• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.57-61
• /
• 2012

To compare the accuracy of breath-hold magnetic resonance imaging sequences to establish the most effective superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced sequence for detection of hepatic metastases. A total of 100 patients(50men and 50women, mean age: 60years) with liver disease(including malignant and benign liver lesions) were investigated at 3.0T machine (GE, General Electric Medical System, Excite HD) with 8Ch body coil. Pulse sequence for MR imaging decided to the FS-T2-FSE-RT(TR/TE/Thick./Freq./Phase=12857ms/100ms/7mm/512/384), MGRE(TR/TE/Thick./Freq./Phase=100ms/9.7ms/7mm/384/288), in-out of phase echo(TR/$TE_1$, $TE_2$/Thick./Freq./Phase=140ms/2.4, 5.8ms/7mm/352/300), Images obtained before the injection of SPIO. Six sequences were optimized for lesion detection: FS-T2-FSE-RT, multigradient recalled echo data image(MGRE), T2-weighted MGRE with an 9.7msec echo time. Images were reviewed independently by five blinded observers. The accuracy of each sequence was measured by using picture archiving communication system analysis. All results were correlated with findings at multidectator computed tomography examination. Differences between the mean results of the six observers were measured by using paired student t-test analysis. Postcontrast T2-weighted MGRE sequences were the most accurate and were significantly superior to postcontrast FS-T2-FSE-RT, T2-weighted MGRE, in-out of phase MR sequences(p < .05). For all lesions that were malignant or smaller than 1 cm, respectively, contrast to noise ratio of pre and postcontrast sequences were -1and -0.3 for T2-weighted FSE, 0.53 and 4.5 in-out of phase, 7, 7.08, 5.08, 3.32, 1.7, 1.16, 0.79, 0.68 for GRE with 2.9, 7.5, 12.1, 16.6, 21.2, 25.8, 30.4, 35.0 TE values. Breath-hold various TE precontrast sequences offer improvement in sensitivity compared with fixed multigradient recalled echo sequences alone.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 2002.09a
• /
• pp.356-358
• /
• 2002

MRI, particularly diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), plays vital roles in detection of the acute brain infarction$\^$1-4/ and others metabolic changes of biological tissues. In general, every molecule in biological tissues may diffuse and move randomly in three-dimensional space. However, in clinical diagnosis, only 2D-DWI is used. The authors have developed a new method for rapid three-dimensional DWI (3D-DWI). In this method, by refocusing of the magnetized spin with the applied gradient field, direction of which is opposite to phase encoding field. Magnetized spin of $^1$H is kept under the SSFP (steady state free precession)$\^$5-6/. Under SSFP, in addition of FID, spin echo and stimulated echo are also generated, so the acquired signal is increased. The signal intensity is increased depending on flip angle (FA) of magnetized spin. This phenomenon is confirmed by human brain and phantom studies. The performance of this method is quantitatively analyzed by using both of conventional spin echo DWI and 3D-DWI. From experimental results, three dimensional diffusion weighted images are obtained correctly for liquid phantoms (water, acetone and oil), diffusion coefficient is enhanced in each image. Therefore, this method will provide useful information for clinical diagnosis.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.167-172
• /
• 1999

Purpose : To evaluate the detection rate of hyperacute intracerebral hemorrhage in echo planar imaging (EPI) and other MR sequences. materials and Methods : Intracerebral hemorrhage was experimentally induced in ten rats. EPI, fast spin-echo (FSE) T2 weighted images, fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), spin-echo (SE) T1 weighted images and gradient echo (GE) T1 weight ed images of rat's brains were obtained 2 hours after onset of intracerebral hemorrhage. EPI and FSE T2 images were additionally obtained 30 min and 1 hour after onset of hemorrhage in 3 and 6 rat, repeatedly, For objective visual assessment, discrimination between the lesion and normal brain parenchyma was evaluated on various MR sequences by three radiologists. For quantitative assessment, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated fro hemorrhage-normal brain parenchyma. Statistical analysis was performed usning the Wilcoxon-Ranks test. Results : EPI, FLAIR, and FSE T2 images showed high signal intensity lesions. The lesion discrimination was easier on EPI than on other sequences, and also EPI showed higher signal intensity for the subjective visual assessment. In quantitative evaluation, CNR of the hemorrhagic lesion versus normal brain parenchyma were higher on EPI and FLAIR images (p<0.01). There was no difference in CNR between EPI and FLAIR (p>0.10). On MR images obtained 30 minutes and 1 hour after the onset of intracerebral hemorrhage, the lesion detection was feasible on both EPI and FSE T2 images showing high signal intensity. Conclusion : EPI showed higher detection rate as compared with other MR sequences and could be useful in early detection and evaluation of intracerebral hemorrhage.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.142-147
• /
• 2008

Purpose : By using the micro-imaging unit modified from NMR spectrometer, the high resolution MRI protocols of finer than 100 micron in 5 minutes, is sought for mouse, which plays a central role in animal studies Materials and Methods : C57BL/6 mouse, lighter than 50 gram, is used for the experiments. The superconducting magnet is vertical type with 89 mm inner diameter at 4.9 Tesla. The diameter of rf-coil is 30 mm. Mostly used techniques are the fast spin echo and the gradient echo pulse sequence. Results : For 2D images, proton density and T2 weighted images are obtained and their optimum experimental variables were sought. Minute structure of mouse brain can be recognized and 3D brain image is also obtained additionally. 3D image will be useful particularly for the dynamic contrast study using various contrast agents. Conclusion : Like the case of human and other small animals, the high resolution of mouse brain is enough to recognize the minute structure of it. Recently, similar studies are reported domestically, but it seems only a beginning stage. Due to easiness of breeding/control, mouse MRI study will soon play a vital part in brain study.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
• /
• 2001.11a
• /
• pp.113-113
• /
• 2001

