• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2015

The aim of this study is to present commissioning results of the ViewRay system. We verified safety functions of the ViewRay system. For imaging system, we acquired signal to noise ratio (SNR) and image uniformity. In addition, we checked spatial integrity of the image. Couch movement accuracy and coincidence of isocenters (radiation therapy system, imaging system and virtual isocneter) was verified. Accuracy of MLC positioing was checked. We performed reference dosimetry according to American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group 51 (TG-51) in water phantom for head 1 and 3. The deviations between measurements and calculation of percent depth dose (PDD) and output factor were evaluated. Finally, we performed gamma evaluations with a total of 8 IMRT plans as an end-to-end (E2E) test of the system. Every safety system of ViewRay operated properly. The values of SNR and Uniformity met the tolerance level. Every point within 10 cm and 17.5 cm radii about the isocenter showed deviations less than 1 mm and 2 mm, respectively. The average couch movement errors in transverse (x), longitudinal (y) and vertical (z) directions were 0.2 mm, 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm, respectively. The deviations between radiation isocenter and virtual isocenter in x, y and z directions were 0 mm, 0 mm and 0.3 mm, respectively. Those between virtual isocenter and imaging isocenter were 0.6 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.2 mm, respectively. The average MLC positioning errors were less than 0.6 mm. The deviations of output, PDDs between mesured vs. BJR supplement 25, PDDs between measured and calculated and output factors of each head were less than 0.5%, 1%, 1% and 2%, respectively. For E2E test, average gamma passing rate with 3%/3 mm criterion was $99.9%{\pm}0.1%$.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.241-252
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• 2004

Purpose: Population based structural and functional maps of the brain provide effective tools for the analysis and interpretation of complex and individually variable brain data. Brain MRI and PET standard templates and statistical probabilistic maps based on image data of Korean normal volunteers have been developed and probabilistic maps based on cytoarchitectonic data have been introduced. A quantification method using these data was developed for the objective assessment of regional intensity in the brain images. Materials and Methods: Age, gender and ethnic specific anatomical and functional brain templates based on MR and PET images of Korean normal volunteers were developed. Korean structural probabilistic maps for 89 brain regions and cytoarchitectonic probabilistic maps for 13 Brodmann areas were transformed onto the standard templates. Brain FDG PET and SPGR MR images of normal volunteers were spatially normalized onto the template of each modality and gender. Regional uptake of radiotracers in PET and gray matter concentration in MR images were then quantified by averaging (or summing) regional intensities weighted using the probabilistic maps of brain regions. Regionally specific effects of aging on glucose metabolism in cingulate cortex were also examined. Results: Quantification program could generate quantification results for single spatially normalized images per 20 seconds. Glucose metabolism change in cingulate gyrus was regionally specific: ratios of glucose metabolism in the rostral anterior cingulate vs. posterior cingulate and the caudal anterior cingulate vs. posterior cingulate were significantly decreased as the age increased. 'Rostral anterior'/'posterior' was decreased by 3.1% per decade of age ($P<10^{-11}$, r=0.81) and 'caudal anterior'/'posterior' was decreased by 1.7% ($P<10^{-8}$, r=0.72). Conclusion: Ethnic specific standard templates and probabilistic maps and quantification program developed in this study will be useful for the analysis of brain image of Korean people since the difference in shape of the hemispheres and the sulcal pattern of brain relative to age, gender, races, and diseases cannot be fully overcome by the nonlinear spatial normalization techniques.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.481-488
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• 2005

