• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 2014

This study focused on effects of patient exposure dose reduction with AEC (Auto Exposure Control) marker that is designed for showing location of AEC in X-ray Chest radiography. It included 880 adults who have to use Chest X-ray Digital Radiography system (DRS, LISTEM, Korea). AEC (Ion chambers are posited in top of both sides) are used to every adult and set X-ray system as Field size $17{\times}17inch$, 120kVp, FFD 180cm. 440 people of control group are posited on detector to include both sides of lung field and the other 440 people of experimental group are set to contact their lung directly to Ion chamber (making marker to shows location). Then, measured every DAP and, estimated patient effective dose by using PCXMC 2.0. The average age of control group (M:F=245:195) is 53.9 and the average BMI is 23.4. BMI ranges from under weight: 35, normal range: 279, over weight: 106 to obese: 20 and average DAP is 223.56mGycm2, Mean effective dose is 0.045mSv. The average age of experimental group (M:F=197:243) is 53.7 and the average BMI is 22.7. BMI ranges from under weight: 34, normal range: 315, over weight: 85 to obese: 6 and average DAP is 207.36mGycm2, Mean effective dose is 0.041mSv. Experimental group shows less Mean effective dose as 0.004mSv (9.7%) than control group. Also, patient numbers who got over exposure more than 0.056mSv (limit point to know efficiency of AEC marker) is 65 in control group (14.7%), 19 in experimental group (4.3%) and take statistics with t-Test. The statistical difference between two groups is 0.006. In order to use proper amount of X-ray in auto exposure controlled chest X-ray system, matching location between ion chamber and body part is needed, and using AEC marker (designed for showing location of ion chamber) is a way to reduce unnecessary patient exposure dose.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.143-154
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• 1998

The image intensifier is the key component which determines the imaging characteristics in a fluoroscopic imaging system. A system performance program for clinical evaluation of two image intensifiers, that is simple, non-invasive and time effective, was described. Tests were grouped into three headings: x-ray generator, image quality, and collimation. For the x-ray generator, the kVp accuracy and the automatic exposure control operation were compared. Low- and high-contrast resolution measurements, and mesh pattern study belong to the image quality tests and those tests were performed for the video monitor and photospot images. For the collimation, usable field diameter and image distortion of image intensifiers were measured and quantified. The procedures and the results are hoped to be used for the clinical evaluation of system performance and/or acceptance tests for image intensifiers.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 2024

Purpose: This study examined the influence of a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool, sharpening filters, and their combination on the diagnosis of vertical root fracture (VRF) in teeth with metallic posts using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Twenty single-rooted human premolars - 9 with VRF and 11 without - were individually placed in a human mandible. A metallic post composed of a cobalt-chromium alloy was inserted into the root canal of each tooth. CBCT scans were then acquired under the following parameters: 8 mA, a 5×5 cm field of view, a voxel size of 0.085 mm, 90 kVp, and with MAR either enabled or disabled. Five oral and maxillofacial radiologists independently evaluated the CBCT exams under each MAR mode and across 3 sharpening filter conditions: no filter, Sharpen 1×, and Sharpen 2×. The diagnostic performance was quantified by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. These metrics were compared using 2-way analysis of variance with a significance level of α=5%. Intra- and inter-examiner agreement were assessed using the weighted kappa test. Results: Neither MAR nor the application of sharpening filters significantly impacted AUC or specificity (P>0.05). However, sensitivity increased when MAR was combined with Sharpen 1× and Sharpen 2× (P=0.015). The intra-examiner agreement ranged from fair to substantial (0.34-0.66), while the inter-examiner agreement ranged from fair to moderate (0.27-0.41). Conclusion: MAR in conjunction with sharpening filters improved VRF detection; therefore, their combined use is recommended in cases of suspected VRF.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2000

