• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.21-21
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• 2003

목적： 악성뇌종양 주변부위의 역동자기공명영상에서의 시간신호강도곡선 양상으로 종양의 성장 양상이나 예후를 판단할 수 있는지를 알고자 한다. 대상 및 방법： Anaplastic oligodendroglioma 3예, Anaplastic astrocytoma 1예, Glioblastoma multiforme 1예, Malignant ependymoma 2예, Medulloblastorna 1예로서, 총 8예의 종양절제전, 혹은 후의 잔류 종양을 대상으로 하였다. Routine MRI에 추가하여 종양부위에서 Turbo spin echo T1 강조 역동자기공명영상을 하였으며, Gd-DTPA 0.1 mmol/kg를 급속 주사 한 후, TR/TE, 350/15, slice thickness 6 mm, slice number 3, NEX 2회, scan time은 15 초로 하여 5 분 동안 20회 영상을 얻었다. 가시적으로 조영증강이 없는 종양의 주변부위나 수술경계부위에 관심영역을 그려서 시간신호강도곡선을 얻었으며, 첫 회 조영제 통과시의 peak 이후에 신호가 감소하는 경우를 Normal pattern으로, peak 이후에 신호가 계속 유지되거나 증가하는 경우를 Tumor pattern으로 하였으며, Normal pattern과 Tumor pattern을 보인 예들을 구분하여 종양의 재성장 상태와 환자의 생존 기간을 비교 관찰하였다.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.305-306
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• 1998

In this paper, we infer the onset of the brain infarction from the MR image using evaluate signal intensities on diffusion weighted and turbo spin echo T2-weighted and FLAIR images. Infarcts were divided into four stages (hyperacute, acute, subacute, chronic) depending on period of onset. DWI is useful for the detection of early ischemic infarct, and stages of ischemic infarctions can be estimated by evaluating CR(conspicuity ratio) and CNR(contrast to noise ratio) on DW, T2, FLAIR images Hyperacute infarcts were visualized DWI. Acute infarcts were visualialized both DWI and T2 Weighted image.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 1996

The NMR spin echo in pure iron was measured as a function of external magnetic field up to 10 kgauss at room temperature. We observed the signal coming from a single domain formed over 7.5 kgauss which has not been detected in previous works. The resonance frequency shift with external field confirmed that the hyperfine field in iron is -330.2 kgauss. From the comparison of the magnetization curve with the domain wall signal and the resonance frequency in external field, we showed that NMR could give the useful qualitative information on the magnetization process. The extent of the internal strain removed by annealing, which can be hardly seen in hysteresis curves, was clearly shown up in the NMR line-width.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.84-84
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• 2002

목적： 야간성 전두협 발작 (Nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy NFLE)은 임상적으로 특징적인 야간성 운동성 발작으로 잘 알려져 있지만 일반적인 MR 영상에서는 대부분에서는 특이한 소견을 보이지 않아 확산 텐서 영상 (DTI)에서의 이상 소견 발현 유무를 알아보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법： 임상적 소견과, EEG 소견으로 진단된 NFLE 환자 6명을 대상으로 DTI 영상을 촬영하였다. 남자 2명, 여자 4명으로 평균연령은 32세 이었다. DTI영상은 single shot spin echo EPI 펄스 열을 사용하였고 사용한 영상 변수는 b value는 0, 1000 s/$\textrm{mm}^2$, TR 10000 msec, TE 71.8/72.3 msec, matrix 128$\times$128 (256 reconstruction), FOV 23cm, 5mm thickness, 2mm interstice gap, NEX 1. 19 slices, time은 4min 21sec (25방향) 이었다. 대조군으로 정상 성인 10명 (평균연령 31세)에서 동일한 방법으로 DTI 영상을 시행하여 분할 비등방도 (fractional anisotropy) 영상을 얻고 전두엽 백질에서 분할 비등방도 값을 측정하여 NFLE 환자군과 비교하였다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2018

