• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 2024

Ultrasonography examination has limitations in quantifying hepatic fat quantification. Therefore, this study aimed to experimentally demonstrate whether changes in signal attenuation during ultrasound imaging can be quantified using simulated hepatic phantoms to assess hepatic fat content. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the potential of ultrasound imaging for diagnosing hepatic fatty liver by analyzing the relationship between hepatic fat content and signal intensity in ultrasound images. In this study, we developed a total of five stimulated hepatic phantoms by homogeneously mixing water and oil. We confirmed the fat content of the phantoms using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging, and measured signal intensity according to distance in ultrasound images to analyze the correlation and mean comparison between fat content and signal intensity. We observed that as the fat content increased, the ultrasound penetration intensity decreased, confirming the potential for quantifying hepatic fat content using ultrasound. Additionally, the analysis of the correlation between the measured fat content using MRI and the signal intensity measured in ultrasound images showed a high correlation. Statistical analysis in our study confirmed that as the fat content increased, the slope representing signal during ultrasound imaging (US-GRE) decreased. In this study, it was statistically confirmed that the US-GRE value of ultrasound images gradually decreases as the fat content increases, and it is believed that US-GRE can serve as a biomarker expressing fatty liver content.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2009

Purpose : Craniospinal neurenteric (NE) cysts are rare developmental non-neoplastic cysts of the central nervous system with diverse MR imaging findings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate various MR imaging findings of intracranial and intraspinal NE cysts. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the MR imaging findings of six NE cysts that were confirmed by pathology. We evaluated anatomic location, signal intensity, size and enhancement pattern of NE cysts. Results : Two intracranial lesions were located extra-axially in the cerebellopontine angle and quadrigeminal cisterns. Three spinal lesions were intraduralextramedullary cysts, located ventral to the spinal cord, but one thoracic lesion was an intramedullary cyst. The signal intensity of the cysts was hyperintense on T1-weighted images as compared with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for two intracranial lesions and one cervical lesion. In addition, all intracranial lesions showed diffusion restriction. For the remaining three spinal lesions, the signal intensity was nearly the same as the signal intensity of the CSF as seen on both T1- and T2-weighted images. On contrast-enhanced studies, two intracranial cysts showed a small nodular enhancement and one thoracic spinal lesion showed rim enhancement. Conclusion : NE cysts have various locations, signal intensities, and possible focal nodular or rim enhancement. Therefore, NE cysts can be included in the differential diagnosis of various craniospinal cystic or tumorous cystic lesions.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2001

Purpose : Authors investigated the efficiency of preoperative MRI in suspicious glomus tumor and the clinical outcomes after marginal excision. Materials and Methods : In 10 cases of glomus tumors in the fingers, authors retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, including previous trauma, treatment history, preoperative symptoms, physical examination, plain radiography, MRI (9 cases), pathological findings and postoperative complications. Results : The patients had pain in 10 cases, tenderness in 9 cases, cold sensitivity in 3 cases and edema in one case. MRI showed low signal (3 cases) or iso-signal (5) intensity on T1 weighted image, high signal intensity (8) on T2 weighted image, and all the lesions were enhanced in gadolinium enhancement images. The exact locations of glomus tumors were median in 6 cases, lateral in 5, lateral fold in 2 and pulp in 3 in transverse section and nail bed in 5 cases and nail matrix in 5 in sagittal section. Marginal excision was performed by lateral approach in one case and transungual in 9 cases. Histologically, all 10 cases were composed of solid sheets of round cells interrupted by thin-walled blood vessels. Most of clinical symptoms were disappeared in all cases after operation. Nail deformity was found in one case, which was originated from nail matrix, however, there was no recurrence. Summary : Clinical symptom was the most impotant factor in diagnosis of glomus tumor in the fingers. However, preoperative MRIs were helpful in patients, who had obscure pain or prolonged clinical symptoms with suspicious glomus tumors. Preoperative MRI might be one of the most useful tools for establishing the exact diagnosis and detecting the location of glomus tumors, in spite of the relatively high expenses.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.516-519
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• 2001

