• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.2057-2062
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• 2024

Among photon counting detector (PCD)-based technologies, the K-edge subtraction (KES) method has a very high material decomposition efficiency. Yet, since the increase in noise in the X-ray image to which the KES method is applied is inevitable, research on image quality improvement is essential. Here, we modeled a block-matching and 3D filtering (BM3D) algorithm and applied it to PCD-based X-ray images with the improved KES (IKES) method. For PCD modeling, Monte Carlo simulation was used, and a phantom composed of iodine substances with different concentrations was designed. The IKES method was modeled by adding a log term to KES, and the X-ray image used for subtraction was obtained by applying the 3.0 keV range based on the K-edge region of iodine. As a result, the IKES image using the BM3D algorithm showed the lowest normalized noise power spectrum value. In addition, we confirmed that the contrast-to-noise ratio and no-reference-based evaluation results when the BM3D algorithm was applied to the IKES image were improved by 29.36 % and 20.56 %, respectively, compared to the noisy image. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the IKES imaging technique using a PCD-based detector and the BM3D algorithm fusion technique were very efficient for X-ray imaging.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.65.1-65.9
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• 2023

Background: Bone subtraction computed tomography angiography (BSCTA) is a useful alternative technique for improving visualization of vessels surrounded by skull bone. However, no studies have compared computed tomography angiography (CTA) and BSCTA for improving the visibility of canine cerebral blood vessels. Objectives: To evaluate the potential benefit of BSCTA for better delineation of brain arteries of the circle of Willis (CoW) in dogs by comparing BSCTA with non-subtraction computed tomography angiography (NSCTA). Methods: Brain CTA was performed for nine healthy beagle dogs using a bolus tracking method with saline flushing. A total dose of 600 mgI/kg of contrast agent with an iodine content of 370 mgI/mL was injected at a rate of 4 ml/s. Bone removal was achieved automatically by subtracting non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) data from contrast CT data. Five main intracranial arteries of the CoW were analyzed and graded on a scale of five for qualitative evaluation. Results: Scores of basilar artery, middle cerebral artery, and rostral cerebral artery in the BSCTA group were significantly higher than those in the NSCTA group (p = 0.001, p = 0.020, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Scores of rostral cerebellar artery (RcA) and caudal cerebral artery (CCA) did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, scores of RcA and CCA in the BSCTA group were higher than those in the NSCTA group. Conclusions: BSCTA improved visualization of intracranial arteries of the CoW with close contact to bone. Thus, it should be recommended as a routine scan method in dogs suspected of having brain vessel disease.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.83-92
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• 1988

The cocktails of two $^{131}I$ labeled Monoclonal antibody (MCAB) (Anti CA 19-9 F$(ab')_2$ + Anti CEA $F(ab')_2$ fragment), which react specially, with human gastrointestinal cancers, were administered to 10 patients with colorectal (7), stomach(2) and pancreas(1) cancer for scintigraphic detection. All patients were known or postoperatively recurrent cases, and serum tumor markers, CA 19-9 and CEA, were measured with immunoradiometric assay, just before immunoscintigraphy (ISG). The tumor marker's level in serum is not correlated with positive tumor uptake in ISG. The sensitivity and specificity of ISG in detection of 21 tumor sites, based on surgery, CT, ultrasonography and pathology, were 90.5% and 100% One case of colon cancer showed gall bladder metastasis, which was neglected on CT study. Tumor/non tumor uptake ratio of radiolabelled antibody were progressively increased from day 3 to day 7 during study. We summerized as follows 1) The use of cocktails of CEA and CA 19-9 MCAB $F(at')_2$ increased sensitivity and specificity in ISG. 2) Delayed imaging (later than 5 days) increases sensitivitv and specificity due to exclusion of nonspecific iodine accumulation in stomach and lung. 3) Second tracer technique is essential for anatomical landmark by use of a double isotope scan, but subtraction technique, a possible source of artifacts, is no longer necessory when delayed imaging is performed. 4) It may be possible to use two MCAB cocktails of CA 19-9 and CEA in Radioimmunodetection of stomach and pancreas cancer. In conclusion, ISG using MCAB cocktails, $F(ab')_2$ fragment of anti CA 19-9 and Anti CEA, provide additional opportunity for tumor localization and detection of colorectal and other G-I cancer, such as stomach and pancreas.