• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.123-131
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• 2020

Purpose: Joint label fusion (JLF) is a popular multi-atlas-based segmentation algorithm, which compensates for dependent errors that may exist between atlases. However, in order to get good segmentation results, it is very important to set the several free parameters of the algorithm to optimal values. In this study, we first investigate the feasibility of a JLF algorithm for prostate segmentation in MR images, and then suggest the optimal set of parameters for the automatic prostate segmentation by validating the results of each parameter combination. Materials and Methods: We acquired T2-weighted prostate MR images from 20 normal heathy volunteers and did a series of cross validations for every set of parameters of JLF. In each case, the atlases were rigidly registered for the target image. Then, we calculated their voting weights for label fusion from each combination of JLF's parameters (r_pxy, r_pz, r_sxy, r_sz, β). We evaluated the segmentation performances by five validation metrics of the Prostate MR Image Segmentation challenge. Results: As the number of voxels participating in the voting weight calculation and the number of referenced atlases is increased, the overall segmentation performance is gradually improved. The JLF algorithm showed the best results for dice similarity coefficient, 0.8495 ± 0.0392; relative volume difference, 15.2353 ± 17.2350; absolute relative volume difference, 18.8710 ± 13.1546; 95% Hausdorff distance, 7.2366 ± 1.8502; and average boundary distance, 2.2107 ± 0.4972; in parameters of r_pxy = 10, r_pz = 1, r_sxy = 3, r_sz = 1, and β = 3. Conclusion: The evaluated results showed the feasibility of the JLF algorithm for automatic segmentation of prostate MRI. This empirical analysis of segmentation results by label fusion allows for the appropriate setting of parameters.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2016

Purpose: To analyze the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) diffusion-weighted (DW) PSIF (reversed FISP [fast imaging with steady-state free precession]) sequence in order to evaluate peripheral nerves in the elbow. Materials and Methods: Ten normal, asymptomatic volunteers were enrolled (6 men, 4 women, mean age 27.9 years). The following sequences of magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the elbow were obtained using a 3.0-T machine: 3D DW PSIF, 3D T2 SPACE (sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution) with SPAIR (spectral adiabatic inversion recovery) and 2D T2 TSE (turbo spin echo) with modified Dixon (m-Dixon) sequence. Two observers used a 5-point grading system to analyze the image quality of the ulnar, median, and radial nerves. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of each nerve were measured. We compared 3D DW PSIF images with other sequences using the Wilcoxon-signed rank test and Friedman test. Inter-observer agreement was measured using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. Results: The mean 5-point scores of radial, median, and ulnar nerves in 3D DW PSIF (3.9/4.2/4.5, respectively) were higher than those in 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR (1.9/2.8/2.8) and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon (1.7/2.8/2.9) sequences (P < 0.05). The mean SNR in 3D DW PSIF was lower than 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR, but there was no difference between 3D DW PSIF and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon in all of the three nerves. The mean CNR in 3D DW PSIF was lower than 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon in the median and ulnar nerves, but no difference among the three sequences in the radial nerve. Conclusion: The three-dimensional DW PSIF sequence may be feasible to evaluate the peripheral nerves around the elbow in MR imaging. However, further optimization of the image quality (SNR, CNR) is required.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.313-321
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• 2015

