• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2000

Objective: In order to investigate the functional brain anatomy associated with verbal and visual working memory, functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed. Materials and Methods: In ten normal right handed subjects, functional MR images were obtained using a 1.5-T MR scanner and the EPI BOLD technique. An item recognition task was used for stimulation, and during the activation period of the verbal working memory task, consonant letters were used. During the activation period of the visual working memory task, symbols or diagrams were employed instead of letters. For the post-processing of images, the SPM program was used, with the threshold of significance set at p < .001. We assessed activated brain areas during the two stimulation tasks and compared the activated regions between the two tasks. Results: The prefrontal cortex and secondary visual cortex were activated bilaterally by both verbal and visual working memory tasks, and the patterns of activated signals were similar in both tasks. The superior parietal cortex was also activated by both tasks, with lateralization to the left in the verbal task, and bilaterally without lateralization in the visual task. The inferior frontal cortex, inferior parietal cortex and temporal gyrus were activated exclusively by the verbal working memory task, predominantly in the left hemisphere. Conclusion: The prefrontal cortex is activated by two stimulation tasks, and this is related to the function of the central executive. The language areas activated by the verbal working memory task may be a function of the phonological loop. Bilateral prefrontal and superior parietal cortices activated by the visual working memory task may be related to the visual maintenance of objects, representing visual working memory.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.117-120
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• 2006

Atretic cephalocelces are defined as skin-covered midline subscalp lesions that contain meninges and rest of glial and/or central nervous system tissue. When the straight sinus is absent or rudimentary, the falcine sinus can be recanalized to enable venous drainage. Although the atretic cephalocele or persistent falcine sinus has largely been described in the pediatric population, it is a rarely observed in the adult population. We report a unique case of spontaneously involuted atretic cephalocele coexistent with persistent falcine sinus in an adult. MR images and MR venography were useful for diagnosis and accurate anatomical depiction.

• Proceedings of the Korea Multimedia Society Conference
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• 2002.05c
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• pp.160-163
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• 2002

본 연구는 의료영상 중에 가장 많이 사용하는 의료 영상인 MR영상 중에서 머리 부위의 질병인 뇌종양에 대한 진단을 돕기 위한 연구이다. 뇌 MR영상의 T2강조 영상을 살펴보면, 종양 영역은 명암이 밝게 나타나고 종양 영역의 주변은 어둡게 나타나는 특성을 볼 수 있다. 따라서 제안된 방법은 뇌종양 특성인 명암의 밝기 정보를 기반으로 비정상 영역 내에서 명암 정보가 유사한 영역끼리 그룹화하고 그 중에 가장 밝은 영역을 종양 후보 영역으로 추출한 후 각 후보 영역들 중에서 MBR이 가장 큰 것을 종양으로 검출한다.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 1999

In anatomical aspects, magnetic resonance image offers more accurate information than other medical images such as X ray, ultrasonic and CT images. This paper introduces a method that segments and detects lesion for 2 dimensional axial MR brain images automatically. Image segmentation process consists of 2 stages. First stage extracts cerebrum region using thresholding and morphology. In the second stage, white matter, gray matter and cerebrospinal fluid in the cerebrum are extracted using FCM, We could improve processing time as removing uninterested region. Finally symmetry measure and anatomical Knowledge are used to detect lesion.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.285-291
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• 2004

To determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings and natural history of cerebral fat embolism in a cat model, and to correlate the MR imaging and histologic fmdings. Intemel carotid artery of 11 cats was injected with 0.1 ml of triolein. T2-weighted, T1-weighted and Gd-enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained serially for 2 hours, 1 days, 4 days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks after embolization. Any abnormal signal intensity was evaluated. After MR imaging at 3 weeks, brain tissue was obtained for light microscopic (LM) examination using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Luxol fast blue staining, and for electron microscopic examination. The LM examination with HE staining revealed normal histological findings in the greater part of an embolized lesion. Cystic change was observed in the gray matter of 8 cats, while in the gray and white matter of 3 cats. At LM examination, Luxol fast blue, staining demonstrated demyelination around the cystic change occurring in the white matter, and EM examination of the embolized cortex revealed sporadic intracapillary fat vacuoles (n=11) and disruption of the blood-brain barrier (n=4). Most lesions were normal, however, and perivascular interstitial edema and cellular swelling were mild compared with the control side. The greater part of an embolized lesion showed reversible findings at MR and histological examination. Irreversible focal necrosis was, however, observed in gray and white matter at weeks 3.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2000.07a
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• pp.450-453
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• 2000

