• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.66-84
• /
• 2003

Objectve : Recent stuides suggested that there is a strong correlation between acupuncture stimulation and its cortical activation. Another study showed that either positive or negative BOLD effects could be observed depending on anatomical structure in acupuncture. Methods : 1) Subjects and paradigms: Two separate stimulation paradigms were performed in this study. To see the effects of electro-acupuncture stimulation on K7(Fuliu), the experiment was carried out on six healthy volunteers, using the gradient echo sequence with the 3.0T whole-body MRI system(ISOL). After the needle insertion on right K7(Fuliu), 2 Hz of electric stimulation was given for 30 seconds, repeated five times, with 30 seconds' intervals. During the intervals while there was no electro-stimulation, the subjects performed motor task as a reference. The image analysis including motion correction, talairach transformation, and smoothing was done using SPM99. Results: The electro-acupuncture stimulation on K7(Fuliu) activated Brodmann's Areas of 9, 19, 23, 24, 31, 32, 39 which may be the central pathways of the electro-acupuncture stimulation on K7(Fuliu) and those brain areas may be related with the function of the electro-acupuncture stimulation on K7(Fuliu).

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
• /
• 2001.11a
• /
• pp.111-111
• /
• 2001

목적： To evaluate the feasibility of the event-related functional MR study using power grip studying the hand motor system 대상 및 방법： Event-related functional MRI was performed on a 1.5T MR unit in seven norm volunteers (man=7, right-handedness=2, left-handedness=5, mean age： 25 years). A single-shot GRE-EPI sequence (TR/TE/flip angle： 1000ms/40ms/90, FOV = 240 mm matrix= 64$\times$64, slice thickness/gap = 5mm/0mm, 7 true axial slices) was used for functiona MR images. A flow-sensitive conventional gradient echo sequence (TR/TE/flip angl 50ms/4ms/60) was used for high-resolution anatomical images. To minimize the gross hea motion, neck-holders (MJ-200, USA) were used. A series of MR images were obtained in axial planes covering motor areas. To exclude motion-corrupted images, all MR images wer surveyed in a movie procedure and evaluated using the estimation of center of mass of ima signal intensities. Power grip task consisted of the powerful grip of all right fingers and hand movement ta used very fast right finger tapping at a speed of 3 per 1 second. All tasks were visual-guid by LCD projector (SHARP, Japan). Two tasks consisted of 134 phases including 7 activatio and 8 rest periods. Active stimulations were performed during 2 seconds and rest period were 15 seconds and total scan time per one task was 2 min 14 sec. Statistical maps we obtained using cross-correlation method. Reference vector was time-shifted by 4 seconds an Gaussian convolution with a FWHM of 4 seconds was applied to it. The threshold in p val for the activation sites was set to be 0.001. All mapping procedures were peformed usin homemade program an IDL (Research Systems Inc., USA) platform. We evaluated the activation patterns of the motor system of power grip compared to hand movement in t event-related functional MRI.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.168-177
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Brain surface intensity model (BSIM)-based cortical thickness analysis does not require complicated 3D segmentation of brain gray/white matters. Instead, this technique uses the local intensity profile to compute cortical thickness. The aim of the present study was to evaluate intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of BSIM-based cortical thickness analysis using images from elderly participants. Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy elderly participants (ages, 55-84 years) were included in this study. High-resolution 3D T1-spoiled gradient recalled-echo (SPGR) images were obtained using 3T MRI. BSIM-based processing steps included an inhomogeneity correction, intensity normalization, skull stripping, atlas registration, extraction of intensity profiles, and calculation of cortical thickness. Processing steps were automatic, with the exception of semiautomatic skull stripping. Individual cortical thicknesses were compared to a database indicating mean cortical thickness of healthy adults, in order to produce Z-score thinning maps. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated in order to evaluate inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities. Results: ICCs for intra-rater reliability were excellent, ranging from 0.751-0.940 in brain regions except the right occipital, left anterior cingulate, and left and right cerebellum (ICCs = 0.65-0.741). Although ICCs for inter-rater reliability were fair to excellent in most regions, poor inter-rater correlations were observed for the cingulate and occipital regions. Processing time, including manual skull stripping, was $17.07{\pm}3.43min$. Z-score maps for all participants indicated that cortical thicknesses were not significantly different from those in the comparison databases of healthy adults. Conclusion: BSIM-based cortical thickness measurements provide acceptable intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. We therefore suggest BSIM-based cortical thickness analysis as an adjunct clinical tool to detect cortical atrophy.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.242-251
• /
• 2017

