• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2003

PET (positron emission tomography) permits the investigation of physiological and biochemical processes in vivo. The accuracy of quantifying PET data is affected by its finite spatial resolution, which causes partial volume effects. In this study, we developed a method for partial volume correction using Hoffman phantom PET and MR data, and applied various FWHM (full width at half maximum) levels. We also applied this method to PET images of normal controls and tested for the possibility of clinical application. $^{18}$ F-PET Hoffman phantom images were co-registered to MR slices. The gray matter and white matter regions were then segmented into binary images. Each binary image was convolved by 4, 8, 12, 16 mm FWHM levels. These convolved images of gray and white matter were merged corresponding to the same level of FWHM. The original PET images were then divided by the convolved binary images voxel-by-voxel. These corrected PET images were multiplied by binary images. The corrected PET images were evaluated by analyzing regions of interests, which were drawn on the gray and white matter regions of the original MR image slices. We calculated the ratio of white to gray matter. We also applied this method to the PET images of normal controls. On analyzing the corrected PET images of Hoffman phantom, the ratios of the corrected images increased more than that of the uncorrected images. With the normal controls, the ratio of the corrected images increased more than that of the uncorrected images. The ratio increase of the corrected PET images was lower than that of the corrected phantom PET images. In conclusion, the method developed for partial volume correction in PET data may be clinically applied, although further study may be required for optimal correction.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.476-481
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• 2009

The most troublesome artifacts in micro computed tomography (micro-CT) are ring artifacts. The ring artifacts are caused by non-uniform sensitivity and defective pixels of the x-ray detector. These ring artifacts seriously degrade the quality of CT images. In flat-panel detector based micro-CT systems, the ring artifacts are hardly removed by conventional correction methods of digital radiography, because very small difference of detector pixel signals may make severe ring artifacts. This paper presents a novel method to remove ring artifacts in flat-panel detector based micro-CT systems. First, the bad lines of a sinogram which are caused by defective pixels of the detector are identified, and then, they are corrected using a cubic spline interpolation technique. Finally, a ring artifacts free image is reconstructed from the corrected projections. We applied the method to various kinds of objects and found that the image qualities were much improved.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.594-600
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• 2019

With improving survival of children with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD), postoperative complications, like protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) are increasingly encountered. A 3-year-old girl with surgically corrected CCHD (ventricular inversion/L-transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, pulmonary atresia, postdouble switch procedure [Rastelli and Glenn]) developed chylothoraces. She was treated with pleurodesis, thoracic duct ligation and subsequently developed chylous ascites and PLE (serum albumin ${\leq}0.9g/dL$) and was malnourished, despite nutritional rehabilitation. Lymphangioscintigraphy/single-photon emission computed tomography showed lymphatic obstruction at the cisterna chyli level. A segmental chyle leak and chylous lymphangiectasia were confirmed by gastrointestinal endoscopy, magnetic resonance (MR) enterography, and MR lymphangiography. Selective glue embolization of leaking intestinal lymphatic trunks led to prompt reversal of PLE. Serum albumin level and weight gain markedly improved and have been maintained for over 3 years. Selective interventional embolization reversed this devastating lymphatic complication of surgically corrected CCHD.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.290-300
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• 2000

