• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.102-109
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• 2011

Purpose : To retrospectively evaluate the usefulness of diffusion-weighted images, ADC maps and conventional MR images for determination of brain tumor consistency. Materials and Methods : Twenty-three patients with brain tumor underwent MR examinations with T1, T2 and diffusion-weighted images. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn in the tumors, and the measured signal intensities (SI) were normalized with the contralateral side. We evaluated the correlation between SI ratios from various images and tumor consistency assessed at surgery. In three patients with both cystic and solid components, each component was evaluated independently. Qualitatively observed SIs were also correlated with tumor consistency. Results : Statistical analysis revealed significant correlation between tumor consistency and ADC ratio (r = -0.586, p = 0.002), SI ratios on T2-weighted images (r = -0.497, p = 0.010), and observed SIs on T2-weighted images (r = -0.461, p = 0.018). The relative ratio of ADC value correlated with tumor consistency most strongly. Conclusion : The measured ratio of ADC, SI ratio and observed SI grade on T2-weighted images can provide valuable information about the consistency of brain tumor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.112-126
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• 2022

Purpose To determine the value of 3 Tesla (T) MRI texture analysis for predicting tumor margin infiltration in soft tissue sarcomas. Materials and Methods Thirty-one patients who underwent 3T MRI and had a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma were included in this study. Margin infiltration on pathology was used as the gold standard. Texture analysis of soft tissue sarcomas was performed on axial T1-weighted images (WI) and T2WI, fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced (CE) T1WI, diffusion-weighted images (DWI) with b-value of 800 s/mm², and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was mapped. Quantitative parameters were compared between sarcomas with infiltrative margins and those with circumscribed margins. Results Among the 31 patients with soft tissue sarcomas, 23 showed tumor margin infiltration on pathology. There were significant differences in kurtosis with the spatial scaling factor (SSF) of 0 and 6 on T1WI, kurtosis (SSF, 0) on CE-T1WI, skewness (SSF, 0) on DWI, and skewness (SSF, 2, 4) on ADC between sarcomas with infiltrative margins and those with circumscribed margins (p ≤ 0.046). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve based on MR texture features for identification of infiltrative tumor margins was 0.951 (p < 0.001). Conclusion MR texture analysis is reliable and accurate for the prediction of infiltrative margins of soft tissue sarcomas.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.178-187
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• 2008

Purpose : To evaluate and compare the diagnostic accuracy of MRI and ultrasound(US) for estimation of invasion depth of gastric carcinoma by correlation with histopathologic findings in vitro and to find out the best MR pulse sequence for detection and accurate delineation of tumor. Materials and Methods : Resected specimen of total or subtotal gastrectomy from 53 patients with gastric carcinoma were done of imaging studies of MRI and US. And US was examined by using high frequency linear transducer for tumor invasion depth by a radiologist. In each case, both imaging findings of MRI and US were evaluated independently for tumor detection and invasion depth by consensus of two radiologists and were compared the diagnostic accuracy between two imaging modalities according to the histopathologic findings. MR imaging with five MR pulse sequences, spin echo T1 and in- and out-of phase gradient echo T1 weighted images, FSE and SSFSE T2 weighted images, were performed. Five MR pulse sequences were evaluated and compared on the point of detection and accurate distinction of tumor from surrounding normal tissue. Results : In EGC, diagnostic accuracy of US(77%) was superior than that of MRI(59%) but no statistically significant difference was noted between two imaging modalities(p=0.096). In AGC, both imaging modalities of MRI and US showed relatively high diagnostic accuracy as 97% and 84% respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of MRI was statistically better than that of US at the significant level(p<0.001). The best MR pulse sequence among five in each specimen was FSE T2WI(75.5%, 40/53) in both EGC and AGC. In AGC, FSE T2WI showed excellent imaging quality by showing very high ratio (93.5%, 29/31) of accurate delineation of tumor. Conclusion : MRI and US show relatively high diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of tumor invasion depth of resected specimen in AGC. The most excellent pulse sequence of MRI for the evaluation of tumor invasion depth is FSE T2WI on the point of detection and accurate delineation of tumor in both EGC and AGC.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.81-100
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• 2020

Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) has been increasingly used in recent years for the assessment of peripheral neuropathies. Fat suppression T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have typically been used to provide high contrast MRN. Isotropic 3-dimensional (3D) sequences with fast spin echo, post-processing imaging techniques, and fast imaging methods, among others, allow good visualization of peripheral nerves that have a small diameter, complex anatomy, and oblique course within a reasonable scan time. However, there are still several issues when performing high contrast and high resolution MRN including standard sequence; fat saturation techniques; balance between resolution, field of view, and slice thickness; post-processing techniques; 2D vs. 3D image acquisition; different T2 contrasts between proximal and distal nerves; high T2 signal intensity of adjacent veins or joint fluid; geometric distortion; and appropriate p-values on DWI. The proper understanding of these issues will help novice radiologists evaluate peripheral neuropathies using MRN.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2010

Purpose : To evaluate the specific radiologic findings of testicular lymphoma which will be able to differentiated from other testicular tumors. Materials and Methods : Pathologically confirmed eight cases were included in this study. All eight cases were performed ultrasonography and four cases were performed magnetic resonance image. On ultrasonography, the size, location, shape, margin, internal echogenicity, homogeneity and vascularity were evaluated. On magnetic resonance image, the shape, margin, homogeneity, signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images, degree and homogeneity of the contrast enhancement and contrast enhancement change on dynamic enhancement study. Results : The margin of the mass was smooth on 6 of 8 patients. Internal echogenicity of the mass lesion was hypoechoic than normal testicular parenchyme on 7 of 8 patients. Four cases were homogeneous, 3 cases were relatively homogeneous and 1 case was heterogeneous. All 8 cases showed increased vascularity. The mass lesion was iso-signal intensity on T1-weighted image and low-signal intensity on T2-weighted image. All four cases were enhanced homogeneously and mildly than enhancing normal testicular parenchyme. On dynamic enhancement study, the mass lesion is progressively enhanced with time. Conclusion : The possibility of testicular lymphoma should be considered when testicular mass was homogeneously hypoechoic and low signal intensity on T2-weighted image in old age patients.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2006

Four dogs with neurologic dysfunction resulted from intracranial hemorrhage by head trauma were referred to Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Chungnam National University. There were no remarkable findings in survey radiography in four cases. CT and MRI scans were diagnostic in these cases. Three dogs underwent CT scanning. On CT images, the lesion was hyperdense and was not enhanced after intravenous contrast administration in dog 1 and dog 2. On CT of dog 4, there was no significant finding. All of four dogs were verified by dorsal, sagittal, and transverse T1-weighted (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) images. Appearance of the lesions in dog 1 and dog 2 was isointense (dog 2) or isointense with hyperintense rim (dog 1) on T1W images and hyperintense on T2W images. In dog 3 and dog 4, there were hypointense and hyperintense lesions on T1Wand T2W images respectively. The lesions in four dogs were located in the left intracerebral region, intracerebral and cerebellovestibular region, subdural space, and right cerebral hemisphere, respectively.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 2011

Purpose : To describe normal anatomy and compare the differences of external genital organs and urethra on MR imaging in pre- and postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods : A total of 19 pre- and 18 postmenopausal healthy women underwent pelvis MR imaging at 1.5 T. Two radiologists retrospectively scored and compared the image quality of female external genitalia and urethra on axial T2-weighted images (T2WI) and axial fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (FSCE-T1WI) by using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The radiologists compared the wall thickness or size of external genital organs and urethra on FSCE-T1WI between two groups by using Student t test. Results : Image quality was better with FSCE-T1WI than with T2WI in all subjects (p < 0.05). The vestibular bulb, clitoris and labium minor were more clearly visualized on FSCE-T1WI in premenopausal subjects rather than in postmenopausal subjects (p < 0.05). The urethra had a target-like appearance with three layers in premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects. Postmenopausal subjects were observed to have significantly smaller vaginal wall thickness, urethral wall thickness and vestibular bulb width than premenopausal subjects (p < 0.05). Conclusion : The anatomy and morphologic changes of female external genital organs and urethra were well discernible on FSCE-T1WI.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2011

