3rd e-Newsletter CTiG

1. CTiG -Newslettere
Computed Tomography Interest Group (CTiG)
c/o Suite 29T026, Industrial Technology Division, Malaysian Nuclear Agency,
Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Issue No. 3 Computed Tomography Interest Group December 2012
Official Sponsor:

2. Computed Tomography Interest Group (CTiG)
c/o Suite 29T026, Industrial Technology Division, Malaysian Nuclear Agency,
Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
A Malaysian delegation led by the Honourable Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, YB Major
General (R) Dato’ Seri Jamil Khair Hj Baharom paid a visit to Hitachi Ltd, Ibaraki and Shimadzu Ltd, Kyoto,
Japan between 22nd to 31st December 2012 to observe and demonstrate the potential use of X-ray
computed tomography and other high technology analytical measuring instruments at YaPEIM’s Ar-Rahnu
microcredit pawnshops and to promote and discuss business opportunities between YaPEIM and these
two world-known corporations. The delegation included Director General of YaPEIM Dato’ Dr Abdul Malek
Awang Kechil, Senior Director (Investment and Finance) of YaPEIM Mr Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman and
Senior Director (Admin and Research) of YaPEIM/Chief Executive Officer of INPUT/YaPEIM Mr Abibullah Hj
Samsudin, Chief Operating Officer of INPUT/YaPEIM Mrs Parihah Hassan and accompanied by the CTiG
Chairman, Dr Jaafar Abdullah (Malaysian Nuclear Agency) who has been appointed as a fellow and
technical advisor of INPUT/YaPEIM.
At Hitachi Ltd, Ibaraki, the delegation was welcomed by Mr Tomoo Tanabe, the General Manager,
Overseas Business Development Division and his senior management team. And, at Shimadzu Ltd, Kyoto,
the delegation was greeted by Mr Yasunori Tokumasu, the Director of Corporate Marketing and General
Manager and his senior corporate and technical staff. During both visits, the positive results of x-ray
computed tomography images on gold jewellery samples were evaluated and discussed. In his short
remarks upon arrival in a VVIP room at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 31st December 2012
midnight, the honourable minister congratulated YaPEIM and delegation for the successful trade visit.
Minister visited X-Ray Computed Tomography Systems
at Hitachi Ltd and Shimadzu Ltd in Japan

3. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)
By: Maya Genisa, PhD Candidate, School of Dental Sciences, USM.
CBCT is cone-beam scanners based on a cone-shaped beam of x-rays rotating around the object of interest
giving a volume of data, using a 2-dimensional extended digital array as an area detector. The technique involves
a single 360 degree scan in which the x-ray source and reciprocating area detector synchronously move around
the patient’s head, which is stabilized with a head holder.
CBCT image gathering consist of two phases; the first phase is data acquisition that uses cone shape x-ray beam
and the second phase is image reconstruction from computed tomography. The three dimensional images
(sagittal, coronal and axial plane) are produced using back projection inversion technique.
The detector is an important element of the imaging chain and optimization contributes to dose limitation. Two
types of digital detectors have been used for the CBCT (Figure 1). The first type involves conventional image
intensifiers (IIs). They consist of an input window, input phosphor, photocathode, vacuum and electron optics,
output phosphor and output window. The input phosphor converts the X-rays to optical photons which then are
converted to electrons within the photocathode. The electrons are accelerated and focused by a series of
electrodes and then strike the output phosphor which converts the electrons to light photons which are then
captured by various imaging devices. Most modern image intensifiers have cesium iodide for the input phosphor
because it is a very efficient material in absorbing X-rays as shown in Figure 2a.
The second type, flat panel detectors (FPDs), are composed of an X-ray detection layer and an active matrix
array (AMA) of thin film transistors (TFT). The X-ray detector consists of a phosphor layer such as cesium iodide
which converts the X-ray photons to light photons. The intensity of the light emitted by the phosphor is a measure
of the intensity of the incident X-ray beam. The AMA has a photosensitive element which produces electrons
proportional to the intensity of the incident photons. This electrical charge is stored in the matrix until it is read out
and it is converted into digital data sent to the image processor. FPDs have greater sensitivity to X-rays than IIs
and therefore have the potential to reduce patient dose. They have higher spatial and contrast resolution and
fewer artefacts than IIs but, IIs are cheaper than FPDs (Figure 2b).
The main advantages of CBCT technique compared to CT conventional are that CBCT has high spatial and
temporal resolution, rapid scan, and dose reduction. Hence CBCT is more suitable for clinical applications and
monitoring compared to conventional CT as shown in Table 1.
In conclusion, CBCT provides diagnostic information as accurately as CT with the advantage of minimizing both
radiation exposure and financial costs to the patient.
Computed Tomography Interest Group (CTiG)
c/o Suite 29T026, Industrial Technology Division, Malaysian Nuclear Agency,
Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Criteria CT Scan CBCT
Detector 600 - 4800 1024
Technique Fan Beam Cone Beam
Scan Time 20 – 60 s 14 s
Dose 1200 – 1500
(µSv)
25 – 60
(µSv)
Quality Low High
Cost High Low
Field of view Wide Limited
a
b Table 1. The advantages of CBCT compared
to conventional CT.
Figure 2. Component of detector:
(a) image intensifier
detector
(b) flat detector
Figure 1. Experimental set-ups: flat panel
detector and image intensifier

