<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Monte Carlo Calculations of Selected Dose Components in a Head Model for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy</title>Boron Neutron Capture Therapy is a very promising form of cancer therapy, consisting in irradiating a stable isotope of boron (10B) concentrated in tumor cells with a low energy neutron beam. This technique makes it possible to destroy tumor cells, leaving healthy tissues practically unaffected. In order to carry out the therapy in the proper way, the proper range of the neutron beam energy has to be chosen.In this paper we present the results of the calculations, using the MCNP code, aiming at studying the energetic dependence of the absorbed dose from the neutron capture reaction on boron (the therapeutic dose), and hydrogen and nitrogen (the injuring dose).</abstract>

Monte Carlo Calculations of Selected Dose Components in a Head Model for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>True Beam medical linear accelerator is capable of delivering flattening filter free (FFF) and with flattening filter (WFF) photon beams. True Beam linear accelerator is equipped with five photon beam energies (6 FFF, 6 WFF, 10 FFF, 10 WFF and 15 WFF) as well as six electron beam energies (6 MeV, 9 MeV, 12 MeV, 15 MeV and 18 MeV). The maximum dose rate for the 6 WFF, 10 WFF and 15 WFF is 600 MU/min, whereas 6 FFF has a maximum dose rate of 1400 MU/min and 10 FFF with a maximum dose rate of 2400 MU/min. In this report we discussed the open beam dosimetric characteristics of True Beam medical linear accelerator with FFF and WFF beam. All the dosimetric data (i.e. depth dose, cross-line profiles, diagonal profiles, output factors, MLC transmission, etc.) for 6 MV, 6 FFF, 10 MV, 10 FFF and 15 MV were measured and compared with the published data of the True Beam. Multiple detectors were used in order to obtain a consistent dataset. The measured data has a good consistency with the reference golden beam data. The measured beam quality index for all the beams are in good agreement with the published data. The percentage depth dose at 10 cm depth of all the available photon beams was within the tolerance of the Varian acceptance specification. The dosimetric data shows consistent and comparable results with the published data of other True Beam linear accelerators. The dosimetric data provide us an appreciated perception and consistent among the published data and may be used for future references.</abstract>

Open beam dosimetric characteristics of True Beam medical linear accelerator with flattening filter (WFF) and flattening filter free (FFF) beam

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>IEC/EN standards relating to diagnostic radiology equipment, and testing according to these standards</title>The paper gives an outlook of history, present and future of international (IEC) and European (EN) standards relating to diagnostic radiology equipment. These standards may be safety, quality assurance or performance standards; all of them include testing methods. Elaboration and publication of a new series of safety standards is in progress.Acceptance and conformance testing activity of the accredited Radiohygiene Department Laboratory of NRIRR according to these standards is reported.</abstract>

National Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene (NRIRR), Budapest, Hungary

IEC & CENELEC TC62 Hungarian National Committee, Budapest, Hungary

IEC/EN standards relating to diagnostic radiology equipment, and testing according to these standards

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>The design of an insulin pump - preliminary requirements (a technical note)</title>The material presented in this paper is an attempt to lay down requirements for the planned design of an insulin pump. An insulin pump is a device for continuous dosage of insulin at a selected rate, which facilitates treatment and improves the lives of diabetic patients. This paper is a compilation of medical requirements and user suggestions of presently offered insulin pumps.It seems important to establish proper requirements for a device before starting developing any design for an insulin pump.</abstract>

