• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.146-152
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associated brain parenchymal abnormalities of developmental venous anomalies (DVA) with susceptibility-weighted image (SWI). Materials and Methods: Between January 2012 and June 2013, 2356 patients underwent brain MR examinations with contrast enhancement. We retrospectively reviewed their MR examinations and data were collected as per the following criteria: incidence, locations, and associated parenchymal signal abnormalities of DVAs on T2-weighted image, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and SWI. Contrast enhanced T1-weighted image was used to diagnose DVA. Results: Of the 2356 patients examined, 57 DVAs were detected in 57 patients (2.4%); 47 (82.4%) were in either lobe of the supratentorial brain, 9 (15.7%) were in the cerebellum, and 1 (1.7%) was in the pons. Of the 57 DVAs identified, 20 (35.1%) had associated parenchymal abnormalities in the drainage area. Among the 20 DVAs which had associated parenchymal abnormalities, 13 showed hemorrhagic foci on SWI, and 7 demonstrated only increased parenchymal signal abnormalities on T2-weighted and FLAIR images. In 5 of the 13 patients (38.5%) who had hemorrhagic foci, the hemorrhagic lesions were demonstrated only on SWI. Conclusion: The overall incidence of DVAs was 2.4%. Parenchymal abnormalities were associated with DVAs in 35.1% of the cases. On SWI, hemorrhage was detected in 22.8% of DVAs. Thus, we conclude that SWI might give a potential for understanding of the pathophysiology of parenchymal abnormalities in DVAs.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.124-128
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• 2009

Magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by using the sonochemical method with oleic acid as a surfactant. The average size of the magnetite nanoparticles was controlled by varying the ratio R=[$H_2O$]/[surfactant] in the range of 2 to 9 nm. To prepare chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles, chitosan solution was added to a magnetite colloid suspension under ultrasonication at room temperature for 20 min. The chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles were characterized by several techniques. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to image the chitosan-coated nanoparticles. Magnetic hysteresis measurement was performed by using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer to investigate the magnetic properties of the magnetite nanoparticles and the chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles. The SQUID measurements revealed the superparamagnetism of both nanoparticles. The T1- and T2-weighted MR images of these chitosan-coated magnetite colloidal suspensions were obtained with a 4.7 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The chitosancoated magnetite colloidal suspensions exhibited enhanced MRI contrasts in vitro.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.598-614
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• 2022

While ultrasound (US) is considered an important tool for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance, it has limited sensitivity for detecting early-stage HCC. Abbreviated MRI (AMRI) has recently gained popularity owing to better sensitivity in its detection of early-stage HCC than US, while also minimizing the time and cost in comparison to complete contrast-enhanced MRI, as AMRI includes only a few essential sequences tailored for detecting HCC. Currently, three AMRI protocols exist, namely gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary-phase AMRI, dynamic contrast-enhanced AMRI, and non-enhanced AMRI. In this study, we discussed the rationale and technical details of AMRI techniques for achieving optimal surveillance performance. The strengths, weaknesses, and current issues of each AMRI protocol were also elucidated. Moreover, we scrutinized previously performed AMRI studies regarding clinical and technical factors. Reporting and recall strategies were discussed while considering the differences in AMRI protocols. A risk-stratified approach for the target population should be taken to maximize the benefits of AMRI and the cost-effectiveness should be considered. In the era of multiple HCC surveillance tools, patients need to be fully informed about their choices for better adherence to a surveillance program.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.25-33
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• 2014

목적: 확산강조영상 (DW-MRI)과 역동적 조영증강 자기공명영상 (DCE-MRI)에서 도출한 정량적 매개변수들이 서로 연관되어 있는지 알아보고자 하였다. 대상과 방법: 치료시작 전 DWI와 DCE-MRI를 시행한 조직학적으로 혹은 임상적으로 진단된 골전이암을 가진 13명의 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 주 병변의 겉보기 확산계수 (ADC) 그리고 관류지수 중 $K^{trans}$와 $V_e$ 값을 측정하여 Pearson 연관분석을 사용하여 통계적으로 분석하였다. 결과: 15개의 병변 중 11개는 ADC와 $K^{trans}$ 값 간에 유의한 상관관계를 보였다. 이 중 7개의 병변은 음의 연관성을, 그리고 4개는 양의 연관성을 보였다. 9개의 병변은 ADC와 $V_e$ 값 간에 유의한 상관관계를 보였다. 이 중 4개는 음의 연관성을, 그리고 5개는 양의 연관성을 보였다. 결론: 골전이암의 ADC 값과 $K^{trans}$ 값, 혹은 ADC 값과 $V_e$ 값은 일정한 연관성이 없었다.

