• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.34-42
• /
• 2003

In medical imaging, three-dimensional (3D) display using Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) as a portable file format can give intuitive information more efficiently on the World Wide Web (WWW). The web-based 3D visualization of functional images combined with anatomical images has not studied much in systematic ways. The goal of this study was to achieve a simultaneous observation of 3D anatomic and functional models with planar images on the WWW, providing their locational information in 3D space with a measuring implement using VRML. MRI and ictal-interictal SPECT images were obtained from one epileptic patient. Subtraction ictal SPECT co-registered to MRI (SISCOM) was performed to improve identification of a seizure focus. SISCOM image volumes were held by thresholds above one standard deviation (1-SD) and two standard deviations (2-SD). SISCOM foci and boundaries of gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the MRI volume were segmented and rendered to VRML polygonal surfaces by marching cube algorithm. Line profiles of x and y-axis that represent real lengths on an image were acquired and their maximum lengths were the same as 211.67 mm. The real size vs. the rendered VRML surface size was approximately the ratio of 1 to 605.9. A VRML measuring tool was made and merged with previous VRML surfaces. User interface tools were embedded with Java Script routines to display MRI planar images as cross sections of 3D surface models and to set transparencies of 3D surface models. When transparencies of 3D surface models were properly controlled, a fused display of the brain geometry with 3D distributions of focal activated regions provided intuitively spatial correlations among three 3D surface models. The epileptic seizure focus was in the right temporal lobe of the brain. The real position of the seizure focus could be verified by the VRML measuring tool and the anatomy corresponding to the seizure focus could be confirmed by MRI planar images crossing 3D surface models. The VRML application developed in this study may have several advantages. Firstly, 3D fused display and control of anatomic and functional image were achieved on the m. Secondly, the vector analysis of a 3D surface model was defined by the VRML measuring tool based on the real size. Finally, the anatomy corresponding to the seizure focus was intuitively detected by correlations with MRI images. Our web based visualization of 3-D fusion image and its localization will be a help to online research and education in diagnostic radiology, therapeutic radiology, and surgery applications.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.235-244
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the appropriateness of gustatory features in product design affect product evaluation and accompanied response by using functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI). Through the pilot survey, we categorized the product designs into two groups based on the level of the appropriateness. The total of 40 product designs were selected as the experimental stimuli. 15 right-handed participants(mean age = 23.33, SD = 1.7) were scanned with 3T MRI machine(ISOL Tech, Oxford OR63). The experimental stimuli were passively presented inside the scanner. In post scanning session, participants were asked to measure their preference and buying intention to the product designs. The results show that both the preference and buying intention were significantly higher for the high appropriateness condition compared to those of low appropriateness designs. Caudate nucleus and putamen, areas related to the positive reward such as monetary acquisition showed greater activation in response to the designs of high appropriateness condition, compared to the low appropriateness designs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.81 no.3
• /
• pp.501-529
• /
• 2020

Because of the inherent complex anatomy and functional arrangement of the cranial nerves (CNs), neuroimaging of cranial neuropathy is challenging. With recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, the cause of cranial neuropathy can now be detected in many cases. As an active multidisciplinary team member of cranial neuropathy, it is essential for the neuroradiologist to be familiar with the detailed anatomy of the CNs on MRI. This review contains the basic MRI anatomy of CNs III-XII according to a segmental classification from the brain stem to the extracranial region. The optimal imaging options to best evaluate the specific segment of the CNs will also be discussed briefly.

• Journal of the Korean Physical Society
• /
• v.80
• /
• pp.640-646
• /
• 2022

Hybrid PET/MRI is a useful imaging system that can improve diagnostic accuracy by providing both functional and anatomical information. However, the combination of PET and MRI can lead to mutual interference, which can degrade the performances of both imaging systems. One of the methods that is capable of preserving the performance of both modalities is to apply RF shielding to PET detectors and electronics. The purpose of this study was to propose a new RF shielding method using Au-plated conductive fabric (PCF) tape that could not only minimize RF interference and eddy current, but that could also be applied to complex PET gantry and detector module structures more easily than thin Cu foils, which have been widely used as a shielding material for hybrid PET/MRI systems. To evaluate the performance of the proposed new RF shielding method, the effects of the two RF shield materials (Cu and Au) on the B1 + field generated by the RF head coil were estimated using a computer simulation method. The effects of the Au PCF tape and Cu foil on the homogeneity and SNR of the MR image were also experimentally evaluated using a commercial 3-T MRI. The uniformity of the B1 + field map was slightly decreased by the use of Cu and Au RF shields. The deterioration in the MR image quality caused by the Au PCF tape was less than that caused by Cu foil. The simulation and experimental results indicate that Au PCF tape can serve as an alternative shielding material that reduces RF interference and eddy current for hybrid PET/MRI systems.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.52-57
• /
• 2000

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the pattern of cerebral response to motor tasks in patients with schizophrenia compared with normal subjects using functional MRI. Materials and methods ; Nine right handed-schizophrenic patients and six right-handed normal subjects were included. We used right hand movement as task. Series of 120 consecutive echo-planar images per section were acquired during three cycles of task and rest activations. Lateralization index of cortical response was measured and compared between patients and normal subjects. Results ; Right hand motor task was associated with greater activation in left sensorimotor cortex than the right in normal subjects. Schizophrenia patients showed relatively decreased activation in left cortex and increased activation in right cortex compared with normal subjects. In one patient, reversed lateralization was noted. Conclusion : Normal hemispheric asymmetry of cortical response to motor task was found in different pattern in schizophrenia. Our result is consistent with functional disturbance of motor circuitry in this disorder. Functional MRI will play an important role in diagnosis and research of this disorder.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.384-394
• /
• 2021