The design of an insulin pump - preliminary requirements (a technical note)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> This paper presents the set of procedures developed in Radiation Protection Measurements Laboratory at National Centre for Nuclear Research for evaluation of shielding properties of high performance concrete. The purpose of such procedure is to characterize the material behaviour against gamma and neutron radiation. The range of the densities of the concrete specimens was from 2300 to 3900 kg/m3. The shielding properties against photons were evaluated using 137Cs and 60Co sources. The neutron radiation measurements have been performed by measuring the transmitted radiation from 239PuBe source. Scattered neutron radiation has been evaluated using the shadow cone technique. A set up of ionization chambers was used during all experiments. The gamma dose was measured using C-CO2 ionization chamber. The neutron dose was evaluated with recombination chamber of REM-2 type with appropriate recombination method applied. The method to distinguish gamma and neutron absorbed dose components in mixed radiation fields using twin detector method was presented. Also, recombination microdosimetric method was applied for the obtained results. Procedures to establish consecutive half value layers and tenth value layers (HVL and TVL) for gamma and neutron radiation were presented. Measured HVL and TVL values were linked with concrete density to highlight well known dependence. Also, influence of specific admixtures to concrete on neutron attenuation properties was studied. The results confirmed the feasibility of approach for the radiation shielding investigations.</abstract>

Experimental investigation on radiation shielding of high performance concrete for nuclear and radiotherapy facilities

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Electron beam characteristics at extended source to surface distance for a Clinac-DHX linear accelerator</title>A uniform dose to the target site is required with a knowledge of delivered dose, central axis depth dose and beam flatness for successful electron treatment at an extended source to surface distance (SSD). In an extended SSD treatment under dosage of the lateral tissue may occur due to reduced beam flatness. To study the changes in beam characteristics, the depth dose curves, beam flatness and isodose distributions were measured at different SSDs from 100 to 120 cm for clinically used field sizes from (4×4) to (25×25) cm2 and beam energies ranging from 6 MeV to 20 MeV. Our results suggest that the change in depth dose is minimal except in the buildup region for most energy. In general surface dose is decreased as the SSD increased moderately. It was observed that the loss in beam flatness is significant for smaller fields, higher isodose lines, and lower energies. The penumbra enlarged and the uniformity index reduced with increasing SSD.</abstract>

Electron beam characteristics at extended source to surface distance for a Clinac-DHX linear accelerator

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Introduction: </italic>The brain is harmed by a medical condition known as a stroke when the blood vessels in the brain burst. Symptoms may appear when the brain’s flow of blood and other nutrients is disrupted. The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that stroke is the leading cause of disability and death worldwide. A stroke can be made less severe by detecting its different warning symptoms early. A brain stroke can be quickly diagnosed using computed tomography (CT) images. Time is passing quickly, although experts are studying every brain CT scan. This situation can cause therapy to be delayed and mistakes to be made. As a result, we focused on using an effective transfer learning approach for stroke detection.
<italic>Material and methods: </italic>To improve the detection accuracy, the stroke-affected region of the brain is segmented using the Red Fox optimization algorithm (RFOA). The processed area is then further processed using the Advanced Dragonfly Algorithm. The segmented image extracts include morphological, wavelet features, and grey-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM). Modified ResNet152V2 is then used to classify the images of Normal and Stroke. We use the Brain Stroke CT Image Dataset to conduct tests using Python for implementation.
<italic>Results</italic>: Per the performance analysis, the proposed approach outperformed the other deep learning algorithms, achieving the best accuracy of 99.25%, sensitivity of 99.65%, F1-score of 99.06%, precision of 99.63%, and specificity of 99.56%.
<italic>Conclusions: </italic>The proposed deep learning-based classification system returns the best possible solution among all input predictive models considering performance criteria and improves the system’s efficacy; hence, it can assist doctors and radiologists in a better way to diagnose Brain Stroke patients.
</abstract>

Modified ResNet152v2: Binary Classification and Hybrid Segmentation of Brain Stroke Using Transfer Learning-Based Approach

