Showing papers in "Iranian Journal of Medical Physics in 2009"

Automatic detection of microaneurysms in color fundus images using a local radon transform method

Abstract: Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most serious and most frequent eye diseases in the world and the most common cause of blindness in adults between 20 and 60 years of age. Following 15 years of diabetes, about 2% of the diabetic patients are blind and 10% suffer from vision impairment due to DR complications. This paper addresses the automatic detection of microaneurysms (MA) in color fundus images, which plays a key role in computer-assisted early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy. Materials and Methods: The algorithm can be divided into three main steps. The purpose of the first step or pre-processing is background normalization and contrast enhancement of the images. The second step aims to detect candidates, i.e., all patterns possibly corresponding to MA, which is achieved using a local radon transform, Then, features are extracted, which are used in the last step to automatically classify the candidates into real MA or other objects using the SVM method. A database of 100 annotated images was used to test the algorithm. The algorithm was compared to manually obtained gradings of these images. Results: The sensitivity of diagnosis for DR was 100%, with specificity of 90% and the sensitivity of precise MA localization was 97%, at an average number of 5 false positives per image. Discussion and Conclusion: Sensitivity and specificity of this algorithm make it one of the best methods in this field. Using the local radon transform in this algorithm eliminates the noise sensitivity for MA detection in retinal image analysis.

Evaluation of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and Their Probable Relationship with Hematological Changes among Operators in Heavy Metal Industry

Abstract: Introduction: It is important that biological and health effects from the induction of currents and fields in the body by extremely low frequency (ELF) fields are fully explored to determine the effects produced at the molecular, cellular and organ levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the intensity of ELF electromagnetic fields and its probable relationship with hematological changes among operators in a heavy metal industry site. This is a case study. In the present study, 205 workers exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) were working in four categories: (1) induction furnace workers, (2) induction hardening workers, (3) welders, (4) computer operators. Material and Methods: A variety of methods for exposure assessment have been devised and applied to epidemiological studies of the effects of EMF in occupational settings. The methods range from rather crude job-classification methods, to sophisticated job-exposure matrix (JEM) modeling based on personal exposure measurements and reconstruction of past exposure. Monitoring procedures were carried out to measure the levels of exposure to ELF electric and magnetic fields. The strength of the electric and magnetic fields were measured by a dosimetric method (NIOSH 203).Workers’ blood samples were collected and analyzed for identifying different blood parameters. The results of hematological changes of workers in their medical files were also used for evaluation. Results: Measurements showed a high strength of ELF field at the induction furnace workplace. Total electric field ranged from 2.3 to 2452.3 V/M and magnetic field from 1 to 325.1 μT. In other workshops including induction hardening, total electric field ranged from 2.45 to 68.5 V/M, magnetic field from 1.3 to 20.4 μT, total electric field from 1.02 to 11.23 V/M, magnetic field from 0.12 to 3.25 μT in the welding department and finally for computer operators this range was 20.1 to 186.2 V/M for electric field and 0.07 to 0.25 μT for magnetic field. Conclusion: Mean value of WBC and MCV increased significantly among exposed induction furnace workers group (P < 0.05), but RBC decreased. Mean value of WBC, MCHC and MCV increased significantly among the exposed induction hardening workers group (P < 0.05), but RBC and Hgb decreased. Mean value of WBC, MCV and Hgb increased significantly among the exposed welders group (P < 0.05), but Hgb in relation with age decreased. Mean value of RBC and MCH decreased significantly among exposed computer operators group (P < 0.05).

Design and fabrication of the control part of a prototype multileaf collimator system

Abstract: Multileaf collimator (MLC) is among the radiation field shaping systems used for conformal radiotherapy and intensity modulation radiation therapy techniques. The MLC system we have designed and fabricated includes 52 leaves, 52 stepper motors, 2 DC motors, 16 programmable logic controllers (PLC) and one Human Machine Interface (HMI). This system is able to be mounted on the conventional linear accelerators (linac) as an add-on accessory. The 52 leaves are mounted on 2 carriages that are moved independently. The leaves sequence acquired from an image processing of CT images is used to arrange leaves. This sequence is saved in a text file. The leaves are arranged as follows: a) using HMI, it is possible to test the operation of PLCs and enter the numerical values of the leaves edges by hand; b) using labVIEW program, an executable file is developed that is graphical user interface between the operator and the control system of MLC. In this program, it is possible to load the file including sequence leaves edges and then view the leaves arrangement obtained through the encoder feedback of each motor.

