• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.163-173
• /
• 1998

Nuclear medicine emission computed tomography(ECT) can be very useful to diagnose early stage of neuronal diseases and to measure theraputic results objectively, if we can quantitate energy metabolism, blood flow, biochemical processes, or dopamine receptor and transporter using ECT. However, physical factors including attenuation, scatter, partial volume effect, noise, and reconstruction algorithm make it very difficult to quantitate independent of type of SPECT. In this study, we quantitated the effects of attenuation and scatter using brain SPECT and three-dimensional brain phantom with and without applying their correction methods. Dual energy window method was applied for scatter correction. The photopeak energy window and scatter energy window were set to 140ke${\pm}$10% and 119ke${\pm}$6% and 100% of scatter window data were subtracted from the photopeak window prior to reconstruction. The projection data were reconstructed using Butterworth filter with cutoff frequency of 0.95cycles/cm and order of 10. Attenuation correction was done by Chang's method with attenuation coefficients of 0.12/cm and 0.15/cm for the reconstruction data without scatter correction and with scatter correction, respectively. For quantitation, regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on the three slices selected at the level of the basal ganglia. Without scatter correction, the ratios of ROI average values between basal ganglia and background with attenuation correction and without attenuation correction were 2.2 and 2.1, respectively. However, the ratios between basal ganglia and background were very similar for with and without attenuation correction. With scatter correction, the ratios of ROI average values between basal ganglia and background with attenuation correction and without attenuation correction were 2.69 and 2.64, respectively. These results indicate that the attenuation correction is necessary for the quantitation. When true ratios between basal ganglia and background were 6.58, 4.68, 1.86, the measured ratios with scatter and attenuation correction were 76%, 80%, 82% of their true ratios, respectively. The approximate 20% underestimation could be partially due to the effect of partial volume and reconstruction algorithm which we have not investigated in this study, and partially due to imperfect scatter and attenuation correction methods that we have applied in consideration of clinical applications.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.188-198
• /
• 2012

This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of the collapsed cone convolution (CCC) algorithm for dose calculation in a treatment planning system (TPS), CorePLAN$^{TM}$. We implemented beam models for various setup conditions in TPS and calculated radiation dose using CCC algorithm for 6 MV and 15 MV photon beam in $50{\times}50{\times}50cm^3$ water phantom. Field sizes were $4{\times}4cm^2$, $6{\times}6cm^2$, $10{\times}10cm^2$, $20{\times}20cm^2$, $30{\times}30cm^2$ and $40{\times}40cm^2$ and each case was classified as open beam cases and wedged beam cases, respectively. Generated beam models were evaluated by comparing calculated data and measured data of percent depth dose (PDD) and lateral profile. As a result, PDD showed good agreement within approximately 2% in open beam cases and 3% in wedged beam cases except for build-up region and lateral profile also correspond within approximately 1% in field and 4% in penumbra region. On the other hand, the discrepancies were found approximately 4% in wedged beam cases. This study has demonstrated the accuracy of beam model-based CCC algorithm in CorePLAN$^{TM}$ and the most of results from this study were acceptable according to international standards. Although, the area with large dose difference shown in this study was not significant region in clinical field, the result of our study would open the possibility to apply CorePLAN$^{TM}$ into clinical field.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.145-153
• /
• 2012

In this study, we quantify the residual motion artifact in 4D-CT scan using the dynamic lung phantom which could simulate respiratory target motion and suggest a simple one-dimension theoretical model to explain and characterize the source of motion artifacts in 4DCT scanning. We set-up regular 1D sine motion and adjusted three level of amplitude (10, 20, 30 mm) with fixed period (4s). The 4DCT scans are acquired in helical mode and phase information provided by the belt type respiratory monitoring system. The images were sorted into ten phase bins ranging from 0% to 90%. The reconstructed images were subsequently imported into the Treatment Planning System (CorePLAN, SC&J) for target delineation using a fixed contour window and dimensions of the three targets are measured along the direction of motion. Target dimension of each phase image have same changing trend. The error is minimum at 50% phase in all case (10, 20, 30 mm) and we found that ${\Delta}S$ (target dimension change) of 10, 20 and 30 mm amplitude were 0 (0%), 0.1 (5%), 0.1 (5%) cm respectively compare to the static image of target diameter (2 cm). while the error is maximum at 30% and 80% phase ${\Delta}S$ of 10, 20 and 30 mm amplitude were 0.2 (10%), 0.7 (35%), 0.9 (45%) cm respectively. Based on these result, we try to analysis the residual motion artifact in 4D-CT scan using a simple one-dimension theoretical model and also we developed a simulation program. Our results explain the effect of residual motion on each phase target displacement and also shown that residual motion artifact was affected that the target velocity at each phase. In this study, we focus on provides a more intuitive understanding about the residual motion artifact and try to explain the relationship motion parameters of the scanner, treatment couch and tumor. In conclusion, our results could help to decide the appropriate reconstruction phase and CT parameters which reduce the residual motion artifact in 4DCT.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.72-79
• /
• 2009