• 방사선산업학회지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.325-332
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• 2018

Carotid angiography covering the aortic arch includes contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CEA), which is applied to a large region and usually employs contrast media. However, the use of contrast media can be dangerous in infants, pregnant women, and patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Follow-up patients informed of a lesion may also want to avoid constant exposure to contrast media. We aimed to apply time-of-flight (TOF) angiography to a large region and compare its usefulness with that of CEA. Ten patients (mean age, 58 years; range, 45~75 years) who visited our hospital for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) participated in this study. A 3.0 Tesla Achieva magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (Philips, Netherland) and the SENSE NeuroVascular 16-channel coil were employed for both methods. Both methods were applied simultaneously to the same patient. Three TOF stacks were connected to cover the aortic arch through the circle of Willis, and CEA was applied in the same manner. For the quantitative assessment, the acquired images were used to set the regions of interest (ROIs) in the common carotid artery (CCA) bifurcation, internal carotid artery, external carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, and vertebral artery, and to obtain the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for the soft tissues. Three radiologists and one radiological resident performed the qualitative assessment on a 5-point scale - 1 point, "very bad"; 2 points, "bad"; 3 points, "average"; 4 points, "good"; and 5 points, "very good" - with regard to 4 items: (1) sharpness, (2) distortion, (3) vein contamination, and (4) expression of peripheral vessels. For the quantitative assessment, we estimated the mean SNR and CNR in each of the 5 ROIs. In general, the mean SNR was higher in TOF angiography (166.1, 205.2, 154.39, 172.23, and 161.95) than in CEA(92.05, 95.43, 84.76, 73.69, and 88.3). Both methods had a similar mean CNR: 67.62, 106.71, 55.9, 73.74, and 63.46 for TOF angiography, and 67.82, 71.19, 60.52, 49.45, and 64.07 for CEA. In all ROIs, the mean SNR was statistically significant (p<0.05), whereas the mean CNR was insignificant (p>0.05). The mean values of TOF angiography and CEA for each item in the qualitative assessment were 4.2 and 4.28, respectively for item 1; 2.93 and 4.55, respectively, for item 2; 4.6 and 3.13, respectively, for item 3; and 2.88 and 4.65, respectively, for item 4. Therefore, TOF angiography had a higher mean for item 3, and CEA had a higher mean for items 2 and 4; there was no significant difference between the two methods for item 1. The results for item 1 were statistically insignificant (p>0.05), whereas the results for items 2~4 were statistically significant (p<0.05). Both methods have advantages and disadvantages and they complement each other. However, CEA is usually applied to a large region covering the aortic arch. Time-of-flight angiography may be useful for people such as infants, pregnant women, CRF patients, and followup patients for whom the use of contrast media can be dangerous or unnecessary, depending on the circumstance.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.105-113
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• 2016

Purpose: Susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) on gradient echo image, which is caused by MR signal loss due to arterial thrombosis, has been reported in acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. However, the reported sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of SVS have been variable. Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a newly developed MR sequence. Recent studies have found that SWI may be useful in the field of cerebrovascular diseases, especially for detecting the presence of prominent veins, microbleeds and the SVS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic values of SWI for the detection of hyperacute MCA occlusion. Materials and Methods: Sixty-nine patients (37 males, 32 females; 46-89 years old [mean, 69.1]) with acute stroke involving the MCA territory underwent MR imaging within 6 hours after the symptom onset. MR examination included T2, FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery), DWI, SWI, PWI (perfusion-weighted imaging), contrast-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) and contrast-enhanced T1. Of these patients, 28 patients also underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) within 2 hours after MR examination. Presence or absence of SVS on SWI was assessed without knowledge of clinical, DSA and other MR imaging findings. Results: On MRA or DSA, 34 patients (49.3%) showed MCA occlusion. Of these patients, SVS was detected in 30 (88.2%) on SWI. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of SWI were 88.2%, 97.1%, 96.8%, 89.5% and 92.8%, respectively. Conclusion: SWI was sensitive, specific and accurate for the detection of hyperacute MCA occlusion.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.118-130
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and automatic whole brain segmentation. Materials and Methods: Forty-two consecutive mTBI patients with PCS who had undergone post-traumatic MR imaging, including DCE MR imaging, between October 2016 and April 2018, and 29 controls with DCE MR imaging were included in this retrospective study. After performing three-dimensional T1-based brain segmentation with FreeSurfer software (Laboratory for Computational Neuroimaging), the mean K^trans and v_p from DCE MR imaging (derived using the Patlak model and extended Tofts and Kermode model) were analyzed in the bilateral cerebral/cerebellar cortex, bilateral cerebral/cerebellar white matter (WM), and brainstem. K^trans values of the mTBI patients and controls were calculated using both models to identify the model that better reflected the increased permeability owing to mTBI (tendency toward higher K^trans values in mTBI patients than in controls). The Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman rank correlation test were performed to compare the mean K^trans and v_p between the two groups and correlate K^trans and v_p with neuropsychological tests for mTBI patients. Results: Increased permeability owing to mTBI was observed in the Patlak model but not in the extended Tofts and Kermode model. In the Patlak model, the mean K^trans in the bilateral cerebral cortex was significantly higher in mTBI patients than in controls (p = 0.042). The mean v_p values in the bilateral cerebellar WM and brainstem were significantly lower in mTBI patients than in controls (p = 0.009 and p = 0.011, respectively). The mean K^trans of the bilateral cerebral cortex was significantly higher in patients with atypical performance in the auditory continuous performance test (commission errors) than in average or good performers (p = 0.041). Conclusion: BBB disruption, as reflected by the increased K^trans and decreased v_p values from the Patlak model, was observed throughout the bilateral cerebral cortex, bilateral cerebellar WM, and brainstem in mTBI patients with PCS.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.707-716
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• 2020

