• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.73-73
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• 2003

Purpose: To determine the motor cortex dysfunction in hemiparetic patients due to deep intracerebral hematoma, authors performed proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (lH MRS) for the evaluation of biochemical changes in the cortex on affected hemisphere according to axonal injury at the level of internal capsule. Methods: Ten control subjects and 14 patients with documentable hemiparesis of varying severity hemiparesis were included. All the hemiparesis was caused by deep intracerebral hematoma (putaminal and thalamic hemorrhage). In vivo 1H MRS study was performed on a 3T MRI/MRS system using STEAM sequence. As a single-voxel technique, Spectral parameters were: 20 ms TE, 2000 ms TR, 128 averages, 2500 Hz spectral width, and 2048 data points. Results: We found that the mean N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/phosphocreatine (Cr) and NAA/choline (Cho) ratios were significantly decreased in the motor cortex of the hemiparesis patients compared with control subjects. Conclusions: 1H MRS examinations of the motor cortex might help to differentiate distinct clinical entities of hemiparesis and to monitor pharmacological effects in therapeutic trials, providing a quantitative biological marker for motor neuron dysfunction. Acknowledgement: This study was supported by a grant of the Center for Functional and Metabolic Imaging Technology, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea. (02-PJ3-PG6-EV07-000).

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1993 no.05
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• pp.28-30
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• 1993

We have investigated the feasibility study, especially for optimal TR, to obtain 3-D MR neurographic imaging (neurograms or nervography) which shows the distribution of peripheral nerve fibers at the human forearm using 4.7 T magnet. To peform a successful formation of MR neurographic imaging, nerve signal should be separated from the other signal comes from surrounding muscle or fat, because nerves are usually embeded in muscle or fat. Generally, it is well known that nerve has shoter T1 value than that of muscle. Thus, repetition time was optimized to maximize the signal intensity defference between the muscel and nerve. We have also used spin-echo(SE) sequence with long echo time($60{\sim}90\;msec$) to enhance the different signal intensity between muscles and pheriperal nerves base on the fact that muscle tissue has longer T2 relaxation lime than that or nerve.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2014

Purpose : To establish a pH measurement system for a mouse tumor study using a clinical scanner, to develop the $^1H$ and 31P radio frequency (RF) coil system and to test pH accuracy with phantoms. Materials and Methods: The $^1H$ and the $^{31}P$ surface coils were designed to acquire signals from mouse tumors. Two coils were positioned orthogonally for geometric decoupling. The pH values of various pH phantoms were calculated using the $^1H$ decoupled $^{31}P$ MR spectrum with the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. The calculated pH value was compared to that of a pH meter. Results: The mutual coil coupling was shown in a standard $S_{12}$. Coil coupling ($S_{12}$) were -73.0 and -62.3 dB respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained from the homogeneous phantom $^1H$ image was greater than 300. The high resolution in vivo mice images were acquired using a $^{31}P$-decoupled $^1H$ coil. The pH values calculated from the $^1H$-decoupled $^{31}P$ spectrum correlated well with the values measured by pH meter ($R^2$=0.97). Conclusion: Accurate pH values can be acquired using a $^1H$-decoupled $^{31}P$ RF coil with a clinical scanner. This two-surface coil system could be applied to other nuclear MRS or MRI.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate the NMR relaxation properties of newly developed high performance paramagnetic complexes. Materials and methods : 4-aminomethylcyclohexane carboxylic acid (0.63g, 4 mmol) was mixed with the suspension solution of DMF (15mL) and DTPA-bis-anhydride (0.71g, 2 mmol) to synthesize the ligand. The ligand was then mixed with Gd2O3 (0.18g, 0.5 mmol) to synthesize Gd-chelate. For the measurement of magnetic relaxivity of paramagnetic compounds, the compounds were diluted to 1mM and then the relaxation times were measured at 1.5T(64 MHz). Inversion-recovery pulse sequence was employed for T1 relaxation measurement and CPMG(Carr-Purcell-Meiboon-Gill) pulse sequence was employed for T2 relaxation measurement. Using MATLAB(Version 7.1) program, T1 magnetic relaxation map, R1 map, T2 magnetic relaxation map and R2 map were developed to represent magnetic relaxation time and magnetic relaxivity as image. Results : Compared to $R1=4.9mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$ and $R2=4.8mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$ of Omniscan (Gadodiamide), which is commercially available paramagnetic MR agent, R1 of SUK090(Gd-C32H74N5O24) was $12.46mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$ and R1 of SUK091(Gd-C34H78N5O24) was $12.77mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$. However, R1 of SUK092(Gd-C30H56N5O17) was decreased to $2.09mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$. In case of R2, SUK090(Gd-C32H74N5O24) was $8.76mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$ and SUK091(Gd-C34H78N5O24) was $7.60mM^{-}1sec^{-1}$ whereas SUK092(Gd-C30H56N5O17) was decreased to $1.82mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$. Conclusion : Among three new paramagnetic complexes, SUK090(Gd-C32H74N5O24) and SUK091(Gd-C34H78N5O24) showed higher T1, T2 magnetic relaxation rates than that of commercially available paramagnetic MR agent and thus expected to have more contrast enhancement effect.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.134-139
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• 2005