In this paper, an automated segmentation algorithm is proposed for MR brain images using T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and PD images complementarily. The proposed segmentation algorithm is composed of 3 steps. In the first step, cerebrum images are extracted by putting a cerebrum mask upon the three input images. In the second step, outstanding clusters that represent inner tissues of the cerebrum are chosen among 3-dimensional (3D) clusters. 3D clusters are determined by intersecting densely distributed parts of 2D histogram in the 3D space formed with three optimal scale images. Optimal scale image best describes the shape of densely distributed parts of pixels in 2D histogram. In the final step, cerebrum images are segmented using FCM algorithm with it’s initial centroid value as the outstanding cluster’s centroid value. The proposed segmentation algorithm complements the defect of FCM algorithm, being influenced upon initial centroid, by calculating cluster’s centroid accurately And also can get better segmentation results from the proposed segmentation algorithm with multi spectral analysis than the results of single spectral analysis.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.241-252
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• 2004

Purpose: Population based structural and functional maps of the brain provide effective tools for the analysis and interpretation of complex and individually variable brain data. Brain MRI and PET standard templates and statistical probabilistic maps based on image data of Korean normal volunteers have been developed and probabilistic maps based on cytoarchitectonic data have been introduced. A quantification method using these data was developed for the objective assessment of regional intensity in the brain images. Materials and Methods: Age, gender and ethnic specific anatomical and functional brain templates based on MR and PET images of Korean normal volunteers were developed. Korean structural probabilistic maps for 89 brain regions and cytoarchitectonic probabilistic maps for 13 Brodmann areas were transformed onto the standard templates. Brain FDG PET and SPGR MR images of normal volunteers were spatially normalized onto the template of each modality and gender. Regional uptake of radiotracers in PET and gray matter concentration in MR images were then quantified by averaging (or summing) regional intensities weighted using the probabilistic maps of brain regions. Regionally specific effects of aging on glucose metabolism in cingulate cortex were also examined. Results: Quantification program could generate quantification results for single spatially normalized images per 20 seconds. Glucose metabolism change in cingulate gyrus was regionally specific: ratios of glucose metabolism in the rostral anterior cingulate vs. posterior cingulate and the caudal anterior cingulate vs. posterior cingulate were significantly decreased as the age increased. 'Rostral anterior'/'posterior' was decreased by 3.1% per decade of age ($P<10^{-11}$, r=0.81) and 'caudal anterior'/'posterior' was decreased by 1.7% ($P<10^{-8}$, r=0.72). Conclusion: Ethnic specific standard templates and probabilistic maps and quantification program developed in this study will be useful for the analysis of brain image of Korean people since the difference in shape of the hemispheres and the sulcal pattern of brain relative to age, gender, races, and diseases cannot be fully overcome by the nonlinear spatial normalization techniques.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.125-129
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• 1997

Purpose: The aim of this study was to find correlation between the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and MR findings in the brain glioma. Materials and Methods: MR features including edema, margin, necrosis, heterogeneity, hemorrhage and contrast enhancement were retrospectively analyzed with preoperative MR images in 41 patients with proven brain gliomas (8 low grade astrocytomas, 12 anaplastic astrocytomas, 21 glioblastoma multiformes). Immunohistochemical study of EGFR was done and their expressions were graded by both stained distribution and intensity. Correlation analysis between the MR features and EGFR expressions was done. Results: Peritumoral edema was correlated with both distribution (r=0.71, p=0.00) and stain intensity (r=0.69, p=0.00) of EGFR expression. Other MR features showed no statistical correlation with EGFR expression. Conclusion: MRI is useful in evaluation of brain glioma, and peritumoral edema is useful finding that suggests EGFR expression as well as malignant histopathologic grade of the tumor.

