• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.142-147
• /
• 1997

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of the in-phase (IP) sequence and the opposed-phase (Op) sequence in the detection of focal hepatic lesions in the single breath-hold hepatic MR imaging with fast gradient T1-weighted pulse sequences. Materials and Methods: IP and OP T1-weighted breath-hold imaging was performed using fast gradient echo sequences in 45 patients referred for known focal hepatic lesions, in which 78 lesions were detected. Three blind readers independently reviewed the images for lesion detectability. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the liver, the lesion-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the liver-to-spleen CNR were also compared. A consensus was reached by three readers to determine which sequence is better in image quality. Results: On OP images, 61(78%), 61(78%), and 63(89%) lesions were correctly identified for reader 1, 2 and 3, respectively. On IP images, 66(85%), 65(83%), and 65(93%) lesions were detected for each reader, respectively. When two image sets were combined, 71(91 %), 69(88 %), and 76(97%) lesions respectively were detected for each reader. In cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, liver-to-Iesion CNR was greater on the OP images(p (0.05), but in other lesions significant difference was not demonstrated. Liver-to-spleen CNR was higher on OP images(p ( 0.1), but the SNR of the liver was higher on the IP images. Conclusion: Use of both IP and OP imaging can be helpful to avoid erroneous missing of some focal hepatic lesions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.49-54
• /
• 2017

As the Radiofrequency(RF) increases with the magnetic field strength, the wavelength of the RF excitation field becomes smaller, which leads to more the thermal effect in the human-body placed in the electric field. MRI scanner used was GE signa 1.5T, HDx 3.0T and Philips 3.0T with same routine clinical sequence protocol. Therefore temperature was measured before and after each scan. Taken the temperatures in the ear with ear infra-red type thermometer(Braun co). 3.0T were temperature increases more than $0.15^{\circ}C$ and GE 3.0T MRI equipment about $0.14^{\circ}C$ higher than the Philips 3.0T MRI(p<0.012). Psychogenic status was investigated by the survey respondents about their status can not just answer therefore, a little different from the expected. In our study of Thermal effect of clinical MRI with clinical protocol sequence, we found that the 3.0T in the body-temperature rise was greater than the 1.5T. Therefore, in clinical 3.0T examine the dangerous situation caused by the temperature rise occurred (burns, impaired thermoregulatory mechanism in patients with high-temperature damage, exhaustion occurs due to excessive sweating), not to appear the more watched the patient's condition with procedure.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.203-209
• /
• 2006

The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of ex vivo MR diffusion tensor imaging technique in order to observe the diffusion-contrast characteristics of human gastric tissues. On normal and pathologic gastric tissues, which have been fixed in a polycarbonate plastic tube filled with 10% formalin solution, laboratory made 3D diffusion tensor Turbo FLASH pulse sequence was used to obtain high resolution MR images with voxel size of $0.5{\times}0.5{\times}0.5mm^3\;using\;64{\times}32{\times}32mm^3$ field of view in conjunction with an acquisition matrix of $128{\times}64{\times}64$. Diffusion weighted- gradient pulses were employed with b values of 0 and $600s/mm^2$ in 6 orientations. The sequence was implemented on a clinical 3.0-T MRI scanner(Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) with a home-made quadrature-typed birdcage Tx/Rx rf coil for small specimen. Diffusion tensor values in each pixel were calculated using linear algebra and singular value decomposition(SVD) algorithm. Apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) and fractional anisotropy(FA) map were also obtained from diffusion tensor data to compare pixel intensities between normal and abnormal gastric tissues. The processing software was developed by authors using Visual C++(Microsoft, WA, U.S.A.) and mathematical/statistical library of GNUwin32(Free Software Foundation). This study shows that 3D diffusion tensor Turbo FLASH sequence is useful to resolve fine micro-structures of gastric tissue and both ADC and FA values in normal gastric tissue are higher than those in abnormal tissue. Authors expect that this study also represents another possibility of gastric carcinoma detection by visualizing diffusion characteristics of proton spins in the gastric tissues.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.513-519
• /
• 2021

Metallic suture anchors are very useful and common fixation devices that are inserted into the target bone to sustain the tendon of a patient with musculus supraspinatus tendon ruptures. On the other hand, the presence of a metallic material prosthesis, such as a metal suture anchor, causes severe MR imaging artifacts, including field distortion, signal loss, and failure of fat suppression. The difference in magnetic susceptibility between metal and other organic materials causes magnetic field distortion surrounding the prosthesis. The resulting magnetic field inhomogeneity makes the images with a lower signal-to-noise ratio and distortion. For a patient with a suture anchor implanted, MR imaging is the golden standard for determining the postoperative prognosis, and a fat-saturation sequence is one of the imaging methods most affected by metal-induced artifacts. In this study, three fat-saturation sequences were compared. Artifact quantification and contrast comparison between the supraspinatus tendon and the surrounding muscle were presented. The images obtained using the STIR pulse sequence showed fewer susceptibility artifacts and better visibility in the supraspinatus tendon and the tissue area. Therefore, the STIR sequence is the most appropriate fat-saturation imaging method for patients with a metallic prosthesis.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.33-39
• /
• 2003

