• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2016

X-ray mammography is the most effective method for the diagnosis of calcified lesions of various breast diseases. To reduce patient dose and to obtain optimal image required for diagnosis, the performance of the mammography system should be maintained continuously. Because the target (anode) angle of the X-ray tube is measured from the central X-ray, the effective angle can be slightly different in view of the position on the detector, which can result in degrading spatial resolution of the imaging within the field of view. In this study, we measured the MTF to examine spatial resolution for positions on the detector in the digital mammography system. For a tungsten wire of $50{\mu}m$ diameter, the highest spatial frequency was obtained. It meant that a wire diameter for measuring MTF through LSF should be small compared to the pixel size of the detector used in the mammography system. The spatial resolution showed slightly different performance according to positions on the detector. The center position gave the best spatial resolution and positions away from the center showed the degraded performance although the difference of the spatial resolution was small. The effective focal spot size of the full width at half maximum also showed similar result. It concluded that the slightly increase of the effective focal spot size gave the degradation of the spatial resolution for positions on the detector.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.1003-1011
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• 2020

This study aims to compare and evaluate the image differences between single and dual sources in applying a technique to reduce metal artifacts using dual energy CT. Discovery CT 256 (GE, USA) as a single source device and Somatom Definition Flash (Siemens Health Care, Forchheim, Germany) as a dual source device. The self-made phantom (pigs with medical titanium screws inserted) was quantitative and qualitatively evaluated under the same conditions by varying the dose under the same conditions using a dual energy CT. The evaluation method was compared by measuring SNR for metal artifacts (scattering, stripe) generated by metal inserts, divided around bones and around tissues. There was a difference in images in the method of reducing metal artifacts between single-source and dual-source devices. In a single source device, the linearized prosthesis by metal implantation showed a greater decrease than the image obtained from a double source device, and the surrounding tissue was well observed without interference from the artifact. In dual-source devices, scattering and stripe artifacts caused by metal inserts decreased more than on a single source device, and signals from adjacent tissues surrounding the metal implant were well observed without diminishing. If the examination is conducted separately between single source and dual source devices depending on whether the area to which the patient is intended to be viewed during the examination is adjacent to the metal insert or the total tissue surrounding the metal insert, it is believed that diagnostic helpful images can be obtained.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.285-295
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• 2023

With the development of technology, efforts to reduce the exposure dose received by patients in CT scans are continuing with the development of new reconstruction techniques. Recently, deep learning reconstruction techniques have been developed to overcome the limitations of repetitive reconstruction techniques. This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of images according to reconstruction techniques in pediatric chest CT images. Patient study conducted a study on 85 pediatric patients who underwent chest CT scan at P-Hospital in Gyeongsangnam-do from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022. The phantom used in the Phantom Study is the Pediatrics Whole Body Phantom PBU-70. After the test, the images were reconstructed with FBP, ASIR-V (50%) and DLIR (TF-Medium, High), and the images were evaluated by obtaining SNR and CNR values by setting ROI of the same size. As a result, TF-H of deep learning reconstruction techniques had the lowest noise value compared to ASIR-V (50%) and TF-M in all experiments, and SNR and CNR had the highest values. In pediatric chest CT scans, TF images with deep learning reconstruction techniques were less noisy than ASiR-V images with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction techniques, CNR and SNR were higher, and the quality of images was improved compared to conventional reconstruction techniques.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2010

