• Title/Summary/Keyword: CT number

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Computed Tomography and Quality Management (컴퓨터단층촬영장치와 품질관리)

  • Cho, Pyong Kon
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.14 no.3
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    • pp.221-233
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    • 2020
  • CT(computed tomography, CT) examinations is one of the most useful diagnostic equipment for identifying information in the human body in diagnostic radiology. Recently, the number of CT scans is increasing every year due to the high reliability of CT scans. Increasing the number of tests will accelerate the aging of CT devices, which is why the importance of quality management for CT devices is on the rise. Particularly in CT, quality management refers to a behavior of figuring out and correcting all sorts of hindrance factors that can cause all the problems related to the equipment associated with the diminishment of diagnosed area due to the reduction of image quality in clinical imaging in advance and maintaining a consistent level of image quality and obtaining a proper image. Here, these researchers aim to summarize and report the general contents of quality management in CT.

Deriving the Effective Atomic Number with a Dual-Energy Image Set Acquired by the Big Bore CT Simulator

  • Jung, Seongmoon;Kim, Bitbyeol;Kim, Jung-in;Park, Jong Min;Choi, Chang Heon
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.45 no.4
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    • pp.171-177
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    • 2020
  • Background: This study aims to determine the effective atomic number (Zeff) from dual-energy image sets obtained using a conventional computed tomography (CT) simulator. The estimated Zeff can be used for deriving the stopping power and material decomposition of CT images, thereby improving dose calculations in radiation therapy. Materials and Methods: An electron-density phantom was scanned using Philips Brilliance CT Big Bore at 80 and 140 kVp. The estimated Zeff values were compared with those obtained using the calibration phantom by applying the Rutherford, Schneider, and Joshi methods. The fitting parameters were optimized using the nonlinear least squares regression algorithm. The fitting curve and mass attenuation data were obtained from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The fitting parameters obtained from stopping power and material decomposition of CT images, were validated by estimating the residual errors between the reference and calculated Zeff values. Next, the calculation accuracy of Zeff was evaluated by comparing the calculated values with the reference Zeff values of insert plugs. The exposure levels of patients under additional CT scanning at 80, 120, and 140 kVp were evaluated by measuring the weighted CT dose index (CTDIw). Results and Discussion: The residual errors of the fitting parameters were lower than 2%. The best and worst Zeff values were obtained using the Schneider and Joshi methods, respectively. The maximum differences between the reference and calculated values were 11.3% (for lung during inhalation), 4.7% (for adipose tissue), and 9.8% (for lung during inhalation) when applying the Rutherford, Schneider, and Joshi methods, respectively. Under dual-energy scanning (80 and 140 kVp), the patient exposure level was approximately twice that in general single-energy scanning (120 kVp). Conclusion: Zeff was calculated from two image sets scanned by conventional single-energy CT simulator. The results obtained using three different methods were compared. The Zeff calculation based on single-energy exhibited appropriate feasibility.

The Evaluation of Image Quality According to the Change of Reconstruction Algorithm of CT Images (재구성 알고리즘 변화에 따른 CT 영상의 화질 평가)

  • Han, Dong-Kyoon;Park, Kun-Jin;Ko, Shin-Kwan
    • Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.127-132
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    • 2010
  • In this study, the correlation among the changes of Modulation Transfer Function(MTF) in the noise and high-contrast resolution and the change of Contrast to noise ratio(CNR) in the low-contrast resolution will be examined to investigate the estimation of image quality according to the type of algorithms. The image data obtained by scanning American Association of Physicists in Medicine(AAPM) phantom was applied to each algorithm and the exposure condition of 120 kVp, 250 mAs, and then the CT number and noise were measured. The MTF curved line of the high-contrast resolution was calculated with Point Spread Function(PSF) by using the analysis program by Philips, resulting in 0.5 MTF, 0.1 MTF and 0.02 MTF respectively. The low-contrast resolution was calculated with CNR and the uniformity was measured to each algorithm. Since the measurement value for the uniformity of the equipment was below ${\pm}$ 5 HU, which is the criterion figure, it was found to belong to the normal range. As the algorithm got closer from soft to edge, the standard deviation of CT number increased, which indicates that the noise increased as well. As for MTF, 0.5 MTF, 0.1 MTF and 0.02 MTF were all sharp algorithms, and as the algorithm got closer from soft to edge, it was possible to distinguish more clearly with the naked eye. On the other hand, CNR gradually decreased, because the difference between the contrast hole CT number and the acrylic CT number was the same while the noise of hole increased.