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Introduction: </italic>The use of X-ray equipment for medical diagnostic radiography procedures has increased due to advances and complexity of radiological procedures. Achieving good image quality while keeping exposure of workers, public and patient exposure to an acceptable level has become a prerequisite for the radiology department in order to comply with best international practices. The aim of this study was to undertake quality control measurement of seven (7) diagnostic radiography equipment in the south of Benin, the first of its kind.
<italic>Material and methods: </italic>Multifunction detector (Piranha) and beam alignment test tool were used to perform quality control tests on seven (7) X-ray units. The method used as well as the interpretation of the results was based on the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Healing Arts Radiation Protection (HARP), Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Canadian Safety code 35 (S.C 35) recommendations.
<italic>Results: </italic>The quality control results showed that all X-ray equipment investigated were within standard limits for accuracy of exposure time below 10 ms; reproducibility of kVp, exposure time and dose output; specific dose-kVp2 linearity; and specific dose-mAs linearity. Five (5) out of seven (7) diagnostic X-ray machines passed quality control tests such as X-ray beam alignment, exposure time above 10 ms and kVp accuracy. One (1) X-ray machine failed the quality control test of beam filtration at 70 kVp and above.
<italic>Conclusions: </italic>The findings of this study have provided baseline data for other radiology departments to embark on similar QA/QC activities, and also explore options for optimization of patient dose. However, there is a need to extend the study to cover more diagnostic X-ray machines throughout the country. It is anticipated that this would ultimately assist in improving radiation protection and safety during medical diagnostic radiological procedures.
</abstract>

First implementation of quality control procedures on selected X-ray machines in South of Benin

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Introduction: </italic>Asymptomatic inflammatory foci resulting from chronic dental infections or the presence of foreign bodies, e.g., in the sinuses, leading to serious local and systemic complications. These conditions, despite the absence of symptoms, are a source of bacterial, toxic, allergic, and neurogenic effects. Despite the developed radiological diagnostics in the form of pantomographic images and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), thermal imaging is increasingly mentioned as an auxiliary tool in detecting and treating inflammatory foci of the craniofacial region. It is due that thermal imaging can bring indirectly metabolic information about studied tissues and thus allow the detection of early inflammatory lesions yet not invisible on X-ray diagnostics. The purpose of the study was to apply and validate a protocol for identifying asymptomatic inflammatory foci in the maxillofacial area using thermal imaging.
<italic>Material and methods: </italic>Patients referred to the institute were examined for the presence of inflammatory foci. Analysis of radiographs revealed asymptomatic foci in the maxillary sinus, which were associated with the presence of a displaced foreign body. Thermographic examinations were performed using a FLIR T540 thermal imaging camera.
<italic>Results: </italic>The obtained results showed a significant temperature difference between the suspected and opposite sinus. It was also confirmed that after the foreign body was removed from the sinus the temperature showed a dynamic decrease in time.
<italic>Conclusions: </italic>According to the study, thermography has the potential to become an essential diagnostic tool for inflammation of odontogenic origin. It offers non-invasiveness, safety, real-time imaging, painless and completely safe.
</abstract>

The use of thermovision in the detection of asymptomatic facial inflammation – Pilot study

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Introduction:</italic> Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most widely used diagnostic procedures in modern medicine. Despite many technical improvements, CT still exposes patients to significantly higher doses of radiation than other methods of diagnostic imaging. The presented analysis of the number of CT scans performed in Poland in 2022 aims to designate priorities in the process of optimising radiation protection and makes it possible to identify those examinations and patient groups for which action is particularly justified.
<italic>Material and methods:</italic> The data presented is based on an analysis of the National Health Fund (NHF) database of medical services reimbursed in 2022. According to the NHF data, approximately 5.1 million CT examinations were performed. The coding of reimbursed medical procedures used by the NHF in 2022 included 45 different CT procedures.
<italic>Results:</italic> The highest ratio of the number of examinations performed to the number of patients was found in the age group 59-75 years (average 1.35). This ratio varied according to examination type and was closest to 1 for spine and extremities examinations (between 1.1 and 1.2 on average). Irrespective of patients’ age and type of examination, the proportion of female and male patients fluctuates around 50%. Approximately 82% of head and neck examinations are single-phase CTs. Examinations with two or more phases account for about 17% and less than 1%, respectively.
<italic>Conclusions:</italic> Over the past 10 years, both the number of CT scanners and the number of annually performed scans have doubled. Relative to the population size, this is a rate of about 22 scanners per one million people, an average level for European countries, ranging from a maximum of around 37 for Italy and Germany to around 20 for France, Spain, and Romania, according to Eurostat data.
</abstract>