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EBT(Electron Beam Tomography) in the diagnosis of conotruncal anomaly and to determine whether it can be used as a substitute for cardiac angiography. Material and Method: 20 patients(11M & 9F) with TOF(n=7, pulmonary atresia 2), DORV(n=7), complete TGV(n=4), & corrected TGV(n=2) were included. The age ranged from 7 days to 26 years(median 60 days). We analyzed the sequential chamber localization, the main surgical concenrn in each disease category (PA size, LVED volume and coronary artery pattern for TOF & pulmonary atresia, the LV mass, LVOT obstruction, coronary artery pattern for complete TGV, and type of VSD and TV-PV distance for DORV, etc) and other associated anomalies(e.g., VSD, arch anomalies, tracheal stenosis, etc). Those were compared with the results of echocardiography(n=19), angiography (n=9), and surgery(n=11). The interval between EBT and echocardiography/angiography was within 20/11 days, respectively except for an angiography in a patient with corrected TGV (48 days). Result: EBT correctly diagnosed the basic components of conotruncal anomalies in all subjects, compared to echocardiography, angiography or surgery. These included the presence, type and size of VSD(n=20), pulmonic/LV outflow tract stenosis(n=15/2), relation of great arteries and the pattern of the proximal epicardial coronary arteries(16 out of 20). EBT proved to be accurate in quantitation of the intrapericardial and hilar pulmonary arterial dimension and showed high correlation and no difference compared with echocardiography, angiography, or surgery(p>0.05) except for left pulmonary arterial & ascending arterial dimension by echocardiography. LVED volume in seven TOF(no difference: p>0.05 & high correlation: r=0.996 with echocardiography), and LV mass in 4 complete TGV were obtained. Additionally, EBT enabled the cdiagnosis of subjlottic tracheal stenosis and tracheal bronchus in 1 respectively. Some peripheral PA stenosis were not detected by echocardiography, while echocardiography appeared to be slightly more accurate than EBT in detecing ASD or PDA. Conclusion: EBT can be a non-invasive and accurate modality of for the evaluation of most anatomical alteration including peripheral PS or interruption in patients with conotruncal anomalies. Combined with echocardiography, EBT study provides sufficient information for the palliative or total repair of anomalies.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.201-205
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was performed to assess the compatibility of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) synthesized cephalograms with conventional cephalograms, and to find a method for obtaining normative values for three-dimensional (3D) assessments. Materials and Methods: The sample group consisted of 10 adults with normal occlusion and well-balanced faces. They were imaged using conventional and CBCT cephalograms. The CBCT cephalograms were synthesized from the CBCT data using OnDemand 3D software. Twenty-one angular and 12 linear measurements from each imaging modality were compared and analyzed using paired-t test. Results: The linear measurements between the two imaging modalities were not statistically different (p>0.05) except for the U1 to facial plane distance. The angular measurements between the two imaging modalities were not statistically different (p>0.05) with the exception of the gonial angle, ANB difference, and facial convexity. Conclusion: Two-dimensional cephalometric norms could be readily used for 3D quantitative assessment, if corrected for lateral cephalogram distortion.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2013

At present, megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) is the only method used to correct the position of tomotherapy patients. MVCT produces extra radiation, in addition to the radiation used for treatment, and repositioning also takes up much of the total treatment time. To address these issues, we suggest the use of a video image-guided setup (VIGS) system for correcting the position of tomotherapy patients. We developed an in-house program to correct the exact position of patients using two orthogonal images obtained from two video cameras installed at $90^{\circ}$ and fastened inside the tomotherapy gantry. The system is programmed to make automatic registration possible with the use of edge detection of the user-defined region of interest (ROI). A head-and-neck patient is then simulated using a humanoid phantom. After taking the computed tomography (CT) image, tomotherapy planning is performed. To mimic a clinical treatment course, we used an immobilization device to position the phantom on the tomotherapy couch and, using MVCT, corrected its position to match the one captured when the treatment was planned. Video images of the corrected position were used as reference images for the VIGS system. First, the position was repeatedly corrected 10 times using MVCT, and based on the saved reference video image, the patient position was then corrected 10 times using the VIGS method. Thereafter, the results of the two correction methods were compared. The results demonstrated that patient positioning using a video-imaging method ($41.7{\pm}11.2$ seconds) significantly reduces the overall time of the MVCT method ($420{\pm}6$ seconds) (p<0.05). However, there was no meaningful difference in accuracy between the two methods (x=0.11 mm, y=0.27 mm, z=0.58 mm, p>0.05). Because VIGS provides a more accurate result and reduces the required time, compared with the MVCT method, it is expected to manage the overall tomotherapy treatment process more efficiently.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2015