Purpose : Be aware of clinical possibilities on image quality by comparison of contrast-enhanced dynamic CT and MR imaging applied of MIP technique after the experimentally induced clonorchasis infection in dogs. Materials and Method : Twenty mongrel dogs prepared in zoo-laboratory were followed up with serial CT scans and MR imaging for 13 weeks after the experimental infection in liver. Two-phase helical CT was acquired in the supine position with the following scanning parameters. After the injection of contrast material, the arterial phase was initiated using a bolus-racking method. The portal phase scan was started 15 seconds after the arterial phase scan. CT protocol was determined after single level dynamic scans. MR imaging used the CP body coil and images get a 2D image using HASTE, FLASH, TSE pulse sequence. Bile duct MR imaging were obtained in three plans. Then each image was post processed by using target MIP algorithm. Two experimentation above, as a method of evaluation, one pathologist, three radiologist and five radiological technologist were analyzed visually for evaluation of following findings, enhancement of the bile duct wall, dilatation of bile duct tip, liver parenchyma, background suppression. Results : Five dogs was died of a disease after the infection, the rest one else shows the chronic dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct with CT and MR imaging. Contrast administration of CT shows the contrast-enhanced of the bile duct walls with live parenchyma. MR imaging calculated of CNR and CR from pulse sequence for comparative evaluation and shows the pattern of the intrahepatic bile duct, dilatation of bile duct tip using MIP technique. CNR of the clonorchiasis, HASTE was $16{\pm}0.83$, TSE $7.06{\pm}3.0$, FLASH $1.19{\pm}0.2$ and CR, HASTE was 73.3%, TSE 62.3%, FLASH 6.4%. Conclusion : CT and MR imaging is very usefulness in diagnosis of dog clonorchiasis.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.101-106
• /
• 2009

Purpose of this study is to compare the signal intensity (SI) and CNR with T1 weighted image using FLASH at 3T abdominal MRI by varying flip angle (FA). Totally 20 patients (male : 12, female : 8, Age : $28{\sim}63$ years with mean : 51) were examined by 3 Tesla MR scanner (Magnetom Tim Trio, SIEMENS, Germany) with 8 channel body array coil between september and October 2008. Imaging parameters were as follows : FLASH sequence, TR : 120 ms, TE : minimum, FOV (field of view) : $360{\times}300\;mm$, Matrix : $256{\times}224$, slice : 6 mm, scan time : 15 sec and Breath-hold technique. Abdominal image, with a 50 ml syringe filled with water placed in the FOV measuring the water signal, were acquired with varying FA through $10^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ with $10^{\circ}$ interval. SI's were measured three times at liver parenchyme, water, spleen and background and averaged. The CNR's were measured between the ROIs (region of interest). Statistic analysis was performed with ANOVA test using SPSS software (version 17.0). Less than FA $30^{\circ}$, abdominal images were severely inhomogeneity. Especially, T1 effect of water signal was weak. As the flip angle increased, the signal intensity decreased at all the regions. Especially, flip angle of the highest signal intensity was observed with $40^{\circ}$ at the liver parenchyme, $20^{\circ}$ at water, $30^{\circ}$ at the spleen, respectively. The CNR between liver and water was -60.92 at FA $10^{\circ}$ and 15.16 at FA $80^{\circ}$. The CNR between liver and spleen was -3.18 at FA $10^{\circ}$ and 9.65 at $80^{\circ}$. In conclusion, FA $80^{\circ}$ is optimal for T1 weighted effect using FLASH pulse sequence at 3.0 T abdominal MRI.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.61-66
• /
• 2006

To evaluate the T1, T2 magnetic relaxation properties of water molecule according to molecular weight of paramagnetic complex. 4-aminomethyicyclohexane carboxylic acid (0.63 g, 4 mmol) was mixed with the suspension solution of DMF (15 ml) and DTPA-bis-anhydride (0.71 g, 2 mmol) to synthesize the ligand. The ligand was then mixed with $Gd_2O_3$ (0.18 g, 0.5 mmol) to synthesize Gd-chelate. For the measurement of magnetic relaxivity of paramagnetic compounds, the compounds were diluted to 1 mM and then the relaxation times were measured at 1.57 (64 MHz). Inversion-recovery pulse sequence was employed for T1 relaxation measurement and CPMG (Carr-Purcell-Meiboon-Gill) pulse sequence was employed for T2 relaxation measurement. In case of inversion recovery sequence, total 35 images with different inversion time(T1)s ranging from 50 msec to 1,750 msec. To estimate the relaxation times, the signal intensity of each sample was measured using region of Interest (ROI) and then fitted by non-linear least square method to yield T1, T2 relaxation times and also R1 and R2. Compared to T1=($205.1{\pm}2.57$) msec and T2=($209.4{\pm}4.28$) msec of Omniscan (Gadodiamide), which is commercially available paramagnetic MR agent, T1 and T2 values of new paramagnetic complexes were reduced along with their molecular weight. That is, T1 value was ranged from $(96.35{\pm}2.04)\;to\;(79.38{\pm}1.55)$ msec and T2 value was ranged from $(91.02{\pm}2.08)\;to\;(76.66{\pm}1.84)$ msec. Among new paramagnetic complexes, there is a tendency that the R1 and R2 increase as the molecular weight is increases. As molecular weight of paramagnetic complex increases, T1 and T2 relaxation times reduce and thus the increase of relaxivity (R1 and R2) Is proportional to molecular weight.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.5-17
• /
• 2011

purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of basic life support performance by video simulation training. Methods : The subjects in this study consisted of 24 persons of experimental group and 24 persons of control group in freshmen and sophomore EMT students. The data were collected from September 1 to 30, 2010. Results : 1. Hypothesis one: experimental group is meaningful higher than control group at the operation point (p<0.05) of adult/infant's basic life support for one person. In subcategory that identifying breath, artificial respiration, pulse rate, 30 compressions, Ability to perform all the processes, the experimental group showed statistically higher score (p<0.05) than control group, and sequence from checking reaction to keeping airway management isn't statistically significant difference between experimental group and control. 2. Hypothesis two: In the hypothesis, the experimental group's point of adult basic life support by two persons and use of Automated External Defibrillator is good in experimental group than control group's point(p<0.05). As the result of researching 11 contents of check list about adult basic life support by two persons and Automated External Defibrillator(AED), by dividing into 7 subcategories, every subcategory shows that the experimental group is significant higher than control group(p<0.05). 3. Hypothesis three: In the hypothesis, the experimental group gets higher point of infant basic life support by one or two persons than the control group (p<0.05). As the results of researching 15 contents of check list about infant basic life support by one or two persons, by dividing into 8 subcategories, the experimental group is statistically meaningful higher (p<0.05) than the control group in process of keeping airway, indentifying breathing, identifying pulse, 30 compressions, Ability to perform all the processes. There isn't statistically significant difference between the groups in process of checking reaction, reporting 119, and artificial respiration by giving 2 breaths(p<0.05). Conclusion : As summarizing the results, the group, receiving using video, gets higher points of knowledge of basic life support and operating skill than the general educated group. It is found that the Video simulation training could be effective, because of these positive effects to improve clinical working performance of students, who participate in the department of Emergency Medical Technology.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 2007

Purpose: To acquire high-resolution spiral-scan images at higher magnetic field, high homogeneous magnetic field is needed. Field inhomogeneity mapping and in-vivo shimming are important for rapid imaging such as spiral-scan imaging. The rapid scanning sequences are very susceptible to inhomogeneity. In this paper, we proposed a higher-order shimming method to obtain homogeneous magnetic field. Materials and Methods: To reduce measurement time for field inhomogeneity mapping, simultaneous axial/ sagittal, and coronal acquisitions are done using multi-slice based Fast Spin echo sequence. Acquired field inhomogeneity map is analyzed using the spherical harmonic functions, and shim currents are obtained by the multiplication of the pseudo-inverse of the field pattern with the inhomogeneity map. Results: Since the field inhomogeneity is increasing in proportion to the magnetic field, higher order shimming to reduce the inhomogeneity becomes more important in high field imaging. The shimming technique in which axial, sagittal, and coronal section inhomogeneity maps are obtained in one scan is developed, and the shimming method based on the analysis of spherical harmonics of the imhomogenity map is applied. The proposed technique is applicable to a localized shimming as well. High resolution spiral-scan imaging was successfully obtained with the proposed higher order shimming. Conclusion: Proposed pulse sequence for rapid measurement of inhomogeneity map and higher order shimming based on the inhomogeneity map work very well at 3 Tesla MRI system. With the proposed higher order shimming and localized higher order shimming techniques, high resolution spiral-scan images are successfully obtained at 3 T MRI system.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.143-148
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study was examined the measurement error factor on AMARES of jMRUI method for magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) quantitative analysis by skilled and unskilled observer method and identified the reason of independent observers. The Point-resolved spectroscopy sequence was used to acquired magnetic resonance spectroscopy data of 10 weeks male Sprague-Dawley rat liver. The methylene protons ($(-CH_{2-})n$) of 1.3 ppm and water proton ($H_2O$) of 4.7 ppm ratio was calculated by LCModel software for using the reference data. The seven unskilled observers were calculated total lipid (methylene/water) using the jMRUI AMARES technique twice every 1 week, and we conducted interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) statistical analysis by SPSS software. The inter-observer reliability (ICC) of Cronbach's alpha value was less than 0.1. The average value of seven observer's total lipid ($0.096{\pm}0.038$) was 50% higher than LCModel reference value. The jMRUI AMARES analysis method is need to minimize the presence of the residual metabolite by identified metabolite MRS profile in order to obtain the same results as the LCModel.