• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2010

Purpose : To compare the relative values of various fast breath-hold imaging sequences for superparamagnetic iron-oxide (SPIO)-enhanced hepatic MRI for the assessment of solid focal lesions with a 3T MRI unit. Materials and Methods : 102 consecutive patients with one or more solid malignant hepatic lesions were evaluated by spoiled gradient echo (GRE) sequences with three different echo times (2.4 msec [GRE_2.4], 5.8 msec [GRE_5.8], and 10 msec [GRE_10]) for $T2^*$-weighted imaging in addition to T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence following intravenous SPIO injection. Image qualities of the hepatic contour, vascular landmarks and artifacts were rated by two independent readers using a four-point scale. For quantitative analysis, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was measured in 170 solid focal lesions larger than 1 cm (107 hepatocellular carcinomas, nine cholangiocarcinomas and 54 metastases). Results : GRE_5.8 showed the highest mean points for hepatic contour, vascular anatomy and imaging artifact presence among all of the subjected sequences (p<0.001) and was comparable (p=0.414) with GRE_10 with regard to lesion conspicuity. The mean CNRs were significantly higher (p<0.001) in the following order: GRE_10 ($24.4{\pm}14.5$), GRE_5.8 ($14.8{\pm}9.4$), TSE ($9.7{\pm}6.3$), and GRE_2.4 ($7.9{\pm}6.4$). The mean CNRs of CCCs and metastases were higher than those of HCCs for all imaging sequences (p<0.05). Conclusion : Regarding overall performances, GRE using a moderate echo time of 5.8 msec can provide the most reliable data among the various fast breath-hold SPIO-enhanced hepatic MRI sequences at 3T unit despite the lower CNR of GRE_5.8 compared to that of GRE_10.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2005

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess attenuation correction algorithms with the $^{137}Cs$ point source for the brain positron omission tomography (PET) imaging process. Materials & Methods: Four different types of phantoms were used in this study for testing various types of the attenuation correction techniques. Transmission data of a $^{137}Cs$ point source were acquired after infusing the emission source into phantoms and then the emission data were subsequently acquired in 3D acquisition mode. Scatter corrections were performed with a background tail-fitting algorithm. Emission data were then reconstructed using iterative reconstruction method with a measured (MAC), elliptical (ELAC), segmented (SAC) and remapping (RAC) attenuation correction, respectively. Reconstructed images were then both qualitatively and quantitatively assessed. In addition, reconstructed images of a normal subject were assessed by nuclear medicine physicians. Subtracted images were also compared. Results: ELEC, SAC, and RAC provided a uniform phantom image with less noise for a cylindrical phantom. In contrast, a decrease in intensity at the central portion of the attenuation map was noticed at the result of the MAC. Reconstructed images of Jaszack and Hoffan phantoms presented better quality with RAC and SAC. The attenuation of a skull on images of the normal subject was clearly noticed and the attenuation correction without considering the attenuation of the skull resulted in artificial defects on images of the brain. Conclusion: the complicated and improved attenuation correction methods were needed to obtain the better accuracy of the quantitative brain PET images.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.7-17
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• 2004

This study describes an evaluation of the sonographic, cholangiographic, pathological, and immunological findings, and the protective effect shown by rats reinfected with Clonorchis sinensis. Eight experimental rat groups were, namely, a normal control, a primary infection control, a reinfection I (reinfection 7 week after treatment following 3-week infection), a reinfection II (reinfection 2 week after treatment following 8-week infection), a reinfection III (exploration of the intrahepatic bile ducts 1 week after reinfection 4 week after treatment following 4-week infection), a superinfection, a secondary infection control, and an infection following immunization group. Sonographic and cholangiographic findings showed moderate or marked dilatation of the bile duct confluence in the primary infection control, reinfection II, and secondary infection control groups. Juvenile worms survived in the intrahepatic bile ducts 1 week after reinfection following treatment in the reinfection III group. It was concluded that reinfecting juvenile worms found during the first week following reinfection failed to survive or grow further. Anatomical, pathophysiological, or immunological changes may induce protection from reinfection in rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2011

