• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.39-48
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• 2024

In this study, we optimized the FNLM algorithm through a simulation study and applied it to a phantom scanned by low-dose CT to evaluate whether the FNLM algorithm can be used to obtain improved image quality images. We optimized the FNLM algorithm with MASH phantom and FASH phantom, which the algorithm was applied with MATLAB, increasing the smoothing factor from 0.01 to 0.05 with increments of 0.001 and measuring COV, RMSE, and PSNR values of the phantoms. For both phantom, COV and RMSE decreased, and PSNR increased as the smoothing factor increased. Based on the above results, we optimized a smoothing factor value of 0.043 for the FNLM algorithm. Then we applied the optimized FNLM algorithm to low dose lung CT and lung CT under normal conditions. In both images, the COV decreased by 55.33 times and 5.08 times respectively, and we confirmed that the quality of the image of low dose CT applying the optimized FNLM algorithm was 5.08 times better than the image of lung CT under normal conditions. In conclusion, we found that the smoothing factor of 0.043 among the factors of the FNLM algorithm showed the best results and validated the performance by reducing the noise in the low-quality CT images due to low dose with the optimized FNLM algorithm.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권7호
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• pp.1034-1043
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the pooled agreements of the coronary artery calcium (CAC) severities assessed by electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated and non-ECG-gated CT and evaluate the impact of the scan parameters. Materials and Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library were systematically searched. A modified Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Meta-analytic methods were utilized to determine the pooled weighted bias, limits of agreement (LOA), and the correlation coefficient of the CAC scores or the weighted kappa for the categorization of the CAC severities detected by the two modalities. The heterogeneity among the studies was also assessed. Subgroup analyses were performed based on factors that could affect the measurement of the CAC score and severity: slice thickness, reconstruction kernel, and radiation dose for non-ECG-gated CT. Results: A total of 4000 patients from 16 studies were included. The pooled bias was 62.60, 95% LOA were -36.19 to 161.40, and the pooled correlation coefficient was 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.89-0.97) for the CAC score. The pooled weighted kappa of the CAC severity was 0.85 (95% CI = 0.79-0.91). Heterogeneity was observed in the studies (I² > 50%, p < 0.1). In the subgroup analysis, the agreement between the CAC categorizations was better when the two CT examinations had reconstructions based on the same slice thickness and kernel. Conclusion: The pooled agreement of the CAC severities assessed by the ECG-gated and non-ECG-gated CT was excellent; however, it was significantly affected by scan parameters, such as slice thickness and the reconstruction kernel.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.97-105
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• 2021

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the association between myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantified by dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging (CT-MPI) and the increments in heart rate (HR) after stress in patients without obstructive coronary artery disease. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively included 204 subjects who underwent both dynamic CT-MPI and coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Patients with more than minimal coronary stenosis (diameter ≥ 25%), history of myocardial infarction/revascularization, cardiomyopathy, and microvascular dysfunction were excluded. Global MBF at stress was measured using hybrid deconvolution and maximum slope model. Furthermore, the HR increments after stress were recorded. Results: The median radiation dose of dynamic CT-MPI plus CCTA was 5.5 (4.5-6.8) mSv. The median global MBF of all subjects was 156.4 (139.8-180.4) mL/100 mL/min. In subjects with HR increment between 10 to 19 beats per minute (bpm), the global MBF was significantly lower than that of subjects with increment between 20 to 29 bpm (153.3 mL/100 mL/min vs. 171.3 mL/100 mL/min, p = 0.027). This difference became insignificant when the HR increment further increased to ≥ 30 bpm. Conclusion: The global MBF value was associated with the extent of increase in HR after stress. Significantly higher global MBF was seen in subjects with HR increment of ≥ 20 bpm.