Purpose: It is important to have the epidemiologic data of rotavirus serotypes for the application of polyvalent rotavirus vaccines. Epidemiological studies of rotavirus serotypes in Korea have been reported only in limited areas with small number of cases. Authors tried to investigate the distribution of rotavirus G serotypes in ChungJu area with RT-PCR. Method: Stool specimens were collected from 202 children with acute diarrheal symptoms, who admitted to or visited Kon-Kuk University Hospital in ChungJu from June 1998 to May 1999. Samples were screened for rotavirus with EIA method (TestPack Rotavirus, Abbott Laboratories) and rotavirus G Serotypes were determined by RT-PCR. Results: Rotavirus was positive in 46.6%. The incidence of G serotypes was as follows; G1 10%, G2 10%, G3 28%, G4 26%, and G9 20%. There were three cases of multiple serotypes; G1 with G9, G2 with G9, and G4 with G9. Serotype of G8 was not found. Conclusion: The proportion of G serotypes in ChungJu is much different from previous reports. Serotype of G9 was found which had not been reported in Korean children till now. Long term plans for the investigation of rotavirus serotypes must be needed in wide area.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 1986

Optimal balance between control probability and risk of complication is emphasized even in present time, Although certain incidence of intestinal injury is accepted as an inevitable consequence after abdominopelvic irradiation, these complications still remain as problems. 60 mice were irradiated with 250 kVp orthovoltage x-ray machine and $200rad{\times}5/wk$ regimen. Histpathologic findings of colorectum and the relationship with occult blood test were analyzed and possible tolerable dose which would be safe from permanent complication was also estimated. Followings are the results: Mild mucosal and submucosal edema were observed in 1,000 rad irradiated group. Congestion of small vessels was prominent in 2,000 rad irradiated group and infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in 3,000 rad irradiated group. Denuded mucosa was observed in 3,000 rad irradiated group. Occult blood test is not a proper indicator for rectal denuding or rectal ulcer, but our results suggest the possibility of using this as a relative scale of intestinal damage. Mitotic figures of crypt cells were observed even in 5,000 rad irradiated group, these suggest that the repair capacity of crypt cells are still functioning.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.107-114
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this study is evaluation for the applicability of O-MAR(Metal artifact Reduction for Orthopedic Implants)(ver. 3.6.0, Philips, Netherlands) in head & neck radiation treatment planning CT with metal artifact created by dental implant. Materials and Methods : All of the in this study's CT images were scanned by Brilliance Big Bore CT(Philips, Netherlands) at 120kVp, 2mm sliced and Metal artifact reduced by O-MAR. To compare the original and reconstructed CT images worked on RTPS(Eclipse ver 10.0.42, Varian, USA). In order to test the basic performance of the O-MAR, The phantom was made to create metal artifact by dental implant and other phantoms used for without artifact images. To measure a difference of HU in with artifact images and without artifact images, homogeneous phantom and inhomogeneous phantoms were used with cerrobend rods. Each of images were compared a difference of HU in ROIs. And also, 1 case of patient's original CT image applied O-MAR and density corrected CT were evaluated for dose distributions with SNC Patient(Sun Nuclear Co., USA). Results : In cases of head&neck phantom, the difference of dose distibution is appeared 99.8% gamma passing rate(criteria 2 mm / 2%) between original and CT images applied O-MAR. And 98.5% appeared in patient case, among original CT, O-MAR and density corrected CT. The difference of total dose distribution is less than 2% that appeared both phantom and patient case study. Though the dose deviations are little, there are still matters to discuss that the dose deviations are concentrated so locally. In this study, The quality of all images applied O-MAR was improved. Unexpectedly, Increase of max. HU was founded in air cavity of the O-MAR images compare to cavity of the original images and wrong corrections were appeared, too. Conclusion : The result of study assuming restrained case of O-MAR adapted to near skin and low density area, it appeared image distortion and artifact correction simultaneously. In O-MAR CT, air cavity area even turned tissue HU by wrong correction was founded, too. Consequentially, It seems O-MAR algorithm is not perfect to distinguish air cavity and photon starvation artifact. Nevertheless, the differences of HU and dose distribution are not a huge that is not suitable for clinical use. And there are more advantages in clinic for improved quality of CT images and DRRs, precision of contouring OARs or tumors and correcting artifact area. So original and O-MAR CT must be used together in clinic for more accurate treatment plan.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.63-67
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• 2015