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MICRO-CT를 이용한 쥐 대퇴골의 유한요소 해석

  • 변창환;오택열
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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    • 2004.05a
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    • pp.296-296
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    • 2004
  • 실험상의 어려움으로 인하여 생체역학 분야에서 유한요소법은 최선의 대안으로 여겨지고 있다. 또한, CT를 비롯한 여러 디지털 장비로부터 얻은 영상데이터를 이용하여 유한요소모델을 생성하는 방법으로 모델 생성 속도의 향상을 가져와 더욱 효율을 높이고 있다. 그러나, 일반 CT의 해상도를 가지고는 골(bone) 변화의 주를 이루고 있는 해면골(trabecular bone)의 변화를 파악하기에는 큰 어려움이 따른다. 이에 본 논문에서는 10~20$\mu\textrm{m}$ 정도까지의 해상도를 가지는 Micro-CT의 영상데이터를 이용하여 유한요소 모델을 생성하고 해석하여 보았다.(중략)

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Efficient Determination of Iteration Number for Algebraic Reconstruction Technique in CT (CT의 대수적재구성기법에서 효율적인 반복 횟수 결정)

  • Joon-Min, Gil;Kwon Su, Chon
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.141-148
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    • 2023
  • The algebraic reconstruction technique is one of the reconstruction methods in CT and shows good image quality against noise-dominant conditions. The number of iteration is one of the key factors determining the execution time for the algebraic reconstruction technique. However, there are some rules for determining the number of iterations that result in more than a few hundred iterations. Thus, the rules are difficult to apply in practice. In this study, we proposed a method to determine the number of iterations for practical applications. The reconstructed image quality shows slow convergence as the number of iterations increases. Image quality 𝜖 < 0.001 was used to determine the optimal number of iteration. The Shepp-Logan head phantom was used to obtain noise-free projection and projections with noise for 360, 720, and 1440 views were obtained using Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation that has the same geometry dimension as a clinic CT system. Images reconstructed by around 10 iterations within the stop condition showed good quality. The method for determining the iteration number is an efficient way of replacing the best image-quality-based method, which brings over a few hundred iterations.

Verification of Radiation Therapy Planning Dose Based on Electron Density Correction of CT Number: XiO Experiments (컴퓨터영상의 전자밀도보정에 근거한 치료선량확인: XiO 실험)

  • Choi Tae-Jin;Kim Jin-Hee;Kim Ok-Bae
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.105-113
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    • 2006
  • This study peformed to confirm the corrected dose In different electron density materials using the superposition/FFT convolution method in radiotherapy Planning system. The experiments of the $K_2HPO_4$ diluted solution for bone substitute, Cork for lung and n-Glucose for soft tissue are very close to effective atomic number of tissue materials. The image data acquisited from the 110 KVp and 130 KVp CT scanner (Siemes, Singo emotions). The electron density was derived from the CT number (H) and adapted to planning system (Xio, CMS) for heterogeneity correction. The heterogeneity tissue phantom used for measurement dose comparison to that of delivered computer planning system. In the results, this investigations showed the CT number is highly affected in photoelectric effect in high Z materials. The electron density in a given energy spectrum showed the relation of first order as a function of H in soft tissue and bone materials, respectively. In our experiments, the ratio of electron density as a function of H was obtained the 0.001026H+1.00 in soft tissue and 0.000304H+1.07 for bone at 130 KVp spectrum and showed 0.000274H+1.10 for bone tissue in low 110 KVp. This experiments of electron density calibrations from CT number used to decide depth and length of photon transportation. The Computed superposition and FFT convolution dose showed very close to measurements within 1.0% discrepancy in homogeneous phantom for 6 and 15 MV X rays, but it showed -5.0% large discrepancy in FFT convolution for bone tissue correction of 6 MV X rays. In this experiments, the evaluated doses showed acceptable discrepancy within -1.2% of average for lung and -2.9% for bone equivalent materials with superposition method in 6 MV X rays. However the FFT convolution method showed more a large discrepancy than superposition in the low electron density medium in 6 and 15 MV X rays. As the CT number depends on energy spectrum of X rays, it should be confirm gradient of function of CT number-electron density regularly.