4. From the Editorial Desk….
Chief Editor
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zainul Ahmad Rajion
Dear Colleagues,
First of all, on behalf of the CTiG editorial group, I would like
to wish all CTiG members a happy new year 2013. Recently,
with the overwhelming responses in number of CTiG
memberships, it is important for us to strengthen our
potential collaboration. For a start, we can have joint
research or joint supervision/co-supervision among
institutions and universities to fully utilize our resources. All
CTiG members are encouraged to get involved with inter-
disciplinary research projects by communicating, sharing
ideas and collaborating across disciplines.
As a new year has already started, why don’t we set one of
our intentions to publish an article in the CTiG newsletter? By
publishing our works, other researchers can understand
more about our research. On a personal level, it is very
satisfying to see the results of your hard work going into print
and being read by academics and researchers. Not only for
the recognition of our efforts and self-satisfaction, it can also
consolidate our knowledge and even lead to new discovery.
In other words, publishing is an integral part of the discovery
of new ideas. Therefore, I hope that we can see more articles
from other members in the next newsletter.
Board Members of CTiG 2012/2013
Chairman : Dr. Jaafar Abdullah (ANM)
Deputy Chairman : Prof. Dr. Ruzairi Abdul Rahim (UTM)
Hon. Secretary : Salzali Mohd (ANM)
Deputy Hon. Secretary : Engku Mohd Fahmi Engku
Chik(ANM)
Hon. Treasurer : Dr. Elmy Johana Mohamad (UTHM)
Committee Members :
•Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Sobri Takriff (UKM)
•Assoc. Prof Dr. Zainul Ahmad Rajion (USM)
•Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Idris Ismail (UTP)
•Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sam’an Malik Masudi (USM)
•Mohd Hafiz Fazalul Rahiman (UniMAP)
•Dr. Mohd Hezri Fazalul Rahiman (UiTM)
•Yasmin Abdul Wahab (UMP)
•Suzanna Ridzuan Aw (TATIUC)
•Mohd Amirul Syafiq Mohd Yunos (ANM)
•Roslan Yahya (ANM)
CTiG e-Newsletter is in the process of collecting
related articles on Computed Tomography. The
academics, professionals and researchers are
welcome to contribute to the success of the e-
Newsletter since increase growth in the number of
CTiG memberships since 2011.
Please contact the Chief Editor,
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zainul Ahmad Rajion at
zar5057@gmail.com for submission.
Computed Tomography Interest Group (CTiG)
c/o Suite 29T026, Industrial Technology Division, Malaysian Nuclear Agency,
Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on
Monte Carlo Simulations for RPT, CT,
SPECT and Design of Radiotracer
Experiments in Daejeon, Korea
In December 2012, International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) has organized regional training course hosted by
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). This
course is a part of the IAEA technical cooperation activities
for knowledge and technology transfer to the ASEAN
developing country on Monte Carlo simulation for RPT, CT,
SPECT and design of radiotracer experiments. The course
took place at the International Nuclear Training &
Education Centre (INTEC), KAERI, from 3 -7 December
2012 and attended by 21 participants from Bangladesh,
China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Mr. Mohd Amirul Syafiq Mohd Yunos who is CTiG member
from Malaysia was elected and has been invited to
participate the course.