• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.352-355
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not acupuncture of GB34 produces a significant response of the modulation of somatomotor areas by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. The acupoint, GB34, located in the back of the knee, is known to be effective in recovering motor function after stroke. Using 3T MRI scanner, functional MR imaging of the whole brain was performed in 12 normal healthy subjects during two stimulation paradigms; acupuncture manipulation on GB 34 and sham points. This study investigates the activation of the mortor cortex elicited by a soft and an intensified stimulation of GB 34. Three different paradigms were carried out to detect any possible modulation of the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) response in the somatomortor area to motor stimulation through acupuncture. Group analysis from seven individuals showed that bilateral sensorimotor areas (BA 3,4,6 and 7) showed stimulation related BOLD signal contrast of approximately 6% whereas very few areas were activated when sham stimulation is given. The present study shows that acupuncture fMRI study can be safely conducted in 3T MRI environment, and acupuncture stimulation in GB34 modulates the cortical activities of the somatomotor area in human. The present findings may shed light on the CNS mechanism of motor function by acupuncture and form a basis for future investigations of motor modulation circuits in the stroke patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.430-437
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• 2016

Background Accurate breast volume assessment is a prerequisite to preoperative planning, as well as intraoperative decision making in breast reconstruction surgery. The use of three-dimensional surface imaging (3D scanning) to assess breast volume has many advantages. However, before employing 3D scanning in the field, the tool's validity should be demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to confirm the validity of 3D-scanning technology for evaluating breast volume. Methods We reviewed the charts of 25 patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgery immediately after total mastectomy. Breast volumes using the Axis Three 3D scanner, water-displacement technique, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were obtained bilaterally in the preoperative period. During the operation, the tissue removed during total mastectomy was weighed and the specimen volume was calculated from the weight. Then, we compared the volume obtained from 3D scanning with those obtained using the water-displacement technique, MRI, and the calculated volume of the tissue removed. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of breast volumes obtained from 3D scanning, as compared to the volumes obtained using the water-displacement technique and specimen weight, demonstrated excellent reliability. The ICC of breast volumes obtained using 3D scanning, as compared to those obtained by MRI, demonstrated substantial reliability. Passing-Bablok regression showed agreement between 3D scanning and the water-displacement technique, and showed a linear association of 3D scanning with MRI and specimen volume, respectively. Conclusions When compared with the classical water-displacement technique and MRI-based volumetry, 3D scanning showed significant reliability and a linear association with the other two methods.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.293-299
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to find the relationship between pain and joint effusion using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients. Materials and Methods: The study subjects included 232 TMD patients. The inclusion criteria in this study were the presence of spontaneous pain or provoked pain on one or both temporomandibular joints (TMJs). The provoked pain was divided into three groups: pain on palpation (G1), pain on mouth opening (G2), and pain on mastication (G3). MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5-T MRI scanner. T1- and T2-weighted images with para-sagittal and para-coronal images were obtained. According to the T2-weighted image findings, the cases of effusions were divided into four groups: normal, mild (E1), moderate (E2), and marked effusion (E3). A statistical analysis was carried out using the $X^2$ test with SPSS (version 12.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Spontaneous pain, provoked pain, and both spontaneous and provoked pain were significantly related to joint effusion in TMD patients (p<0.05). However, among the various types of provoked pain, pain on palpation of the masticatory muscles and TMJ (G1) was not related to joint effusion in TMD patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: Spontaneous pain was related to the MRI findings of joint effusion; however, among the various types of provoked pain, pain on palpation of the masticatory muscles and TMJ was not related to the MRI findings of joint effusion. These results suggest that joint effusion has a significant influence on the prediction of TMJ pain.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.245-251
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between anterior disc displacement and effusion in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: The study subjects included 253 TMD patients. MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5 T MRI scanner. T1- and T2-weighted images with para-sagittal and para-coronal images were obtained. According to the MRI findings, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc positions were divided into 3 subgroups: normal, anterior disc displacement with reduction (DWR), and anterior disc displacement without reduction (DWOR). The cases of effusion were divided into 4 groups: normal, mild (E1), moderate (E2), and marked effusion (E3). Statistical analysis was made by the Fisher's exact test using SPSS (version 12.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The subjects consisted of 62 males and 191 females with a mean age of 28.5 years. Of the 253 patients, T1- and T2-weighted images revealed 34 (13.4%) normal, DWR in 103 (40.7%), and DWOR in 116 (45.9%) on the right side and 37 (14.6%) normal, DWR in 94 (37.2%), and DWOR in 122 (48.2%) joints on the left side. Also, T2-images revealed 82 (32.4%) normal, 78 (30.8%) E1, 51 (20.2%) E2, and 42 (16.6%) E3 joints on the right side and 79 (31.2%) normal, 85 (33.6%) E1, 57 (22.5%) E2, and 32 (12.7%) E3 on the left side. There was no difference between the right and left side. Conclusion: Anterior disc displacement was not related to the MRI findings of effusion in TMD patients (P>0.05).

