• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.254-258
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• 2019

Purpose: Deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) is a well-established technique that enables efficient cardiac sparing in patients with left-sided breast cancer. The aim of the current study was to determine if DIBH is effective for reducing radiation exposure of of liver and other organs at risk in right breast radiotherapy (RT). Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with right-sided breast cancer were enrolled in this study. Three-dimensional conformal RT plans were generated for each patient, with two different computed tomography scans of free breathing (FB) and DIBH. Nodes were contoured according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group contouring guidelines. Dose-volume histograms for the target volume coverage and organs at risk were evaluated and analyzed. Results: DIBH plans showed significant reduction in mean liver dose (5.59 ± 2.07 Gy vs. 2.54 ± 1.40 Gy; p = 0.0003), V_20Gy (148.38 ± 73.05 vs. 64.19 ± 51.07 mL; p = 0.0003) and V_10Gy (195.34 ± 93.57 vs. 89.81 ± 57.28 mL; p = 0.0003) volumes compared with FB plans. Right lung doses were also significantly reduced in DIBH plans. Heart and left lung doses showed small but statistically significant improvement with application of the DIBH technique. Conclusion: We report that the use of DIBH for right-sided breast cancer significantly reduces the radiation doses to the liver, lungs, and heart.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.305-314
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• 2023

With the development of medical technology and radiation treatment equipment, the frequency of high-precision radiation therapy such as intensity modulation radiation therapy has increased. Image-guided radiation therapy has become essential for radiation therapy in precise and complex treatment plans. In particular, with the introduction of imaging equipment for diagnosis in a linear accelerator, CBCT scanning became possible, which made it possible to calibrate and correct the patient's posture through 3D images. Although more precise reproduction of the patient's posture has become possible, the exposure dose delivered to the patient during the image acquisition process cannot be ignored. Radiation optimization is necessary in the field of radiation therapy, and efforts to reduce exposure are necessary. However, when acquiring 3D CBCT images by changing the imaging conditions to reduce exposure, there should be no image quality or artefacts that would make it impossible to align the patient's position. In this study, Rando phantom was used to scan and evaluate images for each shooting condition. The highest SNR was obtained at 100 kV 80 mA 25 ms F1 filter 180°. As the tube voltage and tube current increased, the noise decreased, and the bowtie filter showed the optimal effect at high tube current. Based on the actual scanned images, it was confirmed that patient alignment was possible under all imaging conditions, and that image-guided radiation therapy for patient alignment was possible under the condition of 70 kV 10 mA 20 ms F0 filter 180°, which showed the lowest SNR. In this study, image evaluation was conducted according to the imaging conditions, and low tube voltage, tube current, and small rotation angle scan are expected to be effective in reducing radiation exposure. Based on this, the patient's exposure dose should be kept as low as possible during CBCT imaging.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2014

During the lateral x-ray testing of lumbar, in order to obtain the optimal image for diagnosis and to minimize the exposure dose, a glass dosimeter and spatial dose measuring meter was used to measure and evaluate the exposure dose and spatial dose distribution of each organs. The exposure dose of the organs have increased as they were closer to the X-ray tube and when the radiation field was completely opened, the exposure dose was increased. In addition, scattered rays have increased as the distance got closer to the subject and with the distance of more than 200cm, 95% of scattered rays was reduced. Such results can anticipate the exposure dose of patients during the lumbar x-ray test in the future and it can be proposed as a data for determining the testing methods and expected to be widely used as an important basic data for reducing the medical exposure dose.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2278-2284
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• 2012