Scatter correction for I-131 plays a very important role to improve image quality and quantitation. I-131 has multiple and higher energy gamma-ray emissions. Image quality and quantitative accuracy in I-131 imaging are degraded by object scatter as well as scatter and septal penetration in the collimator. The purpose of this study was to estimate scatter and septal penetration and investigate two scatter correction methods using Monte Carlo simulation. The gamma camera system simulated in this study was a FORTE system (Phillips, Nederland) with high energy, general-purpose, parallel hole collimator. We simulated for two types of high energy collimators. One is composed of lead, and the other is composed of artificially high Z number and high density. We simulated energy spectrum using a point source in air. We estimated both full width at half maximum (FWHM) and full width at tenth maximum (FWTM) using line spread function (LSF) in cylindrical water phantom. We applied two scatter correction methods, triple energy window scatter correction (TEW) and extended triple energy window scatter correction (ETEW). The TEW method is a pixel-by pixel based correction which is easy to implement clinically. The ETEW is a modification of the TEW which corrects for scatter by using abutted scatter rejection window, which can overestimate or the underestimate scatter. The both FWHM and FWTM were estimated as 41.2 mm and 206.5 mm for lead collimator, respectively. The FWHM and FWTM were estimated as 27.3 mm and 45.6 mm for artificially high Z and high density collimator, respectively. ETEW showed that the estimation of scatter components was close to the true scatter components. In conclusion, correction for septal penetration and scatter is important to improve image quality and quantitative accuracy in I-131 imaging. The ETEW method in scatter correction appeared to be useful in I-131 imaging.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.97-105
• /
• 2009

Absorbed dose to water based protocols recommended that plane-parallel chambers be calibrated against calibrated cylindrical chambers in a high energy electron beam with $R_{50}$>7 $g/cm^2$ (E${\gtrsim}$16 MeV). However, such high-energy electron beams are not available at all radiotherapy centers. In this study, we are compared the absorbed dose to water determined according to cross-calibration method in a high energy electron beam of 16 MeV and in electron beam energies of 12 MeV below the cross-calibration quality remark. Absorbed dose were performed for PTW 30013, Wellhofer FC65G Farmer type cylindrical chamber and for PTW 34001, Wellhofer PPC40 Roos type plane-parallel chamber. The cylindrical and the plane-parallel chamber to be calibrated are compared by alternately positioning each at reference depth, $Z_{ret}=0.6R_{50}-0.1$ in water phantom. The $D_W$ of plane-parallel chamber are derived using across-calibration method at high-energy electron beams of 16, 20 MeV. Then a good agreement is obtained the $D_W$ of plane-parallel chamber in 12 MeV. The agreement between 20 MeV and 12 MeV are within 0.2% for IAEA TRS-398.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.108-116
• /
• 2006

