PURPOSE: To determine the physical properties of a newly developed cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured and compared the imaging properties for the indirect-type flat panel detector (FPD) of a new CBCT and the single detector array (SDA) of conventional helical CT (CHCT). RESULTS: First, the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the CBCT were superior to those of the CHCT. Second, the noise power spectrum (NPS) of the CBCT were worse than those of the CHCT. Third, detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of the indirect-type CBCT were worse than those of the CHCT at lower spatial frequencies, but were better at higher spatial frequencies. Although the comparison of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was estimated in the limited range of tube current, CNR of CBCT were worse than those of CHCT. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the indirect-type FPD system may be useful as a CBCT detector because of high resolution.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* ; Noise ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Aiming at the problem of timeliness of CBCT reconstruction, a CBCT fast short scan reconstruction method is proposed. At the same time, the image reconstruction process in which a new attenuation compensation algorithm is applied to improve image quality. When performing FDK three-dimensional reconstruction of a single-frame acquisition image, the Parker-weighted image is calculated in real time, and a new attenuation compensation algorithm is applied in the back projection process to complete the short scan Parker-weighted reconstruction. This method simulates the CBCT synchronous acquisition and reconstruction process by establishing collection and reconstruction threads. Under the premise of satisfying the reconstruction quality, the reconstruction can be completed within 1 to 2 seconds after the patient collection is completed, which achieves the purpose of real-time.
Algorithms ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Spiral Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively analyze image quality of two sets of phantom (CatPhan504 and Cheese) Megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) images acquired by Helical Tomotherapy with three scanning modes (Fine, Normal and Coarse), and to explore and validate a semi-automatic quality assurance procedure for MVCT images of Helical Tomotherapy. METHODS: On Helical Tomotherapy, CatPan504 and Cheese phantoms were scanned with three pitch levels (Fine, Normal, Coarse: 4 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm/circle) respectively. Pylinac, Matlab and Eclipse were used to calculate and compare spatial resolution, noise level and low contrast resolution of images obtained under three scanning modes respectively. The spatial resolution can be evaluated by the blurring of line-pair CT value in the images of CatPhan504's CTP528 module. The noise level can be evaluated by the integral non-uniformity in the images of Cheese's uniformity module. the low contrast resolution can be evaluated by contrast-to-noise ratio of both phantoms' plug-in module, or visibility of the region of interest (Supra-Slice) in the images of CatPhan504's CTP515 module. RESULTS: Analyses on CatPhan504's line pair module(CTP528 module) showed that the first three line pairs(the gap size are 0.500 cm, 0.250 cm and 0.167 cm respectively) could be clearly observed but blurring began to occur from the fourth line pair(the gap size is 0.125 cm) under Coarse mode. Meanwhile, the first four line pairs were all observable under the Normal and Fine modes. Integral non-integrity index(the value negatively correlated with the noise level) were 0.155 7, 0.136 8 and 0.122 9 for Coarse, Normal and Fine modes respectively. None of the Supra-Slice in CatPhan504's CTP515 module could be observed under three imaging modes. Low contrast contrast-to-noise ratio of Cheese phantom was similar under three modes and the insert visibility exhibited nearly linear growth with the increasing difference between CT average value of the insert material and background. CONCLUSION Superiority and inferiority of three image modes in terms of the three image quality index was not consistent. Evaluation results above could provide reference for more rational decision on scanning modes selection of helical tomotherapy, which was based on image visualization demands in clinical practice. The proposed method could also provide guidance for similar image quality assessment and periodic quality assurance.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: We compared the contrast enhancement patterns of hepatocellular carcinomas(HCC), hemangiomas, and metastasis on two phase imagings to determine the value of two phase dynamic CT in the differential diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two phases spiral volumetric CT scan were obtained 45 seconds and 6 minutes after bolus injection of contrast material in 106 patients. A bolus of 100 mL of nonionic contrast material was administered intravenously at a injection rate of 2 mL/sec. RESULT:In Hepatocollular carcinoma, 47% were totally hyperdense and 30% were totally hypodense in early phase, and 82% were totally hypodense in late phase. In hemangioma, 90% were peripherally hyperdense in early phase, 52% were isodense and 27% were totally hyperdense in late phase. In metastatic liver malignancies, 65% were hypodense and 32% were peripherally hyperdense in early phase, and 79% were hypodense in late phase. CONCLUSION: Two phases spiral volumetric CT scaning is considered to be heplful in the differential diagnosis of hepatic tumors.
Diagnosis, Differential* ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Liver ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Spiral Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