• 한국음향학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.370-374
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• 2009

본 논문에서는 3차원 동영상을 구현하기 위하여 인체에 유해한 방사능 피폭량이 부챗살 형태의 Fan Beam 보다 상대적으로 적은 원추형 Cone Beam CT 시스템을 설계하였다. 설계된 시스템은 X-ray가 조사된 각도에서 획득한 데이터를 영상처리부로 전송하고 영상을 구성하는 계산 속도를 빠르게 하기 위하여 초월함수가 보다 적은 3단계 회전 행렬을 이용하여 3차원 영상을 구현하는 회전 기반법을 사용하였다. 본 연구에서는 3차원 영상을 구성하는 시간단축을 통해 초당 3~5장의 영상을 얻음으로써 3차원 동영상을 실시간으로 구현하였다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.402-412
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• 2022

Objective: To evaluate the image quality and lesion detectability of lower-dose CT (LDCT) of the abdomen and pelvis obtained using a deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) algorithm compared with those of standard-dose CT (SDCT) images. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 123 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 63 ± 11 years; male:female, 70:53) who underwent contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic LDCT between May and August 2020 and had prior SDCT obtained using the same CT scanner within a year. LDCT images were reconstructed with hybrid iterative reconstruction (h-IR) and DLIR at medium and high strengths (DLIR-M and DLIR-H), while SDCT images were reconstructed with h-IR. For quantitative image quality analysis, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio were measured in the liver, muscle, and aorta. Among the three different LDCT reconstruction algorithms, the one showing the smallest difference in quantitative parameters from those of SDCT images was selected for qualitative image quality analysis and lesion detectability evaluation. For qualitative analysis, overall image quality, image noise, image sharpness, image texture, and lesion conspicuity were graded using a 5-point scale by two radiologists. Observer performance in focal liver lesion detection was evaluated by comparing the jackknife free-response receiver operating characteristic figures-of-merit (FOM). Results: LDCT (35.1% dose reduction compared with SDCT) images obtained using DLIR-M showed similar quantitative measures to those of SDCT with h-IR images. All qualitative parameters of LDCT with DLIR-M images but image texture were similar to or significantly better than those of SDCT with h-IR images. The lesion detectability on LDCT with DLIR-M images was not significantly different from that of SDCT with h-IR images (reader-averaged FOM, 0.887 vs. 0.874, respectively; p = 0.581). Conclusion: Overall image quality and detectability of focal liver lesions is preserved in contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic LDCT obtained with DLIR-M relative to those in SDCT with h-IR.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.108-115
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: Minimizing contrast dose and radiation exposure while maintaining image quality during computed tomography angiography (CTA) for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is desirable, but not well established. This systematic review compares image quality for low contrast and low kV CTA versus conventional CTA in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR planning. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature review to identify clinical studies comparing imaging strategies for patients with aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR planning. The primary outcomes of image quality as assessed by the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were reported as random effects mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: We included 6 studies reporting on 353 patients. There was no difference in cardiac SNR (mean difference, -1.42; 95% CI, -5.71 to 2.88; p = 0.52), cardiac CNR (mean difference, -3.83; 95% CI, -9.98 to 2.32; p = 0.22), aortic SNR (mean difference, -0.23; 95% CI, -7.83 to 7.37; p = 0.95), aortic CNR (mean difference, -3.95; 95% CI, -12.03 to 4.13; p = 0.34), and ileofemoral SNR (mean difference, -6.09; 95% CI, -13.80 to 1.62; p = 0.12) between the low dose and conventional protocols. There was a difference in ileofemoral CNR between the low dose and conventional protocols with a mean difference of -9.26 (95% CI, -15.06 to -3.46; p = 0.002). Overall, subjective image quality was similar between the 2 protocols. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review suggests that low contrast and low kV CTA for TAVR planning provides similar image quality to conventional CTA.

• Journal of the Korean Physical Society
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• 제80권
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• pp.247-256
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• 2022