To minimize CT examination for Hip FAI diagnosis and operation plan. also, whether the MRI 3D images can replace Hip Clock face image was evaluated when performing Hip FAI MRI by using additional 3D image. This study analyzed Hip MRI and 3D Hip CT images of 31 patients in this hospital. For the purpose of evaluating the images, one orthopedic surgeon and one radiology specialist reconstructed Clock face, at MR and CT modality, by superior 12 o'clock, labrum front 3 o'clock, and the other side 9 o'clock, centering on Hip joint articular transverse ligament 6 o'clock. Afterwards, by the Likert Scale 5 point scale (independent t-test p<0.005), this study evaluated the check-up of A. retinacular vessel, B. head neck junction at 11 o'clock, A. Epiphyseal line, B. Cam lesion at 12 o'clock, and Cam lesion, Posterior Cam lesion at 1,2,3 and 4 o'clock. As for the verification of reliability among observers, this study verified coincidence by Cohen's weighted Kappa verification. As a result of Likert scale for the purpose of qualitative evaluation about the image, 11 o'clock A. retinacular vessel MR average was $3.69{\pm}1.0$ and CT average was $2.8{\pm}0.78$. B. head neck juncton didn't have a difference between two observers (p <0.416). 12 o'clock A. Epiphyseal line MR average was $3.54{\pm}1.00$ and CT average was $4.5{\pm}0.62$(p<0.000). B. Cam lesion didn't have a difference between two observers (p <0.532). 1,2,3,4 Cam lesion and Posterior Cam lesion were not statistically significant (p <0.656, p <0.658). As a result of weighted Kappa verification, 11 o'clock A.retinacular vessel CT K value was 0.663 and the lowest conformity. As a result of coincidence evaluation on respective item, a very high result was drawn, and two observers showed high reliability.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.4704-4710
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to obtain a useful diagnostic image by increasing the signal strength of the peripheral artery, was to use a T1 shortening effect of gadolinium contrast agents to improve the disadvantages of the phase image. From october to december 2014 thirty patients were underwent the MRI scanning, except for heart disease. Research method was evaluated comparing the image after gadolinium contrast MR image acquisition step before evaluating the difference between the signal intensity for T1 shortening effect. In frontal lobe 19.45%, temporal lobe 23.09%, occipital lobe 25.45%, parietal lobe 18.82%, cerebellum 20.93% after peripheral arterial signal strength results of gadolinium contrast agent injection was increased significantly after injection of gadolinium both statistically significant. After injecting a contrast agent gadolinium in SWI by increasing the signal strength of the T1 shortening effect can be obtained when using the phase image to give a useful image in diagnosis and treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.615-621
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare chronic LBP patients and asymptomatic subjects on measures of multifidus size (cross-sectional area;CSA, thickness) and symmetry (proportional difference of relatively larger side to smaller side). Methods : Data were obtained from 12 asymptomatic subjects without a prior history of LBP (8 females, 4 males), and a retrospective audit was undertaken of records from 12 chronic low back pain patients (8 females, 4 males). CSA and Thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscles was measured from axial T1-weighted magnetic resonance images(MRI). Results : The results of the analysis showed that chronic LBP patients had significantly smaller multifidus CSA and thickness than asymptomatic subjects at L4-5 vertebral levels(p<.05). The asymmetry between sides was seen at L4- L5 vertebral level in patients with chronic low back pain presentations(p<.05). Conclusions : MRI provided a quantitative measure of change between asymptomatic subjects and chronic low back pain patients of multifidus muscle. MRI identified significant differences in cross-sectional area and thickness and helps to evaluate clinically and plan the treatment modalities of LBP.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.12
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• pp.542-545
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• 2014

Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis is characterized by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and disturbance of consciousness. It is similar to Miller Fisher syndrome, a variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome, in that they share features such as ophthalmoplegia and ataxia. The difference is that patients with Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis have impaired consciousness, whereas patients with Miller Fisher syndrome have alert consciousness and areflexia. Here, we report the case of a 3-year-old child who was diagnosed with Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis presenting typical clinical features and interesting radiological findings. The patient showed ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and subsequent stuporous mentality. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed high signal intensity in the pons and cerebellum around the 4th ventricle on a T2-weighted image. He was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Differentiation of Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis and Miller Fisher syndrome is often difficult because they possess many overlapping features. Brain magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful in diagnosing Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis, especially when lesions are definitely found.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.221-228
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• 2005