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of acoustic noise attenuator on auditory fMRI examination. Materials and methods : The acoustic noise attenuator consists of mask, earmuff and silicon earplug. The soft polyurethane sheet and polyurethane form , which has a good soundproof characteristic were used for mask and earmuff. Auditory fMRI experiments of 500 Hz pure tone stimulation were performed in three different cases; first all of mask, earmuff and earplug, secondly earmuff and earplug only and finally without attenuator in 4 normal hearing volunteers. For data acquisition, BOLD MR imaging technique was employed at a 1.5T MR scanner equipped with high performance gradient system. The raw data were analyzed using a SPM-99 analysis software and the activation maps were obtained. Results : In case of all items of acoustic attenuator used, the results revealed that activation was focused on primary auditory area. When only earmuff and earplug were used, the results showed that the activation spread over primary auditory and secondary associative areas. Last, when no device used, only weak activation was observed on the right auditory cortex. Conclusion : It is expected that the acoustic noise attenuator, which consists of earplugs, earmuffs and mask, is a very useful device in auditory fMRI study.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.94-99
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• 2004

Purpose : To investigate the signal enhancement ratio by NOE effect on in vivo $^{31}P$ MRS in human heart muscle and liver. we also evaluated the enhancement ratios of different phosphorus metabolites, which are important in 31P MRS for each organ. Materials and Methods : Ten normal subjects (M:F = 8:2, age range = 24-32 yrs) were included for in vivo $^{31}P$ MRS measurements on a 1.5 T whole-body MRI/MRS system using $^1H-^{31}P$ dual tuned surface coil. Two-dimensional Chemical Shift Imaging (2D CSI) pulse sequence for $^{31}P$ MRS was employed in all $^{31}P$ MRS measurements. First, $^{31}P$ MRS performed without NOE effect and then the same 2D CSI data acquisitions were repeated with NOE effect. After postprocessing the MRS raw data in the time domain, the signal enhancements in percent were estimated from the major metabolites. Results : The calculated NOE enhancement for liver $^{31}P$ MRS were $\alpha-ATP\;(7\%),\;\beta-ATP\;(9\%),\;\gamma-ATP\;(17\%),\;Pi\;(1\%),\;PDE\;(19\%)$ and $PME\;(31\%)$. Because there is no creatine kinase activity in liver, PCr signal is absent. For cardiac $^{31}P$ MRS, whole body coil gave better scout images and thus better localization than surface coil. In $^{31}P$cardiac multi-voxel spectra, DPG signal increased from left to right according to the amount of blood included. The calculated enhancement for cardiac $^{31}P$ MRS were : $\alpha-ATP\;(12\%),\;\beta-ATP\;(19\%),\;\gamma-ATP\;(30\%),\;PCr\;(34\%),\;Pi\;(20\%),\;(PDE)\;(51\%),\;and\;DPG\;(72\%)$. Conclusion : Our results revealed that the NOE effect was more pronounced in heart muscle than in liver with different coupling to 1H spin system and thus different heteronuclear cross-relaxation.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.2900-2904
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• 2013