Exposure-dose reducing effect was measured by using bolus, a tissue-equivalent material as a shield to obtain useful diagnostic images while minimizing the radiation exposure of thyroid which is highly sensitive to radiation during panoramic radiography. The experiment was performed within the period of 1 June 2001 through 30 June 2011 by measuring entrance surface dose and deep dose at the thyroid-corresponding site of a head and neck phantom. As a result, the entrance surface dose in the thyroid for using no shield was 43.84 ${\mu}Gy$ on the average, and the thyroid shield of bolus 10 mm in thickness reduced the dose by 15.45 ${\mu}Gy$(35.24%) to 28.39 ${\mu}Gy$ on the average. The use of a 20 mm thyroid shield resulted in the dose of 25.38 ${\mu}Gy$ on the average, a 18.46 ${\mu}Gy$(42.10%) drop from 43.84 ${\mu}Gy$ for using no shield. On the site 20 mm below the surface, a thyroid shield 10 mm in thickness had no dose-reducing effect, while a 20 mm thyroid shield reduced the dose by 0.06 mSv(20%).

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2018

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare dosimetric characteristics of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and two types of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) which are step-and-shoot intensity modulated radiotherapy (s-IMRT) and modulated arc therapy (mARC) for thoracic esophageal cancer and analyze whether IMRT could reduce organ-at-risk (OAR) dose. Materials and Methods: We performed 3D-CRT, s-IMRT, and mARC planning for ten patients with thoracic esophageal cancer. The dose-volume histogram for each plan was extracted and the mean dose and clinically significant parameters were analyzed. Results: Analysis of target coverage showed that the conformity index (CI) and conformation number (CN) in mARC were superior to the other two plans (CI, p = 0.050; CN, p = 0.042). For the comparison of OAR, lung V5 was lowest in s-IMRT, followed by 3D-CRT, and mARC (p = 0.033). s-IMRT and mARC had lower values than 3D-CRT for heart $V_{30}$ (p = 0.039), $V_{40}$ (p = 0.040), and $V_{50}$ (p = 0.032). Conclusion: Effective conservation of the lung and heart in thoracic esophageal cancer could be expected when using s-IMRT. The mARC was lower in lung $V_{10}$, $V_{20}$, and $V_{30}$ than in 3D-CRT, but could not be proven superior in lung $V_5$. In conclusion, low-dose exposure to the lung and heart were expected to be lower in s-IMRT, reducing complications such as radiation pneumonitis or heart-related toxicities.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.154-162
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• 2020

Background: Several studies have reported that wild mushrooms contain high amounts of radioactive cesium (137Cs). After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident, a significantly high concentration of 137Cs has been detected in wild mushrooms, and their consumption may be the cause of the chronic internal exposure of local consumers to radioactivity. Therefore, an accurate evaluation of the internal radioactivity resulting from mushroom ingestion is needed. Materials and Methods: The 137Cs elution rate through the cooking and digestion stages was evaluated using in vitro experiments. The edible mushroom Pleurotus djamor was taken as a sample for the experiments. The mushrooms were cultivated onto solid media containing 137Cs. We evaluated the internal dose based on the actual conditions using the elution rate data. For various cooking methods, the results were compared with those of other wild edible mushrooms. Results and Discussion: From the elution experiment through cooking, we proved that 25%-55% of the 137Cs in the mushrooms was released during soaking, boiling, or frying. The results of a simulated digestion experiment after cooking revealed that almost all the 137Cs in the ingested mushrooms eluted in the digestive juice, regardless of the cooking method. The committed effective dose was reduced by 20%-75% when considering the dissolution through the cooking process. Conclusion: We found that cooking lowers 137Cs concentration in mushrooms, therefore reducing the amount of radioactivity intake. Besides, since there were differences between mushroom types, we demonstrated that the internal exposure dose should be evaluated in detail considering the release of 137Cs during the cooking stages.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.15-22
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• 2022