• Smart Media Journal
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2016

In a longitudinal neuroimaging study, the upgrades of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner due to outdated hardwares and softwares make it difficult to maintain the same MRI conditions in the long-term research period. Particularly, high field MRI systems such 3T scanners become popular in recent years. However, it is still unclear whether an integrated analysis of 3T and 1.5T images is possible without consideration of the field strength. In this study, we evaluated the reproducibility of hippocampal volumes between brain images with different field strengths and slice orientations. 296 participants underwent both 3T and 1.5T MRI and both sagittal and axial scans for high resolution brain images, and their hippocampal volumes were measured using Freesurfer, a well-known software for neuroimaging analysis. Paired t-tests showed that the hippocampal volumes were significantly different between the image types. These results suggest that it is necessary to develop data analysis techniques for integrating diverse types of MRI images.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2010

Purpose : DIR image is relatively free from susceptibility artifacts therefore, DIR image can make it possible to reliably measure cortical thickness/volume. One drawback of the DIR acquisition is the long scan time to acquire the fully sampled 3D data set. To solve this problem, we applied a parallel imaging method (GRAPPA) and verify the reliability of using the volumetric study. Materials and methods : Six healthy volunteers (3 males and 3 females; age $25.33{\pm}2.25$ years) underwent MRI using the 3D DIR sequence at a 3.0T Siemens Tim Trio MRI scanner. GRAPPA simulation was performed from the fully sampled data set for reduction factor 2. Data reconstruction was performed using MATLAB R2009b. Freesurfer v.4.3.0 was used to evaluate the cortical thickness of the entire brain, and to extract white matter information from the DIR image, Analyze 9.0 was used. The global cortical thickness estimated from the reconstructed image was compared with reference image by using a T-test in SPSS. Results : Although reduced SNR and blurring are observed from the reconstructed image, in terms of segmentation the effect was not so significant. The volumetric result was validated that there were no significant differences in many cortical regions. Conclusion : This study was performed with DIR image for a volumetric MRI study. To solve the long scan time of 3D DIR imaging, we applied GRAPPA algorithm. According to the results, fast imaging can be done with reduction factor 2 with little loss of image quality at 3.0T.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.217-224
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of IDEAL technique in breast MRI by performing a quantitative comparative analysis in patients diagnosed with DCIS. On a 3.0T MR scanner, fat-suppressed T2-weighted images and T1-weighted images before and after contrast enhancement were obtained from 20 patients histologically diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The findings from the quantitative image analysis are the following: 1) On T2-weighted images, SNR were not significantly different in the lesion area itself between the CHESS and IDEAL groups, while the IDEAL group showed higher SNR at the ductal area and fat area than the CHESS group. In addition, the CNR were higher for the IDEAL group in those regions. 2) On T1-weighted images before enhancement, SNR were not significantly different in the lesion area itself between the CHESS and IDEAL groups, while the IDEAL group showed higher SNR at the ductal area and fat area than the CHESS group. In addition, the CNR were higher for the IDEAL group in those regions. 3) On T1-weighted images after enhancement, SNR were not significantly different in the lesion area itself between the CHESS and IDEAL groups, while the IDEAL group showed higher SNR at the ductal area and fat area than the CHESS group.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2010

This study attempted to examine whether the propeller diffusion weighted image method may remove magnetic susceptibility artifacts caused by metallic materials. A comparison of occurrence rates of magnetic susceptibility artifacts in the four regions, both temporal lobes, pons, and orbit, between b = 0 and b = 1,000 s/mm2 images was made after obtaining echo-planar diffusion weighted image, propeller diffusion weighted image, and ADC map images, respectively, from a total of 20 patients who had MRI shots taken of their brain and were found to be with retained metallic foreign bodies within their teeth using a 3.0T MR scanner. In the case of echo-planar diffusion weighted image technique, the presence of metallic materials may bring in some limits on accurate diagnosis due to magnetic susceptibility artifacts, while the propeller diffusion weighted image technique where magnetic susceptibility artifacts decrease is expected to be more useful in ensuring accurate diagnosis in the clinical context.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.425-431
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• 2010

This study explored the effects and the effectiveness of the new method of 3D FIESTA by making quantitative comparison with the conventional 3D FSE method which is frequently employed on patients with sudden hearing loss in clinical settings. For this study, 3D FSE images acquired with 3.0T MR scanner and T2-weighted axial plane 3D FIESTA images were respectively taken from 40 patients diagnosed with Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL). When obtaining those images, sagittal reconstructions oriented perpendicular to the nerve were performed in order to get sagittal images of both right and left internal auditory canal. The findings showed that both SNR and CNR were higher among the group to whom the 3D FIESTA method was applied than the group to whom the conventional 3D FSE method was applied.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.568-580
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the brain activities by 4-types of Generating Process of Scientific Emotion (GPSE) in the hypothesis-generating biological phenomena by using fMRI. Four-types of GPSE were involved in the Basic Generating Process (BGP), Retrospective Generating Process (RGP), Cognitive Generating Process (CGP) and Attributive Generating Process (AGP). For this study, we made an experimental design capable of validating the 4-types of generating process (e.g. BGP, RGP, CGP and AGP), and then measured BOLD signals of 10 pre-service teachers' brain activities by 3.0T fMRI system. Subjects were 10 healthy females majoring in biology education. As a result, there were clear differences among 4-types of GPSE. Brain areas activated by BGP were at right occipital lobe (BA 17), at left thalamus and left parahippocampal gyrus, while in the case of RGP, at left superior parietal lobe (BA 8, 9), at left pulvinar and left globus pallidus were activated. Brain areas activated by CGP were the right posterior cingulate and left medial frontal gyrus (BA 6). In the case of AGP, the most distinctively activated brain areas were the right medial frontal gyrus (BA 8) and left inferior parietal lobule (BA 40). These results would mean that each of the 4-types of GPSE has a specific neural networks in the brain, respectively. Furthermore, it would provide the basis of brain-based learning in science education.