To examine the possible changes in the SNRs, CNRs, and ADC values for lumbar spines with metastasis based on the DW images before and after contrast agent injection taken from metastatic spinal cancer patients using a 1.5 T MR machine. The quantitative analysis revealed that in case of spinal cancer subjects, both SNRs and CNRs at all of those assessed locations significantly increased on the DWI after contrast agent injection compared to before, while on the ADC map images, SNRs significantly decreased. On the other hand, significantly decreased ADC values at all the assessed locations were found on the ADC map images. With reference to the normal group, significantly increased SNRs were found at all of the assessed locations on the DWI image after injection compared to before, while significantly decreased SNRs were found on the ADC map images. Also, significantly decreased ADC values at all the assessed locations were found on the ADC map images. For the qualitative analysis, after contrast agent injection, significantly increased signal intensities were found at the locations with spinal cancer on the DWI. In contrast, significantly decreased signal intensities were found on the ADC map images. The implication from the results showing that SNR and CNR significantly increased while ADC value significantly decreased at, above, and below the location of metastatic spinal cancer on DWI after contrast agent injection is that DWI obtained after contrast agent injection can be made available for wider application to vertebral disorders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2016

In this study, it was an investigation of the degree of awareness and consciousness of the radiology technicians about radiation protection working in the computed tomography room in Busan when the pediatric underwent brain CT scan. It was sorted by university hospital, general hospital and hospital and compared the scores of awareness and consciousness. As a result of awareness, university hospital had the highest point of 42.29 followed by general hospital and hospital of 38.43 and 34.06 respectively. On the other hand, the average score of consciousness was the highest in hospital of 29.19 followed by general hospital and university hospital of 24.68 and 21.37 respectively. It is considered to need assistance to cultivate an awareness of the radiation through refresher training and conferences, etc in order to increase the awareness of the general hospitals and hospitals for CT workers. In addition, it is also expected to pay for efforts to increase the consciousness of CT workers in university hospitals seeking the optimization of radiation protection and dose reduction of radiation exposure for the pediatric.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.907-913
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• 2020

There have been continuous controversies on medical X-ray protection and numerous researchers have been trying to prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation. As X-ray passes through the patient and obtains an image, it creates scattered ray due to interactions such as photoelectric effect and Compton scattering with the subject. As a result, both medical radiation staff and patient are exposed to unnecessary radiation on areas other than the target area. In response, this study will be assuming a body of a female, radiating X-ray on the phantom under the conditions of lumbar spine AP test, and measuring scattered ray around breasts and thyroid glands. Then, The experiment results were as follows. After application of non-shielding material, the average of scattered ray was 0.88 mR in thyroid measurement, 3.34 mR, Lt Axillary 3.54 mR, and Rt Axillary 3.03 mR in mamonary measurement but, After application of shielding material, the average of scattered ray was 0.16 mR in thyroid measurement, 0.60 mR, Lt Axillary 0.64 mR, and Rt Axillary 0.54 mR in mamonary measurement showing average scattered ray protection effect of about 82%. This study suggested the manufacturing method of a Jelly-type shielding material, identified the possibilities of researches on mixing various substances with radiology field, and verified the usability of the Jelly-type shielding material as a substitute for existing protection tools.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.81-86
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• 2023

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic findings of the postoperative maxillary cysts (POMCs) and investigate the relationship between lesion size and clinical symptoms depending on the time elapsed after radical maxillary sinus surgery. Methods: A total of 29 patients who were diagnosed with POMCs at Chonnam National University Dental Hospital were selected. Clinical and radiologic findings were investigated. POMC cases were divided into two groups: those with <24 years between maxillary sinus surgery and POMC diagnosis and those with >24 years. The chi-square test was used to compare the differences between the two groups. Results: The average period from surgery to POMC detection was 24.32 years; however, the period could not be confirmed in four patients. The average patient age was 52.75 years, and 12 (41.3%) patients were in their 50s. POMC-related clinical symptoms were as follows: buccal pain and swelling, dull pain, toothache, abscess, sensory abnormality, and asymptomatic. Twenty (69.0%) cases showed unilocular radiolucency and 9 (31.0%) revealed multilocular radiolucency. Seven cases (35.0%) were misdiagnosed as odontogenic lesions, resulting in the delayed treatment of POMCs. No statistical significance was found between the two groups with respect to symptoms, expansion to the surrounding area, presence of secondary cysts, and mesiodistal length of cyst on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. However, the buccopalatal length of the cyst on CBCT images was significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: The buccopalatal length of POMCs observed on CBCT images was related to the time elapsed since surgery. The lack of awareness of POMCs may lead to misdiagnosis as an odontogenic infection and delayed treatment. Therefore, dentists must recognize the clinical and radiologic features of POMCs to differentiate it from dental infections.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2008