Objective: To evaluate pharmacokinetic variables from contrast-enhancing lesions (CELs) and non-enhancing T2 high signal intensity lesions (NE-T2HSILs) on dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four GBM patients who had undergone preoperative DCE MR imaging and received standard treatment were retrospectively included. We analyzed the pharmacokinetic variables of the volume transfer constant (Ktrans) and volume fraction of extravascular extracellular space within the CEL and NE-T2HSIL of the entire tumor. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed using preoperative clinical characteristics, pharmacokinetic variables of DCE MR imaging, and postoperative molecular biomarkers to predict PFS. Results: The increased mean Ktrans of the CEL, increased 95th percentile Ktrans of the CELs, and absence of methylated O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter were relevant adverse variables for PFS in the univariate analysis (p = 0.041, p = 0.032, and p = 0.083, respectively). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that PFS was significantly shorter in patients with a mean Ktrans of the CEL > 0.068 and 95th percentile Ktrans of the CEL > 0.223 (log-rank p = 0.038 and p = 0.041, respectively). However, only mean Ktrans of the CEL was significantly associated with PFS (p = 0.024; hazard ratio, 553.08; 95% confidence interval, 2.27-134756.74) in the multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis. None of the pharmacokinetic variables from NE-T2HSILs were significantly related to PFS. Conclusion: Among the pharmacokinetic variables extracted from CELs and NE-T2HSILs on preoperative DCE MR imaging, the mean Ktrans of CELs exhibits potential as a useful imaging predictor of PFS in GBM patients.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.559-567
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• 2021

Objective: To evaluate the impact of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) before confirmatory prostate biopsy in patients under active surveillance (AS). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 170 patients with Gleason grade 6 prostate cancer initially enrolled in an AS program between 2011 and 2019. Prostate mpMRI was performed using a 1.5 tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging system with a 16-channel phased-array body coil. The protocol included T1-weighted, T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging sequences. Uroradiology reports generated by a specialist were based on prostate imaging-reporting and data system (PI-RADS) version 2. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed based on regression models. Results: The reclassification rate at confirmatory biopsy was higher in patients with suspicious lesions on mpMRI (PI-RADS score ≥ 3) (n = 47) than in patients with non-suspicious mpMRIs (n = 61) and who did not undergo mpMRIs (n = 62) (66%, 26.2%, and 24.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, presence of a suspicious mpMRI finding (PI-RADS score ≥ 3) was associated (adjusted odds ratio: 4.72) with the risk of reclassification at confirmatory biopsy after adjusting for the main variables (age, prostate-specific antigen density, number of positive cores, number of previous biopsies, and clinical stage). Presence of a suspicious mpMRI finding (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.62) was also associated with the risk of progression to active treatment during the follow-up. Conclusion: Inclusion of mpMRI before the confirmatory biopsy is useful to stratify the risk of reclassification during the biopsy as well as to evaluate the risk of progression to active treatment during follow-up.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.192-199
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• 2013

목적: 국소적 전립선암의 고강도 집속 초음파 치료 후 국소적 암 재발을 발견하는데 있어 역동적 조영증강 자기공명영상의 진단적 능력을 T2 강조영상과 후향적으로 비교하고자 한다. 대상과 방법: 고강도 집속 초음파 치료을 시행 받은 이후 혈중 전립선 특이 항원 수치가 증가한 26명의 환자를 연구에 포함시켰다. 모든 환자는 T2 강조영상과 역동적 조영증강 자기공명영상을 시행 받은 후 경직장 초음파 유도하 조직 검사를 받았으며, 영상 소견과 조직 검사 결과는 전립선을 여섯 구획으로 분리 하여 비교하였다. 조직 검사 결과에서 암 병변이 있는 경우 국소적 암 재발로 정의하였으며, 영상 소견은 두 명의 독립적인 영상의학과 의사가 분석하였다. 결과: 156개의 전립선 구획에서 17명의 환자, 51 구획 (33%)에서 재발암 병변이 발견되었다. 국소적 암 재발의 발견에 있어 역동적 조영증강영상과 T2 강조영상의 민감도는 관찰자 1 에서 각각 80%와 57% (P < 0.001), 관찰자 2 에서 각각 84%와 61% (P < 0.001) 였다. 두 영상 방법간 특이도와 정확도는 두 관찰자에서 모두 유의한 차이가 없었다 (P > 0.05). 관찰자간 일치도에 있어 역동적 조영 증강 영상의 카파값은 0.52, T2 강조 영상의 카파값은 0.21 이었다. 결론: 국소적 전립선암의 고강도 집속 초음파 치료 후 국소적 암 재발을 발견하는데 있어 역동적 조영증강영상은 T2 강조영상보다 더욱 민감하며 관찰자간 일치도 역시 높다.