• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.172-178
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a deep learning architecture combining two task models to generate synthetic computed tomography (sCT) images from low-tesla magnetic resonance (MR) images to improve metallic marker visibility. Methods: Twenty-three patients with cervical cancer treated with intracavitary radiotherapy (ICR) were retrospectively enrolled, and images were acquired using both a computed tomography (CT) scanner and a low-tesla MR machine. The CT images were aligned to the corresponding MR images using a deformable registration, and the metallic dummy source markers were delineated using threshold-based segmentation followed by manual modification. The deformed CT (dCT), MR, and segmentation mask pairs were used for training and testing. The sCT generation model has a cascaded three-dimensional (3D) U-Net-based architecture that converts MR images to CT images and segments the metallic marker. The performance of the model was evaluated with intensity-based comparison metrics. Results: The proposed model with segmentation loss outperformed the 3D U-Net in terms of errors between the sCT and dCT. The structural similarity score difference was not significant. Conclusions: Our study shows the two-task-based deep learning models for generating the sCT images using low-tesla MR images for 3D ICR. This approach will be useful to the MR-only workflow in high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.95-122
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• 2020

In this article, we evaluated the performance of radiofrequency (RF) coils in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and homogeneity of magnetic resonance images when used for ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). High-quality MRI can be obtained when these two basic requirements are met. However, because of the dielectric effect, 7T magnetic resonance imaging still produces essentially a non-uniform magnetic flux (|B₁|) density distribution. In general, heterogeneous and homogeneous RF coils may be designed using electromagnetic (EM) modeling. Heterogeneous coils, which are surface coils, are used in consideration of scalability in the |B₁| region with a high S/N as multichannel loop coils rather than selecting a single loop. Loop coils are considered state of the art for their simplicity yet effective |B₁|-field distribution and intensity. In addition, combining multiple loop coils allows phase arrays (PA). PA coils have gained great interest for use in receiving signals because of parallel imaging (PI) techniques, such as sensitivity encoding (SENSE) and generalized autocalibrating partial parallel acquisition (GRAPPA), which drastically reduce the acquisition time. With the introduction of a parallel transmit coil (pTx) system, a form of transceiver loop arrays has also been proposed. In this article, we discussed the applications and proposed designs of loop coils. RF homogeneous coils for volume imaging include Alderman-Grant resonators, birdcage coils, saddle coils, traveling wave coils, transmission line arrays, composite right-/left-handed arrays, and fusion coils. In this article, we also discussed the basic operation, design, and applications of these coils.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.154-159
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• 2011

고환 표피 낭종은 드문 양성 종양으로, 모든 고환 종양의 1-2%를 차지한다. 양성 질환으로 고환의 보존이 가능하므로 수술 전에 정확한 진단이 가능하다면 불필요한 고환 절제술을 피할 수 있다. 저자는 오른쪽 음낭의 무통성 종괴로 내원한 18세 남자의 고환 표피 낭종 한 례를 경험하여 보고하고자 한다. 종괴는 초음파상 양파환 징후를 보였고 컴퓨터 단층 촬영에서는 종괴 내부에 곡선의 석회화가 관찰되었다. 자기공명영상 T2 강조영상에서 종괴는 내부에 교차하는 저 신호의 환을 동반하는 고신호 강도로 보였다. 확산강조 영상에서 이 종괴는 고신호 강도를 보이고 현상확산계수(ADC) 영상에서는 낮은 값을 보였으며 이와 같은 소견은 두개내 표피 낭종에서 보고된 바와 동일한 것이다. 기존의 자기공명영상에 확산강조 영상과 현상확산계수 영상을 추가로 시행한다면 고환 표피 낭종의 진단에 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.33-38
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• 2007