Recent research in endodontics has highlighted the need for three-dimensional imaging in the clinical arena as well as in research. Three-dimensional imaging using computed tomography (CT) has been used in endodontics over the past decade. Three types of CT scans have been studied in endodontics, namely cone-beam CT, spiral CT, and peripheral quantitative CT. Contemporary endodontics places an emphasis on the use of cone-beam CT for an accurate diagnosis of parameters that cannot be visualized on a two-dimensional image. This review discusses the role of CT in endodontics, pertaining to its importance in the diagnosis of root canal anatomy, detection of peri-radicular lesions, diagnosis of trauma and resorption, presurgical assessment, and evaluation of the treatment outcome.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Diagnosis ; Endodontics* ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional* ; Spiral Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: We designed the aft-multiple-slit (AMS) system to reduce scatter in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). As a preliminary study, we performed a Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code (MCNP) simulation to verify the effectiveness of this system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MCNPX code was used to build the AMS geometry. An AMS is an equi-angled arc to consider beam divergence. The scatter-reduced projection images were compared with the primary images only and the primary plus scatter radiation images with and without AMS to evaluate the effectiveness of scatter reduction. To obtain the full 2 dimensional (2D) projection image, the whole AMS system was moved to obtain closed septa of the AMS after the first image acquisition. RESULTS: The primary radiation with and without AMS is identical to all the slit widths, but the profiles of the primary plus scattered radiation varied according to the slit widths in the 2D projection image. The average scatter reduction factors were 29%, 15%, 9%, and 8% when the slit widths were 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, and 20 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: We have evaluated the scatter reduction effect of the AMS in CBCT imaging using the Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. A preliminary study based on the MCNP simulations showed a mount of scatter reduction with the proposed system.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVE: CBCT has become popular for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning in recent times. The 3D pharyngeal airway space needs to be analysed using a 3D diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to analyse the pharyngeal airway of different craniofacial morphology using CBCT. METHODS: The sample compromised 102 subjects divided into 3 groups (Class I, II, III) and 6 subgroups according to normal or vertical craniofacial patterns. All samples had CBCT (VCT, Vatech, Seoul, Korea) taken for orthodontic treatment. The pharyngeal airway was assessed according to the reference planes: aa plane (the most anterior point on the anterior arch of atlas), CV2 plane, and CV3 plane (most infero-anterior point on the body of the second & third cervical vertebra). The intergroup comparison was performed with one-way ANOVA and duncan test as a second step. RESULTS: The results showed the pharyngeal airway and anteroposterior width of group 2 (Class II) in aa plane, CV2 plane, CV3 plane were significant narrower than in group 3 (Class III). There was no significant difference between vertical and normal craniofacial patterns except for the anteroposterior pharyngeal width of Group 1 (Class I) in aa plane. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with Class II patterns have a significantly narrower pharyngeal airway than those with Class III. However there was no difference in pharyngeal airway between vertical and normal craniofacial morphology.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

This article briefly describes the imaging performance standards of the kilovolt X-ray image guidance system used in radiotherapy, analyzes the main aspects that should be considered in the image quality of X-IGRT system, and focuses on parameters that should be considered in the imaging performance evaluation criteria of the CBCT X-IGRT. The purpose is to sort out the imaging performance evaluation standards of kilovolt X-IGRT system, clarify the image quality requirements of X-IGRT equipment, and reach a consensus when evaluating the imaging performance of X-IGRT system.
Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography/methods* ; Spiral Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated/methods* ; Radiotherapy, Image-Guided/methods*

After over one decade development, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been widely accepted for clinical application in almost every field of dentistry. Meanwhile, the radiation dose of CBCT to patient has also caused broad concern. According to the literature, the effective radiation doses of CBCTs in nowadays market fall into a considerably wide range that is from 19 microSv to 1073 microSv and closely related to the imaging detector, field of view, and voxel sizes used for scanning. To deeply understand the potential risk from CBCT, this report also reviewed the effective doses from literatures on intra-oral radiograph, panoramic radiograph, lateral and posteroanterior cephalometric radiograph, multi-slice CT, and so on. The protection effect of thyroid collar and leaded glasses were also reviewed.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dentistry ; Eyeglasses ; Glass ; Humans ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiation Protection ; Thyroid Gland ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of automated computer aided volumetry for simulated small pulmonary nodules at computed tomography using various types of phantoms MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three sets of synthetic nodules (small, calcified and those adjacent to vessels) were studied. The volume of the nodules in each set was already known, and using multi-slice CT, volumetric data for each nodule was acquired from the three-dimensional reconstructed image. The volume was calculated by applying three different threshold values using Rapidia(R) software (3D-Med, Seoul, Korea). RESULTS: Relative errors in the measured volume of synthetic pulmonary nodules were 17.3, 2.9, and 11.5% at -200, -400, and -600 HU, respectively, and there was good correlation between true volume and measured volume at -400 HU (r=0.96, p<0.001). For calcified nodules, relative errors in measured volume were 10.9, 5.3, and 16.5% at -200, -400, and -600 HU, respectively, and there was good correlation between true volume and measured volume at -400 HU (r=1.03, p<0.001). In cases involving synthetic nodules adjacent to vessels, relative errors were 4.6, 16.3, and 31.2 % at -200, -400, and -600 HU, respectively. There was good correlation between true volume and measured volume at -200 HU (r=1.1, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Using computer-aided volumetry, the measured volumes of synthetic nodules correlated closely with their true volume. Measured volumes were the same at each threshold level, regardless of window setting.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Seoul