Analysis of the frequency and type of CT examinations performed in Poland in 2022

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Introduction:</italic> Auscultation remains a pivotal diagnostic modality for various respiratory pathologies. To augment its clinical relevance, the continuous expansion of our understanding of pulmonary acoustics, coupled with the advancement of auscultation recording and analysis methodologies, is imperative.
<italic>Material and methods:</italic> We investigated how the bimodal presentation of auscultatory signals (sound and visual cue perception) influences the subjective efficacy of pathological respiratory sound detection, which is a critical step in the development of a new auscultation tool.
Recordings of pediatric breath sounds were presented in three different forms - audio only, visual representation only (spectrogram) or audiovisual (both together). The F1-score, sensitivity and specificity parameters were calculated and compared to the gold standard (GS). Subsequent to the detection experiment, participants completed a survey to subjectively assess the usability of spectrograms in the procedure.
<italic>Results:</italic> Over 60% of all responders ranked the spectrogram as important (40.8%) or very important (21.1%). Moreover, 11.3% of all participants found this new form of presentation of auscultation results to be more useful than the evaluation of sound only. The addition of visual information did not statistically significantly change the evaluation of the sounds themselves, an observable trend implies that enhancing audio recordings with visualizations can enhance detection performance. This is evident in the 4 p.p. and 2 p.p. sensitivity increments for physicians and students, respectively, even without specialized visual training.
<italic>Conclusions:</italic> Our research findings indicate that the integration of spectrograms with conventional auditory assessment, albeit based on observed trends and survey responses, presents a promising avenue for improving the precision and quality of medical education, as well as enhancing diagnosis and monitoring processes.
</abstract>

Advancing Auscultation Education: Signals Visualization as a Novel Tool for Enhancing Pathological Respiratory Sounds Detection

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Introduction:</italic> The outbreak of the coronavirus infection, which has escalated into a pandemic, has worsened the already unfavourable situation with respiratory system diseases in Ukraine. The burden on doctors has significantly increased, necessitating the exploration of simplified and expedited methods for conducting routine respiratory examinations. The research aims to describe a model for creating an automated differential diagnosis of respiratory noise using an electronic stethoscope, combining medical and clinical information about the types of respiratory noise characterizing the normal or pathological state of the respiratory system with a means of its information and technical processing.
<italic>Material and methods:</italic> The research methods were analysis of theoretical information about the types of respiratory noise, analysis of technical information for choosing an information technology tool for processing biological signals; synthesis of the results; modelling.
<italic>Results:</italic> The research resulted in a model of automated differential diagnosis based on the principle of auscultation, which includes the process of extracting the sound of air movement inside and outside the lungs and the classification of the extracted sounds. Automation of this process concerned only the classification of the extracted sounds since the principle of extraction itself was the same for both mechanical and automatic implementations.
<italic>Conclusions:</italic> The automatic classification process was intended to reduce the time of the procedure and reduce the influence of the human factor, eliminating the possibility of medical error. To implement the process, a deep machine learning method was used, the array of information for which was to be a created phonotheque of acoustic signals of the respiratory system, which would include all types of respiratory noise concerning normal or pathological processes in the body.
</abstract>

Automated differential diagnostics of respiratory diseases using an electronic stethoscope

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Polish Journal of Medical Physics and Engineering

The Journal of Polish Society of Medical Physics

 Polish Journal of Medical Physics and Engineering (PJMPE) is an official publication of the Polish Society of Medical Physics (established in 1965, member of IOMP and EFOMP). The...

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 Polish Journal of Medical Physics and Engineering (PJMPE) is an official publication of the Polish Society of Medical Physics (established...