Evaluation of mri-based polymer gel dosimetry for measurement of ct dose index (ctdi) on 64 slices ct scanners

Abstract: Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) has numerous applications in clinical procedures but its main problem is its high radiation dose to the patients compared to other imaging modalities using x-ray. CT delivers approximately high doses to the nearby tissues due to the scattering effect, fan beam (beam divergence) and limited collimator efficiency. The radiation dose from multi-slice scanners is greater than the single-slice scanners and since multi-slice scanners increasingly employ a wide beam, 100 mm ion chambers currently used in measuring the CTDI100, are not capable of accurately measuring the total dose profile of the slice width. Therefore, the CT dose is underestimated by using them. The purpose of this study is to measure the Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI) of a GE multi-slice CT scanner (64-slice) using polymer gel dosimetry based on MRI imaging (MRPD). CTDI is the sum of point doses along the central axis and estimates the average patient dose during CT scanning. Materials and Methods: For measuring CTDI, after designing and fabricating the phantom and preparing the MAGIC gel, MRI imaging using a 1.5 T Siemens MRI scanner was performed with the imaging parameters of ST = 2 mm, NEX = 1, TE = 20-640 ms and TR = 2000 ms. CTDI was measured with a 100 mm ion chamber (CTDI100) and also the MAGIC gel with MRPD method for 10 mm and 40 mm CT scan nominal widths. Results: Following the measurement of the CTDI100 for 10 mm and 40 mm nominal slice widths of the multi-slice scanner using both ion chamber and MAGIC gel, the results showed that the ion chamber underestimates CTDI100 by 28.71% and 14.03% compared to gel for 10 mm and 40 mm respectively. Discussion and Conclusion: It was concluded from this study that gel dosimeters have the capability to measure CTDI in wide beams of multi-slice CT scanners whereas 100 mm standard ion chamber due to its limited length is not reliable even for a 10 mm beam width. In addition, due to the 3 dimensional nature of gel dosimetry, by using a MAGIC polymer gel, it is possible to obtain a lot of important information from the mentioned profiles such as the actual slice thickness and z-axis geometric efficiency. In addition to the stated parameters, the percentages of the total and partial homogeneities in the slice plane can be obtained only from gel dosimetry. The results of this study show that MAGIC polymer gel dosimetry based on MRI can be used as a supplementary method to using conventional ion chamber dosimetry especially in measurements for slice widths greater than 2 mm.

Monte carlo simulation of a linear accelerator and electron beam parameters used in radiotherapy

Abstract: Introduction: In recent decades, several Monte Carlo codes have been introduced for research and medical applications. These methods provide both accurate and detailed calculation of particle transport from linear accelerators. The main drawback of Monte Carlo techniques is the extremely long computing time that is required in order to obtain a dose distribution with good statistical accuracy. Material and Methods: In this study, the MCNP-4C Monte Carlo code was used to simulate the electron beams generated by a Neptun 10 PC linear accelerator. The depth dose curves and related parameters to depth dose and beam profiles were calculated for 6, 8 and 10 MeV electron beams with different field sizes and these data were compared with the corresponding measured values. The actual dosimetry was performed by employing a Welhofer-Scanditronix dose scanning system, semiconductor detectors and ionization chambers. Results: The result showed good agreement (better than 2%) between calculated and measured depth doses and lateral dose profiles for all energies in different field sizes. Also good agreements were achieved between calculated and measured related electron beam parameters such as E0, Rq, Rp and R50. Conclusion: The simulated model of the linac developed in this study is capable of computing electron beam data in a water phantom for different field sizes and the resulting data can be used to predict the dose distributions in other complex geometries.

An assessment of the Photon Contamination due to Bremsstrahlung Radiation in the Electron Beams of a NEPTUN 10PC Linac using a Monte Carlo Method

Abstract: Introduction: In clinical electron beams, most of bremsstrahlung radiation is produced by various linac head structures. This bremsstrahlung radiation dose is influenced by the geometry and construction of every component of the linac treatment head structures. Thus, it can be expected that the amount of the contaminated photon dose due to bremsstrahlung radiation varies among different linacs, even for the same electron beam energy. The aims of this study were to simulate the NEPTUN 10PC linac electron beams and to calculate the photon contamination dose due to bremsstrahlung radiation in these beams using a Monte Carlo method. Materials and methods: A NEPTUN 10PC linac was simulated in its electron mode using the BEAMnrc code. This linac can provide three electron beam energies of 6, 8 and 10 MeV. Detailed information required for the simulation, including the geometry and materials of various components of the linac treatment head, was provided by the vender. For all simulations, the cut-off energies for electron and photon transport were set at ECUT=0.521 MeV and PCUT=0.010 MeV, respectively. The KS statistical test was used for validation of the simulated models. Then, relevant bremsstrahlung radiation doses for the three electron beam energies of the linac were calculated for the reference field using the Monte Carlo method. Results: The KS test showed a good agreement between the calculated values (resulting from the simulations) and the measured ones. The results showed that the amount of contaminated photon dose due to bremsstrahlung radiation from various components of the simulated linac at the surface of the phantom was between 0.2%-0.5% of the maximum dose for the three electron beam energies. Conclusion: Considering the good agreement between the measured and simulated data, it can be concluded that the simulation method as well as the calculated bremsstrahlung doses have been made at a good level of accuracy and precision. The results of this study indicate that photon contamination in the NEPTUN 10PC electron beams is not significant. Therefore, it seems that this linac can be used for total skin electron irradiation.

