• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.192-199
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• 2013

Purpose : To retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI) in detecting recurrent prostate cancer after HIFU of clinically localized cancer, as compared with T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients with increased prostate-specific antigen levels after HIFU were included in this study. All MR examinations were performed using T2WI and DCE-MRI, followed by transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy. MRI and biopsy results were correlated in six prostate sectors. Residual or recurrent cancer after HIFU was defined as local tumor progression if biopsy results showed any cancer foci. Two independent readers interpreted the MR images. Results: Of 156 prostate sectors, 51 (33%) were positive for cancer in 17 patients. For detecting local tumor progression, the sensitivity of DCE-MRI and T2WI was 80% and 57% for reader 1 (P < 0.001) versus 84% and 61% for reader 2 (P < 0.001), respectively. The specificity and overall accuracy between DCE-MRI and T2WI showed no statistical difference in both readers (P > 0.05). Interobserver agreement of DCE-MRI and T2WI was moderate and fair, respectively. Conclusion: For detecting local tumor progression of prostate cancer after HIFU, DCE-MRI was more sensitive than T2WI, with less interobserver variability.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.439-444
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to seek an alternative method to prevent the contamination of normal saline caused by the back-flow of Gadolinium Based Contrast Agent(GBCA) by the use of auto-injector for dynamic MRI. The research method is to manufacture the non-return valve as an alternative to the existing, and to examine the usefulness of the normal saline by dividing the state of normal saline into three groups. The signal intensity were compared. As a result, there was no statistically significant difference between normal saline before injection of group 1 and group 3 non-return valve (p> 0.05). It is analyzed that the self-produced non-return valve completely blocked the GBCA back to normal saline when the GBCA was injected. In conclusion, the application of the non-return valve presented in this study for dynamic MRI imaging using the auto injector can prevent normal saline contamination due to GBCA back-flow.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
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• v.12
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• pp.13-17
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• 1993

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.69-73
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• 2010

Cerebral fat embolism (CFE) is a rare, albeit potentially lethal complication of long-bone fractures. All trauma patients who are initially lucid and subsequently experience mental status deterioration should undergo immediate evaluation of possible CFE. In the present case, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was the most sensitive technique for the diagnosis of CFE, particularly the use of diffusionweighted images (DWI). The authors present this case to report a pathophysiologybased interpretation of the MR characteristics and treatment of CFE.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2007

Purpose: To acquire high-resolution spiral-scan images at higher magnetic field, high homogeneous magnetic field is needed. Field inhomogeneity mapping and in-vivo shimming are important for rapid imaging such as spiral-scan imaging. The rapid scanning sequences are very susceptible to inhomogeneity. In this paper, we proposed a higher-order shimming method to obtain homogeneous magnetic field. Materials and Methods: To reduce measurement time for field inhomogeneity mapping, simultaneous axial/ sagittal, and coronal acquisitions are done using multi-slice based Fast Spin echo sequence. Acquired field inhomogeneity map is analyzed using the spherical harmonic functions, and shim currents are obtained by the multiplication of the pseudo-inverse of the field pattern with the inhomogeneity map. Results: Since the field inhomogeneity is increasing in proportion to the magnetic field, higher order shimming to reduce the inhomogeneity becomes more important in high field imaging. The shimming technique in which axial, sagittal, and coronal section inhomogeneity maps are obtained in one scan is developed, and the shimming method based on the analysis of spherical harmonics of the imhomogenity map is applied. The proposed technique is applicable to a localized shimming as well. High resolution spiral-scan imaging was successfully obtained with the proposed higher order shimming. Conclusion: Proposed pulse sequence for rapid measurement of inhomogeneity map and higher order shimming based on the inhomogeneity map work very well at 3 Tesla MRI system. With the proposed higher order shimming and localized higher order shimming techniques, high resolution spiral-scan images are successfully obtained at 3 T MRI system.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2002

Propose : The purpose of this retrospective study was to test the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL index) for diagnosis of a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) by means of MR imaging. Materials and Methods : From Mar. 1997 to Feb. 2001, concomitant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and knee joint arthroscopy were performed in 56 patients of either pain or instability of the knee. The shortest distance between the femoral and tibial attachment of PCL (X) and the distance from that line to the tip of the arc marked by the PCL (Y) on the sagittal plane images were measured. The quotient of these two parameters (Y/X) defined the PCL index. Results : Using MRI diagnosis, there were 35 patients diagnosed with ACL rupture and 21 patients were ruled out of ACL injury. Using arthroscopy, 32 of the 35 patients diagnosed by MRI showed ACL rupture, and 20 of the 21 patients were ruled out of ACL injury. The mean PCL index was 0.40 in the 33 patients diagnosed with ACL rupture through arthroscopy. The mean PCL index was 0.23 in 23 patients with an uninjured ACL through arthroscopy. In 33 patients with ruptured ACL, this value exceeds 0.31. The index value was 0.31 in 3 patients with uninjured ACL. The value of the index was not above 0.31 with an uninjured ACL. PCL index on MRI had a sensitivity of $91\%$ and a specificity of $94\%$ for determining the status of the anterior cruciate ligament. Conclusion : Injury to the ACL changes the PCL index markedly. In diagnostically unreliable MR images, amelioration of the PCL index could help in the diagnosis of ACL injury.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.2-20
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• 2020

