• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2021

Ultrasound imaging in clinical practice is one of the widely used diagnostic methods because there is no radiation risk, more cost- effective compared to MRI or CT, and possible to perform an intervention through fast real-time imaging. In order to increase the diagnostic value, the studies of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using an ultrasound contrast agent have been actively conducted since about 50 years ago and are being used clinically in vascularity and microcirculation of internal organs. Although ultrasound is actively used for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases in musculoskeletal disorders, there are some limitations in diagnosing mild or small lesions, inflammatory reactions, or abnormalities at the molecular level. In this review, the principles, types, and research, and clinical applications of ultrasound contrast agents have been summarized and introduced. If we understand the characteristics of the ultrasound contrast agents and anatomical knowledge, as well as molecular changes, the ultrasound contrast agents are widely applied in musculoskeletal disorders and have tremendous potential for diagnosis and treatment.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2007.07a
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• pp.357-358
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• 2007

Contrast enhancement in the field of ultrasound imaging contributes to improve the accuracy of medical diagnosis by enhancing the visibility of ultrasound images. This paper proposes a contrast enhancement method that improves the contrast of ultrasound images both globally and locally by fusing global and adaptive contrast enhancement methods. Experimental results show that our approach yields more competitive results than the existing global and adaptive contrast enhancement methods in enhancing the visibility of ultrasound images.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.1E
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Primary radiation force on ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) in a propagating and standing acoustic field was explored. A specific ultrasound contrast agent $Albunex^{(R)}$ and $Optison^{(R)}$ were chosen for simulation. The model was developed based on a shelled bubble model proposed by Church. The numerical simulation suggests that bubble translational motion is more significant in therapeutic ultrasound due to higher intensity and long pulse duration. Even a single cycle of a propagating wave of 4 MPa at 1 MHz can cause a bubble translational motion of greater than $1{\mu}m$ which is approximately one tenth of capillary. Hence, UCA characteristics can be significantly changed in therapeutic ultrasound without rapid bubble collapses.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.493-497
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• 2012

This study was conducted to retrospectively evaluate the pattern of contrast enhancement with SonoVue on gray-scale ultrasonography of hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML). Imaging features of 33 pathologically proven HAML lesions in 33 patients who underwent baseline ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) were assessed retrospectively. All lesions were enhanced in the arterial phase and showed whole-tumor filling in. Thirty-two of 33 (97%) lesions showed early positive enhancement in the arterial phase. Twenty-three of these exhibited isoechoic or hyperechoic features in the portal phase. HAML demonstrate characteristic manifestations with SonoVue-enhanced real-time gray-scale ultrasonography.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2006

In diagnostic ultrasound, the quality of image affect to diagnose. To maintain suboptimal imaging uniformly, Quality Assurance of Ultrasound equipment should take periodically. This is article about examination the quality of image in diagnostic ultrasound to understand conditions of probes in hospitals. There is comparative study of convex and linear probes on ultrasound using tissue-mimicking phantom included simulated cysts, echogenic structures. The ultrasonic attenuation coefficient versus frequency of 0.5 dB is representative of normal liver and 0.7 dB is representative of fatty liver condition in ultrasound phantom. There are results of convex probe, 0.5 dB, vertical group, cystic masses, high contrast masses are mostly shown but 0.7 dB, mid level in vertical group, cystic masses and high contrast masses are nearly visible. In linear probe, 0.5 dB, mid level in vertical group, two or four of them are shown in cystic masses and high contrast masses but there are not visible in 11 of cases. 0.7 dB, there are mostly appear under 6 in vertical group, two or four of them show in cystic masses and high contrast masses and there are not shown in 40 of cases, besides. Linear probes in fatty liver condition of ultrasound instrument are not good in the quality of image practically. So there needs to be replace and fix of probes. Actually management of ultrasound probes is inadequate in hospitals. So if there are program of evaluation to check probes periodically in hospitals from establishment of the ultrasound equipment, there will get better image and have a suitable condition of instruments further more.

• Journal of KSNVE
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.743-759
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• 2000

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7449-7452
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic (CEUS) features with microvessel density (MVD) in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). Materials and Methods: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) was performed in 62 patients (17 men and 45 women) with PTC. Tomtec software was applied to analyze the time intensity curve of CEUS. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the level of MVD in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Then the relationship between quantitative feature and the level of MVD was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 software. Results: The mean peak intensity of PTC tissues was lower than that of peripheral thyroid parenchyma ($61.9{\pm}11.8%$ vs 100%, p<0.05). The MVDs of CD34 and CD31 antibodies staining were $38.0{\pm}6.1$ and $37.9{\pm}5.1$ respectively in 62 PTC samples. A significantly positive correlation was observed between peak intensity and MVD in PTC tissues ($P_{CD34}$<0.01, $r_{CD34}$=0.838, $P_{CD31}$<0.01, $r_{CD31}$=0.837). Conclusions: The peak intensity in CEUS could reflect the MVD in PTC tissues. Therefore, quantification of CEUS seems to be helpful for assessment of MVD in PTC tissues.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1528-1534
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• 2004

The combination of ultrasound echo images with digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) methods has resulted in a two-dimensional, two-component velocity field measurement technique appropriate for opaque flow conditions including blood flow in clinical applications. Advanced PIV processing algorithms including an iterative scheme and window offsetting were used to increase spatial resolution. The optimum concentration of the ultrasound contrast agent used for seeding was explored. Velocity validation tests in fully developed laminar pipe flow result of echo PIV showed good agreement with both optical PIV measurements and the known analytic solution based on a volume flow measurement.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.2206-2212
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• 2013

We propose a method for the classification of fatty liver by ultrasound imaging using Fuzzy Contrast Enhancement Technique and FCM. ROI images are extracted after removal of information data except ultrasound image of the liver and the kidney then image contrast is improved by Fuzzy Contrast Enhancement Algorithm. The images applied Fuzzy Contrast Enhancement Technique is applied average binarization then ROI images of liver and kidney parenchyma are extracted using Blob algorithm. Representative brightness is extracted in the liver and kidney images using the most frequent brightness level after classification of 10 brightness levels. We applied this method to ultrasound images and a radiologist confirmed the accuracy of diagnosis for fatty liver. This method would be a model for automatic method in the diagnosis of fatty liver.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.677-687
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• 2021

Microvascular ultrasound (US) techniques are advanced Doppler techniques that provide high sensitivity and spatial resolution for detailed visualization of low-flow vessels. Microvascular US imaging can be applied to breast lesion evaluation with or without US contrast agents. Microvascular US imaging without a contrast agent uses a sophisticated wall filtering system to selectively obtain low-flow Doppler signals from overlapped artifacts. Microvascular US imaging with second-generation contrast agents amplifies flow signals and makes them last longer, which facilitates hemodynamic evaluation of breast lesions. In this review article, we will introduce various microvascular US techniques, explain their clinical applications in breast cancer diagnosis and radiologic-histopathologic correlation, and provide a summary of a recent radiogenomic study using microvascular US.