Japanese Journal of Radiological Technology
Online ISSN : 1881-4883
Print ISSN : 0369-4305
ISSN-L : 0369-4305
Volume 76, Issue 1
Displaying 1-16 of 16 articles from this issue
Opening Article
New Year's Round Table Discussion
Originals
  • Takaaki Kitai, Yasuhiro Hyodo, Hayato Morikawa
    2020 Volume 76 Issue 1 Pages 16-25
    Published: 2020
    Released on J-STAGE: January 20, 2020
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Purpose: X-ray pelvimetry is typically performed for the diagnosis of the cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD). The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of new computed tomography (CT) reconstruction “deep learning based reconstruction (DLR) ” in ultra-low dose CT pelvimetry. Method: CT pelvimetry was performed 320-row CT. All CT images were reconstructed with and without DLR and transferred for workstation to processing martius and guthmann view. Radiologist and obstetrician-gynecologist subjectively ranked overall image quality of each CT image from the best to the worst. Exposure dose of the CT pelvimetry used a following calculated value, displayed CT dose index (CTDI) vol multiplied by measured value using the thimble chamber and pelvic phantom, and of the X-ray pelvimetry used Japan-Diagnositic Refernce Levels 2015 as a reference, were compared. Result: 3D images obtained from CT pelvimetry with DLR showed accurate biparietal diameter and obstetric conjugate as compared to without DLR. Radiation dose of CT pelvimetry is 0.39 mGy, of X-ray pelvimetry is 1.18 mGy, respectively. Conculusion: Although the visualizing high contrast object, such as bone morphology, is likely to reduce exposure dose in CT examination generally, DLR enable to further dose reduction to keep image quality. 3D image processing from CT pelvimetry solves the problem of expansion rate in X-P pelvimetry and provide accurate measurements. Furthermore, CT pelvimetry can undergo more comfortable position for Pregnant Woman in Labor.

    Download PDF (1957K)
  • Mamoru Kato, Koichi Chida, Takato Ishida, Fumiaki Sasaki, Hideto Toyos ...
    2020 Volume 76 Issue 1 Pages 26-33
    Published: 2020
    Released on J-STAGE: January 20, 2020
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Purpose: The International Commission on Radiological Protection recommended that interventional radiologies (IRs) have high radiation doses and that staff may also be exposed to high doses. In the present study, we measured the radiation exposure dose [3 mm dose equivalent, Hp (3) ] in the eye using an appropriate dosimeter placed next to the physician’ s eye during neurovascular intervention procedure (Neuro-IR) and interventional cardiac electrophysiology procedure (EP-IR). Method: Physicians wore a direct eye dosemeter just lateral to the left eye and an additional direct eye dosemeter outside the radiation protective glasses close to their left eye. Additionally, a neck badge [0.07 mm dose equivalent, Hp (0.07) ] was worn outside the protective apron to the left of the neck, to compare the direct eye dosimeter estimated doses. The occupational eye lens dose was evaluated over a period of 6-month. Results: The maximum Hp (3) of the Neuro-IR physician was estimated 5.1 mSv without the radiation protective glasses and 1.6 mSv with the radiation protective glasses. On the other hand, the maximum Hp (3) of the EP-IR physician was estimated 29 mSv without the radiation protective glasses and 15 mSv with the radiation protective glasses. Conclusion: Physicians eye lens dose [Hp (3) ] tended to be overestimated by the neck badge measurements [Hp (0.07)]. A correct evaluation of the lens dose [Hp (3) ] using the direct eye dosimeter is recommended. Although we found a positive correlation between Hp (0.07) and Hp (3), the value of R2 in the regression equation is low, we recommended that the eye lens dose estimated carefully from Hp (0.07).

