70 ㎸p, 200 ㎃, and 10 ㎃s. For image quality evaluation, SNR (signal to noise ratio) and CNR (contrast to noise ratio) were measured in frontal sinus, EAM, and sella turcica. As a result of ESD comparison, when sid 110 ㎝ to sid 180 ㎝ was changed among the three groups, ESD values decreased the most to 729.18±4.62 μ㏉ and 224.18±0.74 μ㏉ at 180 ㎝ (p<0.01). The values of SNR and CNR were statistically significant (p<0.01), but there was no qualitative difference. This shows that when the SID is 180 ㎝, it is possible to reduce the dose without lowering the image quality. So, It is suggested that the SID 180 ㎝ is used without contacting the detector when examining the skull lateral.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.239-245
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• 2010

본 연구의 목적은 직 간접 변환방식 검출기를 사용한 디지털 유방 X선 촬영시스템의 영상 화질을 비교하고 평가함에 있다. 영상의 정량적인 분해능을 나타내는 변조전달함수(MTF), 노이즈 특성을 나타내는 정규화된 잡음력 스펙트럼(NNPS), 그리고 신호 대 잡음비 성능을 나타내는 양자검출효율(DQE)인자를 이용하여 영상 화질평가를 하였다. DQE는 IEC 62220-1-2 규약에 따라 edge 팬텀을 사용한 MTF 도출을 이용하여 계산되었다. 대조도 대 노이즈비(CNR) 측정은 한국의료영상품질관리원에서 제시한 가이드라인에 따라 측정되었다. 직접 변환방식 검출기가 간접 변환방식 검출기에 비해 공간주파수별로 MTF와 DQE 값이 높은 것으로 측정되었다. 동일한 평균유선선량(AGD)일 때 직접 변환방식의 검출기는 더 높은 CNR값을 보였다. 공간주파수별로 높은 DQE 값을 갖는 직접 변환방식 검출기는 디지털 유방 X선 촬영시스템에 있어서 향상된 영상 화질과 적은 환자선량을 제공할 것이다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.502-512
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• 2021

Objective: To objectively and subjectively assess and compare the characteristics of monoenergetic images [MEI (+)] and polyenergetic images (PEI) acquired by dual-energy CT (DECT) of patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the images and data of 42 patients with breast cancer who had undergone dual-phase contrast-enhanced DECT from June to September 2019. One standard PEI, five MEI (+) in 10-kiloelectron volt (keV) intervals (range, 40-80 keV), iodine density (ID) maps, iodine overlay images, and Z effective (Z_eff) maps were reconstructed. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were calculated. Multiple quantitative parameters of the malignant breast lesions were compared between the arterial and the venous phase images. Two readers independently assessed lesion conspicuity and performed a morphology analysis. Results: Low keV MEI (+) at 40-50 keV showed increased CNR and SNR_{breast lesion} compared with PEI, especially in the venous phase ([CNR: 40 keV, 20.10; 50 keV, 14.45; vs. PEI, 7.27; p < 0.001], [SNR_{breast lesion}: 40 keV, 21.01; 50 keV, 16.28; vs. PEI, 10.77; p < 0.001]). Multiple quantitative DECT parameters of malignant breast lesions were higher in the venous phase images than in the arterial phase images (p < 0.001). MEI (+) at 40 keV, ID, and Z_eff reconstructions yielded the highest Likert scores for lesion conspicuity. The conspicuity of the mass margin and the visual enhancement were significantly better in 40-keV MEI (+) than in the PEI (p = 0.022, p = 0.033, respectively). Conclusion: Compared with PEI, MEI (+) reconstructions at low keV in the venous phase acquired by DECT improved the objective and subjective assessment of lesion conspicuity in patients with malignant breast lesions. MEI (+) reconstruction acquired by DECT may be helpful for the preoperative evaluation of breast cancer.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권12호
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• pp.4591-4596
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• 2023

