• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.166-172
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• 2002

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) and quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps in the patients with spinal cord infarction. Materials and methods : We studied 6 patients presented symptoms with spinal cord infarction, retrospectively (3 men and 3 women). We obtained multi-shot echo planar-based, DWI using 1.5T MR scanner at 5.4 mean days after the onset of ischemic symptoms. In six patients, signal intensity was acquired at conventional b value $1000s/\textrm{mm}^2$). The ADC value for the normal spinal cord and for infarcted lesions was measured from the trace ADC maps by using regions of interest positioned over the spinal cord. We analyzed signal intensity of lesion on MRI and DWI, and compared with ADC values in infarcted lesions and normal site. Results : T1-weighted MR image showed isosignal intensity in four of six patients and low signal intensity in two of six. T2-weighted MR image demonstrated high signal intensity in all of six. All DWI were considered to be diagnostic. All of six depicted a bright signal intensity on DWI. ADC values of infarcted lesion were measured lower than that of normal spinal cord on ADC map. The differences in ADC values between infarcted and normal spinal cord were significantly different (p＜0.05). Conclusion : It is possible to obtain DWI and ADC map of the spinal cord and DWI may be useful in the early diagnosis and localization of lesion site in patients with spinal cord infarction.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 1999

Purpose : To evaluate the detection rate of hyperacute intracerebral hemorrhage in echo planar imaging (EPI) and other MR sequences. materials and Methods : Intracerebral hemorrhage was experimentally induced in ten rats. EPI, fast spin-echo (FSE) T2 weighted images, fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), spin-echo (SE) T1 weighted images and gradient echo (GE) T1 weight ed images of rat's brains were obtained 2 hours after onset of intracerebral hemorrhage. EPI and FSE T2 images were additionally obtained 30 min and 1 hour after onset of hemorrhage in 3 and 6 rat, repeatedly, For objective visual assessment, discrimination between the lesion and normal brain parenchyma was evaluated on various MR sequences by three radiologists. For quantitative assessment, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated fro hemorrhage-normal brain parenchyma. Statistical analysis was performed usning the Wilcoxon-Ranks test. Results : EPI, FLAIR, and FSE T2 images showed high signal intensity lesions. The lesion discrimination was easier on EPI than on other sequences, and also EPI showed higher signal intensity for the subjective visual assessment. In quantitative evaluation, CNR of the hemorrhagic lesion versus normal brain parenchyma were higher on EPI and FLAIR images (p<0.01). There was no difference in CNR between EPI and FLAIR (p>0.10). On MR images obtained 30 minutes and 1 hour after the onset of intracerebral hemorrhage, the lesion detection was feasible on both EPI and FSE T2 images showing high signal intensity. Conclusion : EPI showed higher detection rate as compared with other MR sequences and could be useful in early detection and evaluation of intracerebral hemorrhage.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.461-466
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the signal intensity changes by activating all and partially selected coil elements as a way to increase the SNR in a single region MR imaging. Two cylindrical fluid phantoms were placed side by side in a phase array coil and MRI scans were repeated by turning on the entire elements and selected elements. As a result, on both of the T1 and T2 weighted images signal intensities were significantly increased by 5.49% and 14.64%, respectively. In conclusion, if only a single region was to be imaged, selecting appropriate elements and collecting signals only from them could easily improve image qualities and signal intensities.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2002

Purpose : To evaluate diffusion-weighted imaging findings of intracerebral hematoma according to the time sequence. Materials and methods : Seventeen patients with intracerebral hematoma were studied. Diffusion weighted images using 1.5 tesla MRI machine were obtained with b-value of $1000{\;}sec/\textrm{mm}^2$. The patients were grouped as hyperacute stage(within 12 hours, 5 patients), acute stage(within 3 days, 4 patients), subacute stage(within 3 weeks, 4 patients), and chronic stage(after 3 weeks,4 patients). The signal intensities were analysed as bright, high, iso, low and dark at the central and peripheral portions of the hematoma in each stage, and compared with those of T2 and T1 weighted images. Results : The signal intensities of the central and peripheral portion of the intracerebral hematoma on diffusion-weighted images were high and dark in hyperacute stage, dark and high-bright in acute stage, and high-bright and dark in subacute and chronic stages. The patterns of signal change of hematoma on diffusion-weighted image according to the time sequence were similar to those on T2-weighted image, but changed early and prominently. Conclusion : The intracerebral hematoma on diffusion-weighted image showed unique central and peripheral signal intensity according to the time sequence. Central portions show high to bright signals in hyperacute, subacute and chronic stage, and dark signal in acute stage, and peripheral portions show dark signals in hyperacute, subacute and chronic stage, and high to bright signal in acute stage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2008

Line scan diffusion weighted imaging (LSDI) pulse sequence for 0.32 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system was developed. In the LSDI pulse sequence, the imaging volume is formed by the intersection of the two perpendicular planes selected by the two slice-selective $\pi$/2-pulse and $\pi$-pulse and two diffusion sensitizing gradients placed on the both side of the refocusing $\pi$-pulse and the standard frequency encoding readout was followed. Since the maximum gradient amplitude for the MR system was 15 mT/m the maximum b value was $301.50s/mm^2$. Using the developed LSDI pulse sequence, the diffusion weighted images for the aqueous NaCl solution phantom and triacylglycerol solution phantom calculated from the line scan diffusion weighted images gives the same results within the standard error range (mean diffusivities = $963.90{\pm}79.83({\times}10^{-6}mm^2/s)$ at 0.32 T, $956.77{\pm}4.12({\times}10^{-6}mm^2/s)$ at 1.5 T) and the LSDI images were insensitive to the magnetic susceptibility difference and chemical shift.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.103-108
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• 2016