Purpose Among various causes that influence image quality degradation, various methods for decrease in Artifact occurred by respiration of patients are being used. Among them, this study intended to evaluate CTAC Shift correction method and additional scan compare to the Scan(Q static scan) using respiratory gated system. Materials and Methods This study was conducted on 10 patients, and used PET-CT Discovery 710 (GE Healthcare, MI, USA) and Varian's RPM system. 5.18 Mbq per kg of $^{18}F$-FDG was injected on patients, asked them to take a rest for 1 hour in the bed, and conducted test after urination. Images were visualized through Q static scan, CTAC Shift correction method, Additional scan based on the Whole body scan(WBS) with Artifact. Decrease in Artifact was compared in each image, conducted Gross Evalution, and measured changes of SUVmax. Results For image obtained through the CTAC Shift correction method through WBS with Artifact, 12~56%, Q static scan image showed 17~54% of change rate and Additional Scan showed -27~46% of change rate. In Blind Test, the CTAC Shift correction image showed the highest point with 4 points, Q static scan image showed 3.5 points, and Additional scan image showed 3.4 points. The standardized WBS scan through Oneway ANOVA and three types of Scan method showed significant difference(p<0.05), and did not show significant difference between the three Scan methods(p>0.05). However, the three Scan methods showed significant difference in Blind test. Conclusion Additional scan and Q static scan require more time than the CTAC Shift correction method, there is concern about excessive exposure to patients by CT rescan and Q static scan is difficult to apply on patients with inconsistent respiration or irregular respiration cycle due to pain. For CTAC Shift correction method, limited correction is possible and the range is limited as well. It is considered as a useful method of improving diagnostic value when hospitals use the system appropriately and develop various advantageous factors of each method.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.357-365
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• 1998

목적: 치과용 수복재료의 방사선 불투과성은 매우 다양하다. 따라서 다양한 수복재료의 방사선 불투과성을 인지하여 치질과 비교하면 이차우식의 진단에 도움이 될 수 있다. 도재의 방사선 불투과성에 따라 적절한 luting cement의 선택이 가농해진다. 수복재료의 방사선 불투과성은 알루미늄 step wedge 의 후경과 방사선 불투과성과의 상관관계 의해 측정된다. 본 연구의 목적은 CAD/CAM용 도재와 이틀의 접착에 쓰이는 접착재료의 방사선 불투과성을 조사해 적절한 재료의 선택과 이차우식 진단의 효율결정에 도움이 되게 하는데 있다. 방법: 본 실험에서는 CAD/CAM용 도재인 Vita MarkII, Dicor MGC와 이의 접착에 사용되는 Z-100, 그리고 luting cement인 Duo cement, Scotchbond resin cement를 사용해 방사선 불투과성을 측정하였다. 시편 제작을 위해 도재를 저속절단기로 두께 2mm, 3mm로 절단하였으며 Z-100과 cement시편은 두께 2mm와 3mm, 직경 7.0mm의 금속 주형을 제작한 후 재료를 양쪽 면에 유리판을 대고 조임쇠로 압접하였으며 광조사기를 사용하여 각 재료마다 두 가지 두께로 10개씩 100개의 시편을 제작하였다. 치질의 시편을 얻기 위해 교정 목적으로 최근에 발거된 정상적인 상악 소구치를 저속 절단기를 사용하여 협설측 교두정을 기준 삼아 2mm, 3mm 두께로 절단하였으며 방사선 불투과성의 기준을 위해 12개의 step으로 구성된 12mm두께의 aluminum step wedge를 사용하였다. Kodak E-Speed occlusal film에 aluminum step wedge와 시편들을 위치시킨 후 70kVp, 7mA, 2.16mm aluminum filtration으로 고정된 dental X-ray unit을 사용하여 target과 film 사이의 거리는 25cm, 노출시간은 0.2초로 하여 방사선 촬영을 한 다음, 현상된 방사선 사진상에 나타난 방사선 불투과성을 X-rite 301 densitometer를 이용하여 측정한 값들의 평균을 냈다. 얻어진 결과는 one-way ANOVA Duncan test(P<0.01)로 검증하였다. 결론: 1. Dicor MGC의 방사선 불투과성은 법랑질보다 약간 높게 나타났다.(P<0.01) 2. Vita Mark Il는 상아질보다 낮은 방사선 불투과성을 보였다.(P<0.01) 3. Z-100과 Luting cement들의 방사선 불투과성은 법랑질보다 높았다. Duo cement가 방사선 불투과성이 가장 높았고 그 다음이 Z-100, 그리고 Scotchbond resin cement 순이었다. 4. Z-100과 2종류의 방사선 불투과성 luting cement들은 Vita Mark II 와 같이 사용하면 2차우식 진단에 도움이 된다.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2011

