Annual Report 2017
Department of Radiological Technology
Introduction
This department has a wide range of radiological modalities, namely, interventional radiology (IR), general X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, and nuclear medicine (NM). Serving as a teaching hospital, we put considerable effort into education. We accept students, visitors, and trainees from around the world. We also attend academic congresses in the world.
Our team and what we do
1. General X-ray
We updated the equipment and expanded work such as long shooting and dental shooting. We strengthened interprofessional collaboration and provided optimal images by participating in preoperative conference with the Department of Breast Surgery and Musculoskeletal Oncology and Rehabilitation. We also announced the results of the research to verify a new image processing technology and bone mineral quantification device.
2. Computed Tomography (CT)
"Ultra-high-resolution CT", which we have collaborated with the company, has been clinically introduced. We collaborate with doctors to investigate image quality improvement and clinical usefulness of it, and we publish research results in Japan and abroad.
3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
In order to increase the number of examination cases and shorten waiting days for patients, we promoted work improvement by introducing a flextime system. We also conducted phantom research and development for 3T MRI. Furthermore, regarding PET-MRI, we examined and constructed a business system for smooth operation with considering division linkage.
4. Interventional Radiology (IR)
We have strengthened human resource development and education part so that we can cope with an increase and diversification of the number of IR procedures. We made a presentation on academic society about cryotherapy and examination by radiologists in the study. We also started collaborative research on 3D mapping systems with workstation makers.
5. Fluoroscopy
The number of esophagoscopic examination cases increased by the replacement of our esophagus surgeons. Along with that, we strengthened human resource development of staff who can respond to inspections by radiological technicians. We conducted research and conference presentations to reduce radiation exposure in CT
colonography (CTC) and tomosynthesis imaging.
6. Endoscopy
We have cultivated human resources so that we can cope with an increase in the number of inspections. We are collaborating on 3D mapping using fluoroscopic image with a high image quality function loaded device.
7. Nuclear Medicine (NM)
It became possible to improve efficiency by strengthening cooperation of the nursing department. Furthermore, both PET and SPECT examinations led to an increase in the number of cases. We continued the discussion toward establishment of standard imaging method of PET-MRI. We started joint research on introduction of sterile isolator also applied to PET formulation and analysis software for bone SPECT.
Research activities
1) In collaboration with Kyoto Kagaku Co., Ltd., we investigated and developed a performance evaluation phantom in MRI apparatus using liquid paraffin. It is a product which improved the reduction of uniformity due to RF magnetic field reflection of 3T MRI.
2) Clinical evaluation was performed by bone SPECT quantitative evaluation software (GI-BONE) through collaborative research with Nihon Medi-Physics Co., Ltd. As a result, the possibility was found to be useful for judgment of therapeutic effect and diagnosis of recurrence.
3) We collaborate with Komazawa University to develop applications that can be widely used from student level to engineer application level as an image interpretation education system on "cancer" and aim for practical application in the future.
Education
1) By introducing a new network-type self-
evaluation system, objective evaluation such as input efficiency improvement and summary graph display was performed. As a result, the efficiency of newcomers and technicians education, radiological diagnostics technology room, radiological therapeutic technology room and rotation within divisions was improved.
2) We continuously participated in training sessions hosted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the National Hospital Organization, etc. and workshops at various certification organizations.
3) We actively participated in in-hospital conferences hosted by clinical departments and conferences by technicians. This resulted in knowledge improvement and skill improvement, as well as promotion of team medicine.
4) We are continuously engaged in human resource exchanges between The University of Tokyo Hospital and Kyoto University Hospital.
5) We accepted many students and trainees from all over the world.
6) We actively participated in many academic conferences all over the world.
7) We regularly hold incident analysis within the department to prevent medical accidents and strive for medical safety.
Future prospects
1) We will build a network of patient exposure management information such as RDSR (Radiation Dose Structured Report) and aim for practical application.
2) Clinical application of newly introduced ultrahigh definition CT and practical application of 3D image analysis program will be done.
3) We will investigate the usefulness of PET-MR.
4) We will increase collaborative research and contribute to medical device development.
I. Radiological Diagnosis
Tomohiko Aso, Kanyu Ihara, Toshihiro Ishihara, Mayumi Kitagawa, Akira Inagaki, Yasutake Ishikawa, Hirobumi Nagasawa, Chieko Nagashima, Naoya Ikeno, Noriko Nishikawa, Jun Takita, Toshimitsu Utsuno, Takatsugu Magara, Jun Torii, Akiko Nagoshi, Junko Sonehara, Takeshi Murano, Kenta Hiroi, Manabu Kimura, Hiroki Miyazaki, Eiko Taguchi, Midori Nagata, Mari Sakaguchi, Seiya Mochizuki, Tatsuya Horita, Yusuke Miyamoto, Yuji Jibiki, Yuya Kanai, Kenta Hashimoto, Nao Ozaki, Gyoko To, Aika Ozaki, Ryo Kawana, Yuhei Shimizu, Shuhei Kamikaji, Akira Yoshida, Seiya Sato, Masae Fujisawa, Chihiro Muto, Satoru Kanzawa, Yuta Miyamae, Wataru Ouchi, Midori Nonaka, Shuuhei Yamamoto, Shinnosuke Ishikawa
II. Radiological Oncology
Yoshihisa Abe, Tooru Kato, Ako Aikawa, Masashi Ito, Minoru Hamada, Yosihiro Shibata, Tatsuya Sakasai, Miyuki Murata, Emi Sakamoto, Yuichi Yokoyama, Satoshi Nakajima, Yuuki Miura, Daisuke Fujiyama, Yusuke Wakatsuki, Yuto Tanaka, Takuya Nakagawa, Rie Ishikawa, Junichi Kuwahara, Shuto Amanuma, Chihiro Kuroki
Our team and what we do
1) We designed deliberate strategies based on the analysis of TrueBeam (LINAC) and CyberKnife system's workflows to pursue high-precision radiotherapy as one existing system.
2) We treated 31 patients since immediate adaptive radiotherapy (MRIdian) system started in May 2017.
3) 60 total body irradiation (TBI) for bone marrow transplantations and 2 total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) were performed.
4) CyberKnife had 22 new patients and 2 patients referred from other institutions per month. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) with Synchrony Respiratory Tracking System was stably operated.
5) Collaborative research on quality control and treatment workflow construction in adaptive radiotherapy (MRIdian) system was performed.
Research activities
1) In collaboration with the National Cancer Center Research Institute (NCCRI), the accelerator type boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) system has advanced preparation for animal irradiation test.
2) MRIdian system verified dose measurement method in the magnetic field, developed the phantom for quality control and confirmed the verification method of adaptive radiotherapy.
Education
1) Our department systematically rotated the staff and educated them effectively using our education program.
2) Our department accepted many visitors and trainees from all around Japan.
3) Our department accepted students from the Department of Radiological Sciences, Graduate School of International University of Health and Welfare, and Yuanpei University in Taiwan.
4) The "Comprehensive radiotherapy training" has been repeated, reviewed, and improved.
Future prospects
1) BNCT system aims for early clinical investigation and pharmaceutical approval.
2) MRIdian system aims for establishing quality control method and standard workflow, and contributing to the dissemination of safe radiation therapy.
3) Update the MRIdian system device from existing 60-cobalt source to MRIdian-LINAC and make effective treatment.
4) Nine to eleven years have passed since installing three LINACs, and it is required to replace them. In order to respond to social needs, our department must plan to replace systems with considering features such as high precision and adaptive radiation therapy.