Dong-Kyoon Han

RADIATION DOSE FOR PEDIATRIC AND YOUNG ADULT CT: A SURVEY TO ESTABLISH AGE-BASED REFERENCE LEVELS OF 2015–2016 IN KOREA

To assess the doses delivered to pediatric patients during computed tomography (CT) examinations of the brain, chest, high-resolution lung and abdomen, and to establish diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for various age groups in Korea. Dose survey was done to the 19 hospitals performing CT on children, addressing the scan parameters, volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP). Per five age group (0, 1, 2-5, 6-10, 11-17 y of age), the proposed DRLs for brain, chest, high-resolution lung and abdomen CT are, respectively, in terms of CTDIvol: 18, 23, 26, 31, 36 mGy; 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 mGy; 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 mGy; 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 mGy; and in terms of DLP: 260, 350, 420, 500, 620 mGy•cm; 50, 80, 100, 170, 340 mGy•cm; 30, 40, 60, 90, 280 mGy•cm; 70, 80, 200, 300, 500 mGy•cm. Compared with published DRLs our suggestion for pediatric CT dose is the lower end. However, an optimization process should be initiated to reduce the spread in patient dose among hospitals despite same CT protocols shown in the study. A major element of this process should be the establishment of institution performance standard and the use of built DRLs.

Comparison Study of Image Performance with Contrast Agent Contents for Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The purpose of study was to evaluate SNR and CNR with different contrast agent contents (1.0 mmol/mL gadobutrol and 0.5 mmol/mL gadoterate meglumine) for spin echo (SE) and 3-dimension contrast-enhanced fast field echo (3D CE-FFE) pulse sequences. In this study, we compared the SNR and the CNR between 0.5 mmol/mL gadoterate meglumine and 1.0 mmol/mL gadobutrol according to the concentration of contrast agent in brain MRI. When we compared between SE and 3D CE-FFE pulse sequences, the higher SNR and CNR using 3D CE-FFE pulse sequence can be acquire regardless of contrast agent contents. Also, a statistically significant difference was found for SNR and CNR between all protocols. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the SNR and CNR have not risen proportionately with contrast agent contents. We hope that these results presented in this paper will contribute to decide contrast agent contents for brain MRI.

A study on image distortion improvement using silicon device in thyroid diffusion MRI images

This study was conducted to minimize the imaging distortion by reducing the differences in susceptibility between the tissue and air surrounding it while performing a thyroid diffusion imaging procedure. The study group was composed of 23 healthy adults. Thyroids with many distortions near the air, larynx, and trachea were chosen to test and evaluate the diffusion imaging difference between before and after an application of silicon. As a result, there was reduced distortion with silicon application, and the differences decreased from 30% to 10%. According to One-way ANOVA and Duncans post-hoc test, there were no significant differences between imaging with a silicon application and T2 imaging of the surface area, which was the standard image. In conclusion, this study presented a radical improvement in reducing the distortions in imaging by compensating for an uneven tissue surface near air without affecting the magnetic resonance contrast and complicating the imaging processes.

Dose-Decreasing Effect of the First Reversed Laser Beam Collimator for C-Arm Type Angiographic Equipment

This is a study on the dose-decreasing effect of the first reversed laser beam collimator (RLBC) for C-arm type angiographic equipment. A laser beam was located at the center of each plane at an oblique angle to the angiographic equipment detector. A field of view, which could be seen with the naked eye, was made by focusing the laser beam in the direction of the X-ray source. The height of the table was fixed at 75 cm and the iron balls were located within 2 mm of the top, bottom, left, and right edges of the output image. The time needed for location fixing, fluoroscopy, and measurement of dose area product (DAP) were compared by having 30 radiologists perform location fixing by looking at the fluoroscopic image while performing location fixing (no radiation) and while the RLBC was turned on. In the next test, the time needed for location fixing, fluoroscopy, and DAP were compared when varying the location of the iron balls from 2 to 10 mm from the edges of the output image. The results showed that the time needed for location fixing, the time needed for fluoroscopy, and DAP decreased, both in the first test and the second test. This study confirmed that the use of a RLBC for C-arm type angiographic equipment decreases both the time needed to perform the procedure and the radiation dose received. It is expected that continuous advancement of RLBC technology will contribute greatly to decreasing the dose of radiation needed and improving convenience during angiography.

Management status of computed radiography in Korean hospitals

Abstract Although image quality control (QC) of digital system requires professionalism and information techniques, the real situation is that accurate image QC has not been carried out due to the lack of information and experienced operators in clinics. Therefore, in the present study, image QC was divided into representative medical images via computed radiography (CR), and a means of maintaining the optimal image quality in clinics is suggested. The QC state of 25 Korean hospitals equipped with CR was assessed by a questionnaire. Based on the answers, experiments were carried out by dividing the data into the CR. In the CR, the systemic QC of the imaging plate (IP) was examined by assessing the management of the IP with a questionnaire. The results in the CR part demonstrated the importance of systemic management and the establishment of standards, such as selection of the appropriate turnover cycle, based on the use of an IP and the management state determined by the questionnaire. This highlights the need to develop a companys own training program for the use of CR. There is little research data on methods of the image QC for CR equipment. Accordingly, equipment companies and operators should establish systemic QC methods through more studies.

