• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.158-163
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• 2022

Purpose: We subjected scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images of the active layer of EBT3 film to texture analysis to determine the dose-response curve. Methods: Uncoated Gafchromic EBT3 films were prepared for direct surface SEM scanning. Absorbed doses of 0-20 Gy were delivered to the film's surface using a 6 MV TrueBeam STx photon beam. The film's surface was scanned using a SEM under 100× and 3,000× magnification. Four textural features (Homogeneity, Correlation, Contrast, and Energy) were calculated based on the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) using the SEM images corresponding to each dose. We used R-square to evaluate the linear relationship between delivered doses and textural features of the film's surface. Results: Correlation resulted in higher linearity and dose-response curve sensitivity than Homogeneity, Contrast, or Energy. The R-square value was 0.964 for correlation using 3,000× magnified SEM images with 9-pixel offsets. Dose verification was used to determine the difference between the prescribed and measured doses for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 Gy as 0.09, 1.96, -2.29, 0.17, and 0.08 Gy, respectively. Conclusions: Texture analysis can be used to accurately convert microscopic structural changes to the EBT3 film's surface into absorbed doses. Our proposed method is feasible and may improve the accuracy of film dosimetry used to protect patients from excess radiation exposure.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제56권7호
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• pp.2516-2523
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• 2024

This study aims to validate the dosimetric characteristics of Low Dose Rate (LDR) I-125 source Geant4-based Monte Carlo code. According to the recommendation of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) task group report (TG-43), the dosimetric parameters of a new brachytherapy source should be verified either experimentally or theoretically before clinical procedures. The simulation studies are very important since this procedure delivers a high dose of radiation to the tumor with only a minimal dose affecting the surrounding tissues. GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit associated brachytherapy example was modified, adapted and several updated techniques have been developed to facilitate and smooth radiotherapy techniques. The great concordance of the current study results with the consensus data and with the results of other MC based studies is promising. It implies that Geant4-based Monte Carlo simulation has the potential to be used as a reliable and standard simulation code in the field of brachytherapy for verification and treatment planning purposes.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.92-100
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• 2018

The manufacturer of a linear accelerator (LINAC) has reported that the target melting phenomenon could be caused by a non-recommended output setting and the excessive use of monitor unit (MU) with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Due to these reasons, we observed an unexpected beam interruption during the treatment of a patient in our institution. The target status was inspected and a replacement of the target was determined. After the target replacement, the beam profile was adjusted to the machine commissioning beam data, and the absolute doses-to-water for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams were calibrated according to American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group (TG)-51 protocol. To verify the beam data after target replacement, the beam flatness, symmetry, output factor, and percent depth dose (PDD) were measured and compared with the commissioning data. The difference between the referenced and measured data for flatness and symmetry exhibited a coincidence within 0.3% for both 6 MV and 10 MV, and the difference of the PDD at 10 cm depth ($PDD_{10}$) was also within 0.3% for both photon energies. Also, patient-specific quality assurances (QAs) were performed with gamma analysis using a 2-D diode and ion chamber array detector for eight patients. The average gamma passing rates for all patients for the relative dose distribution was $99.1%{\pm}1.0%$, and those for absolute dose distribution was $97.2%{\pm}2.7%$, which means the gamma analysis results were all clinically acceptable. In this study, we recommend that the beam characteristics, such as beam profile, depth dose, and output factors, should be examined. Further, patient-specific QAs should be performed to verify the changes in the overall beam delivery system when a target replacement is inevitable; although it is more important to check the beam output in a daily routine.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.54-60
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• 2017

This study was designed to measure transit dose with an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) in eight patients treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and to verify the accuracy of dose delivery to patients. The calculated dose map of the treatment planning system (TPS) was compared with the EPID based dose measured on the same plane with a gamma index method. The plan for each patient was verified prior to treatment with a diode array (MapCHECK) and portal dose image prediction (PDIP). To simulate possible patient positioning errors during treatment, outcomes were evaluated after an anthropomorphic phantom was displaced 5 and 10 mm in various directions. Based on 3%/3 mm criteria, the $mean{\pm}SD$ passing rates of MapCHECK, PDIP (pre-treatment QA) for 47 IMRT were $99.8{\pm}0.1%$, $99.0{\pm}0.7%$, and, respectively. Besides, passing rates using transit dosimetry was $90.0{\pm}1.5%$ for the same condition. Setup errors of 5 and 10 mm reduced the mean passing rates by 1.3% and 3.0% (inferior to superior), 2.2% and 4.3% (superior to inferior), 5.9% and 10.9% (left to right), and 8.9% and 16.3% (right to left), respectively. These findings suggest that the transit dose-based IMRT verification method using EPID, in which the transit dose from patients is compared with the dose map calculated from the TPS, may be useful in verifying various errors including setup and/or patient positioning error, inhomogeneity and target motions.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.105-113
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• 1998