Purpose: Functional imaging of dopamine transporter (DAT) defines integrity of the dopaminergic system, and DAT is the target site of drugs of abuse such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Functional imaging the DAT may be a sensitive and selective indicator of neurotoxic change by the drug. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the clinical implications of qualitative/quantitative analyses of dopamine transporter imaging in methamphetamine abusers. Materials and Methods: Six detoxified methamphetamine abusers (abuser group) and 4 volunteers (control group) were enrolled in this study. Brain MRI was performed in all of abuser group. Abuser group underwent psychiatric and depression assessment using brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD), respectively. All of the subjects underwent I-123 IPT SPECT (IPT SPECT). IPT SPECT image was analysed with visual qualitative method and quantitative method using basal ganglia dopamine transporter (DAT) specific/non-specific binding ratio (SBR). Comparison of DAT SBR between abuser and control groups was performed. We also performed correlation tests between psychiatric and depression assessment results and DAT SBR in abuser group. Results: All of abuser group showed normal MRI finding, but had residual psychiatric and depressive symptoms, and psychiatric and depressive symptom scores were exactly correlated (r=1.0, p=0.005) each other. Five of them showed abnormal finding on qualitative visual I-123 IPT SPECT Abuser group had lower basal ganglia DAT SBR than that of control ($2.38{\pm}0.20\;vs\;3.04{\pm}0.27$, p=0.000). Psychiatric and depressive symptoms were negatively well correlated with basal ganglia DAT SBR (r=-0.908, p=0.012, r=-0.924, p=0.009). Conclusion: These results suggest that dopamine transporter imaging using I-123 IPT SPECT may be used to evaluate dopaminergic system of the basal ganglia and the clinical status in methamphetamine abusers.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the postoperative magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructed with a tension load technique using auto-Achilles tendon, and to compare the results with knees with a native ACL. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 21 postoperative MRI scan of 21 patients (group A) who had undergone ACL reconstruction between January 1995 and November 1996. The control group (group B) consisted of 50 patients whose meniscus tear had been operated by arthroscopy and whose ACL was intact. We measured the orientation of the graft in the sagittal and coronal planes and compared it with that of the native ACL. Results: The mean sagittal angle of the ACL angle in group A ($55.7{\pm}5.6^{\circ}$, range $47.2{\sim}68.8^{\circ}$) was statistically lesser than group B ($58.7{\pm}3.8^{\circ}$, range $50.4{\sim}67.5^{\circ}$) (p=0.036). But there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regard to the mean ACL-Blumensaat line angle (group A: $8.1^{\circ}{\pm}4.9^{\circ}$, range $1.7^{\circ}{\sim}22.0^{\circ}$, group B: $8.6^{\circ}{\pm}3.6^{\circ}$, range $2.6^{\circ}-18.1^{\circ}$) and the mean coronal angle of the ACL (group A: $64.9^{\circ}{\pm}9.1^{\circ}$, range $46.9^{\circ}{\sim}76.4^{\circ}$, group B: $65.9^{\circ}{\pm}4.4^{\circ}$, range $57.7^{\circ}{\sim}75.2^{\circ}$)(p=0.88, p= 0.62). In the sagittal plane, the mean center of tibial insertion of the ACL graft in group A ($31.9{\pm}7.1%$, range 22.4-47.9%) was positioned more anteriorly than group B ($37.0{\pm}4.9%$, range $18.5{\sim}44.7%$)(p=0.005). But in the coronal plane, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(group A: $46.3{\pm}2.8%$, range $42.1{\sim}52.5%$, group B: $45.7{\pm}2.8%$, range $41.0{\sim}49.1%$)(p=0.392). Conclusion: We performed an ACL reconstruction with the tension load technique using auto-Achilles tendon and we found that the graft orientation in MRI was as good as that of the native ACL.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.683-690
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of high-b-values diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the preoperative detection of focal rectum cancers. 60patients with diffusion weighted imaging were evaluated for the presence of rectal cancers. Forty were male and twenty were female, and their ages ranged from 38 to 71 (mean, 56) years. Used equipment was 1.5Tesla MRI((GE, General Electric Medical System, Excite HD). Examination protocols were used the fast spin echo T2, T1 weighted imaging. All examination protocols were performed by the same location with diffusion weighted imaging for accuracy detection. The b-values used in DWI were 250, 500, 750, 1000. 1500, 2000$(s/mm^2)$. The rectum, bladder to tumor contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of MR images were quantitativlely analyzed using GE software Functool tool, four experienced radiologists and three radiotechnologists qualitatively evaluated image quality in terms of image artifacts, lesion conspicuity and rectal wall. These data were analysed by using ANOVA and Freedman test with each b-value(p<0.05). Contrast to noise ratio of rectum, bladder and tumor in b-value 1000 were 27.21, 24.44, respectively(p<0.05) and aADC value was $0.73\times10^{-3}$. As a qualitative analysis, the conspicuity and discrimination from the rectal wall of lesions were high results as $4.0\pm0.14$, $4.4\pm0.16$ on b-value 1000(p<0.05), image artifacts were high results as $4.8\pm0.25$ on b-value 2000(p<0.05). In conclusion, DWI was provided useful information with depicting the pre-operative detection of rectal cancers, High-b-value 1000 image was the most excellent DWI value.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2012

Cosmetic products which might augment the breast have attracted an attention and objective methods for the evaluation of such products are in high demand. This study was conducted to establish a method for assessing the breast-firmming effects of cosmetics. This study included a total of 30 healthy Korean females aged 20-50 years. A cosmetic product was applied by massaging it onto the breast twice a day for 8 weeks. Measurement of breast girth with a tape ruler, 2D and 3D digital image analyses, and Moir$\acute{e}$ topographic analysis were performed before and following the treatment. The application of a cosmetic onto the breast significantly increased breast girth at 2, 4 and 8 weeks without a significant change in underbreast girth, implicating the breast might be augmented. The 2D image analysis indicated that the arc length of the breast which represents the surface distance from the nipple to the periphery of the under-breast was significantly increased at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. The height of the breast which represents the perpendicular distance from the nipple to the periphery of the under-breast was also increased significantly at 4 and 8 weeks. The 3D image analysis of body surface also demonstrated a significant increase of breast volume at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Moir$\acute{e}$ topographic analysis indicated that breast sagging was significantly reduced at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. The results of this study suggest that Moir$\acute{e}$ topography in combination with 2D and 3D digital image analyses may be useful for evaluating the breast-augmenting effects of cosmetics.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.95-99
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• 2009