Effectiveness of a silicone device for foot MRI in order to obtain homogeneous fat suppression images.

Background Incomplete fat suppression induced by magnetic field inhomogeneity is difficult to compensate for with hardware magnetic-field shimming. Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of a silicone device used to obtain homogeneous fat suppression during 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the foot. Material and Methods Thirty-eight healthy volunteers were enrolled and examined twice, before (group A) and after (group B) the application of a silicone device. Fat-saturated, T2-weighted, fast spin-echo images were acquired using the same scanning protocol at both examinations. Signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios (SNR and CNR) were calculated and compared in the four regions of interest (ROIs). ROI 1 and 2 were selected from toe-side bone and soft tissue, while ROI 3 and 4 were selected from proximal bone and soft tissue. Qualitative analysis using a four-point scale was performed for three categories. The categories are as follows: the overall image quality, homogeneity of the first phalange and metatarsal bone, respectively. Results The SNR and CNR in ROI 1 and 2 were significantly higher in group A than in group B (SNR; P < 0.001, CNR; P < 0.001), and there were no significant difference in ROI 3 and 4. The qualitative score of the overall fat suppression in group B was significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.001). Homogeneity of the first phalange in group B was also significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.001). On the other hand, the homogeneity of the metatarsal bone was not significantly different in the two groups. Conclusion The use of a silicone device provides homogeneous fat suppression in 3T MRI of the foot and can significantly improve image quality.

The Clinical usefulness of the tangential projection view of Radius groove after Distal Radius Fracture operation using the T-type Plat

Introduction : The projection method to check existence and nonexistence of radius groove penetration of screw after distal radius fracture operation clinical using the T-type plate and the radiation of radial groove tangential is to propose a new test. Material and Methods : On the tangential projection view of radius groove, elevation angle of distal radius is 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 degree. and forearm and radiation detector of angle is 60, 70, 80, degree each changed. that analyzed check existence and nonexistence of radius groove penetration of screw. Results : For the image of Radial groove tangential. the case of not radius groove penetration of screw(63.95%, n=55), medial penetration of radius groove(10.47%, n=9) or lateral penetration of radius groove(25.58%, n=22) was analysis. The radius groove penetrating of screw length was a range of 0.43 ∼ 2.72mm, the average was 1.06mm. the check existence and nonexistence of radius groove penetration of medial or lateral was analysis that it accurate for the image of Radial groove tangential. the radiography of radial groove is well described elevation angle of distal radius 2.5 to 7.5 degree(90% over), forearm and radiation detector of angle 70degree(80%over) Conclusion : It is elevation angle of distal radius is 5degree, forearm and radiation detector of angle 70degree recommended.

Prostate Volume Measurement by Transrectal Ultrasonography in the Healthy Korean Men in Thirties

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is increasing in Korea owing to the westernized eating habits and changes in living environment. However, very few studies have been made to determine the standard value of the prostate volume as a diagnostic reference. Also, most of the previous studies have been focusing on the elder population over 40 years old. This study retrospectively analyzes the results of prostate volume measured by transrectal ultrasonography in the healthy Korean men in their 30`s who visited our institution`s center for health promotion for routine checkups. The mean age of the total of 157 men enrolled was years, and the mean prostate volume was . Prostate volume of these men was correlates proportionally to their age, prostate specific antigen, body mass index, body surface area, and abdominal girth. Among these, the strongest correlation is between the prostate volume and the abdominal girth (r

Validity of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Living Liver Donors

The study aimed to compare the validity between the abdominal ultrasonographic(US) grading system of fatty liver and histologic grading system of fatty liver in living liver donor candidates. As the fatty liver is defined as pathologic total fat >10%, US validity was sensitivity 64.6%, specificity 68%, positive predictive value 76.8%, negative predictive value 54%. As the strict data handling on US grading normal, mild fatty liver are negative, moderate fatty liver is positive, US validity was sensitivity 26.8%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 45.5%. ROC curve analysis according to different cut off value of liver-to-kidney brightness ratio was Area under ROC curve

Evaluation and Experimental Production of Single-Phase Full-wave Rectification Type for X-ray Equipment of High Precision

Diagnosis X-ray equipment localized at 1950`s but it is developed suddenly at 1960`s with demand together. Manufacture of Diagnostic X-ray equipment is controled by the KS regulation and the Ministry of Health and Welfare because of hazardous element etc. exposure by radiation. Most of diagnostic X-ray equipment ware single phase and three phase full-wave rectification but from 1980`s it transforms it was exchanged in inverter type X-ray equipment. Inverter type X-ray equipment produces approximately 50~80% more average photon intensity then single phase full-wave rectification and the accuracy is high. But from a clinic it dose not use because expensive therefor the efficiency improvement of single phase full-wave rectification is necessary. We produced single phase full-wave rectification X-ray equipment control unit, high tension transformer, filament heating transformer, rectification circuit, high tension cable and others and evaluated efficiency, in result which is excellent compare with Rule of Safety Management and KS regulation.