Purpose: To determine the value of the appearance of the high signal intensity halo sign for detecting carotid intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) on maximum intensity projection (MIP) of time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography (MRA), based on high signal intensity on magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient-echo (MPRAGE) sequencing. Materials and Methods: A total of 78 carotid arteries in 65 patients with magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient-echo (MPRAGE) positive on carotid plaque MR imaging were included in this study. High-resolution MR imaging was performed on a 3.0-T scanner prior to carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting. Fast spin-echo T1- and T2-weighted axial imaging, TOF, and MPRAGE sequences were obtained. Carotid plaques with high signal intensity on MPRAGE > 200% that of adjacent muscle on at least two consecutive slices were defined as showing IPH. Halo sign of high signal intensity around the carotid artery was found on MIP from TOF MRA. Continuous and categorical variables were compared among groups using the Mann-Whitney test and Fisher's exact tests. Results: Of these 78 carotid arteries, 53 appeared as a halo sign on the TOF MRA. The total IPH volume of patients with a positive halo sign was significantly higher than that of patients without a halo sign ($75.0{\pm}86.8$ vs. $16.3{\pm}18.2$, P = 0.001). The maximum IPH axial wall area in patients with a positive halo sign was significantly higher than that of patients without a halo sign ($11.3{\pm}9.9$ vs. $3.7{\pm}3.6$, P = 0.000). Conclusion: High signal intensity halo of IPH on MIP of TOF MRA is associated with total volume and maximal axial wall area of IPH.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.1115-1122
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• 2023

This study aimed to present reasonable reception bandwidth application standards for the purpose of suppressing metal objects during MRI examinations. For this purpose, T2 contrast images were acquired using high-speed spin echo technology on a phantom made of screws for spinal surgery, and metal objects were detected. In addition, images were obtained by increasing the reception bandwidth from 100 Hz/PX to 800 Hz/PX by 100 Hz/PX. The metal artifacts were determined as the sum of the areas of the signal attenuation area and the signal accumulation area. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze the pattern of metal artifacts according to imaging variables. As a result, the signal accumulation area did not change significantly as the reception bandwidth increased (p>0.05), but the signal loss area and the area of metal artifacts decreased as the reception bandwidth increased (p<0.05). Interestingly, the area of metal objects decreased to a maximum in the section where the reception bandwidth was increased from 100 Hz/PX to 200 Hz/PX, consistent with the section where the echo spacing was reduced to a maximum due to the increase in reception bandwidth. In addition, the correlation analysis results also showed that the eco spacing was more related to the signal attenuation area and the area of metal objects than to the reception bandwidth. Therefore, if the reception bandwidth is increased for the purpose of reducing metal objects, it is reasonable to set it based on a value that minimizes the echo spacing in consideration of image quality factors.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 2009

Purpose : This study presents the optimization of flip angle (FA) to obtain higher contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and lower specific absorption rate (SAR). Materials and Method : T1-weighted images of the cerebrum of brain were obtained from 50$^\circ$ to 130$^\circ$ FA with 10$^\circ$ interval. Signal to noise ratios (SNRs) were calculated for white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), and background noise. The proper FA was analyzed by T-test statistics and Kruskal-wallis analysis using R1 = 1- exp ($\frac{-TR}{T1}$) and Ernst angle cos $\theta$ = exp ($\frac{-TR}{T1}$). Results : The SNR of WM at 130$^\circ$ FA is approximately 1.6 times higher than the SNR of WM at 50$^\circ$. The SNR of GM at 130$^\circ$ FA is approximately 1.9 times higher than the SNR of GM at 50$^\circ$. Although the SNRs of WM and GM showed similar trends with the change of FA values, the slowdown point of decrease after linear fitting were different. While the SNR of WM started decreasing at 120$^\circ$ FA, the SNR of GM started decreasing at less than 110$^\circ$. The highest SNRs of WM and GM were obtained at 130$^\circ$ FA. The highest CNRs, however, were obtained at 80$^\circ$ FA. Conclusion : Although SNR increased with the change of FA values from 50$^\circ$ to 130$^\circ$ at 3T SE T1WI, CNR was higher at 80$^\circ$ FA than at the usually used 90$^\circ$ FA. In addition, the SAR was decreased by using smaller FA. The CNR can be increased by using this optimized FA at 3T MR SE T1WI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.6
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• pp.1309-1323
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• 2023