Purpose: In Asan Medical Center we perform myocardial perfusion SPECT to evaluate cardiac event risk level for non-cardiac surgery patients. In case of patients with cancer, we check tumor metastasis using whole body bone scan and whole body PET scan and then perform myocardial perfusion SPECT to reduce unnecessary exam. In case of short term in patients, we perform $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT after whole body bone scan a minimum 16 hours in order to reduce hospitalization period but it is still the actual condition in which the evaluation about the affect of the crosstalk contamination due to the each other dissimilar isotope administration doesn't properly realize. So in our experiments, we try to evaluate crosstalk contamination influence on $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT using anthropomorphic torso phantom and patient's data. Materials and Methods: From 2009 August to September, we analyzed 87 patients with $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT. According to $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT yesterday whole body bone scan possibility of carrying out, a patient was classified. The image data are obtained by using the dual energy window in $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT. We analyzed $^{201}Tl$ and $^{99m}Tc$ counts ratio in each patients groups obtained image data. We utilized anthropomorphic torso phantom in our experiment and administrated $^{201}Tl$ 14.8 MBq (0.4 mCi) at myocardium and $^{99m}Tc$ 44.4 MBq (1.2 mCi) at extracardiac region. We obtained image by $^{201}Tl$ myocardial perfusion SPECT without gate method application and analyzed spatial resolution using Xeleris ver 2.0551. Results: In case of $^{201}Tl$ window and the counts rate comparison result yesterday whole body bone scan of being counted in $^{99m}Tc$ window, the difference in which a rate to 24 hours exponential-functionally notes in 1:0.114 with Ventri (GE Healthcare, Wisconsin, USA), 1:0.249 after the bone tracer injection in 12 hours in 1:0.411 with 1:0.79 with Infinia (GE healthcare, Wisconsin, USA) according to a reduction a time-out was shown (Ventri p=0.001, Infinia p=0.001). Moreover, the rate of the case in which it doesn't perform the whole body bone scan showed up as the average 1:$0.067{\pm}0.6$ of Ventri, and 1:$0.063{\pm}0.7$ of Infinia. According to the phantom after experiment spatial resolution measurement result, and an addition or no and time-out of $^{99m}Tc$ administrated, it doesn't note any change of FWHM (p=0.134). Conclusion: Through the experiments using anthropomorphic torso phantom and patients data, we found that $^{201}Tl$ myocardium perfusion SPECT image later carried out after the bone tracer injection with 16 hours this confirmed that it doesn't receive notable influence in spatial resolution by $^{99m}Tc$. But this investigation is only aimed to image quality, so it needs more investigation in patient's radiation dose and exam accuracy and precision. The exact guideline presentation about the exam interval should be made of the validation test which is exact and in which it is standardized about the affect of the crosstalk contamination according to the isotope use in which it is different later on.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2010

Purpose: Recently, South Korea has seen a rapidly increased incidence of both breast and thyroid cancers. As a result, the I-131 scan and lymphoscintigraphy have been performed more frequently. Although this type of diagnostic imaging is prominent in that visualizes pathological conditions, which is similar to previous nuclear diagnostic imaging techniques, there is not much anatomical information obtained. Accordingly, it has been used in different ways to help find anatomical locations by transmission scan, however the results were unsatisfactory. Therefore, this study aims to realize an imaging technique which shows more anatomical information through the fusion of gamma and realistic imaging. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the data from patients who were examined by the lymphoscintigraphy and I-131 additional scan by Symbia Gamma camera (SIEMENS) in the nuclear medicine department of the National Cancer Center from April to July of 2009. First, we scanned the same location in patients by using a miniature camera (R-2000) in hyVISION. Afterwards, we scanned by gamma camera. The data we obtained was evaluated based on the scanning that measures an agreement of gamma and realistic imaging by the Gamma Ray Tool fusion program. Results: The amount of radiation technicians and patients were exposed was generated during the production process of flood source and applied transmission scan. During this time, the radiation exposure dose of technicians was an average of 14.1743 ${\mu}Sv$, while the radiation exposure dose of patients averaged 0.9037 ${\mu}Sv$. We also confirmed this to matching gamma and realistic markers in fusion imaging. Conclusion: Therefore, we found that we could provide imaging with more anatomical information to clinical doctors by fusion of system of gamma and realistic imaging. This has allowed us to perform an easier method in which to reduce the work process. In addition, we found that the radiation exposure can be reduced from the flood source. Eventually, we hope that this will be applicable in other nuclear medicine studies. Therefore, in order to respect the privacy of patients, this procedure will be performed only after the patient has agreed to the procedure after being given a detailed explanation about the process itself and its advantages.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.328-333
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• 2002