• Proceedings of the Korea Multimedia Society Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.204-207
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• 2001

뇌 MR 영상에서 질환을 자동적으로 진단하고 판별하는 작업은 정상인의 뇌 영상과의 비교를 통해서 가능하다. 정상인과의 뇌 영상 비교를 통하여 보다 정확하게 질병에 대한 근거를 제시할 수가 있기 때문에 이러한 접근 방법들이 여러 의료영상 연구 분야에서 시도되고 있다. 정상인의 뇌 영상과의 비교를 위해서는 우선적으로 해결되어야 하는 것이 현재의 대상 영상이 정상인 뇌의 어느 위치의 영상과 일치하는 지를 판별하는 문제이다. 따라서 본 연구는 이러한 뇌 매핑에 사용될 수 있는 특징들을 추출하기 위한 것으로, 뇌 매핑에 사용되는 특징들을 추출하기 위해서 뇌 MR 영상으로부터 대리영역, 뇌영역, 뇌척수액영역 그리고 눈영역을 분할한 후 이들의 윤곽선, 최소사각형과 각 영역들의 픽셀 정보들을 찾아낸다. 이는 추후 연구할 뇌 매핑을 위한 대분류에 사용될 수 있다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.119-124
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• 1997

Purpose: To assess the utility of magnetic resonance(MR) cerebral blood volume (CBV) map in the evaluation of brain tumors. Materials and Methods: We performed perfusion MR imaing preoperatively in the consecutive IS patients with intracranial masses(3 meningiomas, 2 glioblastoma multiformes, 3 low grade gliomas, 1 lymphoma, 1 germinoma, 1 neurocytoma, 1 metastasis, 2 abscesses, 1 radionecrosis). The average age of the patients was 42 years (22yr -68yr), composed of 10 males and S females. All MR images were obtained at l.ST imager(Signa, CE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wisconsin). The regional CBV map was obtained on the theoretical basis of susceptibility difference induced by first pass circulation of contrast media. (contrast media: IScc of gadopentate dimeglumine, about 2ml/sec by hand, starting at 10 second after first baseline scan). For each patient, a total of 480 images (6 slices, 80 images/slice in 160 sec) were obtained by using gradient echo(CE) single shot echo-planar image(EPI) sequence (TR 2000ms, TE SOms, flip angle $90^{\circ}$, FOV $240{\times}240mm,{\;}matrix{\;}128{\times}128$, slice-thick/gap S/2.S). After data collection, the raw data were transferred to CE workstation and rCBV maps were generated from the numerical integration of ${\Delta}R2^{*} on a voxel by voxel basis, with home made software (${\Delta}R2^{*}=-ln (S/SO)/TE). For easy visual interpretation, relative RCB color coding with reference to the normal white matter was applied and color rCBV maps were obtained. The findings of perfusion MR image were retrospectively correlated with Cd-enhanced images with focus on the degree and extent of perfusion and contrast enhancement. Results: Two cases of glioblastoma multiforme with rim enhancement on Cd-enhanced Tl weighted image showed increased perfusion in the peripheral rim and decreased perfusion in the central necrosis portion. The low grade gliomas appeared as a low perfusion area with poorly defined margin. In 2 cases of brain abscess, the degree of perfusion was similar to that of the normal white matter in the peripheral enhancing rim and was low in the central portion. All meningiomas showed diffuse homogeneous increased perfusion of moderate or high degree. One each of lymphoma and germinoma showed homogenously decreased perfusion with well defined margin. The central neurocytoma showed multifocal increased perfusion areas of moderate or high degree. A few nodules of the multiple metastasis showed increased perfusion of moderate degree. One radionecrosis revealed multiple foci of increased perfusion within the area of decreased perfusion. Conclusion: The rCBV map appears to correlate well with the perfusion state of brain tumor, and may be helpful in discrimination between low grade and high grade gliomas. The further study is needed to clarify the role of perfusion MR image in the evaluation of brain tumor.