Purpose To assess the quality of four images obtained using single-breath-hold (SBH), single-shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE) and multiple-breath-hold (MBH) SSFSE with and without deep-learning based reconstruction (DLR) in patients with Crohn's disease. Materials and Methods This study included 61 patients who underwent MR enterography (MRE) for Crohn's disease. The following images were compared: SBH-SSFSE with (SBH-DLR) and without (SBH-conventional reconstruction [CR]) DLR and MBH-SSFSE with (MBH-DLR) and without (MBH-CR) DLR. Two radiologists independently reviewed the overall image quality, artifacts, sharpness, and motion-related signal loss using a 5-point scale. Three inflammatory parameters were evaluated in the ileum, the terminal ileum, and the colon. Moreover, the presence of a spatial misalignment was evaluated. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was calculated at two locations for each sequence. Results DLR significantly improved the image quality, artifacts, and sharpness of the SBH images. No significant differences in scores between MBH-CR and SBH-DLR were detected. SBH-DLR had the highest SNR (p < 0.001). The inter-reader agreement for inflammatory parameters was good to excellent (κ = 0.76-0.95) and the inter-sequence agreement was nearly perfect (κ = 0.92-0.94). Misalignment artifacts were observed more frequently in the MBH images than in the SBH images (p < 0.001). Conclusion SBH-DLR demonstrated equivalent quality and performance compared to MBH-CR. Furthermore, it can be acquired in less than half the time, without multiple BHs and reduce slice misalignments.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2017

Purpose: To optimize the saturation time and maximizing the pH-weighted difference between the normal and ischemic brain regions, on 3-tesla amide proton transfer (APT) imaging using an in vivo rat model. Materials and Methods: Three male Wistar rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion, and were examined in a 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. APT imaging acquisition was performed with 3-dimensional turbo spin-echo imaging, using a 32-channel head coil and 2-channel parallel radiofrequency transmission. An off-resonance radiofrequency pulse was applied with a Sinc-Gauss pulse at a $B_{1,rms}$ amplitude of $1.2{\mu}T$ using a 2-channel parallel transmission. Saturation times of 3, 4, or 5 s were tested. The APT effect was quantified using the magnetization-transfer-ratio asymmetry at 3.5 ppm with respect to the water resonance (APT-weighted signal), and compared with the normal and ischemic regions. The result was then applied to an acute stroke patient to evaluate feasibility. Results: Visual detection of ischemic regions was achieved with the 3-, 4-, and 5-s protocols. Among the different saturation times at $1.2{\mu}T$ power, 4 s showed the maximum difference between the ischemic and normal regions (-0.95%, P = 0.029). The APTw signal difference for 3 and 5 s was -0.9% and -0.7%, respectively. The 4-s saturation time protocol also successfully depicted the pH-weighted differences in an acute stroke patient. Conclusion: For 3-tesla turbo spin-echo APT imaging, the maximal pH-weighted difference achieved when using the $1.2{\mu}T$ power, was with the 4 s saturation time. This protocol will be helpful to depict pH-weighted difference in stroke patients in clinical settings.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.48-60
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to design and build an optimized birdcage resonator configuration with a low pass filter, which would facilitate the acquisition of high-resolution 3D-image of small animals at 3T MRI system. Methods and Materials: The birdcage resonator with 12-element structures was built, in order to ensure B1 homogeneity over the image volume and maximum filling factor, and hence to maximize the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and resolution of the 3-dimensional images. The diameter and length of each element of a birdcage resonator were as follows: (1) diameter 13 cm, length 22 cm, (2) diameter 15 cm, length 22 cm, (3) diameter 17 cm, length 25 cm. Spin echo pulse sequence and fast spin echo pulse sequence were employed in obtaining MR images. The quality of the manufactured birdcage resonators wes evaluated on the basis of the return loss following matching and tuning process. Results: The experimental MR image of phantoms by the various manufactured birdcage resonators were obtained to compare the SNR in accordance with the size of objects. The size of an object to that of coil was identified by parameters that were estimated from the image of a phantom. First, the diameter of the birdcage resonator was 15cm, and the ratio of the tangerine to the birdcage resonator accounted for approximately 27%. The Q factor was 53.2 and the SNR was 150.7. Second, at the same birdcage resonator, the ratio of the orange was approximately 53%. The SNR and the Q parameter was 212.8 and 91.2, respectively. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that if birdcage resonators have the same forms, SNR could be different depending on the size of an object, especially when the size of an object to that of coil is approximately 40~80%, the former is bigger than the latter. Therefore, when the size of an object to be observed is smaller than that of coil, the coil should be manufactured in accordance with the size of an object in order to obtain much more excellent images.