• 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 radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2009

The cardiovascular disease has been known as a common cause of death for a long time in the west. The eating habits of Asia, including Korea, have changed recently, so that this disease is also a problem in Asia now. Annual Report on the Cause of Death Statistics from 1996 to 2006 reported that the cardiovascular disease would become the number one cause of death in the next $5{\sim}10$ years. Therefore we realize that more accurate examination is required. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of Calcium-scoring CT and the relationship between risk factor and quantitative scores of Calcium-scoring CT. Through this study we expect that the national public health will be improved. Seventy patients with chest pain were chosen at random. The patients were undergone both coronary CT antigraphy and Calcium - scoring CT at G hospital in Incheon from February 1 to June 30, 2008. The result of the Calcium-scoring CT showed its usefulness for Ischemic cardiovascular disease, with an accuracy similar to that of exercise/pharmacologic stress or ECG when it is difficult for a patient to exercise due to joint problems, aging or for other reasons.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.21-29
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• 2024

Reducing the radiation dose during CT scanning can lower the risk of radiation exposure, but not only does the image resolution significantly deteriorate, but the effectiveness of diagnosis is reduced due to the generation of noise. Therefore, noise removal from CT images is a very important and essential processing process in the image restoration. Until now, there are limitations in removing only the noise by separating the noise and the original signal in the image area. In this paper, we aim to effectively remove noise from CT images using the wavelet transform-based GAN model, that is, the WT-GAN model in the frequency domain. The GAN model used here generates images with noise removed through a U-Net structured generator and a PatchGAN structured discriminator. To evaluate the performance of the WT-GAN model proposed in this paper, experiments were conducted on CT images damaged by various noises, namely Gaussian noise, Poisson noise, and speckle noise. As a result of the performance experiment, the WT-GAN model is better than the traditional filter, that is, the BM3D filter, as well as the existing deep learning models, such as DnCNN, CDAE model, and U-Net GAN model, in qualitative and quantitative measures, that is, PSNR (Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio) and SSIM (Structural Similarity Index Measure) showed excellent results.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2012

Purpose : This study is designed to compare two parameters reflecting $^{18}F$-FDG uptake, SUV and radioactivity, for diagnosis of thyroid cancer in dual time $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT imaging and to find which parameter is more useful to decide whether the tumor is malignant or not. Materials and Methods : We performed retrospective study for 40 patients. All patients are diagnosed as primary thyroid cancer and examined $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT. First, we got the dispersion of scattering beam of neck and lung apex to set a background and compared each dispersion, mean value, standard deviation of maxSUV and radioactivity. Also, mean maxSUV, ${\Delta}maxSUV$, ${\Delta}maxBq$/ml(%) and radioactivity between groups according to lesion's size based on biopsy are compared with independent-sample t-test. Results : the values that were from maxSUV and radioactivity measurement technique were compensated and calculated to practical values for mean comparison and patients were divided to two groups based on tumor size, Group1 ($size{\leq}1$ cm, n=21), Group2 (size>1 cm, n=19) for accurate comparison. In Group1, maxSUV (semi-quantitative analysis) was increased from $5.64{\pm}5.85$ (1.89~17.84) at first image to $5.90{\pm}5.01$ (1.95~18.22) at second image and radioactivity (Bq/ml) (quantitative analysis) showed similar increase from $5.93{\pm}6.38$ (2.50~16.75) at first image to $6.01{\pm}5.25$ (2.66~16.58) at second image. In Group2, TFmaxSUV was $10.54{\pm}14.36$ (2.54~33.89) in true first image, TSmaxSUV was $9.85{\pm}12.88$ (2.62~26.20) in true second image separately. The maxSUV showed a significant difference in the mean comparison between the two groups (p=0.035) But, mean radioactivity (Bq/ml) was $5.93{\pm}6.38$ (4.81~40.99) in true first image, $6.01{\pm}5.25$ (4.51~36.93) in true second image and didn't show a significant difference statistically (p=0.126) Conclusion : In diagnosis of thyroid tumor, SUV and radioactivity depending on $^{18}F$-FDG uptake showed high similarity with coefficient of determination (R2=0.939) and malignant evaluation results using dual time also showed similar aspect. Radioactivity for evaluation of malignant tumor didn't show better specificity or sensitivity than maxSUV.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.151-157
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• 2004