Purpose : High-resolution spiral-scan imaging is performed at 3 Tesla MRI system. Since the gradient waveforms for the spiral-scan imaging have lower slopes than those for the Echo Planar Imaging (EPI), they can be implemented with the gradient systems having lower slew rates. The spiral-scan imaging also involves less eddy currents due to the smooth gradient waveforms. The spiral-scan imaging method does not suffer from high specific absorption rate (SAR), which is one of the main obstacles in high field imaging for rf echo-based fast imaging methods such as fast spin echo techniques. Thus, the spiral-scan imaging has a great potential for the high-speed imaging in high magnetic fields. In this paper, we presented various high-resolution images obtained by the spiral-scan methods at 3T MRI system for various applications. Materials and Methods : High-resolution spiral-scan imaging technique is implemented at 3T whole body MRI system. An efficient and fast higher-order shimming technique is developed to reduce the inhomogeneity, and the single-shot and interleaved spiral-scan imaging methods are developed. Spin-echo and gradient-echo based spiral-scan imaging methods are implemented, and image contrast and signal-tonoise ratio are controlled by the echo time, repetition time, and the rf flip angles. Results : Spiral-scan images having various resolutions are obtained at 3T MRI system. Since the absolute magnitude of the inhomogeneity is increasing in higher magnetic fields, higher order shimming to reduce the inhomogeneity becomes more important. A fast shimming technique in which axial, sagittal, and coronal sectional inhomogeneity maps are obtained in one scan is developed, and the shimming method based on the analysis of spherical harmonics of the inhomogeneity map is applied. For phantom and invivo head imaging, image matrix size of about $100{\times}100$ is obtained by a single-shot spiral-scan imaging, and a matrix size of $256{\times}256$ is obtained by the interleaved spiral-scan imaging with the number of interleaves of from 6 to 12. Conclusion : High field imaging becomes increasingly important due to the improved signal-to-noise ratio, larger spectral separation, and the higher BOLD-based contrast. The increasing SAR is, however, a limiting factor in high field imaging. Since the spiral-scan imaging has a very low SAR, and lower hardware requirements for the implementation of the technique compared to EPI, it is suitable for a rapid imaging in high fields. In this paper, the spiral-scan imaging with various resolutions from $100{\times}100$ to $256{\times}256$ by controlling the number of interleaves are developed for the high-speed imaging in high magnetic fields.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.121-129
• /
• 2013

In this study measured patient exposure dose for purpose exposure area and peripheral critical organs by using optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) from computed tomography (CT), based on the measurement results, we predicted the radiobiological effects, and would like to advised ways of reduction strategies. In order to experiment, OSLDs received calibration factor were attached at left and right lens, thyroid, field center, and sexual gland in human body standard phantom that is recommended in ICRP, and we simulated exposure dose of patients in same condition that equal exposure condition according to examination area. Average calibration factor of OSLDs were $1.0058{\pm}0.0074$. In case of left and right lens, equivalent dose was measure in 50.49 mGy in skull examination, 0.24 mGy in chest, under standard value in abdomen, lumbar spine and pelvis. In case of thyroid, equivalent dose was measured in 10.89 mGy in skull examination, 7.75 mGy in chest, 0.06 mGy in abdomen, under standard value in lumber spine and pelvis. In case of sexual gland, equivalent dose was measured in 21.98 mGy, 2.37 mGy in lumber spine, 6.29 mGy in abdomen, under standard value in skull examination. Reduction strategies about diagnosis reference level (DRL) in CT examination needed fair interpretation and institutional support recommending international organization. So, we met validity for minimize exposure of patients, systematize influence about exposure dose of patients and minimize unnecessary exposure of tissue.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.167-174
• /
• 2015