Purpose : To analyze the treatment results of concurrent chemoradiation with oral 5-FU plus Gemcitabine or Paclitaxel for unresectable pancreatic cancer. Materials & Methods : The patients, who were diagnosed by imaging modalities or by explo-laparotomy, were treated with concurrent chemoradiation. Radiotherapy was delivered to primary tumor and regional lymph nodes, and the total dose was 45 Gy. Patients received Gemcitabine $1,000\;mg/m^2$ or Paclitaxel $50\;mg/m^2$ weekly and oral 5-FU daily The total number of cycles of chemotherapy ranged from 1 to 39 (median, 11 cycles). The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 36 months, Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results : Fifty-four patients between Jan. 1999 to Nov. 2001 were included in this study. Forty-two patients who completed the planned treatment were included in this analysis. The patients' age ranged from 37 to 73 years (median, 50 years) and the male to female ratio was 30:12. Treatment was interrupted for 12 patients due to: disease progression for 6 $(50\%)$, poor performance status for 4 $(33.3\%)$, intercurrent disease for 1 $(8.3\%)$, and refusal for 1 $(8.3\%)$. Response evaluation was possible for 40 patients. One patient gained complete remission and 24 patients gained partial remission, hence the response rate was $59\%$. The survival rates were $46.7\%\;and\;17.0\%$ at 1 year and 2 years, respectively with a median survival time of 12 months. Patients treated with Paclitaxel showed superior outcomes compared to those patients treated with Gemcitabine, in terms of both response rate and survival rate although this difference was not statistically significant. Grade III or IV hematologic toxicity was shown in 8 patients $(19\%)$, while grade III or IV non-hematologic toxicity was shown in 5 patients $(12\%)$. Conclusion : Concurrent chemoradiation with oral 5-FU and Gemcitabine or Paclitaxel improves both the response rate and survival rate in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. A prospective study should be investigated in order to improve both the patient selection and the treatment outcome as well as to reduce the toxicity.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.271-280
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• 2014

Recently, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) has been investigated to overcome the limitation of conventional mammography for overlapping anatomical structures and high patient dose with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). However incomplete sampling due to limited angle leads to interference on the neighboring slices. Many studies have investigated to reduce artifacts such as interference. Moreover, appropriate filters for tomosynthesis have been researched to solve artifacts resulted from incomplete sampling. The primary purpose of this study is finding appropriate filter scheme with FBP reconstruction for DBT system to reduce artifacts. In this study, we investigated characteristics of various filter schemes with simulation and prototype digital breast tomosynthesis under same acquisition parameters and conditions. We evaluated artifacts and noise with profiles and COV (coefficinet of variation) to study characteristic of filter. As a result, the noise with parameter 0.25 of Spectral filter reduced by 10% in comparison to that with only Ramp-lak filter. Because unbalance of information reduced with decreasing B of Slice thickness filter, artifacts caused by incomplete sampling reduced. In conclusion, we confirmed basic characteristics of filter operations and improvement of image quality by appropriate filter scheme. The results of this study can be utilized as base in research and development of DBT system by providing information that is about noise and artifacts depend on various filter schemes.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.80-85
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• 2012