Purpose: To investigate the association of carotid intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) with acute cerebral ischemic events and progression of stenosis using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Materials and Methods: From April 2014 to December 2016, 53 patients underwent carotid plaque MR imaging, including magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient-echo (MPRAGE) sequence. A total of 66 carotid arteries in 53 patients had carotid stenosis, and they were included in this study. Carotid arteries were classified according to the presence of IPH, the age of hemorrhage, and degree of stenosis. We assessed ipsilateral cerebrovascular event rates and progression of stenosis between the IPH and no-IPH groups. Results: Of the 61 carotid arteries assessed, 34 (56%) had IPH, and 27 (44%) had no IPH. Acute cerebral ischemic events were more frequent in the IPH group (47% vs. 22%, P = 0.045), especially in the < 30%-stenosis group (100% vs. 0%, P = 0.028). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of ischemic events according to the age of hemorrhage (50% vs. 44%, P = 0.492). Among the 61 carotid arteries, 20 carotid arteries had previously undergone carotid artery imaging and were evaluated for plaque progression. The trend for progression of stenosis favored the IPH group versus the no-IPH group, with a marginal P-value ($20%{\pm}12.7$ vs. $9.6%{\pm}5.7$, P = 0.063). Conclusion: IPH was associated with an increased incidence of acute ischemic events, especially in the mild-stenosis group and it was also associated with progression of stenosis. Evaluation of the carotid IPH by carotid plaque MR could improve discrimination of carotid plaques that cause ischemic events and progression of stenosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.12
• /
• pp.1634-1641
• /
• 2000

Objective : The cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) pulsates within the craniospinal axis in response to rhythmic cerebral blood volume variation during the cardiac cycle. The aim of this study is to characterize the normal and abnormal CSF flow and its waveforms in the cervical spinal subarachnoid space. Methods : The magnetic resonance(MR) images were obtained with 1.5 T(GE Signa, GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, USA) unit using the 2 dimensional cine PC(phase contrast) sequence with cardiac gating and gradient recalled echo imaging. This pulse sequence yielded 16 quantitative flow-encoded images per cardiac cycle. Sagittal and axial images of the cervical spinal CSF space were obtained, and target sites were analyzed for characteristic CSF flow (TR=50ms, TE=12.5-15ms). The region of interest(ROI) was 1mm 3 in volume. Twenty six persons were included in this study : 10 healthy volunteers and 16 patients with cervical myelopathy. The post-operative cine MR study were also done in five patients. Results : The normal CSF pulsation dynamics in the cervical spine showed discrete systolic and diastolic components. The CSF flow revealed a sine wave pattern, in which the systolic phase was shorter than the diastolic phase(ratio=2 : 3). The patient group revealed decreased amplitudes of the CSF flow and irregularly distored flow waves. The systolic phase was elongated in the ROI above the stenotic level, whereas the diastolic phase was lengthened below the level. In the postoperative images, the abnormal pattern and amplitude were found to be corrected. Conclusion : From these results, the authors believe that the CSF flow study provides valuable informations regarding the extent of cervical stenosis and may be useful for the surgical planning and post-operative evaluation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.86-103
• /
• 2003

Objective : Recently, many studies have showed the evidences of the effect of the acupunture treatment through scientific methods. One of these methods is functional MRI. We performed electro-acupunture on Sp6 and observed the changes of brain activation using fMRI. Methods : To see the effect of electro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6, the experiment was carried out on 12 healthy volunteers, using the gradient echo sequence with the 3.0T whole-body MRI system(ISOL). After the needle insertion on right Sp6, 2Hz of electric stimulation was given for 30 seconds, repeated five times, with 30 seconds' intervals. The Image analysis including motion correction, talairach transformation, and smoothing was done with SPM99. Results : 1. Group averaged brain activation induced by bilateral eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 3, 7, 13. 2. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by bilateral eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 6, 38, 47. 3. Group averaged brain activation induced by unilateral(right side) eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 5, 6, 13, 17, 18, 19, 31, 38, 40 ptoms, back pain(32.5%) was the 4. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by unilateral(right side) eletro-acupunture stimulation on Sp6 activates Brodman Area 3, 4, 18, 21, 36, 38, 39. 5. Brain region activated by motor stimulation activates Brodman Area 3, 4, 6, 18, 19.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.10 no.7
• /
• pp.531-537
• /
• 2016

