본 논문에서는 피폭선량 절감을 위해 기존의 선량보다 낮은 선량으로 CT검사를 했을 경우에 병변의 유무를 충분히 가릴 수 있는지 scan parameter(절편두께, Helical Pitch)와 3차원으로 영상재구성시 threshold값의 설정에 따른 영상의 변화정도를 3차원 영상화를 통하여 시료의 체적 변화를 알아보고, 피폭선량절감을 위한 CT에서 허용 가능한 scanparameter를 찾고자 연구를 시도하였다. 실험방법으로는 실리콘을 이용하여 시료를 제작하였으며, 이때 시료의 크기는 직경이 50, 40, 30, 20, 10mm로 10mm 간격으로 5개의 구형 모형을 제작하였고, 5개의 시료를 관전압, 관전류를각각 120Kvp, 50mA로 고정하고, 단면두께(1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0mm), Helical Pitch(1.5, 2.0, 3.0)를 각각 변화시켜 Scan 하고 영상 간의 interval은 (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0mm)로 구성하여, 영상을 workstation으로 전송하고, VolumeRendering Technique를 사용하여 threshold(-200,-50,50 ~1,000) 값을 변화시키면서 3차원 영상으로 재구성하고, 시료의체적을 측정하였다. 실험결과 Helical pitch가 1.5일 때 체적변화가 가장 적었고, Helical pitch가 3.0일 때 체적변화가 가장 많이 감소하였으며, 절편두께가 증가할수록 시료의 체적도 실측치보다 감소한다는 것을 실험을 통해 확인 할 수 있었다. 또한 3차원 영상재구성시 threshold 범위를 -200~1,000으로 설정한 경우, 시료의 체적의 변화가 가장 적은 것으로나타났다.

This study examined the change of artifact volume by analyzing the level of image change associated with the setting of threshold through 3D imaging in scan parameter(slice thickness and helical pitch) and 3D image reconstruction to explore whether the presence of pathology was fully distinguished when CT was taken by lower dose than the existent dose to reduce exposure. Furthermore, this study attempted to investigate Scan Parameter acceptable in CT to reduce exposure dose. For materials and methods, silicon was used to produce samples. Five spherical samples were produced at 10-millimeter intervals(50, 40, 30, 20, and 10 mm) in diameter and were fixed at 120 Kvp of tube voltage and 50 mA of tube current. Varied slab thickness((1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0mm) and Helical Pitch(1.5, 2.0, 3.0) were scanned. The image at an interval of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0mm was transmitted to the workstation. Threshold(-200, -50, 50 ~ 1,000) was changed using the volume rendering technique, 3D image was reconstructed, and artifact volume was measured. In conclusion, 1.5 of Helical Pitch showed the least change of volume and 3.0 of helical pitch showed the greatest reduction of volume change. The experiment suggested that as slice thickness was increased, artifact volume was decreased more than actual measurement. Furthermore, in the 3D image reconstruction, when the range of threshold was set as -200 ~1,000, artifact volume was changed the least. Based on the results, it is expected to have an effect of reducing exposure dose.

• 이준행(남부대학교 방사선학과) | JunHaeng Lee Corresponding Author