Single-photon emission computed tomography SPECT image reconstruction methods have a significant influence on image quality, with filtered back projection (FBP) and ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) being the most commonly used methods. In this study, we proposed newly-designed adaptive non-blind deconvolution with a structural similarity (SSIM) index that can take advantage of the FBP and OSEM image reconstruction methods. After acquiring brain SPECT images, the proposed image was obtained using an algorithm that applied the SSIM metric, defined by predicting the distribution and amount of blurring. As a result of the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and coefficient of variation evaluation (COV), the resulting image of the proposed algorithm showed a similar trend in spatial resolution to that of FBP, while obtaining values similar to those of OSEM. In addition, we confirmed that the CNR and COV values of the proposed algorithm improved by approximately 1.69 and 1.59 times, respectively, compared with those of the algorithm involving an inappropriate deblurring process. To summarize, we proposed a new type of algorithm that combines the advantages of SPECT image reconstruction techniques and is expected to be applicable in various fields.

• 대한의용생체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한의용생체공학회 1998년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.305-306
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• 1998

In this paper, we infer the onset of the brain infarction from the MR image using evaluate signal intensities on diffusion weighted and turbo spin echo T2-weighted and FLAIR images. Infarcts were divided into four stages (hyperacute, acute, subacute, chronic) depending on period of onset. DWI is useful for the detection of early ischemic infarct, and stages of ischemic infarctions can be estimated by evaluating CR(conspicuity ratio) and CNR(contrast to noise ratio) on DW, T2, FLAIR images Hyperacute infarcts were visualized DWI. Acute infarcts were visualialized both DWI and T2 Weighted image.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.123-129
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• 2023

본 연구에서는 정맥경유 역동적 간 조영 컴퓨터단층촬영 검사와 동맥경유 역동적 간 조영 컴퓨터단층촬영 검사의 영상의 질과 선량의 차이를 분석하고자 하였다. 간세포암종의 중재적 시술인 경도관동맥화학색전술 대상으로 정맥과 동맥 경유 역동적 간 조영 컴퓨터단층촬영 검사를 한 케이스를 후향적 블라인드 방법으로 신호대잡음비와 대조도대잡음비를 분석하였다. 또한 영상저장 및 전송체계에 저장된 Dose Length Product (DLP)값을 이용하여 유효선량을 구하여 두 검사의 선량 차이를 분석하였다. 신호대잡음비는 정맥경유 역동적 간 조영 컴퓨터단층촬영 검사가 간과 지라에서 높은 결과를 보였지만 대조도대잡음비는 동맥경유 역동적 간 조영 컴퓨터단층촬영 검사가 높았다. 하지만 DLP와 유효선량 비교에서는 두 검사 간 차이가 발생하지 않았다. 결론적으로 동맥경유 역동적 간 조영 컴퓨터단층촬영 검사가 정맥경유 역동적 간 조영 컴퓨터단층촬영 검사에 비해 선량차이가 발생하지 않으면서도 대조도대잡음비가 우수한 검사임을 확인하였다. 추가로 간세포암종의 중재적 시술에서 가장 중요한 부분이 섭식동맥의 구분이 명료한가에 대한 구분이 필요하기 때문에 간동맥의 삼차원 혈관조영 컴퓨터단층촬영 검사에 대한 분석이 필요하다고 사료된다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.142-147
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• 1997