The paper proposes the improved error diffusion halftoning system to enhance the edges using the spatial perceptual characteristics of the human visual system. The proposed method computes a spatial variation(SV), which is the difference between a pixel luminance and the average of its $3{\times}3$ neighborhood pixels' luminances weighted according to the spatial positioning. Information of edge enhancement(IEE) Is computed using the SV and the local average luminance. The IEE is added to the quantizer's input pixel and feeds into the halftoning quantizer. The quantizer produces the halftone image having the enhanced edge. The performance of the proposed method is compared with conventional methods by measuring the edge correlation. The halftone images by using the proposed method show better quality due to the enhanced edge. And the detailed edge is preserved in the halftone images by using the proposed method.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.220-226
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• 2017

SNR (signal to ratio) is a criterion for providing objective information for evaluating the performance of a magnetic resonance imaging device, and is an important measurement standard for evaluating the quality of MR (Magnetic Resonance) image. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the correct SNR measurement for multi-channel coil and parallel imaging. As a result of research, we found that both T1 and T2 weighted images show the narrowest confidence interval of the method recommended by NEMA (The National Electrical manufacturers Association) 1 having a single measurement method, whereas the ACR (American College of Radiology) measurement method using a multi-channel coil and a parallel imaging technique shows the widest confidence interval. There is a significance in that we quantitatively verified the inaccurate problems of a signal to noise ratio using a ACR measurement method when using a multi-channel coil and a parallel imaging technique of which method does not satisfy the preconditions that researchers could overlook.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.124-135
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• 2012

Purpose : The objective of this study was to investigate the differences of hippocampal volume and shape as well as the functional change between long life experienced taxi drivers and controls of Korean population. Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional T1-weighted images and blood oxygen level dependent functional MRI(fMRI) were obtained from 8 subjects, consisting of 4 experienced (20-30 years) taxi drivers and 4 age-matched controls. The hippocampal volume and shape were analyzed with three-dimensional T1-weighted images. In addition, neuronal activities of brain were analyzed using a blood oxygen level dependent fMRI between the two groups. Results: The hippocampal volume showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). The left hippocampi of the taxi drivers were slightly elongated with larger head and tail portions than those of the controls (p < 0.05, uncorrected). For the functional MRI, fusiform gyrus was specifically activated in taxi drivers, compared with the control group. Conclusion: The structural and functional changes of taxi driver's hippocampus indicate the functional differentiation as a result of occupational dependence on spatial navigation. In other words, the continuous usage of spatial navigation performance may diminish degeneration of hippocampus and the related brain regions.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2022

Background: Texture analysis has been used as a method for quantifying image properties based on textural features. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) texture analysis for the evaluation of viable ovarian tissue on the perfusion map of ovarian endometriosis. Methods: To generate a normalized perfusion map, subtracted T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T1WI and contrast-enhanced T1W1 with sequences were performed using the same parameters in 25 patients with surgically confirmed ovarian endometriosis. Integrated density is defined as the sum of the values of the pixels in the image or selection. We investigated the parameters for texture analysis in ovarian endometriosis, including angular second moment (ASM), contrast, correlation, inverse difference moment (IDM), and entropy, which is equivalent to the product of area and mean gray value. Results: The perfusion ratio and integrated density of normal ovary were 0.52±0.05 and 238.72±136.21, respectively. Compared with the normal ovary, the affected ovary showed significant differences in total size (p<0.001), fractional area ratio (p<0.001), and perfusion ratio (p=0.010) but no significant differences in perfused tissue area (p=0.158) and integrated density (p=0.112). In comparison of parameters for texture analysis between the ovary with endometriosis and the contralateral normal ovary, ASM (p=0.004), contrast (p=0.002), IDM (p<0.001), and entropy (p=0.028) showed significant differences. A linear regression analysis revealed that fractional area had significant correlations with ASM (r²=0.211), IDM (r²=0.332), and entropy (r²=0.289). Conclusion: MRI texture analysis could be useful for the evaluation of viable ovarian tissues in patients with ovarian endometriosis.