• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2007

Purpose : To investigate the applicability of the new three-dimensional overlapped reconstruction MR angiography (3-D ORMRA) technique in patients with hemifacial spasm and to compare the new 3-D reconstruction images with conventional MRA source images. Materials and Methods : The study group comprised 27 patients with surgically proven hemifacial spasm. In all patients, conventional MRA source images and 3-D fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) images were obtained prospectively. After 3-D MR angiographic images were obtained, the 3-D MRA and FIESTA images were overlapped at the workstation by using GE A/W 4.2 add/sub software. We analyzed the relationship between the offending vessels and root exit zone of the facial nerve using both 3-D ORMRA images and conventional MRA source images. Results : In 25 of 27 patients, the offending vessel at the REZ of the facial nerve could be correctly identified on conventional MRA source images. In all patients, the presumed offending vessels depicted by the overlapped 3-D reconstruction MRA image corresponded well with the intraoperative findings. The 3-D reconstruction image showed more clear visualization of the spatial relationship between the offending vessels and the root exit zone of the facial nerve. Conclusion : The overlapped 3-D reconstruction MR angiography technique is very useful and informative in patients with hemifacial spasm, as compared with conventional MRA angiography technique.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2017

Chronic expanding organizing hematoma (CEH) occasionally mimics a soft tissue tumor on MRI, which becomes more problematic in patients with a history of surgical resection for musculoskeletal malignancy. Herein, we present a case of CEH which we were able to differentiate from recurrent tumor through MRI follow-up, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) imaging. A 66-year-old male visited our institution under suspicion of recurrent leiomyosarcoma of the thigh, 19 months after surgery and radiation therapy. Due to inconclusive results, three US-guided biopsies and 6 MRI examinations were performed over 2 years. In the end, we could diagnose a CEH using conventional and functional MRI techniques, and it was histopathologically confirmed after surgical resection. A CEH may occur remotely after an initiating event, and it may persist and expand over several years. Functional MR sequences, in addition to conventional sequences, are helpful in differentiating CEH from malignant neoplasms.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 1996.10a
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• pp.26-26
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• 1996

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2019

We discuss recent advances in Gd-based $T_1$-weighted MR contrast agents for the mapping of cellular pH. The pH plays a critical role in various biological processes. During the past two decades, several MR contrast agents of strategic importance for pH-mapping have been developed. Some of these agents shed light on the pH fluctuation in the tumor microenvironment. A pH-responsive self-assembled contrast agent facilitates the visualization of tumor size as small as $3mm^3$. Optimization of various parameters is crucial for the development of pH-responsive contrast agents. In due course, the new contrast agents may provide significant insight into pH fluctuations in the human body.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.7-20
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• 1997

The mapping of the spin-spin relaxation time T2 in pixed-by-pixel was suggested as a quantitative diagnostic tool in medicine. Although the CPMG pulse sequence has been known to be the best pulse sequence for T2 measurement in physics NMR, the supplied pulse sequence by the manufacture of MRI system was able to obtain the maximum of 4 CPMG images. Eight or more images with different echo time TEs are required to construct a reliable T2 map, so that two or more acquisitions were required, which easily took more than 10 minutes. 4-echo CPMG imaging pulse sequence was modified to generate the maximum of 8 MR images with evenly spaced echo time TEs. In human MR imaging, since patients tend to move at least several pixels between the different acquisitions, 8-echo CPMG imaging sequence reduces the acquisition time and may remove any misregistration of each pixel's signal for the fitting T2. The resultant T2 maps using the theoretically simulated images and using the MR images of the human brain suggested that 8 echo CPMG sequence with short echo spacing such as 17∼20 msec can give the reliable T2 map.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 1999