The purpose of this research is to seek SPAIR's reversal time (TI) which satisfies two conditions ; maintaining the suppression ability of fat tissue and simultaneously minimizing the inhomogeneity of fat tissue in T2 high-speed spin echo 3.0T magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the brain, and to compare SPAIR with STIR which is fat-suppression technique. The reversal times (TI) of SPAIR protocol are set to 1/2, 1/3, 1/6 and 1/12 of SPAIR TR (420 msec), namely 210 msec (8 people), 140 msec (26 people), 70 msec (26 people) and 35 msec (18 people) and STIR TI is set with 250 msec (26 people). With these parameter sets, we acquired the axis direction 104 images of the brain. In ROI ($50\;mm^2$) of output image, signal intensities of the fatty tissue, the muscular tissue, and the background were measured and the CNRs of fatty tissue and the muscular tissue were calculated. The inhomogeneity of the fatty tissue is SD/mean, where SD is the standard deviation and 'mean' is a average fatty tissue signal. Consequently, SPAIR TI is determined on either 1/3 or 1/6 of TR (420 ms) ; 140 ms or 70 ms. Because the difference of statistics in fat-suppression ability and inhomogeneity of fatty tissue is very small (p < 0.001), Selecting 140 ms seems to be better choice for the image quality. Meanwhile, Comparing SPAIR (TI : 140 ms) with STIR, the fat-suppression is not able to be considered statistically (p < 0.252), but the image quality is able to be considered statistically (p < 0.01). In conclusion, SPAIR is better than STIR in the image quality.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.288-293
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• 2004

Purpose: increased uptake of wrist and hand joints in three phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS) have been used in the detection of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS). TPBS frequently shows increased shoulder uptake in the hemiplegic RSDS patients. We investigated the significance of the shoulder uptake in the detection of these patients. Materials and Methods: Twenty three patients who had hemiplegia due to brain stroke and diagnosed as RSD were enrolled in this study (M:F=16:7, R:L=11:12). The mean age was $63{\pm}10$ yrs. Ter normal volunteer (mean age: $60{\pm}5$, M:F=1:9) data was used as control group. TPBS was performed $59{\pm}32$ days after stoke (acute stage). We obtained the count ratios of bilateral hands by drawing a region of interest (ROI) in three phase images and compared to the count ratios of shoulders in the delayed image. Hand ROI included an ipsilateral wrist. Sensitivity of detecting the affected limb was defined using the right/left count ratio of normal control. Results: Sensitivities using count ratios of hand blood flow, blood pool and delayed image were 45%, 76% and 78%, respectively. Sensitivity of shoulder count ratio was 74%. Log of right/left counts of hand delayed image and that of shoulder delayed image were correlated well with statistical significance (Spearman's R=0.824, p<0.001). Conclusion: Shoulder uptake showed good correlation with hand uptake in the delayed image of TPBS. Shoulder uptake maybe helpful in the diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome in patients with hemiplegia.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2003

In this paper, I proposed a classifier of liver cirrhotic step using T1-weighted MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) and hierarchical neural network. The data sets for classification of each stage, which were normal, 1type, 2type and 3type, were obtained in Pusan National University Hospital from June 2001 to december 2001. And the number of data was 46. We extracted liver region and nodule region from T1-weighted MR liver image. Then objective interpretation classifier of liver cirrhotic steps in T1-weighted MR liver images. Liver cirrhosis classifier implemented using hierarchical neural network which gray-level analysis and texture feature descriptors to distinguish normal liver and 3 types of liver cirrhosis. Then proposed Neural network classifier teamed through error back-propagation algorithm. A classifying result shows that recognition rate of normal is 100%, 1type is 82.3%, 2type is 86.7%, 3type is 83.7%. The recognition ratio very high, when compared between the result of obtained quantified data to that of doctors decision data and neural network classifier value. If enough data is offered and other parameter is considered, this paper according to we expected that neural network as well as human experts and could be useful as clinical decision support tool for liver cirrhosis patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.631-636
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• 2018

The problem that the existing the magnetic resonance image (MRI) was prone to have not only long readout duration and low bandwidth in the phase-encode direction, but also geometric distortion was pointed out. The purpose of this study is to identify the usefulness of FOCUS-DWI through comparing FOCUS-DWI with the Conventional-DWI on a degree of uniformity and artifacts caused by the distance change in the central axis within the magnetic field. In terms of artifacts, there happened irregular striped artifacts in the Conventional-DWI technique, which in particular, more often arose in the central axis. Also, the overlap of imaging drastically increased. By contrast, there were no irregular striped artifacts in the FOCUS-DWI technique. In conclusion, it was found that the FOCUS-DWI technique was superior to the Conventional-DWI technique in terms of artifacts, the overlap of imaging, and a degree of uniformity. In addition, there was no difference of the change in distance from the central axis between the FOCUS-DWI technique and the Conventional-DWI technique. Thus, it is considered the FOCUS-DWI technique having less imaging distortion and high image quality will be highly clinically used.