Our objective was to investigate radiomics signatures and prediction models defined by four segmentation methods in using 2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET) imaging of lung metastases of soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs). For this purpose, three fixed threshold methods using the standardized uptake value (SUV) and gradient-based edge detection (ED) were used for tumor delineation on the PET images of STSs. The Dice coefficients (DCs) of the segmentation methods were compared. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and Spearman's rank, and Friedman's ANOVA test were used for selection and validation of radiomics features. The developed radiomics models were assessed using ROC (receiver operating characteristics) curve and confusion matrices. According to the results, the DC values showed the biggest difference between SUV40% and other segmentation methods (DC: 0.55 and 0.59). Grey-level run-length matrix_run-length nonuniformity (GLRLM_RLNU) was a common radiomics signature extracted by all segmentation methods. The multivariable logistic regression of ED showed the highest area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (AUC: 0.88, sensitivity: 0.85, specificity: 0.74, accuracy: 0.81). In our research, the ED method was able to derive a significant model of radiomics. GLRLM_RLNU which was selected from all segmented methods as a meaningful feature was considered the obvious radiomics feature associated with the heterogeneity and the aggressiveness. Our results have apparently showed that radiomics signatures have the potential to uncover tumor characteristics.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제6권5호
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• pp.357-363
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• 2012

본 연구는 두부 컴퓨터 단층 촬영 검사 시 적응식 통계적 반복 재구성법인 알고리즘을 적용하여 노이즈 및 화질평가, 피폭선량의 감소에 대하여 알아보고자 하였다. 두부 CT 검사 시 ASIR를 적용하지 않은 군[A군], ASIR 50 % 적용한군 [B군]으로 나누어 검사하였다. 팬텀연구에서 측정된 CT 노이즈 평균값의 측정결과는 B군이 A군보다 중심부(A)와 주변부(B, C, D)에서 각 각 46.9 %, 48.2 %, 43.2 %, 47.9 %가 감소되었다. 영상화질 평가에서 정량적 분석방법으로 CT 값(number)을 측정하여 잡음(noise) 정도를 분석하였다. 영상 잡음은 A군과 B군 사이에는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있었으며, A군이 B군보다 영상 잡음이 유의하게 높았다(group A ;우엽에서 31.87 HU, 좌엽에서 31.78 HU, group B ; 우엽에서 26.6 HU, 좌엽에서 30.42 HU : P<0.05). 영상의 정성적 평가방법으로 두부 임상 영상 평가표에 의해 평가한 결과 80점 만점에 A군의 관찰자 1의 점수는 73.17 점, 관찰자 2의 점수는 74.2 점으로 평가하였으며, B군의 관찰자 1의 점수는 71.77 점, 관찰자 2의 점수는 72.47 점으로 평가하였다. 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었으며(P>0.05), 진단에 적절한 영상을 보였다. 피폭선량은 ASIR 50 % 적용하여 검사함으로써 영상의 질적 저하 없이 방사선 피폭선량을 47.6 % 감소 시킬수 있었다. 결론적으로 임상 부위에 ASIR가 적용이 된다면 훨씬 더 적은 선량으로도 검사가 가능할 것으로 사료되며, 검사 시에 검사자가 판단하는데 있어 긍정적인 요인이 될 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.51-58
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• 2011

