• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.14 no.7
• /
• pp.891-898
• /
• 2020

As the problem of shields made of lead has recently emerged, research on replacement shields is essential, and studies on the manufacture of diagnostic X-ray shields with 3D printers are also being actively conducted. Recently, with the development of metal mixed filaments, it has become possible to manufacture shielding materials easily, but studies on the nozzle size and output setting of 3D printers are insufficient. Therefore, this study aims to compare and analyze the results through a shielding rate experiment using a brass filament and a 3D printer, outputting the shield according to the nozzle size and layer height, and using a diagnostic radiation generator. The nozzle size was changed to 0.4, 0.8 mm, layer height 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 mm, and output. The shielding rate test was fixed at 40 mAs, and the shielding rate was analyzed by experimenting with 60, 80, and 100 kVp, respectively. As a result of the analysis, it was analyzed that the printing time could be reduced to 1/10 according to the nozzle size and the layer height, and the shielding rate could be increased by 1% or more.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2021

In order to acquire an image in a positron emission tomography, it is necessary to draw the position coordinates of the scintillation pixels of the detector module measured at the same time. To this end, in a detector module using a plurality of scintillation pixels and a small number of photosensors, it is necessary to obtain a flood image and divide a region of each scintillation pixel to obtain a position of a scintillation pixel interacting with a gamma ray. Alternatively, when the number of scintillation pixels and the number of photosensors to be used are the same, the position coordinates for the position of the scintillation pixels can be directly acquired as digital signal coordinates. A method of using a plurality of scintillation pixels and a small number of photosensors requires a process of obtaining digital signal coordinates requires a plurality of photosensors and a signal processing system. This complicates the signal processing process and raises the cost. To solve this problem, in this study, we developed a method of obtaining digital signal coordinates without performing the process of separating the planar image and region using a plurality of flash pixels and a small number of optical sensors. This is a method of obtaining the position coordinate values of the flash pixels interacting with the gamma ray as a digital signal through a look-up table created through the signals acquired from each flash pixel using the maximum likelihood function. Simulation was performed using DETECT2000, and verification was performed on the proposed method. As a result, accurate digital signal coordinates could be obtained from all the flash pixels, and if this is applied to the existing system, it is considered that faster image acquisition is possible by simplifying the signal processing process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.85-91
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study is to derive an equation to verify the accuracy of the dose rate for each component calculated at the measurement point outside the maze door when designing the maze door of 6 MV X-ray beam. Based on the component-specific dose rate calculation formula for the measurement point outside the maze door described in NCRP Report 151 and IAEA Safety Report Series 47, the dose rate calculation formula for each component when applying the values of the drawing-based parameters and the dose rate calculation formula for each component when applying the values of conservative parameters are derived. From the two dose rate calculation formulas for each component, the dose rate verification formula for each component at the measurement point outside the maze door was derived. The resulting dose rate verification formula for each component at the measurement point outside the maze door can be compared and analyzed whether the dose rate for each component at the measurement point outside the maze door calculated by the designer falls within the range of the dose rate obtained from the derived dose rate verification formula for each component. This verification formula is considered to be practically useful in verifying the accuracy of the dose rate for each component calculated by the designer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.401-408
• /
• 2021

Proton therapy using the Bragg peak is one of the radiation therapies and can deliver its maximum energy to the tumor with giving least energy for normal tissue. A cross-sectional image of the human body taken with the computed tomography (CT) has been used for radiation therapy planning. The HU values change according to the tube voltage, which lead to the change in the boundary and thickness of the anatomical structure on the CT image. This study examined the changes in the Bragg peak of the brain region according to the thickness variation in the head phantom composed of several materials using the Geant4. In the phantom composed of a single material, the Bragg peak according to the type of media and the incident energy of the proton beams were calculated, and the reliability of Geant4 code was verified by the Bragg peak. The variation of the peak in the brain region was examined when each thickness of the head phantom was changed. When the thickness of the soft tissue was changed, there was no change in the peak position, and for the skin the change in the peak was small. The change of the peak position was mainly changed when the bone thickness. In particular, when the bone was changed only or the bone was changed together with other tissues, the amount of change in the peak position was the same. It is considered that measurement of the accurate bone thickness in CT images is one of the key factors in depth-dose distribution of the radiation therapy planning.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.241-248
• /
• 2022

A guideline for determining the optimal catheter length according to the patient's physique during tunnel-type dialysis catheter insertion used in renal failure patients is presented, and the maintenance of the function of the dialysis catheter is evaluated. From October 1, 2015 to February 31, 2016, a total of 110 (male : female = 73 : 37) patients who underwent tunnel-type dialysis catheterization performed at our hospital were treated without using guidelines. The group was divided into A group, and the group treated using the guideline into B group. Results were analyzed statistically using SPSS 20.0. As a result of the dialysis catheter insertion procedure according to the use of guidelines, the function maintenance rate of group A was 81.8%, and the function maintenance rate of group B was 96.3%. In the case of tunnel dialysis catheter procedure, the function maintenance effect was statistically significant in the group treated using the guideline compared to the group not using it (p<0.05). It can be said that it is more effective when information on the patient's underlying disease is reflected in addition to the use of guidelines.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.295-302
• /
• 2022

