• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.558-574
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• 2014

The number of fatty liver patients is sharply growing due to the rapid increase in the incidence of metabolic syndrome, which can lead to diseases such as abdominal obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Early diagnosis requires examinations using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), wherein quantitative analyses are implemented through a professional water-fat separation method in many cases, as the intensity values of the areas of interest and non-interest are considerably similar or the same. However, such separation method generates inaccurate results in high magnetic fields, where the inhomogeneity of the fields increases. To overcome the limits of such conventional fat quantification methods, this paper proposes a field map estimation method that is effective in high magnetic fields. This method generates field maps through echo images that are obtained using the existing IDEAL sequences, and considers the wrapping degree of the field maps. Then clustering is performed to separate calibration areas, the least square fits based on the region growing method schema of the separated calibration areas, and the histograms are adjusted to separate the water from the fats. In experiment results, our proposed method had a superior fat detection rate of an average of 86.4%, compared to the ideal method with an average of 61.5% and Yu's method with an average of 62.6%. In addition, it was confirmed that the proposed method had a more accurate water detection rate of 98.4% on the average than the 88.6% average of the fat saturation method.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.683-690
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of high-b-values diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the preoperative detection of focal rectum cancers. 60patients with diffusion weighted imaging were evaluated for the presence of rectal cancers. Forty were male and twenty were female, and their ages ranged from 38 to 71 (mean, 56) years. Used equipment was 1.5Tesla MRI((GE, General Electric Medical System, Excite HD). Examination protocols were used the fast spin echo T2, T1 weighted imaging. All examination protocols were performed by the same location with diffusion weighted imaging for accuracy detection. The b-values used in DWI were 250, 500, 750, 1000. 1500, 2000$(s/mm^2)$. The rectum, bladder to tumor contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of MR images were quantitativlely analyzed using GE software Functool tool, four experienced radiologists and three radiotechnologists qualitatively evaluated image quality in terms of image artifacts, lesion conspicuity and rectal wall. These data were analysed by using ANOVA and Freedman test with each b-value(p<0.05). Contrast to noise ratio of rectum, bladder and tumor in b-value 1000 were 27.21, 24.44, respectively(p<0.05) and aADC value was $0.73\times10^{-3}$. As a qualitative analysis, the conspicuity and discrimination from the rectal wall of lesions were high results as $4.0\pm0.14$, $4.4\pm0.16$ on b-value 1000(p<0.05), image artifacts were high results as $4.8\pm0.25$ on b-value 2000(p<0.05). In conclusion, DWI was provided useful information with depicting the pre-operative detection of rectal cancers, High-b-value 1000 image was the most excellent DWI value.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.115-124
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• 2017

The objective of study was to investigate the optimal echo phase for mouse brain enhancement scan using fast low angle shot (FLASH) sequence of 9.4T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For quantification based on this method, an MR phantom experiment and clinical research were done. The phantom experiment was conducted by fabricating three phantoms with different molar concentration of gadolinium to create changes in echo phase of 9.4T FLASH sequence used in mouse brain scans. In the phantom experiment, SSI was 25~27 [arbitrary units, a.u.] in each of 33 phases from $6{\pi}$ to $28{\pi}$, while RSP was 30~100 mmol. MPSI was 47~52 [a.u], while MPP, where MPSI is seen, was 0.8~9 mmol. EPMS was 80.8~108.0%, while ASIMP was formed between 21.1 and 31.8 [a.u]. In the clinical research, Finally, the occurrence rate of artifact that expressed -1 nd +1. The present study was able to quantify the degree of enhancement at FLASH sequence of 9.4T MRI, as well as identify the optimal echo phase during mouse brain enhancement scan.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2008