This study examined the effectiveness of the multitransmit parallel technique on the MRI scan time reduction by removing the dielectric effect. The T1 and T2 weighted images of the patients' hip joint were acquired with and without a multitransmit technique. The ROIs were located in the head of femur and iliopsoas muscle. The SNR, CNR and scan time were measured and compared. There was no difference in the images with and without multitransmit. In contrast, the acquisition time was decreased by 42.8% in T1WI and 49.7% in T2WI. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that significant scan time reductions can be accomplished without any differences in the image quality in hip joint MRI by applying the multitransmit parallel technique. Furthermore, the multitranstmit technique is useful in other body parts to resolve the long scan time of an MRI examination.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.429-435
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to prospectively estimate the effectiveness of multi-transmit parallel technique in reduced FOV(Field of View) less than 26 cm. Homogeneity, SNR(signal to noise ratio) and acquisition time were measured and compared by setting FOV less than 26cm on the T1 and T2 weighted images using ACR phantom. The multi-transmit parallel technique resulted in significantly faster image acquisition by 46.8 % in T1 weighted images and 18.9% in T2 weighted images. The homogeneity and SNR values had no significant difference between pre and post application of the multi-transmit parallel technique. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the feasibility of multi-transmit parallel technique in FOV less than 26cm with a rapid acquisition and maintained image quality.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.200-207
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• 2014

Purpose : We evaluated the diagnostic value of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for the detection of developmental venous anomaly (DVA). Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of 1068 brain MR examinations found 28 DVAs in 28 patients (2.6%) on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. SWI, T2, and FLAIR images of 28 patients with DVA and 28 sex- and age-matched control patients without DVA were analyzed by blinded readers on each type of sequences. All images were independently reviewed by two radiologists who were blinded to other MR imaging finding. In cases of discrepancy, two reviewers reached a consensus later. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of each MR sequence for the detection of DVA were determined. Statistical analysis was performed by using the Mcnemar test. The significance level was p < 0.05. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of SWI for the detection of DVA were 85.7%, 92.9%, 92.3%, and 86.7%, respectively. T2 and FLAIR images showed sensitivity of 35.7% and 35.7%, specificity of 92.9% and 96.4%, PPV of 83.3% and 90.9%, and NPV of 59.1% and 60.0%, respectively. On SWI, the sensitivity and NPV for the detection of DVAs were significantly higher than those of T2 and FLAIR images (p < 0.05). Conclusion: SWI was sensitive and specific for the detection of DVA.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2014

Purpose : Spin-echo (SE) technique is most commonly used pulse sequence for T1-weighted MR imaging. T1-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T1FLAIR) is a relatively new pulse sequence and it provides higher tissue contrast between the gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) of the brain than T1-weighted SE (T1SE) sequence. However, there has been controversy for the evaluation of enhancing brain tumors with T1FLAIR compared to T1SE. The purpose of this study was to compare T1FLAIR and T1SE sequences for the evaluation of enhancing intracranial tumors. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients with enhancing brain tumors were evaluated with contrast-enhanced (CE) T1SE and T1FLAIR imaging. Eight quantitative criteria were calculated: lesion-to-WM contrast ratio (CR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), lesion-to-GM CR and CNR, lesion-to-CSF CR and CNR, and WM-to-GM CR and CNR. For qualitative evaluation, two radiologists assessed lesion conspicuity on CE T1SE and T1FLAIR sequences with three-scale: 1, T1SE superior; 2, sequence equal; T1FLAIR superior. Results: Seventy-nine tumors (31 primaries, 48 metastases) were assessed. For quantitative measurement, the T1FLAIR lesion-to-GM, lesion-to-CSF, WM-to-GM CR and CNR values were comparable and statistically superior to those of the T1SE images (p < 0.001 in all). However, lesion-to-WM CR and CNR were similar on both two sequences without statistically significant difference (p = 0.661, 0.662, respectively). For qualitative evaluation, both radiologists assessed that T1FLAIR images were superior to T1SE images for the evaluation of lesion conspicuity. Conclusion: For the evaluation of enhancing intracranial tumors, T1FLAIR sequence was superior or comparable to T1SE sequence.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 1994

Purporse : It is known that detection of calcification by MRI is difficulty in intracranial calcified lesions, but author tried to evaluate the signal intensity image of calcification by MR with experimental model. Subjects & Methods : Author analyzed and compared with values of calcium carbonate and hydroxyapatite phantoms by each concentration (10, 20, 30, 40, 50%) and size(1-10mm), measured ROI attenuating from CT and MRI(TlWI & T2WI). Results : The high concentration of calcium carbonate is, the lower the signal intensity of calcium carbonate phantom is both T1 & T2WI. For concentration of Hydroxyapatite of up to 30% by weight the signal intensity on standard T1 weighted images increased but subsequently decreased. Hyperintensity does not preclude calcification as a cause of the signal alteration-an observation that all radiologists interpreting MR images need to be aware of. Conclusion: The signal intensity of intracranial calcification is various on MR imaging in concerning with components, concentration, & size of calcification, and especially high signal intensity of intracranial calcification noted differencial diagnosis.