Annual Report 2019
Department of Radiological Technology
Yoshihisa Muramatsu, Kazutoshi Yokoyama
Introduction
The number of radiological examinations has increased despite large-scale structural changes in the diagnostic area and the impact of the COVID-19 infection at the end of the year (Table 1).
Table 1. Transitions in number of radiological examinations and radiation therapies by year
The Team and What We Do
As part of physician task shifting, in the diagnostic division, 3D image reconstruction for surgical operations, non-vascular IVR with fluoroscopy and endoscopy, and 1st reading for mammography and other images were expanded. Also, in the radiotherapy division, the automatic planning function in the radiation treatment planning device started to be used for post breast-conserving surgery patients. Moreover, a system has been established to start stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastatic diseases. Collaboration with physicians and other professionals is important to further improve accuracy and efficiency.
Research activities have been conducted under joint research agreements with four medical device vendors to conduct translational research on clinical technologies. In particular, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to image inspection systems is a new challenge.
Research Activities and Clinical Trials
Research and development of the radiation dose index monitoring system according to the international standard (Radiation Exposure Monitoring Integration Profile) has continued. In the CT department, a new method for setting the notification value and a method for estimating weight and calculating a dose index from scan projection images were established. In the PET/CT department, regression analysis of radiopharmaceutical dosage and noise equivalent count (NEC) with patient information was performed to optimize the dosage. In the case of photon beam radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery, it was found that the accuracy of dose distribution for radiation therapy planning using the automatic planning function was comparable to that of a physician, and the planning time was reduced.
Education
The NCCE Radiologic Technology Conference is now in its 3rd year, and a cooperative system with the To-katsu Imaging Group has been established. In the diagnostic division, practical education on dose control, dose recording, and explanation of examinations to patients has been started to comply with the medical radiation safety management regulations (Medical Care Act) to be enforced in April 2020. In the radiotherapy division, more staff members were involved in treatment planning work, and staff members worked to deepen their cooperation with other departments through conferences and other activities, and to acquire comprehensive knowledge of cancer. A staff member who was transferred to the medical information department was highly regarded and promoted to the position of chief medical technologist. In addition, a number of certified radiological technologists have been produced, and trainees and instructors have been commissioned by radiology training schools.
Future prospects
The practice of medical radiation safety management must be kept on track in accordance with the hospital's regulations. In addition, in anticipation of the opening of an adjacent laboratory in two years' time, the opening of an adjacent lodging facility in three years' time, and the construction project of a new wing of the hospital, we will be gathering information on a wide range of topics and looking for ways to expand into radiological technology studies. In the midst of a changing work style, we continue to challenge the possibilities of working beyond the boundaries of the radiological technologist.
List of papers published in 2019
Journal
1. Muraishi H, Enomoto R, Katagiri H, Kagaya M, Watanabe T, Narita N, Kano D. Visualization of Low-Level Gamma Radiation Sources Using a Low-Cost, High-Sensitivity, Omnidirectional Compton Camera. J Vis Exp, doi: 10.3791/60463, 2020
2. Badajena A, Raturi VP, Sirvastava K, Hojo H, Ohyoshi H, Bei Y, Rachi T, Wu CT, Tochinai T, Okumura M, Zhang H, Kouta H, Verma P, Singh G, Anand A, Sachan A. Prospective evaluation of the setup errors and its impact on safety margin for cervical cancer pelvic conformal radiotherapy. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother, 25:260-265, 2020
3. Raturi VP, Hojo H, Hotta K, Baba H, Takahashi R, Rachi T, Nakamura N, Zenda S, Motegi A, Tachibana H, Ariji T, Motegi K, Nakamura M, Okumura M, Hirano Y, Akimoto T. Radiobiological model-based approach to determine the potential of dose-escalated robust intensity-modulated proton radiotherapy in reducing gastrointestinal toxicity in the treatment of locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer of the head. Radiat Oncol, 15:157, 2020
4. Kibe Y, Nakamura N, Kuno H, Hiyama T, Hayashi R, Zenda S, Motegi A, Hojo H, Nakamura M, Ariji T, Oyoshi H, Akimoto T. Frequency and predictors of detecting early locoregional recurrence/disease progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma with high-risk factors on imaging tests before postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. Int J Clin Oncol, 24:1182-1189, 2019