Purpose： In the gradient echo EPI the conventional T2＊-weighted image is poor in signal as well distorted by the field inhomogeneity. By acquiring a proton density image in addition to th T2＊-weighted image at the same scan, the fMRI processing can be improved. Method： The central region of the k space is acquired twice at different time points after th RF pulse while acquiring the other regions onc as described in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1 the segment numbers are chronological. Then, we can get two images of different contrast by interleaving th central region in the k space as done in the dua contrast FSE.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
• /
• v.1995 no.11
• /
• pp.167-170
• /
• 1995

An frequency modulated (FM) DANTE pulse sequence generates a quadratic phase toward the transverse of image by an FM RF pulse. In the image of a serious susceptibility effect, the phase due to the difference of the susceptibility in the pixel occurs susceptibility error which arise signal loss. But the signal loss due to the susceptibility effect in the pixel is reduced when the quadratic phase adds in the pixel. In this paper, we have generated a quadratic function toward the transverse (X-Y) using FM DANTE sequence and the susceptibility effect is reduced in the gradient echo (GE) imaging. Computer simulation and experimental results is obtained by using a whole-body KAIS 2.0T NMR system.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.44-47
• /
• 2012

The substantial improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be achieved with small-size samples or low-field MRI system by high-temperature superconducting(HTS) RF coil. The typical HTS RF coil made of HTS thin film is expensive and is limited the coil geometry to planar surface coil. In this study, commercial Bi-2223 HTS tapes was used as RF coil for a 0.35T permanent MRI system. It has advantages of both much lower cost and easier fabrication over HTS thin film coil. SNR gain of the image obtained from the HTS RF coil over a conventional Cu RF coil at room temperature was about 2.4-fold and 1.9-fold using the spin echo pulse sequence and gradient echo pulse sequence respectively.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.114-133
• /
• 2003

Objective : The meridian theory in oriental medicine explains that Sp9(Yinlingquan) has been considered very important for gynecological disorders, spleen and stomach disorders, and water metabolic disorders. Functional MRI is the best method of showing the evidences of the effect of the Electro-acupuncture treatment through scientific methods. On this supposition, Electro-acupuncture stimulation on Sp9(Yinlingquan) was carried out on six healthy volunteers, using the gradient echo sequence with the 3.0T whole-body MRI system(ISOL). Methods : Electro-acupuncture stimulation on Sp9(Yinlingquan), 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 Sp9(Yinlingquan), 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 using SPM99. Results : The electro-acupuncture stimulation on Sp9(Yinlingquan) activates Brodmann Area 13, 19, 22, 39, 40, 47 which may be the central pathways of the electro-acupuncture stimulation on Sp9(Yinlingquan). We also hypothesize that those brain areas may be directly or indirectly related with the mechanism of the effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation on Sp9(Yinlingquan).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.15 no.7
• /
• pp.999-1005
• /
• 2021

The object of this research is CS, which increases resolution while shortening inspection time, is applied to MRA to compare the quality of images for SENSE and CS techniques and to evaluate SNR and CNR to find out the optimal techniques and to provide them as clinical basic data based on this information. Data were analyzed on 32 patients who performed TOF MRA tests at a university hospital in Chung cheong-do (15 males, 17 females), ICA stenosis:10, M1 Aneurysm:10, and average age 53 ± 4.15). In the inspection, the inspection equipment was Ingenia CX 3.0T, Archieva 3.0T, and 32 channel head coil and 3D gradient echo as a method for equipment data. SNR and CNR of each image were measured by quantitative analysis, and the quality of the image was evaluated by dividing the observer's observation into 5 grades for qualitative evaluation. Imaging evaluation is described as being significant when the p-value is 0.05 or less when the paired T-test and Wilcoxon test are performed. Quantitative analysis of SNR and CNR in TOF MRA images Compared to the SENSE method, the CS method is a method measurement method (p <0.05). As an observer's evaluation, the sharpness of blood vessels: CS (4.45 ± 0.41), overall image quality: CS (4.77 ± 0.18), background suppression of images: CS (4.57 ± 0.18) all resulted in high CS technique (p = 0.000). In conclusion, the Compressed SENSE TOF MRA technique shows superior results when comparing and evaluating the SENSE and Compressed SENSE techniques in increased flow rate magnetic resonance angiography. The results are thought to be the clinical basis material in the 3D TOF MRA examination for brain disease.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.210-222
• /
• 2017

Purpose: To develop a novel combination of controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPIRINHA) with integrated SSFP (CAIPI-iSSFP) for accelerated SSFP imaging without banding artifacts at 3T. Materials and Methods: CAIPI-iSSFP was developed by adding a dephasing gradient to the balanced SSFP (bSSFP) pulse sequence with a gradient area that results in $2{\pi}$ dephasing across a single pixel. Extended phase graph (EPG) simulations were performed to show the signal behaviors of iSSFP, bSSFP, and RF-spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) sequences. In vivo experiments were performed for brain and abdominal imaging at 3T with simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) acceleration factors of 2, 3 and 4 with CAIPI-iSSFP and CAIPI-bSSFP. The image quality was evaluated by measuring the relative contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and by qualitatively assessing banding artifact removal in the brain. Results: Banding artifacts were removed using CAIPI-iSSFP compared to CAIPI-bSSFP up to an SMS factor of 4 and 3 on brain and liver imaging, respectively. The relative CNRs between gray and white matter were on average 18% lower in CAIPI-iSSFP compared to that of CAIPI-bSSFP. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that CAIPI-iSSFP provides up to a factor of four acceleration, while minimizing the banding artifacts with up to a 20% decrease in the relative CNR.