• Journal of Magnetics
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.422-427
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of the number of acquisitions (NEX) on signal-to-noise (SNR) and artifacts in SENSE parallel imaging of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 3.0T MR System, 8 Channel sensitivity encoding (SENSE) head coils were used along with an in-vivo phantom. Reference sequence of 3D fast field echo (FFE) was consisted of NEX values of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. The T2 turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence used for exams achieved SENSE factors of 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, 3.5, 3.8 and 4.0. Exams were conducted five times for each SENSE factor to measure signal intensity of the object, the posterior phase-encode direction and frequency direction. And SNR was calculated using mean values. SENSE artifacts were identified as background signal intensity in the phase-encoded direction using MRIcro. It was found that SNR increased but SENSE artifacts reduced with NEX of 4, 8 and 12 when the NEX increased in reference scan. It is therefore concluded that image quality can be improved with NEX of 4, 8 and 12 for reference scanning.

• 대한의용생체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한의용생체공학회 1998년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.55-56
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• 1998

The 3-D Fast Gradient Echo (Turbo FLASH, Turbo Fast Low Angle Shot) sequence is optimized to achieve a good T1 contrast using variable excitation flip angles. In Turbo FLASH sequence, depending on the contrast preparation scheme, various types of image contrast can be established. While proton density contrast is obtained when using a short repetition time with a short echo time and small flip angles, T1 or T2 weighting can be obtained with proper contrast preparation sequences applied before the above proton density Turbo FLASH sequence. To maximize the contrast to noise ratio while retaining a sharp impulse response (smooth frequency domain response), the excitation flip-angle pattern is optimized through simulation and experiments. The TI (the delay after the preparation sequence which is a 180 degree inversion RF pulse in the IR T1 weighted imaging case), TD (the delay time between the Turbo FLASH sequence and the next preparation), and TR are also optimized fur the best image quality. The proposed 3-D Turbo FLASH provides $1mm\times1mm\times1.5mm$ high resolution images within a reasonable 5-8 minutes of imaging time. The proposed imaging sequence has been implemented in a Medison's Magnum 1.0T system and verified through simulations as well as human volunteer imaging. The experimental results show the utility of the proposed method.

• 대한의용생체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한의용생체공학회 1997년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.294-298
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• 1997

In the magnetic resonance imaging, the fast spin echo imaging technique is a widely used clinical imaging method, since its scanning time is much shorter than the conventional spin echo imaging and it gives the almost same image quality. However, the fast spin echo technique has two times longer imaging time or the dual echo acquisition which can obtain a spin density image and a $T_2$-weighted image simultaneously. To overcome such a drawback, this paper proposes a new fast dual echo imaging technique which can give the same quality images at the single echo imaging time. The proposed technique reduces the imaging time by overlapping most of echo train data for each image reconstruction. In order to verify its validity and usability the human head experimental results which were obtained at the 0.3T permanent MRI system are presented.

• 대한자기공명의과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한자기공명의과학회 2002년도 제7차 학술대회 초록집
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• pp.85-85
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• 2002

Purpose： To evaluate the white matter fiber connectivity of normal human using diffusion tensor MRI. Method： Normal young healthy volunteers (2 women and 1 man) and 3 brain tumor patients participated in this study. All studies were performed using a 1.5T Philips Gyroscan Intern system. Diffusion weighted imaging was performed using single-shot echo planar imaging, with navigator echo phase correction and SENSE. Diffusion weighting was performed along six independent axes, using diffusion weighting of b=800s/$\textrm{mm}^2$. 128matrix, 23cm FOV, 2.5mm slice thickness were used for Imaging parameters. Data were processed on a Window-2000 PC equipped with IDL and PRIDE (Philips Medical System). Corticospinal tract was traced from mid-pons level via posterior limb of internal capsule. Corpus callosum, cerebellar peduncles and frontal fibers were traced by fiber tractography.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.219-223
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• 2009