Purpose : To compare free-breathing and respiratory-triggered diffusion-weighted imaging on 1.5-T MR system in the detection of hepatic lesions. Materials and Methods: This single-institution study was approved by our institutional review board. Forty-seven patients (mean 57.9 year; M:F = 25:22) underwent hepatic MR imaging on 1.5-T MR system using both free-breathing and respiratory-triggered diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at a single examination. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed respiratory-triggered and free-breathing sets (B50, B400, B800 diffusion weighted images and ADC map) in random order with a time interval of 2 weeks. Liver SNR and lesion-to-liver CNR of DWI were calculated measuring ROI. Results : Total of 62 lesions (53 benign, 9 malignant) that included 32 cysts, 13 hemangiomas, 7 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), 5 eosinophilic infiltration, 2 metastases, 1 eosinophilic abscess, focal nodular hyperplasia, and pseudolipoma of Glisson's capsule were reviewed by two reviewers. Though not reaching statistical significance, the overall lesion sensitivities were increased in respiratory-triggered DWI [reviewer1: reviewer2, 47/62(75.81%):45/62(72.58%)] than free-breathing DWI [44/62(70.97%):41/62(66.13%)]. Especially for smaller than 1 cm hepatic lesions, sensitivity of respiratory-triggered DWI [24/30(80%):21/30(70%)] was superior to free-breathing DWI [17/30(56.7%):15/30(50%)]. The diagnostic accuracy measuring the area under the ROC curve (Az value) of free-breathing and respiratory-triggered DWI was not statistically different. Liver SNR and lesion-to-liver CNR of respiratory-triggered DWI ($87.6{\pm}41.4$, $41.2{\pm}62.5$) were higher than free-breathing DWI ($38.8:{\pm}13.6$, $24.8{\pm}36.8$) (p value < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Respiratory-triggered diffusion-weighted MR imaging seemed to be better than free-breathing diffusion-weighted MR imaging on 1.5-T MR system for the detection of smaller than 1 cm lesions by providing high SNR and CNR.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.418-423
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to determine how the different number of channels of coils were related in the perceived signal intensity under identical parameters and area. Dedicated knee phantoms were scanned consecutively using both of the 16-channel and 8-channel knee coils. The T1 weighted and T2 weighted sequences were acquired using both coils to compare the signal intensities according to the number of channels. As a result, the 16-channel knee coils outperformed the 8-channel knee coils and the signal intensity was significantly increased in both of the T1 and T2 weighted images with the 16-channel coil. In conclusion, it is considered that better signal intensities and more clinical utility can be provided, when coils with more number of channels are used rather than using the coils with smaller number of channels.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.302-308
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• 2010

In MRI, the Ferromagnetic artifact is generated by the metalization within in which the before inspection removal is impossible and the distortion of an image is brought. The distortion measure according to the steel for each sequence of T1 image and magnetic field intensity are analyzed and minimized method is looked into. We used SIEMENS 1.5T and 3.0T MRI for experiment equipment. First, it places within the Phantom making a metalization(Ti+Al, Stainless, Nitinol) on 1.5T, 3.0T MRI and the T1 weighted image for each Sequence is acquired. The distortion of an image and about adjacent portion change of the metal material were compared through the obtained image, we analyzed. In all metalizations, a distortion was generated and a distortion was few in particularly, and Titanium-Aluminium alloy. And the extent of a distortion was worse image in the Turbo spin Echo. The use of the Titanium-Aluminium alloy the inserted in an internal material of the metalization is recommend. and, equipment of 1.5T the patient inserting a metal in an internal is used in an inspection than equipment of 3.0T. Also, the sequence is suitable when it obtains the optimum T1 weighted image of an impersonate to use the Turbo spin Echo.