본 연구의 목적은 회전조사 시 표적종양의 위치변위와 갠트리의 조사반경에 의한 치료깊이 변화에 따른 모의치료계획 결과와 선량전달 결과상의 오차를 분석하고자 하였다. 깊이 변위가 가장 이상적인 경우, 즉 팬텀의 중심에 표적이 위치한 경우와 한쪽으로 2.5 cm, 5 cm씩 치우친 경우로 나누어 모의실험하였다. 표적의 위치 변화에 따른 모의치료계획을 실시하기 위하여 IMRT Body 팬톰(I'mRT Phantom, Wellhofer Dosimetry, Germany)를 이용하여 전산화단층촬영장치(Computed Tomography, Light speed 16, GE, USA)로 데이터를 획득하였다. 획득된 영상을 이용하여 치료계획장치(Treatment Planning System, Eclipse, ver. 6.5, VMS, Palo Alto, USA)를 이용하여 정중앙, 2.5 cm, 5 cm에 가상의 치료표적을 만들어 모의치료계획을 수립하였다. 선형가속기(CL21EX, VMS, Palo Alto, USA)의 6 MV 광자선과 최근 개발된 Gafchromic 필름(EBT2, ISP, Wayne, USA)을 이용하여 선량분포를 측정하였고, 선량분석프로그램(OmniPro-IMRT, ver. 1.4, Wellhofer Dosimetry, Germany)을 이용하여 모의치료계획 데이터와 측정 데이터를 정량적으로 분석하였다. 분석프로그램으로 횡축방향 선량분포 프로파일(Cross-plane profile)과 선량분포를 정량적으로 분석하기 위하여 감마인덱스(DD: 3%, DTA: 2 mm) 히스토그람을 이용하였다. 표적과 표적주변의 선량분포는 Conformity index(CI), Homogeneity index(HI)를 이용하여 정량적으로 분석하였다. 치료표적 전체체적에 대한 100% 선량분포에 포함되는 체적을 비교하여 분석하였다. 표적의 위치가 5 cm 에 있는 경우 다문동적회전조사(Multiple Conformal Arc Therapy, MCAT)는 23.8%, 단일동적회전조사(Single Conformal Arc Therapy, SCAT)는 35.6%, 고정조사는 37%였고, 표적이 2.5 cm에 있는 경우 MCAT 61%, SCAT 21.5%, 고정조사 14.2%로 분석되었다. 표적의 위치가 중앙에 있는 경우 MCAT 70.5%, SCAT 14.1%, 고정조사 36.3%로 나타났다. 표적의 위치가 5 cm 치우쳐 있는 경우를 제외하고 MCAT의 100% 선량분포에 포함되는 체적이 가장 크게 나타났다. 감마인덱스 히스토그램 분석결과, SCAT의 경우 37.1, 27.3, 29.2로 MCAT의 경우 9.2, 8.4, 10.3에 비해 최소 2.8배, 최대 4배 오차가 크게 나타났다. 결론적으로, 동적조형회전조사 시 표적종양의 위치변이와 조사반경의 변화에 따라 선량전달오류의 가능성을 알 수 있었으며 치료표적의 위치가 정중앙이 아닐 경우, 깊이와 회전반경을 최적화함으로써 정확한 선량 전달을 할 수 있다고 생각한다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.299-306
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• 2009

MDCT의 시간분해능 향상과 등방성 해상능(isotrophic resolution) 영상의 획득, 그리고 지능적인 심전도 동조를 바탕으로 하여 심혈관 질환의 효과적인 진단검사로 인정받고 있는 후향적 심전도 동조화(retrospective ECG gating) 하의 coronary CT angiography는 상대적으로 많은 환자선량을 제공함으로 인해 우수한 진단방법으로서의 장점을 반감시키고 있다. 이에 각 장치 제조사에서는 환자선량을 감소시키는 방법의 연구가 활성화되어 왔으며, 이의 일환으로 지능적인 cardiac dose modulation 기술과 전향적 심전도 동조화(prospective ECG gating)를 사용한 sequential scan이 도입되고 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 64 채널 MDCT에서 54 kg, 163 cm인 여성 인체모형팬텀을 대상으로 하고 형광유리선량계를 사용하여 후향적 심전도 동조화 하의 coronary CT angiography 프로토콜에서 환자선량의 정량적 평가와 환자선량 감소를 위해 본원에서 선택적으로 적용하고 있는 5가지 검사 프로토콜을 적용하였을 경우의 effective dose와 중요 부위의 organ dose를 측정 비교하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1) Dose modulation없이 120 kVp와 210 mAs의 노출조건으로 retrospectively ECG gated helical scan으로 시행한 conventional coronary CT angiography 프로토콜의 effective dose는 17.8 mSv였으며, 심장의 organ dose는 103.8 mGy였다. 2) 관전압을 120 kVp에서 100 kVp로 낮추었을 경우 effective dose는 11.0 mSv로 conventional coronary CT에 비해 38.2%가 감소하였으며, 심장은 67.3 mGy로 45.2%가 감소하였다. 3) Cardiac dose modulation을 적용한 경우 effective dose는 13.3 mSv로 conventional coronary CT에 비해 25.3%가 감소하였으며, 심장은 80.0 mGy로 22.9%가 감소하였다. 4) 100 kVp의 저관전압과 cardiac dose modulation을 적용한 경우 effective dose는 8.1 mSv로 conventional coronary CT angiography에 비해 54.5%가 감소하였으며, 심장은 49.5 mGy로 52.3%가 감소하였다.