Detection of Cardiac Artery Disease by Using the DCAD (b) Module

Abstract: Introduction: In patients with cardiac artery disease, a myocardial perfusion scan, which is a non-invasive method, is utilized. This study is conducted to develop an advantageous software applicable to quantitative myocardial SPECT perfusion. Material and Methods: Each cross-section of the left ventricle was segmented by applying a fuzzy clustering method. After obtaining the myocardial skeleton of the left ventricle from its short axis cross sections, we made use of fuzzy logic to decide whether the pixel belongs to the myocardial muscle and any perfusion perturbation or not. The reconstructed image was divided into 18 equivolume sectors. The features were extracted in each sector and, finally, were compared with a normal data bank. Results: Abnormal critical conditions in rest and stress studies and coronary artery disease diagnosis were investigated in a set of about 317 images. Measurement and allocation of different myocardial sectors to specific coronary arteries were accomplished by utilizing collected information about the patients (75 men and 62 women), and the validity of the artery obstruction diagnosis has been proven in 40 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Conclusion: Our developed software DCAD (b) has demonstrated a considerably good performance in the diagnosis of coronary artery occlusion and can be a promising method aiding nuclear medicine specialists in their diagnosis.

Evaluation of Patients’ Exposure during Angiography and Angioplasty Procedures in the Angiography Department of Shahid Madani Hospital in Tabriz

Abstract: Introduction: Coronary angiography and angioplasty procedures lead to significant radiation exposure of patients. In the current study, the average radiation dose to patients during angiography in the Angiography Department of Shahid-Madani Hospital was determined. Materials and Methods: An image intensifier based angiography unit (Philips BH 3000) was used for angiography procedures. The accuracy of the internal dosimeter was verified. Dose-area products (DAP) of patients (236 cases) during fluoroscopy and cine acquisition were recorded. Analyzing the data, the average radiation doses to patients for angiography and angioplasty and also for fluoroscopy and cine acquisition were determined. Additionally, the average fluoroscopy time for all patients was estimated. Results: The average DAPs of 23.7 and 91.5 Gycm2 were estimated for angiography and angioplasty respectively. Patient doses including fluoroscopy, cine acquisition and the total dose for angiography were 2, 7.7 and 3.8 times lower than angioplasty procedures respectively. Average fluoroscopy time was 1.9 times lower for angiography compared to angioplasty. Discussion and Conclusion: Fluoroscopy time and patient dose during fluoroscopy were in good agreement with other studies. However, the dose to patients during angioplasty was higher compared to other reports. To reduce patient dose in angioplasty procedures, the use of the lowest available frame rate, smallest field size and retraining of operators and technologists are recommended.

Calculation of the scattered radiation profile in 64 slice ct scanners using experimental measurement

Abstract: Introduction: One of the most important parameters in x-ray CT imaging is the noise induced by detected scattered radiation. The detected scattered radiation is completely dependent on the scanner geometry as well as size, shape and material of the scanned object. The magnitude and spatial distribution of the scattered radiation in x-ray CT should be quantified for development of robust scatter correction techniques. Empirical methods based on blocking the primary photons in a small region are not able to extract scatter in all elements of the detector array while the scatter profile is required for a scatter correction procedure. In this study, we measured scatter profiles in 64 slice CT scanners using a new experimental measurement. Material and Methods: To measure the scatter profile, a lead block array was inserted under the collimator and the phantom was exposed at the isocenter. The raw data file, which contained detector array readouts, was transferred to a PC and was read using a dedicated GUI running under MatLab 7.5. The scatter profile was extracted by interpolating the shadowed area. Results: The scatter and SPR profiles were measured. Increasing the tube voltage from 80 to 140 kVp resulted in an 80% fall off in SPR for a water phantom (d=210 mm) and 86% for a polypropylene phantom (d = 350 mm). Increasing the air gap to 20.9 cm caused a 30% decrease in SPR. Conclusion: In this study, we presented a novel approach for measurement of scattered radiation distribution and SPR in a CT scanner with 64-slice capability using a lead block array. The method can also be used on other multi-slice CT scanners. The proposed technique can accurately estimate scatter profiles. It is relatively straightforward, easy to use, and can be used for any related measurement.

Electron beam dosimetry in heterogeneous phantoms using a magic normoxic polymer gel

Abstract: Recently, radiation sensitive polymer gels are being used as a reliable dosimetry method for three-dimensional (3D) verification of radiation doses in clinical use. Some properties of gel dosimeters have made them useful in verifying complex situations in electron therapy. The aim of this work is to investigate the capability of normoxic polymer gel for determining electron dose distributions in presence of small heterogeneities (bone & air).