Modern technology drives the world, increasing performance while reducing labor and time expenses. Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) tracks employee's levels of exposure to radiation sources using dosimeters. According to legal compliance, workers wear dosimeters for three months and one month at the workplace. However, TAEC has problems in tracking, issuing and returning dosimeters because the existing tracking is done manually. The study intended to develop a Personal Dose Management System (PDMS) that processes and manages the data collected by dosimeters for easy and accurate records. During the requirements elicitation process, the study looked at the existing system. PDMS' requirement gathering included document reviews, user interviews, and focused group discussions. Development and testing of the system were implemented by applying the evolutionary prototyping technique. The system provides a login interface for system administrators, radiation officers, and Occupational Exposed Workers. The PDMS grants TAEC Staff access to monitor individual exposed workers, prints individual and institutional reports and manages workers' information. The system reminds the users when to return dosimeters to TAEC, generate reports, and facilitates dispatching and receiving dosimeters effectively. PDMS increases efficiency and effectiveness while minimizing workload, paperwork, and inaccurate records. Therefore, based on the results obtained from the system, it is recommended to use the system to improve dosimeter data management at the institution.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2023

Background: Messaging surrounding skin cancer prevention has previously focused on the general public and emphasized how or when activities should be undertaken to reduce solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Generic messages may not be applicable to all settings, and should be tailored to protect unique and/or highly susceptible subpopulations, such as outdoor workers. The primary objective of this study was to develop a set of tailored, practical, harm-reducing sun safety messages that will better support outdoor workers and their employers in reducing the risk of solar UVR exposure and UVR-related occupational illnesses. Methods: We adapted a core set of sun safety messages previously developed for the general population to be more applicable and actionable by outdoor workers and their employers. This study used an integrated knowledge translation approach and a modified Delphi method (which uses a survey-based consensus process) to tailor the established set of sun safety messages for use for outdoor worker populations. Results: The tailored messages were created with a consideration for what is feasible for outdoor workers, and provide users with key facts, recommendations, and tips related to preventing skin cancer, eye damage, and heat stress, specifically when working outdoors. Conclusion: The resulting tailored messages are a set of evidence-based, expert- approved, and stakeholder-workshopped messages that can be used in a variety of work settings as part of an exposure control plan for employers with outdoor workers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.449-457
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• 2023

Shielding for reducing exposure dose can make the diagnosis limited. The purpose of this study is to increase the efficiency of radiation protection and minimize the loss of image information by producing the shielding made of the water and the contrast medium which has different proportion and finding out the ideal proportion of them. Each shielding materials were made of water and water-soluble iodine contrast medium with the different proportion. The attenuation rate of absorbed dose was evaluated by the shielding materials in the plastic contents for measuring the efficiency of the radiation protection. As a result, the higher ratio of the contrast medium, the more efficient it is for radiation attenuation. The anatomical structure was observed most properly in case of the solution with 20 ml of the contrast medium and most difficultly in case of more than 60 ml of the contrast medium. In case of the signal intensity between skeleton and gas, the difference of average value had a significant as p < 0.001. Shielding with contrast medium attenuates less than the conventional shielding but in the examination for the sensitive part to radiation, it can be used to minimize the loss of the image information and reduce the exposure dose.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.381-385
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• 2016

This study aims to propose a method for reducing radiation dose in high-voltage radiography using air gap technique while maintaining the same image quality as when using grids. For an experiment, air gaps were set at 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, and 30 cm with a focus-receptor distance of 180 cm; with each air gap distance, tube current was set at 15 mAs, and tube voltage was set at 80 kVp, 85 kVp, 90 kVp, 95 kVp and 100 kVp. Then, radiographs were taken. In a situation of employing a conventional method of using grids, radiographs were taken at 15 mAs and 107 kVp with a focus-receptor distance of 180 cm. According to the results of the experiment, the surface radiation dose from radiography using grids was 0.130 R; the surface radiation dose at a 20cm air gap was 0.124 R; PSNR between these two images was 10.65 [dB]. In conclusion, the air gap distance, which could maintain the image quality similar to that of a case where scattered radiation was removed and grids were used with a small surface radiation dose, was 20 cm. The result of this study is thought to be used as an indicator to remove surface radiation dose in radiography using air gap.