Objective : Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is frequently used to localize language areas in a non-invasive manner. Various paradigms for presurgical localization of language areas have been developed, but a systematic quantitative evaluation of the efficiency of those paradigms has not been performed. In the present study, the authors analyzed different language paradigms to see which paradigm is most efficient in localizing frontal language areas. Methods : Five men and five women with no neurological deficits participated (mean age, 24 years) in this study. All volunteers were right-handed. Each subject performed 4 tasks, including fixation (Fix), sentence reading (SRI. pseudoword reading (PR), and word generation (WG). Fixation and pseudoword reading were used as contrasts. The functional area was defined as the area(s) with a t-value of more than 3.92 in fMRI with different tasks. To apply an anatomical constraint, we used a brain atlas mapping system, which is available in AFNI, to define the anatomical frontal language area. The numbers of voxels in overlapped area between anatomical and functional area were individually counted in the frontal expressive language area. Results : Of the various combinations, the word generation task was most effective in delineating the frontal expressive language area when fixation was used as a contrast (p<0.05). The sensitivity of this test for localizing Broca's area was 81 % and specificity was 70%. Conclusion : Word generation versus fixation could effectively and reliably delineate the frontal language area. A customized effective paradigm should be analyzed in order to evaluate various language functions.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권7호
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• pp.647-659
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• 2023

Objective: The study was conducted to investigate the effect of correct occlusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA) on intracardiac blood flow and thrombus formation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) using four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and three-dimensional (3D)-printed phantoms. Materials and Methods: Three life-sized 3D-printed left atrium (LA) phantoms, including a pre-occlusion (i.e., before the occlusion procedure) model and correctly and incorrectly occluded post-procedural models, were constructed based on cardiac computed tomography images from an 86-year-old male with long-standing persistent AF. A custom-made closed-loop flow circuit was set up, and pulsatile simulated pulmonary venous flow was delivered by a pump. 4D flow MRI was performed using a 3T scanner, and the images were analyzed using MATLAB-based software (R2020b; Mathworks). Flow metrics associated with blood stasis and thrombogenicity, such as the volume of stasis defined by the velocity threshold ($\left|\vec{V}\right|$ < 3 cm/s), surface-and-time-averaged wall shear stress (WSS), and endothelial cell activation potential (ECAP), were analyzed and compared among the three LA phantom models. Results: Different spatial distributions, orientations, and magnitudes of LA flow were directly visualized within the three LA phantoms using 4D flow MRI. The time-averaged volume and its ratio to the corresponding entire volume of LA flow stasis were consistently reduced in the correctly occluded model (70.82 mL and 39.0%, respectively), followed by the incorrectly occluded (73.17 mL and 39.0%, respectively) and pre-occlusion (79.11 mL and 39.7%, respectively) models. The surfaceand-time-averaged WSS and ECAP were also lowest in the correctly occluded model (0.048 Pa and 4.004 Pa^-1, respectively), followed by the incorrectly occluded (0.059 Pa and 4.792 Pa^-1, respectively) and pre-occlusion (0.072 Pa and 5.861 Pa^-1, respectively) models. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a correctly occluded LAA leads to the greatest reduction in LA flow stasis and thrombogenicity, presenting a tentative procedural goal to maximize clinical benefits in patients with AF.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.23-26
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• 2009

본 연구는 향상된 중심배열 정렬 위상 펼침 방법(ICASPL)을 제안하고 자기공명 위상 영상을 재구성하여 성능을 평가하였다. 제안된 방법을 수행하기 위해 2% 한천젤에 0.6mM/l를 첨가한 팬텀을 제작하여 임상용젠작하5T 자기공명영상와젠상용화된 무릎코일을 이용하여 MR위상영상을 얻었다. 획득된 k 공간 자료는 PC로 옮긴 뒤 매트랩 프로그램을 이용하여 영상을 재구성하였다. 제안된 ICASPU의 오차를 2차 회귀분석읕 이용하여 기존의 중심배열 정렬 위상 펼침과 비교 평가하였다. 그 결과 기존의 ICASPU방법에 비해 제안된 ICASPU방법이 5배 정도 오차가 향상된 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 본 연구는 향상된 중심배열 정렬 위상 펼침 방법을 이용한 위상영상 펼침의 유용성을 확인하였으며, 향후 위상 정보를 포함한 영상 적용에 매우 유용할 것이라 기대된다.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.135-143
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• 2009