Sparse-view computed tomography (CT) imaging technique is able to reduce radiation dose, ensure the uniformity of image characteristics among projections and suppress noise. However, the reconstructed images obtained by the sparse-view CT imaging technique suffer from severe artifacts, resulting in the distortion of image quality and internal structures. In this study, we proposed a convolutional neural network (CNN) with wavelet transformation and residual learning for reducing artifacts in sparse-view CT image, and the performance of the trained model was quantitatively analyzed. The CNN consisted of wavelet transformation, convolutional and inverse wavelet transformation layers, and input and output images were configured as sparse-view CT images and residual images, respectively. For training the CNN, the loss function was calculated by using mean squared error (MSE), and the Adam function was used as an optimizer. Result images were obtained by subtracting the residual images, which were predicted by the trained model, from sparse-view CT images. The quantitative accuracy of the result images were measured in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity (SSIM). The results showed that the trained model is able to improve the spatial resolution of the result images as well as reduce artifacts in sparse-view CT images effectively. Also, the trained model increased the PSNR and SSIM by 8.18% and 19.71% in comparison to the imaging model trained without wavelet transformation and residual learning, respectively. Therefore, the imaging model proposed in this study can restore the image quality of sparse-view CT image by reducing artifacts, improving spatial resolution and quantitative accuracy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.233-240
• /
• 2022

Research on the presence or absence of radiation shielding for FDM-type filaments has recently begun to be studied, but filaments with shielding capabilities are not sold in Korea, and not studies yet. Therefore, in this research, we will use HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) as a base material, select bismuth as a reinforcing material to manufacture a composite filament, evaluate the shielding ability, and provide basic data for the development of a radiation shielding composite material using 3D printing.A filament is produced by mixing Bismuth with an effective atomic number 83 with HDPE of PE series and adjusting the content of Bismuth to 20% wt, 30% wt, 40% wt. Compounded filaments were evaluated for their physical properties and shielding capabilities by ASTM evaluation methods. As the bismuth content increases, the density, weight, and tensile strength increase, and the shielding capacity is confirmed to be excellent. As a result of the radiation shielding capacity evaluation, it was confirmed that HDPE (80%) + Bi (20%) showed a shielding rate of 82% at 60 kV and a shielding rate of up to 94% or more at 40% bismuth content. In this study, we confirmed that it was possible to produce a radiation shield that is lighter than the metal particle-containing filaments. Furthermore, that have been shield radiation by using HDPE + Bi filaments, and radiation in the medical and radiation industries. The possibility of using it as a shielding complex was confirmed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.553-558
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this work was a simulation study to evaluate the virtual monochromatic (VM) image quality of blood vessels compared to the monochromatic image. Dual-energy images were obtained based on the linear attenuation coefficients of five materials at 50 keV and 80 keV at low- and high-energies, respectively. A weighting factor is required to synthesize the VM image, and the liver and bone were used as basis materials to obtain the weighting factor. VM images were synthesized at energies ranging from 30 keV to 100 keV. Image quality was evaluated by Contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and noise by setting calcium and contrast medium as signals and blood as background. According to the results, the energies with the maximum CNR were 50 keV and 60 keV for calcium and contrast medium, respectively. The energies showing the minimum noise were 70 keV, 70 keV, and 60 keV in calcium, iodine contrast medium, and blood, respectively. The VM image can contribute to the improvement of diagnostic performance in CT examination because it can implement an image at the optimal energy that minimize noise and maximize CNR.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.639-647
• /
• 2022

This study analyzed the job characteristics of radiological technologists in charge of ultrasound examinations in the Yeongnam region. The measuring tool used in the study was a questionnaire, and the subjects were radiological technologists in charge of ultrasound examination at medical institutions located in the Yeongnam region from August 01 to November 30, 2021. In consideration of the COVID-19 situation, statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS/PC Ver 18.0 program using e-mail and SNS in a non-face-to-face manner with 158 questionnaires. As a result of analyzing the job characteristics of the radiological technologists in charge of ultrasound examination, the job satisfaction was 3.24±0.61. In the effect of job characteristic factors on job satisfaction, professional position, self-esteem, and trust relationship formation were found to be higher than the average of 3.0. However, as the dissatisfaction factor, compensation and appropriateness of work were cited. Therefore, in order to improve the job characteristics and satisfaction level of radiological technologists in charge of ultrasound examinations, it is necessary to do their best to improve the appropriate work environment of medical institutions and to continuously secure professionalism of radiological technologists in charge of ultrasound examinations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.649-660
• /
• 2022

In 1959, Satomura used spectral Doppler ultrasound to express the velocity of red blood cells according to time change, and Kato defined a zero-base line that could tell the direction of blood flow, making it possible to know the direction of blood flow. This became the basis for the widely used classifications of Triphasic, Biphasic, and Monophasic. However, the above classification has limitations that confuse users with the meaning and timing of use in a clinical environment. As a result, the American Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM) and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU) A consensus document on Doppler waveform analysis was declared by the joint committee. This study tried to review this consensus and to suggest nomenclature and modifiers that can be used in the domestic vascular ultrasound clinical field. The joint committee formed by SVM and SVU recommended that the use of the triphasic waveform and the biphasic waveform be used as a multiphasic waveform rather than being used due to the ambiguity of interpretation. In addition, it was agreed to name the hybrid-type waveform, which is a monophasic and high-resistance waveform, which has always been a problem of interpretation in a clinical environment, as an intermediate resistive waveform. In addition, in order to increase the communication efficiency between the interpreter and the sonographer, waveform analysis was classified into a main descriptor and a modifier, and it was recommended to use a single nomenclature by unifying various synonyms. It is expected that this literature review will provide accurate arterial spectral Doppler waveform interpretation and an agreed-upon nomenclature to radiologists performing vascular ultrasound examination in clinical practice, and will be utilized as basic data that can contribute to the improvement of public health.