Table strapis patient fixture for securing the patient movements and falls. if it designed to measure the abdominal circumference and used as an indicator of dose selection at CT scan. it will prevent the overexposure of dose without degradation of image quality and efficiently manage dose of each type of body to technician to deal with CT. First, in order to compare the dose used in CT image and qualitative characteristics. reference image is obtained by examining the abdominal phantom in same conditions with the hospital 120 kVp, 200 mAs, D-Dom (Dynamic Dose Of Modulation). SNR, PSNR, RMSE, MAE, CTDIvol of CT images are compared with reference image. for comparing with reference image, the image that Umbilicus level image of Abdomen CT is stored in the PACS were used. For comparison, the top 12 o'clock portion of the air drawn from the same ROI was measured. CTDIvol, mAs, etc. In order to analyze the characteristics of the image, by measuring the length of the umbilicus circumference, pattern of the dose was analyzed. by using the analyzed perimeter and dose information, To be identified visually, fixed band that scale marked were produced. Use them, If the length of circumference of less than 60 cm 100 mAs, Case of 61~80 cm 120 mAs, Case of 80~100 cm 150 mAs, more than 100 cm 200 mAs, dose selection based on the perimeter, the image was applied. by compare analyzed with the Reference Image, image quality was assessed. by compare with existing tests that equally 200 mAs applied, How much was confirmed that the dose reduction. 1. Depending on the Abdominal circumference, the average PSNR(dB) of the image that differently dose applied was 45.794. 2. Comparing with existing test. the dose of scan that adjusted the mAs depending on the circumference was decreased about 40%. SNR and PSNR of the image that obtained by adjusting the standard mAs based on dose modulation were not much different. Therefore, By choosing a low mAs. dose reduction can be obtained. and the dose selection method that measured Abdominal circumference using a fixed band can protect the overexposure and uniformly apply dose of each type of body to technician to deal with CT.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.219-225
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• 2016

The apron is one of the essential protectors to reduce the exposure dose of radiological technologists. This study is to provide a guideline for purchasing the aprons with excellent performance and to help reducing the exposure dose by measuring the shielding ration and uniformity of aprons according to lead equivalent and form types. The shielding ratio of aprons were measured by using radiation generator and dosimeter. Exposure conditions were 81 kVp, 25 mAs, source to image receptor distance (SID) 100 cm and field of view (FOV) $17^{{\prime}{\prime}}{\times}17^{{\prime}{\prime}}$. Exposure areas for front type and around type aprons were divided into 9 areas and for 2 pieces type aprons were divided into 3 areas of top and 4 areas of skirt. The uniformity of aprons were measured by using fluoroscopy and Image J. The 4 regions of interest (ROI) were set into acquired images and measured uniformity by measuring the standard deviation of pixel intensity in ROIs. In continuous shielding ration measurement of aprons according to exposure area, there was not statistical significance (P>0.05). In ANOVA test of aprons, there was statistical significance (P<0.01). In the results of sheilding ratio, although the aprons had equal lead equivalent, there were difference in shielding ratio from 83.59% to 98.15%. In the results of uniformity, the front type aprons with equal lead equivalent indicated the similar uniformity. However, the around type and 2 pieces type apron with equal lead equivalent indicated the different uniformity each other, from 1.8 to 22.2. If the performance evaluation in this study were conducted regularly before and after purchase the aprons, the exposure does to patients and radiological technologists could be reduced.