MRI is a valuable imaging technique for the evaluation of intraarticular diseases. Accurate interpretation of joint MRI necessitates sound knowledge of anatomy. In the field of joint anatomy, in addition to the discovery of new structures, previously reported joint components of unexplained function are also detected. In this review, joint anatomy researched actively over the last decade is discussed. Joint components including the rotator cable and the superior capsule of the shoulder, posterolateral corner and the anterolateral ligament complex of the knee, and the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis of the ankle joint are introduced and correlated with their MRI features.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2001

본 논문에서는 후취자극 제어장치를 이용하여 후각자극에 대한 인간의 뇌의 활성화 영역을 뇌기능자기공명영상(functional magnetic resonance imaging : fMRI)장치로 측정 또는 가시화하고 이의 임상적용에 대한 기초자료를 마련하고자 하였다. 우선 후각에 이상이 없고 코 수술 경험이 없는 오른손잡이 피험자 4명을 대상으로 5번에 걸쳐 Echo Plannar Imaging(EPI)에 의한 혈액산소농도의존(blood oxygen level dependent : BOLD)법을 이용하여 후각자극에 의한 뇌기능자기공명영상 실험을 수행하였다. 후각자극은 MRI 장치에서 사용할 수 있도록 제작된 후취제어장치를 사용하였으며, 제시된 향은 천연 향의 일종인 lavender-like fragrance를 사용하였다. 향의 제시는 후각의 피로도를 감안하여 3회의 휴식기관과 2회의 자극기간을 각 30초씩 번갈아 시행하였으며, 동시에 5초 간격으로 각 절편 당 30 영상을 연속적으로 획득하였다. Correlation법으로 0.4∼0.7의 문턱치(threshold)범위에서 통계 처리된 뇌의 활성화 영상은 EPI영상과 같은 부위의 T1 강조영상에 overlapping 시켰다. 호흡에 의한 artifact를 제거하기 위해 실험실에 만든 장치로 호흡을 측정하여 post-processing 할 때 반영하였다. 이렇게 얻어진 fMRI 영상의 신호변화를 관찰하여 활성 영역의 위치를 분석하였다. 그 결과 후각자극에 의해 뇌의 전두엽 피질(frontal cortex), 소뇌(cerebellum), 그리고 뇌교(pons)에서 활성화된 신호를 발견할 수 있었다. 또한, 측두엽(temporal lobe)과 뇌섬(insula)에서도 의미 있는 신호가 관찰되었다. 그러나, 일차 후각영역인 piriform cortex와 entorhinal cortex, amygdaloid complex, 그리고 이차후각영역인 orbitofrontal cotex에서는 그다지 많은 빈도로 신호가 발견되지 않았다. 결론적으로 BOLD법을 이용한 fMRI에 의하여 후각자극에 대한 뇌의 활성화영역을 관찰할 수 있었으며, 후각자극에 대한 뇌의 기능을 연구하는데 있어서 중요한 정량적 자료를 제공할 수 있다는 점을 확인할 수 있었다.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.320-329
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• 1997

Neuroanatomic substrate of autism has been the subjects of continuing investigation. Because previous studies had not demonstrated consistent and specific neuroimaging findings in autism and most studies comprised adults and school-aged children, we performed a retrospective review in search of common functional and anatomical abnormalities with brain SPECT using Tc-99m ECD and correlative MRI The patient population was composed of 18 children aged 28 to 89 months(mean age : 55 months) who met the diagnostic criteria of autism as defined in the DSM-IV and CARS. Brain SPECT was performed after intravenous injection of 185-370MBq of Tc-99m ECD using brain dedicated annular crystal gamma camera. MRI was performed in all patients including T1, T2 axial and T1 sagittal sequences. SPECT data were visually assessed. Thirteen patients had abnormal SPECT scan revealing focal areas of decreased perfusion. Decreased perfusion of cerebellar vermis(12/18), cerebellar hemisphere(11/18), thalami(13/18), basal ganglia(4/18), posterior parietal(7/18), and temporal(4/18) area were noted on brain SPECT. Whereas, only 3 patients had abnormal MR findings which were subtle volume loss of parieto-occipital white matter in 3 and mild thinning of posterior body of corpus callosum in 2 and slightly decreased volume of cerebellar vermis in 1. Comparison of the numbers of abnormal findings revealed that regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) abnormalities seen on SPECT were more numerous than anatomical abnormalities seen on MRI. In conclusion, extensive perfusion impairment involving cerebellum, thalami and parietal lobe were found in this study. SPECT may be more sensitive in reflecting pathophysiology of autism than MRI. However, further studies are mandatory to determine the significance of thalamic and parietal perfusion impairment in autism.

• Communications of the Korean Institute of Information Scientists and Engineers
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.43-49
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• 2009