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of various head orientations during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image acquisition on linear measurements of potential implant sites. Materials and Methods: Six dry human skulls with a total of 28 implant sites were evaluated for seven different head orientations. The scans were acquired using a Hitachi CB-MercuRay CBCT machine. The scanned volumes were reconstructed. Horizontal and vertical measurements were made and were compared to measurements made after simulating the head position to corrected head angulations. Data was analyzed using a two-way ANOVA test. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant interaction between the mean errors in vertical measurements with a marked difference observed at the extension head position (P<0.05). Statistical analysis failed to yield any significant interaction between the mean errors in horizontal measurements at various head positions. Conclusion: Head orientation could significantly affect the vertical measurements in CBCT scans. The main head position influencing the measurements is extension.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 1998

The Scanora/sup (R)/ X-ray unit uses the principles of narrow beam radiography and spiral tomography. Starting with a panoramic overview as a scout image. multiple tomographic projections could be selected. This study evaluated the accuracy of spiral tomography in comparison to routine panoramic radiography for dental implant treatment planning. An experimental study was performed on a cadaver mandible to assess the accuracy of panoramic radiography and spiral tomography film images for measurement of metallic spheres. After radiographic images of the metallic spheres on the surgical stent were measured and corrected for a fixed magnification of radiographic images. following results were obtained. 1. In the optimal position of the mandible. the minimal horizontal and vertical distortion was evident in the panoramic radiography images. The mean horizontal and vertical magnification error in anterior sites was 5.25％ and 0.75％. respectively. The mean horizontal and vertical magnification error in posterior sites was 0.50％ and 1.50％. respectively. 2. In the displaced forward or in an eccentric position of the mandible. the magnification error of the panoramic radiography images increased significantly over the optimal position. Overall, the mean horizontal magnification error of the anterior site in the different positions changed dramatically within a range of -17.25％ to 39.00％, compared to the posterior range of -5.25％ to 8.50％. However, the mean vertical magnification error stayed with the range of 0.5％ to 3.75％ for all the mandibular positions. 3. The magnification effects in the tomographic scans were nearly identical for the anterior and posterior with a range of 2.00％ to 5.75％ in the horizontal and 4.50％ to 5.50％ in the vertical dimension, respectively. 4. A statistically significant difference between the anterior and posterior measurements was found in the horizontal measurements of the panoramic radiography images of the displaced forward and backward position of the mandible(P<0.05). Also a significant difference between the optimal panoramic and tomographic projections was found only in the vertical measurement(P<0.05).

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.193-197
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• 2001

Purpose : To determine whether there is a relationship between abnormal temporomandibular joint radiographic findings and age or gender in a sample of preorthodontic patients. Materials and Methods : Individualized corrected sagittal tomographs of 188 temporomandibular joints in 94 preorthodontic patients, aged 11 to 29 years, were taken and viewed by an observer blinded to clinical records. The study population was divided into 2 aged groups (11-15 years and 16-29 years) for comparative purposes. Temporomandibular joint radiographic findings were classified as normal or abnormal. Results: There was no difference in ratio of abnormal to normal findings between the both aged groups. The frequency of osseous abnormalities was similar with that of abnormalities of condylar position. Abnormalities in CP and JS were most frequent in all aged groups. Conclusion : There is no significant difference between ages or genders for temporomandibular joint radiographic abnormalities.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.308-312
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• 1995

A 5-year retrospective study of 14 patients with diaphragmatic injuries revealed 9 blunt and 5 penetrating injuries. In the blunt trauma group, 7 were left and 2 were right side. The penetrating diaphragmatic wound consist of 3 left and 2 right sided. Sex ratio was 11: 3, with male predominanace. Preoperative diagnosis was possible in 9 cases and delayed diagnosis [greater than 24 hours occured in 5 cases.Simple chest X-ray was diagnostic or highly suggestive in 7 cases. 7 cases were diagnosed diaphragmatic injuries by computed tomography, fiuroscopy or by explorative operation. All of the cases had association injury. 11 cases of diaphragmatic ruptures were corrected through thoracotomy and 3 cases needed exploratory laparotomy. One death occured after operation due to associated injuries and respiratory failure. Blunt and penetrating diaphragmatic injuries remain a diagnostic challenge and associated injuries, delayed diagnosis determine the outcome.