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A Study on the Possibility of Pancreas Detection through Extraction of Effective Atomic Number using a Simulation such as Dual-energy CT (이중에너지 CT와 같은 시뮬레이션을 이용한 유효원자번호 추출을 통한 췌장 검출 가능성 연구)

  • Son, Ki-Hong;Lee, Soo-Yeul;Chung, Myung-Ae;Kim, Dae-Hong
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.16 no.5
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    • pp.537-543
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    • 2022
  • The purpose of this simulation study was to evaluate the possibility of pancreas detection through effective atomic number information using dual-energy computed tomography(CT). The effective atomic number of 10 tissue-equivalent materials were estimated through stoichiometric calibration. For stoichiometric calibration, HU values at low-energy (80 kV) and high-energy (140 kV) for 10 tissue-equivalent materials were used. Based on this method, the effective atomic number image of the tissue-equivalent material was extracted through an iterative algorithm. According to the results, the attenuation ratio in accordance with the effective atomic number was estimated to have an R2 value of 0.9999, and the effective atomic number of Pancreas, Water, Liver, Blood, Spongiosa, and Cortical bone was overall within 1% accuracy compared to the theoretical value. Conventional pancreatic cancer examination uses a contrast medium, so there is a possibility of potential side effects of the contrast medium. In order to solve this problem, it is thought that it will be possible to contribute to an accurate and safe examination by extracting the effective atomic number using dual-energy CT without contrast enhancement. Based on this study, future research will be conducted on the detection of pancreatic cancer using the HU value of pancreatic cancer based on clinical images.

Image characteristics of cone beam computed tomography using a CT performance phantom (CT performance phantom을 이용한 cone beam형 전산화단층영상의 특성)

  • Han, Choong-Wan;Kim, Gyu-Tae;Choi, Yong-Suk;Hwang, Eui-Hwan
    • Imaging Science in Dentistry
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    • v.37 no.3
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    • pp.157-163
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    • 2007
  • Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics of (widely used) cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: Images were obtained with CT performance phantoms (The American Association of Physicists in Medicine; AAPM). CT phantom as the destination by using PSR $9000N^{TM}$ dental CT system (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd., Japan) and i-CAT CBCT (Imaging Science International Inc., USA) that have different kinds of detectors and field of view, and compared these images with the CT number for linear attenuation, contrast resolution, and spatial resolution. Results: CT number of both PSR $9000N^{TM}$ dental CT system and i-CAT CBCT did not conform to the base value of CT performance phantom. The contrast of i-CAT CBCT is higher than that of PSR $9000N^{TM}$ dental CT system. Both contrasts were increased according to thickness of cross section. Spatial resolution and shapes of reappearance was possible up to 0.6 mm in PSR $9000N^{TM}$ dental CT system and up to 1.0 mm in i-CAT CBCT. Low contrast resolution in region of low contrast sensitivity revealed low level at PSR $9000N^{TM}$ dental CT system and i-CAT CBCT. Conclusion: CBCT images revealed higher spatial resolution, however, contrast resolution in region of low contrast sensitivity was the inferiority of image characteristics.