Purpose : To evaluate the quantitative accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) images by means of comparing distance measurements on the 3D images with direct measurements of dry human skull according to slice thickness and scanning modes. Materials and Mathods : An observer directly measured the distance of 21 line items between 12 orthodontic landmarks on the skull surface using a digital vernier caliper and each was repeated five times. The dry human skull was scanned with a Helical CT with various slice thickness (3, 5, 7 mm) and acquisition modes (Conventional and Helical). The same observer measured corresponding distance of the same items on reconstructed 3D images with the internal program of V-works 4.0/sup TM/(Cybermed Inc., Seoul, Korea). The quantitative accuracy of distance measurements were statistically evaluated with Wilcoxons' two-sample test. Results: 11 line items in Conventional 3 mm, 8 in Helical 3mm, 11 in Conventional 5mm, 10 in Helical 5mm, 5 in Conventional 7mm and 9 in Helical 7mm showed no statistically significant difference. Average difference between direct measurements and measurements on 3D CT images was within 2mm in 19 line items of Conventional 3mm, 20 of Helical 3mm, 15 of Conventional 5mm, 18 of Helical 5mm, II of Conventional 7mm and 16 of Helical 7mm. Conclusion: Considering image quality and patient's exposure time, scanning protocol of Helical 5mm is recommended for 3D image analysis of the skull in CT.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1453-1458
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• 2008

For quantitative PCR assay of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in food samples, a real-time PCR method was developed, based on DNA genome equivalent. Specific primers and probe designed based on the STM4497 gene of S. Typhimurium LT2 showed the specificity to S. Typhimurium. Threshold cycle (Ct) values of real-time PCR were obtained from a quantitative standard curve with genomic DNA of Salmonella Typhimurium. In addition, the recovery of S. Typhimurium inoculated artificially to chicken samples with $4.5{\times}10^5$ to 4.5 CFU/ml was evaluated by using real-time PCR and plate-count methods. Result showed that the number of cells calculated from the real-time PCR method had good correlation with that of the plate-count method. This real-time PCR method could be applicable to the detection and quantification of S. Typhimurium in food samples.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.245-258
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• 2022

Purpose: This study compared the root canal anatomy between cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images before and after biomechanical preparation and root canal filling. Materials and Methods: Isthmus-containing mesial roots of mandibular molars(n=14) were scanned by micro-CT and 3 CBCT devices: 3D Accuitomo 170 (ACC), NewTom 5G (N5G) and NewTom VGi evo (NEVO). Two calibrated observers evaluated the images for 2-dimensional quantitative parameters, the presence of debris or root perforation, and filling quality in the root canal and isthmus. The kappa coefficient, analysis of variance, and the Tukey test were used for statistical analyses(α=5%). Results: Substantial intra-observer agreement (κ=0.63) was found between micro-CT and ACC, N5G, and NEVO. Debris detection was difficult using ACC (42.9%), N5G (40.0%), and NEVO (40%), with no agreement between micro-CT and ACC, N5G, and NEVO (0.05<κ<0.12). After biomechanical preparation, 2.4%-4.8% of CBCT images showed root perforation that was absent on micro-CT. The 2D parameters showed satisfactory reproducibility between micro-CT and ACC, N5G, and NEVO (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.60-0.73). Partially filled isthmuses were observed in 2.9% of the ACC images, 8.8% of the N5G and NEVO images, and 26.5% of the micro-CT images, with no agreement between micro-CT and ACC, and poor agreement between micro-CT and N5G and NEVO. Excellent agreement was found for area, perimeter, and the major and minor diameters, while the roundness measures were satisfactory. Conclusion: CBCT images aided in isthmus detection and classification, but did not allow their classification after biomechanical preparation and root canal filling.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.126-131
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• 2009