목적: 반얼굴 연축 환자에서 새로운 삼차원 중첩 자기공명 혈관 조영술 기법(3-D overlapped reconstruction MR angiographic technique, 3-D ORMRA) 을 기존의 MRA 원천영상과 비교하여 그 유용성을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 수술로 반얼굴 연축이 증명된 총 27명을 대상으로 하였다. 모든 환자에서 전향적으로 기존의 MRA 원천영상과 3-D fast imaging employing steady state acquisition (FIESTA) 영상을 얻었다. 이 후 작업대 (workstation)에서 3-D MRA 영상을 만들고 GE A/W 4.2 add/sub software를 이용하여 이를 FIESTA영상과 겹쳐 3-D ORMRA영상을 얻었다. 그리고 나서 기존의 MRA 원천영상과 3-D ORMRA영상에서 각 각 얼굴신경의 신경근출구부와 병적 압박혈관 사이의 관계를 분석하였다. 결과: 기존의 MRA원천영상에서는 27명중 25명의 환자에서 얼굴 신경근출구부에서의 병적 압박혈관을 구별 할 수 있었고, 3-D ORMRA영상에서는 모든 환자에서 병적 압박혈관을 구별 할 수 있었으며, 이는 수술소견과 일치하였다. 무엇보다 3-D ORMRA영상에서 얼굴 신경근출구부와 병적 압박혈관 사이의 공간적인 관계를 좀 더 분명하게 볼 수 있었다. 결론: 3-D ORMRA 기법은 기존의 MRA 영상기법과 비교하여, 반얼굴 연축 환자에서 매우 유용하고 더 정확한 정보를 주는 방법이다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제43권6호
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• pp.275-280
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• 2008

Objective : In order to assess the incidence of thromboembolic events and their clinical presentations, the present study prospectively examined routine brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) taken within 48 hours after a coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms. Methods : From January 2006 to January 2008, 163 cases of coil embolization of cerebral aneurysm were performed along with routine brain MRI, including diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (DW-MR) imaging, within 48 hours after the embolization of the aneurysm to detect the silent thromboembolic events regardless of any neurological changes. If any neurological changes were observed, an immediate brain MRI follow-up was performed. High-signal-intensity lesions in the DW-MR images were considered as acute thromboembolic events and the number and locations of the lesions were also recorded. Results : Among the 163 coil embolization cases, 98(60.1%) showed high-signal intensities in the DW-MR imaging follow-up, 66 cases (67.0%) involved the eloquent area and only 6cases (6.0%) showed focal neurological symptoms correlated to the DW-MR findings. The incidence of DW-MR lesions was higher in older patients (${\geq}60$ yrs) when compared to younger patients (<60 yrs) (p=0.002, odd's ratio=1.043). The older patients also showed a higher incidence of abnormal DW-MR signals in aneurysm-unrelated lesions (p=0.0003, odd's ratio=5.078). Conclusion : The incidence of symptomatic thromboembolic attacks after coil embolization of the cerebral aneurysm was found to be lower than that reported in previous studies. While DW-MR imaging revealed a higher number of thromboembolic events, most of these were clinically silent and transient and showed favorable clinical outcomes. However, the incidence of DW-MR abnormalities was higher in older patients, along with unpredictable thromboembolic events on DW-MR images. Thus, in order to provide adequate and timely treatment and to minimize neurological sequelae, a routine DW-MR follow-up after coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms might be helpful, especially in older patients.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.93-99
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• 2001

Purpose: To analyze the possible association between magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity of temporomandibular joint disk and posterior attachment, and the type and extent of disk displacement, disk configuration, effusion and clinical signs in patients with internal derangement. Materials and Methods: Magnetic resonance images of the 132 temporomandibular joints of 66 patients with temporomandibular joint displacement were analyzed. The clinical findings were obtained by retrospective review of the patients' records. The type and extent of disk displacement, disk configuration and effusion were evaluated on the proton density MR images. The signal intensity from the anterior band, posterior band and posterior attachment were measured on MR images. The associations between the type and extent of disk displacement, disk configuration, effusion and clinical signs and the MR signal intensity of disk and posterior attachment were statistically analyzed by student's t-test. Results: Of 132 joints, 87 (65.9%) showed anterior disk displacement with reduction (ADR) and 45 (34.1%) showed anterior disk displacement without reduction (ADnR). The signals from posterior attachments were lower in joints with ADnR than those of ADR (p<0.05). The results showed statistically significant (p<0.05) association between the type and extent of disk displacement and disk configuration, and decreased signal intensity of posterior attachment. There were no statistical associations between pain, noise and limited mouth opening, and signal intensity of disk and posterior attachment. Conclusions: The average signal from posterior attachment was lower in joints with ADnR than that of ADR. The type and extent of disk displacement and disk configuration appeared to be correlated with the signal intensity from posterior attachment.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.142-149
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• 2022