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Clinical Application of 11C-Acetate Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) in Patients of Urinary System Cancer (비뇨기암 환자에서 11C-Acetate 양전자 방출 컴퓨터 단층 검사 (PET-CT)의 임상 적용)

  • Nam-Koong, Hyuk;Ham, Joon chul;Kim, Sang kyoo;Choi, Yong hoon;Lim, Han sang;Kim, Jae sam
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.9-13
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    • 2016
  • Purpose PET-CT examinations using $^{18}F-FDG$ to treat urinary system cancer are limited in terms of anatomical structure and excretion route of $^{18}F-FDG$. But one of the ongoing examinations utilizing $^{11}C-Acetate$ can compensate for such defects. We would like to introduce a clinical application of $^{11}C-Acetate$ PET-CT in urinary cancer patients. Materials and Methods We conducted a clinical survey of 22 patients diagnosed with urinary cancer at our hospital, 10 prostate cancer patients, 10 renal cell carcinoma patients, and 2 bladder cancer patients. All patients were performed $^{18}F-FDG$ PET-CT examinations, $^{11}C-Acetate$ examinations were performed after two weeks on average. The equipment used to D-710 PET-CT in GE Company and we performed PET-CT procedures 15 minutes after injecting $^{11}C-Acetate$, and a medical doctor from the department of nuclear medicine appraised and compared images between $^{18}F-FDG$ and $^{11}C-Acetate$. Results According to our survey, prostate cancer patients generally had lower uptake of $^{18}F-FDG$ than other cancer patients did. In 2 out of 10 prostate cancer patients, metastasized cancer showed greater uptake in $^{11}C-Acetate$ than $^{18}F-FDG$. In renal cell carcinoma cases, 8 out of 10 patients displayed evidently greater uptake in $^{11}C-Acetate$ than $^{18}F-FDG$. We excluded bladder cancer cases in this study because uptake of $^{18}F-FDG$ in the bladder was too hot, the number of patients was insufficient, and the cases did not meet criteria such as the use of diuretics. Conclusion It is too premature to draw solid conclusions from the survey, since it involved only a small number of participants. However, there are a number of studies conducted abroad that prove the effectiveness of the $^{11}C-Acetate$ PET-CT examinations in treating urinary system cancer, and this study is still ongoing at our hospital. If the tests were to be conducted on a larger number of participants, this study could lead to numerous other potential research topics, such as the correlation between Prostatic specific antigen (PSA) values and $^{11}C-Acetate$ PET-CT, Gleason sum values from biopsy before surgery, Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) between $^{18}F-FDG$ PET-CT examinations and $^{11}C-Acetate$ PET-CT examinations in other urinary system cancers.

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Change of Image Quality within Compression of AAPM CT Performance Phantom Image Using JPEG2000 in PACS (PACS에서 JPEG2000을 이용한 AAPM CT Performance Phantom영상의 압축에 따른 화질변화)

  • Kwon, Soon-Mu
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.6 no.3
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    • pp.217-226
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    • 2012
  • This study examines image quality of medical image after compression using JPEG2000 for AAPM CT Performance Phantom in PACS. The compressed images of 15:1 showed change of 1.93% and 0.81% in the CT number of water and the slice thickness, respectively, compared to the original images. The variation of the uniformity did not give a correlation for each measured area. In noise measurements at compressions of 10:1 and 15:1, changes of 1.47% to 10.99% were observed, respectively. The noise showed incremation tendency as increasing over the compression ratio 15:1, and the noise of 81.68% was measured at a compression of 40:1. CT number, uniformity, slice thickness, spatial resolution and contrast resolution for the compressed images were slightly changed by increasing the compression ratio. However, the noise was seriously changed relatively at the compressed images. Thus the noise was a important factor to determine the compression ration. A compression ratio of 10:1 for the AAPM CT Performance Phantom image was appropriate and could be applied to diagnostic images.