Purpose : The pre-treatment QA using Portal dosimetry for Volumetric Arc Therapy To analyze whether maintaining the reproducibility depending on various factors. Materials and Methods : Test was used for TrueBeam STx$^{TM}$ (Ver.1.5, Varian, USA). Varian Eclipse Treatment planning system(TPS) was used for planning with total of seven patients include head and neck cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and cervical cancer was established for a Portal dosimetry QA plan. In order to measure these plans, Portal Dosimetry application (Ver.10) (Varian) and Portal Vision aS1000 Imager was used. Each Points of QA was determined by dividing, before and after morning treatment, and the after afternoon treatment ended (after 4 hours). Calibration of EPID(Dark field correction, Flood field correction, Dose normalization) was implemented before Every QA measure points. MLC initialize was implemented after each QA points and QA was retried. Also before QA measurements, Beam Ouput at the each of QA points was measured using the Water Phantom and Ionization chamber(IBA dosimetry, Germany). Results : The mean values of the Gamma pass rate(GPR, 3%, 3mm) for every patients between morning, afternoon and evening was 97.3%, 96.1%, 95.4% and the patient's showing maximum difference was 95.7%, 94.2% 93.7%. The mean value of GPR before and after EPID calibration were 95.94%, 96.01%. The mean value of Beam Output were 100.45%, 100.46%, 100.59% at each QA points. The mean value of GPR before and after MLC initialization were 95.83%, 96.40%. Conclusion : Maintain the reproducibility of the Portal Dosimetry as a VMAT QA tool required management of the various factors that can affect the dosimetry.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.103-108
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Opposing portal irradiation with helmet field shape that has been given to a patient with brain metastasis can cause excess dose in patient's scalp, resulting in hair loss. For this reason, this study is to quantitatively analyze scalp dose for effective prevention of hair loss by comparing opposing portal irradiation with scalp-shielding shape and tomotherapy designed to protect patient's scalp with conventional radiation therapy. Materials and Methods: Scalp dose was measured by using three therapies (HELMET, MLC, TOMO) after five thermo-luminescence dosimeters were positioned along center line of frontal lobe by using RANDO Phantom. Scalp dose and change in dose distribution were compared and analyzed with DVH after radiation therapy plan was made by using Radiation Treatment Planning System (Pinnacle3, Philips Medical System, USA) and 6 MV X-ray (Clinac 6EX, VARIAN, USA). Results: When surface dose of scalp by using thermo-luminescence dosimeters was measured, it was revealed that scalp dose decreased by average 87.44% at each point in MLC technique and that scalp dose decreased by average 88.03% at each point in TOMO compared with HELMET field therapy. In addition, when percentage of volume (V95%, V100%, V105% of prescribed dose) was calculated by using Dose Volume Histogram (DVH) in order to evaluate the existence or nonexistence of hotspot in scalp as to three therapies (HELMET, MLC, TOMO), it was revealed that MLC technique and TOMO plan had good dose coverage and did not have hot spot. Conclusion: Reducing hair loss of a patient who receives whole brain radiotherapy treatment can make a contribution to improve life quality of the patient. It is expected that making good use of opposing portal irradiation with scalp-shielding shape and tomotherapy to protect scalp of a patient based on this study will reduce hair loss of a patient.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 2011

Purpose: In this study, we tried to check the usefulness of two Linear Accelerators, Clinac IX and 21EX (Varian, Palo Alto, CA), which are equipped in Ajou Medical Center. From 2008 to 2010, we evaluated the error range of Absolute Dose based on the daily output, which was measured by CHECKMATE$^{TM}$ (Sun Nuclear, Melbourne, FL). Materials and Methods: For Daily Q.A, photon beams of two linear accelerators, 21EX and IX (6 MV and 10 MV, respectively) were measured daily by using CHECKMATE$^{TM}$ just before the treatment began, while the absolute dose was measured biweekly by using water phantom. We analyzed the data of measured values from the daily Q.A and the absolute dose from 2008 to 2010 for 21EX, and from 2009 to 2010 for IX. We utilized Excel 2007 (Microsoft, USA) to evaluate Average, Standard deviation and Confidence level of the data. Furthermore, in order to check the measured values of CHECKMATE$^{TM}$ and the significance of absolute dose, each error value was compared and analyzed. Results: During the observation period, the output of two equipment's absolute dose increased in process of time and in both 6 MV and 10 MV, there was a similar increasing trend. In addition, the error rate of the measured value of CHECKMATE$^{TM}$ and the value of absolute dose were under 0.34, which means that there is a similarity relationship between the two measured values. After checking that the measured value of CHECKMATE$^{TM}$ increased, We measured the absolute dose to adjust that. When the error range was close to 2~3%, the number of changing the output was four for 21EX and three for IX. Conclusion: As a result of measuring and analyzing the daily output changes for two years by using CHECKMATE$^{TM}$, we could find that there is a significance between the output which we should obey during Q.A, and the measured value of absolute dose within the error tolerance of 2~3%. Thus, the use of CHECKMATE$^{TM}$ can be positively considered for more efficient and reliable daily output verification of linear accelerator. It can also be a good standard for other medical centers to understand the trends of linear accelerator and to refer to for the correction of each output.