Objective : Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is considered as a reversible pathophysiological condition mainly induced by continuous vascular compression of the facial nerve root exit zone (REZ) at the cerebellopontine angle. As an offending vessel, vertebrobasilar artery tends to compress much more heavily than others. The authors analyzed HFS caused by vertebrobasilar artery and described the relationships between microsurgical findings and clinical courses. Methods : Out of 1,798 cases treated with microvascular decompression (MVD) from Jan. 1980 to Dec. 2004. the causative vessels were either vertebral artery or basilar artery in 87 patients. Seventy-nine patients were enrolled in this study. Preoperatively, computed tomography (CT) or brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with 3-dimentional short range MR technique was performed and CT was checked immediately or 2-3 days after anesthetic recovery. The authors retrospectively analyzed the clinical features. the compression patterns of the vessels at the time of surgery and treatment outcomes. Results : There were 47 were male and 32 female patients. HFS developed on the left side in 52 cases and on the right side in 27. The mean age of onset was 52.3 years (range 19-60) and the mean duration of symptoms was 10.7 years. Many patients (39 cases; 49.1%) had past history of hypertension. HFS caused only by the vertebral artery was 8 cases although most of the other cases were caused by vertebral artery (VA) in combination with its branching arteries. Most frequently, the VA and the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) were the simultaneous causative blood vessels comprising 32 cases (40.5%). and in 27 cases (34.2 %) the VA and the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) were the offenders. Facial symptoms disappeared in 61 cases (77.2%) immediately after the operation and 68 cases (86.1%) showed good outcome after 6 months. Surgical outcome just after the operation was poor in whom the perforators arose from the offending vessels concurrently (p<0.05). Conclusion : In case where the vertebral artery is a cause of HFS, commonly branching arteries associated with main arterial compression on facial REZ requires more definite treatment for proper decompression because of its relatively poor results compared to the condition caused by other vascular compressive origins.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.5124-5130
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• 2014

Dilution of the contrast agent by analyzing the change in the signal intensity during MR angiography in accordance with the viscosity and osmotic pressure minimizes the side effects, and improves the image quality. The contrast agent molarity changes by the dilution of the contrast agent in the blood, as it is injected, which leads to a change in signal intensity. Based on this principle, a phantom was prepared and experiments were performed. After the phantom experiment, a clinical experiment was conducted using the results of the phantom experiment. From November 2013 to January 2014, a group of patients were classified into diluted contrast agent (30 persons) and undiluted (30 persons), and the signal intensity of the cerebral vessels was compared. The signal intensity of the phantom according to the molarity of the contrast agent increased sharply from 0.0125 mmol, reached a peak at 20 mmol, and achieved equilibrium from 200 mmol. Based on the study results, the signal intensity of the blood vessels in the brain through were compared in a clinical experiment. All the brain vessels in the imaging range with diluting a high content of the gadolinium contrast agent showed high signal intensity. This result supports the phantom experiment and means that using the 500mmol diluted contrast agent is better than using 1000mmol undiluted contrast agent because it is easier to approach the 20mmol level needed to achieve the highest signal intensity. This study has significance in that it can minimize the high viscosity and osmotic pressure, which can cause side effects and improve the image quality using the method of the dilution rate.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 2011

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between temporomandibular joint pain and the relative signal intensity (RSI) of retrodiscal tissue on T1-, and T2-weighted MRI images. Materials and Methods: This study was based on 122 TMJs of 61 patients who complain of TMJ pain in only one side but were revealed to have disc displacement in both TMJs according to MRI findings. The signal intensities of regions of interest (ROIs) in retrodiscal tissues were measured using T1-, and T2-weighted MRI images. The RSIs of retrodiscal tissues were referenced to the signal intensities of the ROIs of brain gray matter. The relationships between the RSI of retrodiscal tissue and joint pain, joint effusion, condylar degenerative change, and degree of disc displacement were examined. In addition, the relationships between joint pain and joint effusion, condylar degenerative change, and degree of disc displacement were examined. Results: On T1-weighted MR images, the painful TMJs showed significantly higher retrodiscal tissue RSI than non-painful TMJs. In addition, there is an association between joint pain and the degree of disc displacement. However, on T2-weighted MR images, the RSIs of retrodiscal tissues didn't show any significant differences with regard to joint pain, joint effusion, condylar degenerative change, and degree of disc displacement. Conclusions: The signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue can be used as a diagnostic marker for painful TMJ. However, the overall results suggest the signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue has a limited diagnostic significance in determining the pathologic status of TMJ.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.6
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• pp.1361-1366
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• 2023

The persistent primitive olfactory artery (PPOA) is a rare variant of the anterior cerebral artery, first reported in 1979. It reportedly has a high correlation with the development of aneurysms, owing to the hemodynamic stress induced by the structural characteristics of the hairpin turn. Herein, we present a rare case of PPOA type 4 with a fusiform aneurysm at the hairpin turn segment in a 46-year-old female with occasional headaches. Time-of-flight MR angiography and transfemoral cerebral angiography revealed an unusual branch arising from the left A1 segment, running anteromedially along the ipsilateral olfactory tract, and turning the hairpin posterior to the olfactory bulb. This branch continued into the left accessory middle cerebral artery, and a fusiform aneurysm was observed at the hairpin segment. No further treatment was performed, and follow-up imaging was recommended. Nevertheless, it is essential to recognize and diagnose these rare variations.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.92-98
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• 2016