목적: 호흡정지 간 자기공영상에서 국소 간 병변을 발견함에 있어 동위상(inphase) 방식과 역위상(opposed-phase) 방식의 fast multiplanar spoiled gradient recalled(FMPSPGR) 영상간의 효율성을 비교하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 다른 검사를 통해 국소 간 병변이 발견되었거나 의심되었던 45명의 환자의 78개의 병변에 대한 고속경사에코대열의 동위상과 역위상 영상을 비교하였다. 병변 발견률을 평가하기 위해 세 명의 사전 정보 없는 판독의가 독립적으로 영상을 검토하였다. 간의 신호대잡음비, 병변과 간의 대조대잡음비 및 간과 비장 간 대조대잡음비를 비교하였다. 세 명의 동의에 의해 어느 대열에서 영상의 질이 더 나은지 결정하였다. 결과: 역위상 영상에서 판독의 1, 2, 3이 각각 61(78%), 61(78%), 및 63(89%)개의 병변을 정확히 발견하였다. 동위상 영상에서 각 판독의가 66(85%), 65(83%) 및 65(93%)개의 병변을 발견하였다. 두 영상을 조합하였을 때, 71(91%), 69(88%) 및 76(97%)개의 병변이 각각 발견되었다. 간세포암이 증례에서 간-병변간 대조대잡음비는 역위상 영상에서 더 컸으나(p<0.05), 다른 병변에서의 의미 있는 차이는 보이지 않았다. 간-비장간 대조잡음비는 역위상 영상에서 높았으나(p<0.1), 간의 신호대잡음비는 동위상 영상에서 더 높았다. 결론: 국소적 간 병변을 놓치지 않고 발견 하기 위새서는 동위상 영상과 역위상 영상을 모두 이용하는 것이 바람직하다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권10호
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• pp.1165-1177
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• 2020

Objective: To assess the feasibility of applying a deep learning-based denoising technique to coronary CT angiography (CCTA) along with iterative reconstruction for additional noise reduction. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 82 consecutive patients (male:female = 60:22; mean age, 67.0 ± 10.8 years) who had undergone both CCTA and invasive coronary artery angiography from March 2017 to June 2018. All included patients underwent CCTA with iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE level 3, Siemens Healthineers). We developed a deep learning based denoising technique (ClariCT.AI, ClariPI), which was based on a modified U-net type convolutional neural net model designed to predict the possible occurrence of low-dose noise in the originals. Denoised images were obtained by subtracting the predicted noise from the originals. Image noise, CT attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were objectively calculated. The edge rise distance (ERD) was measured as an indicator of image sharpness. Two blinded readers subjectively graded the image quality using a 5-point scale. Diagnostic performance of the CCTA was evaluated based on the presence or absence of significant stenosis (≥ 50% lumen reduction). Results: Objective image qualities (original vs. denoised: image noise, 67.22 ± 25.74 vs. 52.64 ± 27.40; SNR [left main], 21.91 ± 6.38 vs. 30.35 ± 10.46; CNR [left main], 23.24 ± 6.52 vs. 31.93 ± 10.72; all p < 0.001) and subjective image quality (2.45 ± 0.62 vs. 3.65 ± 0.60, p < 0.001) improved significantly in the denoised images. The average ERDs of the denoised images were significantly smaller than those of originals (0.98 ± 0.08 vs. 0.09 ± 0.08, p < 0.001). With regard to diagnostic accuracy, no significant differences were observed among paired comparisons. Conclusion: Application of the deep learning technique along with iterative reconstruction can enhance the noise reduction performance with a significant improvement in objective and subjective image qualities of CCTA images.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권9호
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• pp.3403-3414
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to model and optimize the block-matching and 3D filtering (BM3D) algorithm and to evaluate its applicability in brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images using a fan beam collimator. For quantitative evaluation of the noise level, the coefficient of variation (COV) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were used, and finally, a no-reference-based evaluation parameter was used for optimization of the BM3D algorithm in the brain SPECT images. As a result, optimized results were derived when the sigma values of the BM3D algorithm were 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25 in brain SPECT images acquired for 5, 10, and 15 s, respectively. In addition, when the sigma value of the optimized BM3D algorithm was applied, superior results were obtained compared with conventional filtering methods. In particular, we confirmed that the COV and CNR of the images obtained using the BM3D algorithm were improved by 2.40 and 2.33 times, respectively, compared with the original image. In conclusion, the usefulness of the optimized BM3D algorithm in brain SPECT images using a fan beam collimator has been proven, and based on the results, it is expected that its application in various nuclear medicine examinations will be possible.