    Download PDF (1160K)
Clinical Technologies
  • Mitsunori Shichijo, Koji Kawano, Eiji Dan
    2020 Volume 76 Issue 1 Pages 34-40
    Published: 2020
    Released on J-STAGE: January 20, 2020
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Purpose: In triggered acquisition noncontrast enhancement magnetic resonance angiography using ECG-gated with short-term inversion recovery (STIR-TRANCE), signal intensity and contrast fluctuate according to the value of refocus flip angle (RFA). We believe that we can visualize the pulmonary vascular excellently by optimized RFA which improves the signal intensity of pulmonary vascular and the contrast between pulmonary vascular and lung parenchyma. The purpose of this study is to optimize RFA in pulmonary vascular magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) imaging using STIR-TRANCE. Method: Pulmonary vascular MRA was performed in five normal volunteers. The department's ethics committee approved the study, and informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Before the STIR-TRANCE study, an ECG-gated single shot TSE (SS TSE) scan was performed to determine the timing of diastole. Later, the diastolic STIR-TRANCE imaging using both ECG and respiratory gating was performed with three different RFA (140 degree, 160 degree, and 180 degree). For physical evaluation, we used the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast and for visual evaluation, so we used the Scheffe's method. Results: SNR increases with increasing RFA. The contrast of 160 degree was significantly higher than the contrast of 180 degree. There was no significant difference in visual evaluation. Conclusion: From the perspective of specific absorption rate (SAR) reduction, we concluded that the optimal RFA for pulmonary vascular MRA in this study was 160 degree.

    Download PDF (746K)
  • Satoru Sato, Takeshi Okada
    2020 Volume 76 Issue 1 Pages 41-53
    Published: 2020
    Released on J-STAGE: January 20, 2020
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    In the tissue characterization of plaques using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T1-weighted imaging is important. However, T1-weighted imaging are obtained by various imaging methods, and show different contrasts depending on parameters such as repetition time, echo time, and inversion time. To evaluate the tissue characterization of plaques using MRI, the characteristics are estimated and evaluated using the strength of the plaque-to-muscle signal intensity ratio (PMR), which is the value obtained by dividing the signal intensity of the plaque by that of the sternocleidomastoid muscle or myocardium. In the present research, we aim to obtain the PMR by phantom experiment and grasp the image characteristics for T1 and T2 values of different T1-weighted imaging methods. In addition, since the PMR of the conventional spin echo (SE) method of T1-weighted imaging (two-dimensional (2D) T1WI SE) is reported to have high discrimination ability in plaque tissue characterization, the experimental results were compared with those of 2D T1WI SE. Among the protocols examined, 3D sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolutions, T1-variable, motion-sensitized driven equilibrium (1-axis 300 ms2*mT/m) + had the same tissue characterization ability as 2D T1 WI SE, and was the most suitable imaging method. Moreover, in the gradient echo method, the effect of T2 values was smaller than that of 2D T1 WI SE, and it was suggested that the PMR of the plaque may be lowered when there is a change in the tissue properties that the T2 value and T1 value are prolonged due to liquefaction. The results of this phantom experiment are expected help in selecting the imaging method aimed at optimization and the image characteristics of different T1-weighted imaging method can be grasped.

    Download PDF (2309K)
  • Ayaka Hirosawa, Kosuke Matsubara, Yasutaka Takei, Ikuo Kobayashi
    2020 Volume 76 Issue 1 Pages 54-63
    Published: 2020
    Released on J-STAGE: January 20, 2020
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    It is important to reduce the dose received by medical staffs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of protective curtain and the property of small optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters used for ambient dose measurement in fluoroscopy. The property of small OSL dosimeters was investigated in terms of uniformity, changing fluoroscopy time and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) thickness, and angular dependence. Paper pipes were assembled in glid shape and ambient dose was investigated by using small OSL dosimeters that were put on them with and without protective curtain. Air kerma was investigated by small OSL dosimeters that were put on a head phantom at the position of eyes. Dose response of small OSL dosimeters was independent of fluoroscopy time and PMMA thickness, so it is appropriate to measure ambient dose by small OSL dosimeters. In relation to ambient dose, there was significant difference with and without protective curtain (p<0.001, paired-t-test). These air kerma on the head phantom were reduced to approximately 20% by attaching protective curtain. In order to reduce the dose received by operators, it is desirable to use protective curtain.