Purpose: The whole body bone scan is an examination that visualizing physiological change of bones and using bone-congenial radiopharmaceutical. The patients are intravenous injected radiopharmaceutical which labeled with radioactive isotope ($^{99m}Tc$) emitting 140 keV gammarays and scanned after injection. The 3 principles of radiation protection from external exposureare time, distance and shielding. On the 3 principles of radiation protection basis, radiopharmaceutical might just as well be injected rapidly for reducing radiation because it might be the unopened radiation source. However the radiopharmaceuticals are injected into patient directly and there is a limitation of distance control. This study confirmed the change of radiation exposure as change of distance from radiopharmaceutical and observed the change of radiation exposure afte rsetting a shelter for help to control radio-technician's exposure. Materials & methods: For calculate the average of injection time, the trained injector measured the injection time for 50 times and calculated the average (2 minutes). We made a source as filled the 99mTc-HDP 925 MBq 0.2 mL in a 1 mL syringe and measured the radiation exposure from 50 cm,100 cm,150 cm and 200 cm by using Geiger-Mueller counter (FH-40, Thermo Scientific, USA). Then we settled a lead shielding (lead equivalent 6 mm) from the source 25 cm distance and measured the radiation exposure from 50 cm distance. For verify the reproducibility, the measurement was done among 20 times. The correlation between before and after shielding was verified by using SPSS (ver. 18) as paired t-test. Results: The radiation doses according to distance during 2 minutes from the source without shielding were $1.986{\pm}0.052{\mu}$ Sv in 50 cm, $0.515{\pm}0.022{\mu}$ Sv in 100 cm, $0.251{\pm}0.012{\mu}$ Sv in 150 cm, $0.148{\pm}0.006{\mu}$ Sv in 200 cm. After setting the shielding, the radiation dose was $0.035{\pm}0.003{\mu}$ Sv. Therefore, there was a statistical significant difference between the radiation doses with shielding and without shielding ($p$<0.001). Conclusion: Because the great importance of whole body bone scan in the nuclear medicine, we should make an effort to reduce radiation exposure during radiopharmaceutical injections by referring the principles of radiation protection from external exposure. However there is a limitation of distance for direct injection and time for patients having attenuated tubules. We confirmed the reduction of radiation exposure by increasing distance. In case of setting shield from source 25 cm away, we confirmed reducing of radiation exposure. Therefore it would be better for reducing of radiation exposure to using shield during radiopharmaceutical injection.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.49-54
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• 2009

Purpose: To report on the clinical outcome of patients with stage I testicular seminoma by postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) or surveillance after radical inguinal orchiectomy. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective review of 32 stage I pure seminoma patients treated between 1996 and 2005 at the Samsung Medical Center. Twenty two of the patients were treated by PORT, which was directed at the paraaortic lymphatics with a median dose of 25.2 Gy in 14 fractions for 3 weeks. The 10 remaining patients were managed by surveillance. The median follow-up period was 96 months with a range of 24 to 155 months. Results: Clinically, most patients presented with a testicular mass or discomfort. Two of the patients had a history of undescended testes. Pathologically, 23 of the patients had intratubular germ cell neoplasia with seminoma. Both recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of patients treated by PORT were 100%. In the control group, 1 of the 10 patients suffered a para-aortic lymph node relapse. The RFS and OS rates of the surveillance group were 88.9% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: No difference in survival was observed between the two groups. Moreover, symptom recurrence was only observed in 1 patient in the control group. The use of PORT may reduce the risk of relapse. With the availability of effective diagnostic and salvage modalities, surveillance monitoring may be considered for patients in good compliance.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2005

Purpose : We should use a computed tomography-simulator for the body measure and compensator manufacture process was practiced with TBI's positioning in process and to estimate the availability.,Materials and Methods : Patient took position that lied down. and got picture through computed tomography-simulator. This picture transmitted to Somavision and measured about body measure point on the picture. Measurement was done with skin, and used the image to use measure the image about lungs. We decided thickness of compensator through value that was measured by the image. Also, We decided and confirmed position of compensator through image. Finally, We measured dosage with TLD in the treatment department.,Results : About thickness at body measure point. we could find difference of $1{\sim}2$ cm relationship general measure and image measure. General measure and image measure of body length was seen difference of $3{\sim}4$ cm. Also, we could paint first drawing of compensator through the image. The value of dose measurement used TLD on head, neck, axilla, chest(lungs inclusion), knee region were measured by $92{\sim}98%$ and abdomen, pelvis, inquinal region, feet region were measured by $102{\sim}109%$.,Conclusion : It was useful for TBI's positioning to use an image of computed tomography-simulator in the process. There was not that is difference of body thickness measure point, but measure about length was achieved definitely. Like this, manufacture of various compensator that consider body density if use image is available. Positioning of compensator could be done exactly. and produce easily without shape of compensator is courted Positioning in the treatment department could shortened overall $15\{sim}20$ minute time. and reduce compensator manufacture time about 15 minutes.