Acetabular dysplasia is a condition defined by inadequate development of an individual's acetabulum. Individual diversity of the symptoms in this disease needs safe and accurate preoperative planning. Technologies that utilize multidimensional image information are thus important. The assessment method by Janzen et al. was suggested a coefficient method in evaluation of acetabular dysplasia. In this study, we applied it, using a three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) on the koreans. 19 cases of the normal hips and 4 cases of the acetabular dysplasia were investigated to evaluate the proved method; 3D CT was used to define the geometric center of the femoral head and to measure center edge angles at $10^{\circ}$ rotational increments around the acetabular rim. Mean and standard deviation in CEAs (Center Edge Angle) of normal 19 hips at $10^{\circ}$ rotational increments from anterior to posterior rim were determined, and termed as a 'normal curve'. Then this normal values were compared with the CEA data measured from 4 cases of acetabular dysplasia patiens. Quantative comparison of the CEA values between the normal cases and dysplasia cases was successfully demonstrated, and thus, we claim that this simple CT method of assessing acetabular dysplasia can be well applicable to diagnosis, quantification and surgical planning for adult acetabular dysplasia patients.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.87-92
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• 2013

Periodontal inflammation increases the risk of tooth loss, particularly in cases where there is an associated loss of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament (PDL). Histological and morphometric evaluation of periodontal inflammation is difficult. Especially, the lengths of the periodontal ligament and interdental alveolar bone space have not been quantified. A quantitative imaging procedure applicable to an animal model would be an important clinical study. The purpose of this study was to quantify the loss of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament by evaluation with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Another purpose was to investigate differences in infections with systemic E. coli LPS and TNF-${\alpha}$ on E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in loss of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament model on mice. This study showed that linear measurements of alveolar bone loss were represented with an increasing trend of the periodontal ligament length and interdental alveolar process space. The effects of systemic E. coli LPS and TNF-${\alpha}$ on an E. coli LPS-induced periodontitis mice model were investigated in this research. Loss of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone were evaluated by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and calculated by the two- and three dimensional microstructure morphometric parameters. Also, there was a significantly increasing trend of the interdental alveolar process space in E. coli LPS and TNF-${\alpha}$ on E. coli LPS compared to PBS. And E. coli LPS and TNF-${\alpha}$ on E. coli LPS had a slightly increasing trend of the periodontal ligament length. The increasing trend of TNF-${\alpha}$ on the LPS-induced mice model in this experiment supports the previous studies on the contribution of periodontal diseases in the pathogenesis of systemic diseases. Also, our findings offer a unique model for the study of the role of LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ in systemic and chronic local inflammatory processes and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we performed rapidly quantification of the periodontal inflammatory processes and periodontal bone loss using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) in mice.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.241-249
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• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the added value of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) to computed tomography (CT) for detecting pancreatic abnormality in patients with clinically suspected acute pancreatitis (AP). Materials and Methods: 203 patients who underwent abdomen CT and subsequent DWI to do a workup for epigastric pain were analyzed. Two blinded radiologists independently performed an interval reading based on CT image sets first, then based on combined CT and DWI image sets. The diagnostic criterion on DWI was the increased signal intensity in the pancreas to that of the spleen. For quantitative analysis, the third radiologist measured ADC value of the pancreas in each patient. Results: For AP (n = 43), the sensitivity for detecting pancreatic abnormality increased, from 42% to 70% for reader 1 (P < 0.05) and from 44% to 72% for reader 2 (P < 0.05). For borderline pancreatitis (n = 42), the sensitivity also increased, from 10% to 26% for reader 1 (P < 0.05) and from 7% to 29% for reader 2 (P < 0.05). The mean ADC values (unit, ${\times}10^{-3}mm^2/s$) were significantly different among the three groups (for AP, $1.09{\pm}0.16$; for borderline pancreatitis, $1.28{\pm}0.2$; for control, $1.46{\pm}0.15$, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Sensitivity for detecting pancreatic abnormality increased significantly after adding DWI to CT in patients with clinically suspected AP.