    Download PDF (2045K)
Data
  • Tooru Ishibashi, Yasutaka Takei, Hajime Sakamoto, Yukari Yamashita, Ma ...
    2020 Volume 76 Issue 1 Pages 64-71
    Published: 2020
    Released on J-STAGE: January 20, 2020
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Purpose: It is very important to manage the radiation dose of cardiovascular interventional (CVI) procedures. Overseas, the diagnostic reference levels for cardiac interventional procedures were established with the air kerma at the patient entrance reference point (Ka,r) and the air kerma-area product (PKA). Although the Japan DRLs 2015 was established by the Japan Network for Research and Information on Medical Exposure (J-RIME), the Japan DRL for CVIs were established by fluoroscopic dose rates of 20 mGy/min at the patient entrance reference point with 20 cm thickness polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom. In the present our study, we performed a questionnaire survey of indicated values of angiographic parameters in CVI procedures. Methods: A nationwide questionnaire was sent by post to 765 facilities. Question focused on angiographic technology, exposure parameters and radiation doses as the displayed dosimetric parameters on the angiographic machine. Results: The recovery rate was 22.8% at 175 out of 765 facilities. In total 1728 cases of the coronary angiography (CAG), 1703 cases of the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 962 cases of the radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) and 377 cases of pediatric CVI. The 75th percentile value of Ka,r, PKA, fluoroscopy time (FT) and number of cine images (CI) for CAG, PCI, RFCA and pediatric CVI were 702, 2042, 644, and 159 mGy, respectively, 59.3, 152, 81.3, and 14.9 Gy・cm2, respectively, 10.2, 35.6, 61.1, and 35.6 min, respectively and 1503, 2672, 722, and 2378 images, respectively. Our investigation showed that the angiographic parameters were different in several CVI procedures. Conclusions: The displayed dosimetric parameters on the angiographic machine in CVI procedures showed different values. We should classify the dosimetric parameters for each procedure.

    Download PDF (792K)
  • Yasuwo Ide, Takashi Takagi, Takayuki Igarashi, Shunichi Ishizuka, Keni ...
    2020 Volume 76 Issue 1 Pages 72-83
    Published: 2020
    Released on J-STAGE: January 20, 2020
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    In June 2015, Japanese diagnostic reference levels (Japan DRLs 2015) was released by Japan Network for Research and Information on Medical Exposures (J-RIME). After six months the release of Japan DRLs 2015, we have conducted a questionnaire and received 222 responses from hospital staff regarding their perception level, and implementation on Japan DRLs 2015 at their facilities. 131 people (59.0%) were familiar with Japan DRLs 2015, of which 56 people (29.2%) were not currently implementation of them. A total of 66 people (30.1%) understood how to implement Japan DRLs 2015. There were 35 people (18.2%) who heard of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for the first time through this survey. Those are the levels of perception and implementation on Japan DRLs 2015 became clear. It is necessary to compare the dose levels used at each facility with Japan DRLs 2015 to optimize patient protection during medical exposure. It is essential to continue to grow the medical community’s understanding of DRLs with the expanded perception and implementation of this survey as an opinion poll across Japan.

    Download PDF (2406K)
The 75th Annual Meeting Educational Lecture
Educational Lecture-Roadmap for Safer Installation of Medical Accelerators-
Educational Lecture-Utilization of ImageJ in Radiological Technology-
Educational Lecture-How to Proceed Research in Radiological Technology: From Planning a Research Design to Submit a Research Article-
Basic Lecture-Quantitative Evaluation and Associated Uncertainties in Radiological Technology-
Students' Pages
JIRA Topics
feedback
Top