An experimental study was to use the parameter to determine the MRI artifact of chemical shift that occurs in water and fats. Scanning the image according to the encoding parameter and the bandwidth and change in 1.5T and 3.0T MRI to the SNR, we compared the CNR. In the image was confirmed that the occurrence of artefacts in the chemical shift of the water and oil. 3.0T more image artifacts in the 1.5T was confirmed that the relatively reduced. The width of the bandwidth it could be confirmed that according to the honeycombs artifacts decrease. Therefore, in order to reduce the artifacts in the MRI scan of the chemical shift runners weak field strength, is thought to be appropriate to widen the width of the bandwidth.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
• /
• 2002.11a
• /
• pp.111-111
• /
• 2002

Purpose： This study is to compare the distinct brain activation between implicit and explicit memory retrieval tasks using a non-invasive blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI). Materials ＆ Methods： We studied seven right-handed, healthy volunteers aged 21-25 years(mean；22 years) were scanned under a 1.5T Signa Horizon Echospeed MR imager(GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, U.S.A.). During the implicit and explicit memory retrieval tasks of previously teamed words under the conceptual processing, we acquired fMRI data using gradient-echo EPI with 50ms TE, 3000ms TR, 26cm${\times}$26cm field-of-view, 128${\times}$128 matrix, and ten slices(6mm slice thickness, 1 mm gap) parallel to the AC-PC(anterior commissure and posterior commissure) line. By using the program of statistical parametric mapping(SPM99), functional activation maps were reconstructed and quantified.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.67-75
• /
• 2015

Purpose: To investigate the value of image post-processing software (FreeSurfer, IBASPM [individual brain atlases using statistical parametric mapping software]) and inversion time (TI) in volumetric analyses of the hippocampus and to identify differences in comparison with manual tracing. Materials and Methods: Brain images from 12 normal adults were acquired using magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo (MPRAGE) with a slice thickness of 1.3 mm and TI of 800, 900, 1000, and 1100 ms. Hippocampal volumes were measured using FreeSurfer, IBASPM and manual tracing. Statistical differences were examined using correlation analyses accounting for spatial interpretations percent volume overlap and percent volume difference. Results: FreeSurfer revealed a maximum percent volume overlap and maximum percent volume difference at TI = 800 ms ($77.1{\pm}2.9%$) and TI = 1100 ms ($13.1{\pm}2.1%$), respectively. The respective values for IBASPM were TI = 1100 ms ($55.3{\pm}9.1%$) and TI = 800 ms ($43.1{\pm}10.7%$). FreeSurfer presented a higher correlation than IBASPM but it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: FreeSurfer performed better in volumetric determination than IBASPM. Given the subjective nature of manual tracing, automated image acquisition and analysis image is accurate and preferable.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.231-240
• /
• 2016

Purpose: To determine whether liver stiffness (LS) measured by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can predict the outcome of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 107 patients with Child-Pugh class A liver function who were treated with RFA for single HCC and who had undergone a gradient-echo MRE within 6 months before RFA were included. We evaluated the relationship between the LS values and the ablation volume, local tumor progression (LTP), and intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR). We also constructed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to examine the role of LS in predicting liver function deterioration, which was defined as an increase of Child-Pugh score by one point or more at 1 year after RFA. Results: There was no significant correlation between LS and ablation volume, and neither time to LTP nor IDR was associated with LS. Among the 66 patients who did not have recurrence 1 year after RFA, 5 patients (7.6%) developed liver function deterioration. A high LS value was significantly associated with development of liver function deterioration after RFA and the area under the ROC curve was 0.764 (95% CI 0.598-0.929, P = 0.003). Conclusion: LS measured by MRE could not predict ablation volume and tumor recurrence. However, high LS values were significantly associated with development of liver function deterioration.