We present the synthesis and characterization of DTPA-bis(histidylamide) (1a), DTPA-bis(aspartamide) (1b), and their gadolinium complexes of the type $[Gd(L)(H_2O)]$ (2a:L = 1a; 2b:L = 1b). Thermodynamic stabilities and $R_1$ relaxivities of 2a-b compare well with Omniscan$^{(R)}$, a well-known commercial, extracellular (ECF) MRI CA which adopts the DTPA-bis(amide) framework for the chelate: $R_1$ = 5.5 and 5.1 $mM^{-1}$ for 2a and 2b, respectively. Addition of the Cu(II) ion to a solution containing 2b triggers relaxivity enhancement to raise $R_1$ as high as 15.3 $mM^{-1}$, which corresponds to a 300% enhancement. Such an increase levels off at the concentration beyond two equiv. of Cu(II), suggesting the formation of a trimetallic ($Gd/Cu_2$) complex in situ. Such a relaxivity increase is almost negligible with Zn(II) and other endogenous ions such as Na(I), K(I), Mg(II), and Ca(II). In vivo MR images and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained with an aqueous mixture of 2b and Cu(II) ion in an 1:2 ratio demonstrate the potentiality of 2 as a copper responsive MRI CA.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.7
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• pp.333-336
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• 2014

Reports of constitutional ring chromosome 22, r(22) are rare. Individuals with r(22) present similar features as those with the 22q13 deletion syndrome. The instability in the ring chromosome contributes to the development of variable phenotypes. Central nervous system (CNS) atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are rare, highly malignant tumors, primarily occurring in young children below 3 years of age. The majority of ATRT cases display genetic alterations of SMARCB1 (INI1/hSNF5 ), a tumor suppressor gene located on 22q11.2. The coexistence of a CNS ATRT in a child with a r(22) is rare. We present a case of a 4-month-old boy with 46,XY,r(22)(p13q13.3), generalized hypotonia and delayed development. High-resolution microarray analysis revealed a 3.5-Mb deletion at 22q13.31q13.33. At 11 months, the patient had an ATRT ($5.6cm{\times}5.0cm{\times}7.6cm$) in the cerebellar vermis, which was detected in the brain via magnetic resonance imaging.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.465-472
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• 1995

An accurate preoperative localization in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism is important for successful surgical intervention. There are many methods for the localization of the primary hyperparathyroidism such as ultrasonography, computerized tomography(CT), magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), angiography and $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction scan. Among them $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction scan is known as the most accurate tool for preoperative localization. Recently $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi has been used for parathyroid gland imaging. We experienced 19 primary hyperparathyroidisms accurately localized with $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction imaging and $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi. The sensitivities of the $^{99m}Tc$-Sestanibi, $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction imaging, CT and US were 100%(5/5), 89.5%(17/19) and 61.7(12/19) respectively. With the combination of $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi and $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction imaging we could localize with 100% accuracy. Although the case number is small, this study suggests that the $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi parathyroid scan is very useful and easy to use for preoperative localization in primary hyperparathyroidism.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2024

Objective: To investigate whether reader training improves the performance and agreement of radiologists in interpreting unenhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Materials and Methods: A study of 96 breasts (35 cancers, 24 benign, and 37 negative) in 48 asymptomatic women was performed between June 2019 and October 2020. High-resolution DWI with b-values of 0, 800, and 1200 sec/mm² was performed using a 3.0-T system. Sixteen breast radiologists independently reviewed the DWI, apparent diffusion coefficient maps, and T1-weighted MRI scans and recorded the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category for each breast. After a 2-h training session and a 5-month washout period, they re-evaluated the BI-RADS categories. A BI-RADS category of 4 (lesions with at least two suspicious criteria) or 5 (more than two suspicious criteria) was considered positive. The per-breast diagnostic performance of each reader was compared between the first and second reviews. Inter-reader agreement was evaluated using a multi-rater κ analysis and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Before training, the mean sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the 16 readers were 70.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 59.4-79.9), 90.8% (95% CI: 85.6-94.2), and 83.5% (95% CI: 78.6-87.4), respectively. After training, significant improvements in specificity (95.2%; 95% CI: 90.8-97.5; P = 0.001) and accuracy (85.9%; 95% CI: 80.9-89.8; P = 0.01) were observed, but no difference in sensitivity (69.8%; 95% CI: 58.1-79.4; P = 0.58) was observed. Regarding inter-reader agreement, the κ values were 0.57 (95% CI: 0.52-0.63) before training and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.62-0.74) after training, with a difference of 0.11 (95% CI: 0.02-0.18; P = 0.01). The ICC was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.69-0.74) before training and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.76-0.80) after training (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Brief reader training improved the performance and agreement of interpretations by breast radiologists using unenhanced MRI with DWI.