To aim of this study was to assess the full scan and half scan of imaging with half scan factor. Patients without a cerebral vascular disease (n = 30) and were subject to the full scan half scan, and set a region of interest in the cerebral artery from the three regions (C1, C2, C3) in the range of 7 to 8 mm. MIP (maximum intensity projection) to reconstruct the images in signal strength SNR (signal to noise ration), PSNR (peak signal noise to ratio), RMSE (root mean square error), MAE (mean absolute error) and calculated by paired t-test for use by statistics were analyzed. Scan time was half scan (4 minutes 53 seconds), the full scan (6 minutes 04 seconds). The mean measurement range (7.21 mm) of all the ROI in the brain blood vessel, was the SNR of the first C1 is completely scanned (58.66 dB), half-scan (62.10 dB), a positive correlation ($r^2=0.503$), for the second C2 SNR is completely scanned (70.30 dB), half-scan (74.67 dB) the amount of correlation ($r^2=0.575$), third C3 of a complete scan SNR (70.33 dB), half scan SNR (74.64 dB) in the amount of correlation between the It was analyzed with ($r^2=0.523$). Comparative full scan with half of SNR ($4.75{\pm}0.26dB$), PSNR ($21.87{\pm}0.28dB$), RMSE ($48.88{\pm}1.61$), was calculated as MAE ($25.56{\pm}2.2$). SNR is also applied to examine the half-scans are not many differences in the quality of the two scan methods were not statistically significant in the scan (p-value > .05) image takes less time than a full scan was used.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.157-165
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• 2006

In order to analyze clinical characteristics like sex- and age-based onset frequency and onset region from vertebral disease cases, this study investigated total 1,291 cases of vertebral disease that were diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) from January to December 2004 at B University Hospital in metropolitan area. For higher diagnostic accuracy in cases of spinal disorder diagnosed, this study analyzed findings from data reading conducted by veteran specialists in diagnostic radiology. But this study excluded uncertain lesion cases, the cases requiring differential diagnosis from other disorders and so on from subjects under analysis. This study employed superconductive 1.5 Tesla SIGNA MR/i for MRI test and basically received resulting images via FSE(fast spin echo). In particular, this study obtained T1 and T2 myelogram with regard to regional characteristics(such as cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae and lumbar vertebra) and imaging characteristics for sagittal and transverse section. As a result, this study came to the following conclusions : 1. In terms of general characteristics of subjects under analysis, male group comprised 53.5% and female 46.5% out of total 1,291 subjects. 2. The regional onset frequency of spinal disorders was converged primarily on lumbar vertebra(65.5%), which was followed by cervical vertebrae(27.3%) and thoracic vertebrae(7.0%) respectively. 3. Top 10 cases with high onset frequency of spinal disorders can be listed as follows : 1) posterior bulging disc 65.8% 2) narrowing of neural foramen 23.8% 3) herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) 22.4% 4) spinal stenosis 16.7% 5) osteochondrosis 6.4% 6) compression fracture 6.4% 7) facet joint arthropathy 6.2% 8) spondylolisthesis 6.0% 9) spinal cord tumor 3.5% 10) inter body fusion 2.6%

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2000

In Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), there are three imaging methods of target localization, such as digital subtraction Angiography (DSA), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Especially, DSA and MR images have a distortion effect generated by each modality. In this research, image properties of DSA were studied. A first essential condition in SRS is an accurate information of target locations, since high dose used to treat a patient may give a complication on critical organ and normal tissue. Hut previous localization program did not consider distortion effect which was caused by image intensifier (II) of DSA. A neurosurgeon could not have an accurate information of target locations to operate a patient. In this research, through distortion correction, we tried to calculate accurate target locations. We made a grid phantom to correct distortion, and a target phantom to evaluate localization algorithm. The grid phantom was set on the front of II, and DSA images were obtained. Distortion correction methods consist of two parts: 1. Bilinear transform for geometrical correction and bilinear interpolation for gray level correction. 2. Automatic detection method for calculating locations of grid crosses, fiducial markers, and target balls. Distortion was corrected by applying bilinear transform and bilinear interpolation to anterior-posterior and left-right image, and locations of target and fiducial markers were calculated by the program developed in this study. Localization errors were estimated by comparing target locations calculated in DSA images with absolute locations of target phantom. In the result, the error in average with and without distortion correction is $\pm$0.34 mm and $\pm$0.41 mm respectively. In conclusion, it could be verified that our localization algorithm has an improved accuracy and acceptability to patient treatment.