Purpose: This study is to decide a quality control and calibration period of LCD display devices used for reading diagnostic images. Materias and Methods: The assessment test of 20 flat panel LCD color display devices used for reading diagnostic images were performed based on AAPM TG 18 protocol over the total six sessions at one month intervals from three months after primary calibration, in terms of geometric distortion, reflection test, luminance response evaluation, luminance uniformity, resolution, noise, veiling glare and chromaticity test. Results: The results of geometric distortion, reflection test, luminance uniformity, resolution, noise, veiling glare and chromaticity test were within the criteria recommended by AAPM TG 18, except for luminance response evaluation. In the measured luminance deviation of luminance response evaluation, 4(25%) of 20 display devices were passed a criterion from four months after calibration, and 11 (55%) were passed from eight months. Also in the contrast response of the luminance response evaluation, 1(5%) display device was passed a criterion from four months after calibration, and 3(15%) were passed from eight months. Conclusion: Considering the passing deviation after calibration, the time required and a manpower, the quality control and calibration period of LCD display devices used for reading diagnostic images should be a three months and six months after calibration.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.79 no.6
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• pp.340-347
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• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate value of image subtraction for identifying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) capsule on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR images. Materials and Methods: This study involved 108 patients at risk of HCC preoperatively examined using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI with hepatic resection between May 2015 and February 2017. We evaluated qualities of subtraction images and presence of capsular appearance on portal venous or transitional phases conventional and subtraction images. We assessed effect of capsular appearance on subtraction images on HCC. Results: After excluding 1 patient who had treated by transarterial chemoembolization prior to surgery and 33 patients with unsatisfactory subtraction image qualities, 82 focal hepatic lesions (73 HCC, 5 non-HCC malignancies, and 4 benign) from 74 patients were analyzed. Regarding detection of capsules, sensitivity, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) on subtraction images were significantly higher than those on conventional images (95.4%, 89.0%, and 0.80, respectively; p < 0.001), though specificities were same (64.7%). For diagnosis of HCC, sensitivity, accuracy, and AUC on subtraction images were significantly higher than on conventional images (82.2%, 79.3%, and 0.69, respectively; p = 0.011), though specificities were identical (55.6%). Conclusion: Portal venous or transitional phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI subtraction images could improve detection of HCC capsule.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.957-964
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• 2023

This study focused on hand sanitizer as a medium that can replace ultrasonic gel, which is vulnerable to contamination by bacteria that reside on the hand. Hand sanitizer produces a strong sterilization effect from germs resident on the hands through different sterilization principles depending on the ingredients. Select products of gel type, cream type, and foam type, except for liquid type with low viscosity, and ultrasonically apply one 62% ethanol gel type and one cream type, one benzalkonium chloride 0.066% cream type and one foam type, respectively. Using ATS-539 as a medium, image evaluation was performed on the axial and lateral resolution and penetration depth, and the presence or absence of an air layer between the probe and the phantom. As a result, in the evaluation of the axial and lateral resolution and the depth of penetration, all four experimental groups met the evaluation criteria. However, in the case of the foam type, although it was suitable for the evaluation criteria of resolution and penetration depth, dark shadows appeared on both sides except for the center of observation during image evaluation. Through this experiment, it was possible to confirm the possibility that the remaining three types of hand sanitizers except the foam type could replace the ultrasonic gel.