고에너지 광자선을 발생시키는 의료용선형가속기의 선질은 경우에 따라 변이를 가져오게 된다. 이러한 변이를 정확하게 판정하여 줄 수 있는 방사선측정법의 활용은 매우 중요하다. 보편적으로 광자선의 측정에 있어서 전리함의 사용이 아주 빈번하였으나 전자포탈영상장치(EPID)의 등장은 새로운 방사선측정법에 대한 가능성의 시작을 예견해준다. 실험은 6MV 광자선의 대칭성, Light/Radiation congruence, 그리고 Wedge filter를 통한 간편한 에너지의 변화에측과 위치의 정확도에 대하여 측정을 시행하였다. 사실 방사선측정의 대표적인 방법은 물팬톰-전리함응 이용한 모델인데 본 실험에서는 영상의 화소가 지니는 디지탈 값을 적절한 소프트웨어로 읽어내어서 데이터를 환산하여 결과를 얻었다. 선행실험에서 얻은 상대선량률을 적용하여 대칭성에서는 조사야영역이 l0$\times$10$cm^2$ 일 때 횡축과 종축에서 1.2%, 1.2%로 비교적 오차가 적었다. 그리고 Light/Radiation field congruence 여부는 횡축이 0.3%, 그리고 종축이 0.2%로서 예상한 기대값에 접근하였다. 다음으로 wedge filter를 활용한 에너지의 변이와 위치의 정확도에 대한 움직임을 알 수 있었다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.33-38
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• 2007

이 연구는 플라토 치료계획시스템의 치료계획에서 Ir-192 선원에 대한 처방점의 처방선량과 선원 주위의 선량분포상의 선량점들의 선량이 정확하게 계산되는지를 확인하는데 그 목적이 있다. 선원의 중심축의 전후방향에서의 평면의 직교좌표계와 측면방향에서의 평면의 직교좌표계 및 선원을 A4 용지 위에 그려서 치료계획시스템에 입력하였다. 처방선량은 선원중심으로부터 극각 $90^{\circ}, $270^{\circ}의 방향으로 반경 1 cm인 두 지점에 400 cGy를 처방하였다. 처방점과 선량점들의 선량은 치료계획시스템에서 출력된 선량과 파울 킹 등이 유도한 기하학 함수식으로 계산된 선량을 분석하였다. 본 실험의 분석에서 처방 점의 선량은 오차 없이 정확하게 일치하였고, 선량 점들의 선량은 1.85% 이내의 오차를 얻었다. 그리고 플라토 치료계획시스템의 선량계산은 허용오차 ${\pm}2%$ 범위 이내의 정확성으로 분석되었다. 파울 킹 등이 유도한 기하학 함수식을 사용하여 손으로 계산한 선량은 높은 정확성의 품질보증과 편리성에 기인하여, 임상에서 사용하는데 유용할 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.181-189
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• 2017

The conventional delivery quality assurance (DQA) process for RapidArc (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, USA), has the limitation that it measures and analyzes the dose in a phantom material and cannot analyze the dosimetric changes under the motional organ condition. In this study, a DQA method was designed to overcome the limitations of the conventional DQA process for internal target volume (ITV) based RapidArc. The dynamic DQA measurement device was designed with a moving phantom that can simulate variable target motions. The dose distribution in the real volume of the target and organ-at-risk (OAR)s were reconstructed using 3DVH with the ArcCHECK (SunNuclear, Melbourne, USA) measurement data under the dynamic condition. A total of 10 ITV-based RapidArc plans for liver-cancer patients were analyzed with the designed dynamic DQA process. The average pass rate of gamma evaluation was $81.55{\pm}9.48%$ when the DQA dose was measured in the respiratory moving condition of the patient. Appropriate method was applied to correct the effect of moving phantom structures in the dose calculation, and DVH data of the real volume of target and OARs were created with the recalculated dose by the 3DVH program. We confirmed the valid dose coverage of a real target volume in the ITV-based RapidArc. The variable difference of the DVH of the OARs showed that dose variation can occur differently according to the location, shape, size and motion range of the target. The DQA process devised in this study can effectively evaluate the DVH of the real volume of the target and OARs in a respiratory moving condition in addition to the simple verification of the accuracy of the treatment machine. This can be helpful to predict the prognosis of treatment by the accurate dose analysis in the real target and OARs.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.143-153
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• 2018