Purpose: This study seeks to compare the dosimetric parameters of the bulk electron density (ED) approach and synthetic computed tomography (CT) image in terms of position variation of the air cavity in magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) for patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods: This study included nine patients that previously received MRgRT and their simulation CT and magnetic resonance (MR) images were collected. Air cavities were manually delineated on simulation CT and MR images in the treatment planning system for each patient. The synthetic CT images were generated using the deep learning model trained in a prior study. Two more plans with identical beam parameters were recalculated with ED maps that were either manually overridden by the cavities or derived from the synthetic CT. Dose calculation accuracy was explored in terms of dose-volume histogram parameters and gamma analysis. Results: The D_95% averages were 48.80 Gy, 48.50 Gy, and 48.23 Gy for the original, manually assigned, and synthetic CT-based dose distributions, respectively. The greatest deviation was observed for one patient, whose D_95% to synthetic CT was 1.84 Gy higher than the original plan. Conclusions: The variation of the air cavity position in the gastrointestinal area affects the treatment dose calculation. Synthetic CT-based ED modification would be a significant option for shortening the time-consuming process and improving MRgRT treatment accuracy.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.43-52
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is appropriate for detecting early changes in the mandibular bone marrow and pulp tissue of rats after high-dose irradiation. Materials and Methods: The right mandibles of Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated with 10 Gy (Group 1, n=5) and 20 Gy (Group 2, n=5). Five non-irradiated animals were used as controls. The MR images of rat mandibles were obtained before irradiation and once a week until week 4 after irradiation. From the MR images, the signal intensity (SI) of the mandibular bone marrow and pulp tissue of the incisor was interpreted. The MR images were compared with the histopathologic findings. Results: The SI of the mandibular bone marrow had decreased on T2-weighted MR images. There was little difference between Groups 1 and 2. The SI of the irradiated groups appeared to be lower than that of the control group. The histopathologic findings showed that the trabecular bone in the irradiated group had increased. The SI of the irradiated pulp tissue had decreased on T2-weighted MR images. However, the SI of the MR images in Group 2 was high in the atrophic pulp of the incisor apex at week 2 after irradiation. Conclusion: These patterns seen on MRI in rat bone marrow and pulp tissue were consistent with histopathologic findings. They may be useful to assess radiogenic sclerotic changes in rat mandibular bone marrow.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.66-72
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the importance of the image distortion correction in the cross sectional area measurement for the iliopsas muscle, tensor fasciae latae muscle, gluteus maximus muscle and the knee extensor muscles, by using (magnetic resonance imaging) MRI. Methods: This study was performed using an open 0.32T MRI system. To estimate the image distortion, T1 images for an AAPM homogeneity/linearity phantom were acquired, and the region in which the maximum geometric distortion was less than or equal to the pixel size (1.6 mm) of the images, it was defined as the distortion correction-free region. The T2 images for a human subject's pelvis and thigh in normal positions were obtained. Then, after the regions of interest in the pelvis and thigh were moved into the distortion correction-free region, T2 images for the pelvis and thigh were scanned with the same imaging parameters used in the previous T2 imaging. The cross-sectional areas were measured in the two T2 images that were obtained in the normal position, and the distortion correction-free region, as well as the area error caused by geometric image distortion was calculated. Results: The geometrical distortion is gradually increased, from the magnet center to the outer region, in axial and coronal plane. The cross-sectional area error of gluteus maximus muscle and the knee extensors was as high as 9.27% and 3.16% in before and after distortion correction, respectively. Conclusion: The cross-sectional area of the muscles that suffered from the geometrical distortion is necessary to correct for the estimation of the intervention.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.159-168
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the metal artifacts from common metal orthodontic brackets in magnetic resonance imaging. Material and Methods: A dry mandible with 12 intact premolars was prepared, and was scanned ten times with various types of brackets: American, 3M, Dentaurum, and Masel orthodontic brackets were used, together with either stainless steel (SS) or nickel titanium (NiTi) wires. Subsequently, three different sequences of coronal and axial images were obtained: spin-echo $T_1$-weighted images, fast spin-echo $T_2$-weighted images, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. In each sequence, the two sequential axial and coronal images with the largest signal-void area were selected. The largest diameters of the signal voids in the direction of the X-, Y-, and Z-axes were then measured twice. Finally, the mean linear values associated with different orthodontic brackets were analyzed using one-way analysis of variation, and the results were compared using the independent t-test to assess whether the use of SS or NiTi wires had a significant effect on the images. Results: Statistically significant differences were only observed along the Z-axis among the four different brands of orthodontic brackets with SS wires. A statistically significant difference was observed along all axes among the brackets with NiTi wires. A statistically significant difference was found only along the Z-axis between nickel-free and nickel-containing brackets. Conclusion: With respect to all axes, the 3M bracket was associated with smaller signal-void areas. Overall, the 3M and Dentaurum brackets with NiTi wires induced smaller artifacts along all axes than those with SS wires.