Objective: To quantitatively assess biochemical alterations in the cartilage of the subtalar and midtarsal joints in chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) patients with isolated anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injuries and combined calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) injuries using MRI T2 mapping. Materials and Methods: This study was performed according to regulations of the Committee for Human Research at our institution, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Forty CLAI patients (26 with isolated ATFL injuries and 14 with combined ATFL and CFL injuries) and 25 healthy subjects were recruited for this study. All participants underwent MRI scans with T2 mapping. Patients were assessed with the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) rating system. The subtalar and midtarsal joints were segmented into 14 cartilage subregions. The T2 value of each subregion was measured from T2 mapping images. Data were analyzed with ANOVA, the Student's t test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: T2 values of most subregions of the subtalar joint and the calcaneal facet of the calcaneocuboid joint in CLAI patients with combined CFL injuries were higher than those in healthy controls (all p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in T2 values in subtalar and midtarsal joints between patients with isolated ATFL injuries and healthy controls (all p > 0.05). Moreover, T2 values of the medial talar subregions of the posterior subtalar joint in patients with combined CFL injuries showed negative correlations with the AOFAS scores (r = -0.687, p = 0.007; r = -0.609, p = 0.021, respectively). Conclusion: CLAI with combined CFL injuries can lead to cartilage degeneration in subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints, while an isolated ATFL injury might not have a significant impact on the cartilage in these joints.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.26-31
• /
• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of global scaling analysis on brain activation for sensory and motor functional MR imaging study. Materials and methods : Four normal subjects without abnormal neurological history were included. Arm extension-flexion movement was used for motor function and 1KHz pure tone stimulation was used for auditory function. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 3T MRI (GE, Milwaukee, USA) using BOLD-EPI technique and SPM2 was employed for data analysis. On data analysis, the brain activation images were obtained with and without global scaling by fixing other parameters such as motion correction and realignment. Results : The difference in brain activation between no scaling and global scaling was not large in case of right upper extremity movement (p<0.000001). For auditory test, brain activation with global scaling showed larger activation than that of without global scaling (p<0.05). Conclusion : A caution must be taken into account when analyzing functional imaging data with global scaling especially for functional study of small local BOLD signal change.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.77-82
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Recently, many studies have demonstrated that application of external stimulation can modulate cortical excitability of the human brain. We attempted to observe cortical excitability using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during the application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or functional electrical stimulation (FES). Methods: We recruited two healthy subjects without a history of neurological or psychiatric problems. fMRI scanning was done during? each constant anodal tDCS and FES session, and each session was repeated three times. The tDCS session consisted of three successive phases (resting phase: 60sec dummy cycle: 10sec tDCS phase: 60sec). The FES session involved stimulation of wrist extensor muscles over two successive phase (resting phase: 15sec FES phase: 15sec). Results: The average map of the tDCS and FES analyses showed that the primary sensory-motor cortex area was activated in all subjects. Conclusion: Our findings show that cortical activation can be induced by constant anodal tDCS and FES. They suggest that the above stimuli have the potential for facilitating brain plasticity and modulating neural excitability if applied as specific therapeutic interventions for brain injured patients.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 2018

It has been suggested that aberrant self-referential processing (SRP) is one of the important components of the explanatory models of social anxiety disorder (SAD). The default mode network (DMN), which reflects intrinsic brain functions, is known to play a critical role in SRP. Recently, resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research on the functional connectivity in the brain network has gained greater attention as a tool to elucidate the neurobiological basis of various psychiatric disorders. We reviewed resting state fMRI studies that investigated the resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) of the DMN in SAD. Despite of the heterogeneity of the analytic methods and occasional negative findings, most studies consistently reported abnormalities of RSFC within the DMN, suggesting that the DMN may be significant neural correlates of aberrant SRP in SAD. Also, changes in RSFC of the DMN are associated with clinical improvements of therapeutic interventions. Moreover, emerging findings provide the basis for potential use of RSFC as a complementary method in diagnosis of SAD. Ongoing and future research to investigate RSFC of the DMN could broaden our understanding regarding the neurobiological basis of SAD, and contribute to the development of novel treatments for SAD.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.17-21
• /
• 2004

With advancement of the medical imaging technology, the dynamic pelvic MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) has been introduced and used for dynamic MR defecography to improved diagnosis of the patients. At the early stage of its use, it was mostly used to diagnose enterocele or cystocele, then its use was extended to diagnose the organ prolapse and other dysfunctional pelvis organs. There now have been many reports of other diseases such as the functional constipation and others. This paper introduces the pelvis MRI and the dynamic MR defecography and reports the future trend in their clinical applications. Until recently, the studies with pelvic MRI were mostly focused on observing the movement of the pelvis in the supine position. Yang and 26 others reported good result in observing the patients with the pelvic organ prolapse by using the pubococcygeal line as the anatomical index. Using the fast gradient recalled acquisition (fast GRASS), they compared cystocoele, genitourinary prolapse, enterocoele and rectocoele with the control group. Kruyt et al. observed the posterior compartment and reported that MRI was more helpful than the fluoroscopy. Healy et al. applied the dynamic MRI test on the patients with constipation or incontinence as well as the control group without those symptoms. Since then, MRI technology has further advance by Lienemann, who was able to attain the more detailed images using the fast T2 weighted turbo spin echo technology, and others. If its limitation in diagnosing intussusception and the like, since the observation can be made only from the supine position, can be overcome with open MR or others, it is envisages that the method can eventually replace the radiological defecography.