Purpose : The purpose of this study was aimed to evaluate the BOLD(blood oxygen level dependent) contrast fMRI(functional MR imaging) in the occipital lobe and to compare with the metabolic changes based on H MRS (MR spectroscopy) and MRSI (MR spectroscopic imaging) before and after visual stimulation Materials and Methods : Healthy human volunteers (eight males and two females with 24-30 year age) participated in this study. All of the BOLD fMRI were acquired on a 1.5T MR with EPI during supervised visual stimulation in the occipital lobe. The red flicker with 8Hz was used for visual stimulation. After imaging acquisition, the MR images were transferred into unix workstation and processed with acquired from the same location based on the activation map. MRSI (magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging) was also acquired to analyze the lactate changes before and after stimulation. Results : The activation maps were successfully produced by BOLD effect due to visual stimulation. NAA (N-acetyle aspartate)/Cr (creatine) ratio varied only from $1.79{\pm}0.28{\;}to{\;}1.88{\pm}0.20$ in activation area before and after stimulation. However, the signal intensity of lactate was elevated $9.48{\pm}4.38$ times higher than before activation. Lactate metabolite images were consistent with the activation maps. Conclusion : The BOLD contrast fMRI is enough sensitive to detect the activated area in human brain during the visual stimulation. Lactate metabolite map presents the evidence of lactate elevation on the same area of activation.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2012

Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate the characteristics of rat mesenchymal stem cells (RMSCs) transduced with human ferritin gene and investigate $in$ $vitro$ MRI detectability of ferritin-transduced RMSCs. Materials and Methods: The RMSCs expressing both myc-tagged human ferritin heavy chain subunit (myc-FTH) and green fluorescence protein (GFP) were transduced with lentiviurs. Transduced cells were sorted by GFP expression using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. Myc-FTH and GFP expression in transduced cells were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The cell proliferative ability and viability were assessed by MTT assay. The RMSC surface markers (CD29+/CD45-) were analyzed by flow cytometry. The intracellular iron amount was measured spectrophotometically and the presence of ferritin-iron accumulation was detected by Prussian blue staining. $In$ $vitro$ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of cell phantoms was done on 9.4 T MR scanner to evaluate the feasibility of imaging the ferritin-transduced RMSCs. Results: The myc-FTH and GFP genes were stably transduced into RMSCs. No significant differences were observed in terms of biologic properties in transduced RMSCs compared with non-transduced RMSCs. Ferritin-transduced RMSCs exhibited increased iron accumulation ability and showed significantly lower $T_2$ relaxation time than non-transduced RMSCs. Conclusion: Ferritin gene as MR reporter gene could be used for non-invasive tracking and visualization of therapeutic mesenchymal stem cells by MRI.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.341-350
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• 2019

Purpose: To determine the MR parameters affecting India ink artifacts on opposed-phase chemical shift magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Materials and Methods: The use of a female Sprague-Dawley rat was approved by our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Using an iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL) images, which is a modified Dixon method, axial opposed-phase images of the abdominal cavity were obtained with different MR parameters: series 1, different repetition times (TRs; 400, 2000, and 4000 ms); series 2, different echo times (TEs; 10, 50, and 100 ms); series 3, different field of views (FOVs; 6, 8, 16, and 24 cm); series 4, different echo train lengths (ETLs; 2, 4, and 8); series 5, different bandwidths (25, 50, and 85); and series 6, different slice thicknesses (1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 mm). Artifacts on opposed images obtained with different parameters were compared subjectively by two radiologists. For objective analysis, the thickness of the artifact was measured. Spearman's correlation between altered MR parameters and thicknesses of India ink artifact was obtained via objective analysis. Results: India ink artifact was increasingly apparent using shorter TE, larger FOV and ETL, and thicker slices upon subjective analysis. The objective analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between the thickness of the artifact and TE (r = -0.870, P < 0.01); however, strong positive correlations were found between FOV (r = 0.854, P < 0.01) and slice thickness (r = 0.971, P < 0.01). Conclusion: India ink artifact was thicker with shorter TE, larger FOV, and larger slice thickness.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.147-151
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• 2002

Anterior interosseous nerve syndrome is characterized by weakness of the flexor pollicis longus, the flexor digitorum profundus and the pronator quadratus in the presence of normal sensation. Although MR imaging findings of anterior interosseous nerve syndrome has been reported in a few articles, we report herein a case of anterior interosseous nerve syndrome involving more than usual muscles innervated by anterior interosseous nerve, caused by varient nerve innervation.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2008

Ultrasonography is a powerful and useful method for the examination of the various shoulder diseases. The use of high-resolution transducer and technical evolution allowed the improvement of the accuracy of detection of the rotator cuff disease. However, its limitation is that there is marked disparity in the interpretation according to the operators' experience. This article describes the ultrasonographic findings of rotator cuff pathology compared to the MR (magnetic resonance) imaging and arthroscopic findings for helping the interpretation of ultrasonographic picture.