목적 : 요통은 임상에서 가장 흔하게 접할 수 있는 질환이며, 동시에 통증으로 인한 근무 결손도나 생활 불편감이 높은 질병이다. 그래서, 많은 연구들이 요통을 일으키는 원인 혹은 악화시키는 유발 인자를 밝혀내려는데 초점이 맞추어져 있다. 이번 연구의 목적은 편측 요통을 호소하는 환자에 있어서 MRI에서 조사된 척추 주위 근육의 지방량과 통증과의 관계에 대해서 알아보는데 있다. 방법 : 2007년 11월부터 2008년 4월까지 본원에 요통으로 내원한 환자를 대상으로, 편측 요통을 호소하며, 체질량 지수가 $25kg/m^2$ 이하이며, 만 20세이상 40세미만인 환자 24명을 대상으로 연구를 진행하였다. MRI에서 조사되어진 L4-5 디스크 레벨의 척추 주위 근육의 지방량을 객관적인 pseudocoloring technique을 이용해 측정하고, paired t-test로 결과를 분석하여 요통이 유발된 측과 지방량의 관계에 대해서 연구하였다. 결과 : 요통이 있는 측의 지방량과 요통이 없는 측의 지방량을 측정하여 데이터를 분석하였다. 양측의 지방량과 통증의 유무에 대한 관계는 통계적으로 유의한 수치를 나타냈다(P <0.05). 요통이 있는 측과 없는 측과의 성별, 나이, BMI의 통계적인 차이는 없었으며, 지방량 측정시 남자들이 여자들에 비해 지방량이 더 높게 측정되었다(남자 $8.5{\pm}5.1%$, 여자 $6.5{\pm}3.6%$). 결론 : 이 연구를 통해 척추 주위 근육의 지방량과 요통에 대한 상관성의 증거를 제시하였다. 잘 선별되어진 환자의 MRI를 통해 객관적인 방법으로 지방량을 체크를 하였으며, 추후 더 많은 개체수를 이용해 보다 더 정확한 관련성을 파악하고, 나아가 지방량에 따른 통증 강도의 상관성에 대해서 연구가 필요하리라 생각된다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권12호
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• pp.1281-1289
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• 2022

Objective: Radiomic modeling using multiple regions of interest in MRI of the brain to diagnose juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to develop and validate radiomics prediction models to distinguish patients with JME from healthy controls (HCs), and to evaluate the feasibility of a radiomics approach using MRI for diagnosing JME. Materials and Methods: A total of 97 JME patients (25.6 ± 8.5 years; female, 45.5%) and 32 HCs (28.9 ± 11.4 years; female, 50.0%) were randomly split (7:3 ratio) into a training (n = 90) and a test set (n = 39) group. Radiomic features were extracted from 22 regions of interest in the brain using the T1-weighted MRI based on clinical evidence. Predictive models were trained using seven modeling methods, including a light gradient boosting machine, support vector classifier, random forest, logistic regression, extreme gradient boosting, gradient boosting machine, and decision tree, with radiomics features in the training set. The performance of the models was validated and compared to the test set. The model with the highest area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) was chosen, and important features in the model were identified. Results: The seven tested radiomics models, including light gradient boosting machine, support vector classifier, random forest, logistic regression, extreme gradient boosting, gradient boosting machine, and decision tree, showed AUROC values of 0.817, 0.807, 0.783, 0.779, 0.767, 0.762, and 0.672, respectively. The light gradient boosting machine with the highest AUROC, albeit without statistically significant differences from the other models in pairwise comparisons, had accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 scores of 0.795, 0.818, 0.931, and 0.871, respectively. Radiomic features, including the putamen and ventral diencephalon, were ranked as the most important for suggesting JME. Conclusion: Radiomic models using MRI were able to differentiate JME from HCs.

• 한국의학물리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국의학물리학회 2002년도 Proceedings
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• pp.345-351
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to assess clinical proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) as a noninvasive method for evaluating brain tumor malignancy at 3T high field system. Using 3T MRI/MRS system, localized water-suppressed single-voxe1 technique in patients with brain tumors was employed to evaluate spectra with peaks of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr) and lactate. On the basis of Cr, these peak areas were quantificated as a relative ratio. The variation of metabolites measurements of the designated region in 10 normal volunteers was less than 10%. Normal ranges of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios were 1.67${\pm}$018 and 1.16${\pm}$0.15, respectively. NAA/Cr ratio of all tumor tissues was significantly lower than that of the normal tissues (p=0.005), but Cho/Cr ratio of all tumor tissue was significantly higher (p=0.001). Cho/Cr ratio of high-grade gliomas was significantly higher than that of low-grade gliomas (P=0.001). Except 4 menigiomas, lactate signal was observed in all tumor cases. The present study demonstrated that the neuronal degradation or loss was observed in all tumor tissues. Higher grade of brain tumors was correlated with higher Cho/Cr ratio, indicating a significant dependence of Cho levels on malignancy of gliomas. Our results suggest that clinical proton MR spectroscopy could be useful to predict tumor malignancy.