Background: The determination of the amount of radionuclides and internal dose for the worker who may have intake of radionuclides results in a variation due to uncertainty of measurement data and ingestion information. As a result of this, it is possible that for the same internal exposure scenario assessors could make considerably different estimation of internal dose. In order to reduce this difference, internal exposure scenarios for nuclear facilities were developed, and intercomparison were made to determine the harmonization of dose assessment results among the assessors. Materials and Methods: Seven cases on internal exposures incidents that have occurred or may occur were prepared by referring to the intercomparison excercise scenario that NRC and IAEA have carried out. Based on this, 16 nuclear facilities concerned with internal exposure in Korea were asked to evaluate the scenarios. Each result was statistically determined according to the harmonization discrimination criteria developed by IDEAS/IAEA. Results and Discussion: The results were evaluated as having no outliers in all 7 cases. However, the distribution of the results was spread by various causes. They can be divided into two wide categories. The first one is the distribution of the results according to the assumption of the intake factors and the evaluation factors. The second one is distribution due to misapplication of calculation method and factors related to internal exposure. Conclusion: In order to satisfy the harmonization criteria and accuracy of the internal exposure dose evaluation, it is necessary that exact guidelines should be set on low dose, and various intercomparison cases also be needed including high dose exposure as well as the specialized education. The aim of the blind test is to make harmonization evaluation, but it will also contribute to securing the expertise and high quality of dose evaluation data through the discussion among the participants.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.145-152
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• 2020

Purpose: In ionization-chamber dosimetry for high-dose-rate electron beams-above 20 mGy/pulse-the ion-recombination correction methods recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) are not appropriate, because they overestimate the correction factor. In this study, we suggest a practical ion-recombination correction method, based on Boag's improved model, and apply it to reference dosimetry for electron beams of about 100 mGy/pulse generated from an electron linear accelerator (LINAC). Methods: This study employed a theoretical model of the ion-collection efficiency developed by Boag and physical parameters used by Laitano et al. We recalculated the ion-recombination correction factors using two-voltage analysis and obtained an empirical fitting formula to represent the results. Next, we compared the calculated correction factors with published results for the same calculation conditions. Additionally, we performed dosimetry for electron beams from a 6 MeV electron LINAC using an Advanced Markus^® ionization chamber to determine the reference dose in water at the source-to-surface distance (SSD)=100 cm, using the correction factors obtained in this study. Results: The values of the correction factors obtained in this work are in good agreement with the published data. The measured dose-per-pulse for electron beams at the depth of maximum dose for SSD=100 cm was 115 mGy/pulse, with a standard uncertainty of 2.4%. In contrast, the k_s values determined using the IAEA and AAPM methods are, respectively, 8.9% and 8.2% higher than our results. Conclusions: The new method based on Boag's improved model provides a practical method of determining the ion-recombination correction factors for high dose-per-pulse radiation beams up to about 120 mGy/pulse. This method can be applied to electron beams with even higher dose-per-pulse, subject to independent verification.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.117-123
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• 2021

본 논문에서는 흉부 저선량 CT와 복부 비조영 CT에서 선량기록을 바탕으로 환자선량에 영향을 줄 수 있는 요인과 상관관계를 확인하여 실질적인 선량 감소 방안의 근거를 마련하고자 하였다. 흉부 저선량 CT와 복부 비조영 CT 검사 시 불필요하게 피폭이 발생하는 원인을 찾기 위해 7가지 요인(나이, 성별, 키, 몸무게, BMI, 환자 상태 (입원, 외래), dose modulation 활성화 유무)과 CT 선량과의 상관관계를 확인하였다. 상관관계 확인을 위해 사용된 통계기법으로는 로지스틱 회귀분석을 사용하였다. 흉부 저선량 CT 검사에서는 키가 클수록, BMI 가 높을수록, dose modulation을 비활성화한 경우에 진단참고수준 (diagnostic reference levels, DRL) 기준치의 초과 위험률이 낮아졌다 (odds ration<1; p<0.05). 또한 여성의 경우와 몸무게가 클수록 DRL 기준치의 초과 위험률이 높아졌다 (odds ration>1; p<0.05). 복부 비조영 CT 검사에서는 몸무게가 클수록, dose modulation을 비활성화한 경우에 DRL 기준치의 초과 위험률이 낮아졌다 (odds ration<1; p<0.05). 이처럼 방사선 피폭에 영향을 주는 다양한 요인에 대한 연구를 수행하여 환자 선량과의 연관성을 찾고 이에 따른 선량을 낮추는 노력이 필요할 것으로 사료된다.