To diagnose a patient's blood vessel disease, apoplexy, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, the blood velocity is very important. Determining the blood velocity methods using ultrasound are Continuous Doppler System and Pulse Doppler System. In using the Pulse Doppler System, we can obtain the position of blood velocity. But it is more complex hardware than Continuous Doppler System and it has low SNR(signal-noise ratio). So in this study, to obtain a believable information we use the Continuous Pulse Doppler System. Thus system have analog part and digital part. In analog part is composed of ultrasound generating part, the amplifying part to amplify the received signal from ultrasound sensor, the demodulation part to detect blood velocity and the filtering part to remove the noise. In digital part is composed of the A/D conversion part, digital signal processing part, and the communication part to communicate the PC. In this study to implement efficient ultrasound blood velocity measurement system, we can get the patient's blood velocity information in realtime. Thus, It is a useful in the accurate diagnosis with C.T(computered tomography), M.R.I(magnetic resonance imaging).

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2012

High-resolution carotid MRI allows visualization of carotid atherosclerotic plaque characteristics. MRI serves as a noninvasive option for the detection of active plaque inflammation and intraplaque hemorrhage. Significant gains in signal-tonoise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio can be obtained for carotid atheroma imaging at 3T compared with 1.5T. Normalized wall index or wall area on MRI has shown its efficacy in monitoring the response after medical therapy. $T(2)^*$ quantification in carotid plaques before and after the administration of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particles shows difference in response to treatment according to drug doses. In conclusion, high-resolution MRI is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of carotid atherosclerotic plaques prone to transient ischemic attack and stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.307-310
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• 2005

To get the spatial feature of arterial pulse, we designed spatial pulse diagnostic apparatus (SPDA) using a 2-dimensional magnetoresistive sensor array. The magnetic field distribution fur magnet may was simulated using finite element method. We recognized that the field distribution of parallel magnet mays was more sensitive and uniformed than that of perpendicular one. Also the spatial displacements of magnet array were agreed with the output signal of magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sensor array.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2000

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of comparison of the signal intensity of uterine septum in the differential diagnosis of bicornuate and septate uterus on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Materials and methods : Preoperative MR imaging findings of surgically proven 5 bicornuate and 6 septate uteri were retrospectively analyzed. Because preoperative differential diagnosis of both was possible in all cases in terms of the intercornual distance, external contour of uterine fungus, and divergent angle of two uterine cavities, these criteria were excluded in this study. The signal intensity of uterine septum in patients with bicornuate and septate uterus was analyzed on T1-weighted and fast spin echo T2-weighted images obtained in the axial and coronal planes, using a 1.5-T MR scanner. The signal intensity of uterine septum especially on T2-weighted images was compared with that of myometrium or junctional zone. Results : The signal intensity of uterine septum in patients with bicornuate uterus (n=5) and septate uterus (n=6) was similar to that of myometrium in all cases on T1-weighted images. The septum of bicornuate uterus (n=5) on fast spin echo T2-weighted images was isointense with myometrium in three and hypointense in two cases. The uterine septum of septate uterus (n=6) on T2-weighted images was isointense with myometrium in two, hypointense in two, and isointense with or more hypointense than junctional zone in two cases. No patient showed different signal intensity between upper and lower uterine septum. Conclusion : Because the MR signal intensity of the uterine septum in bicornuate or septate uterus is variable, it should not be used alone in the differential diagnosis of them. In these clinically important differentiation, therefore, comprehensive analysis of MR findings in terms of the external contour of uterine fundus, intercornual distance, divergent angle of two uterine cavities, in addition to the signal intensity of the uterine septum, should be considered.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.90-96
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• 2014

The magnetic field variation by the permanent magnet fluctuation positioned on a "Chwan" of wrist according to the movement of radial artery was generated. The clip-type pulsimeter equipped with a Hall device sensing magnetic field pulse movement analyzed the characteristics of pulse wave as output signals. The magnetic field curve and pulse waveform simulated by the finite element method were compared and analyzed with each other. Also, the variation of magnetic field distribution one permanent magnet investigated by the fabrication of clip-type pulsimeter simulator. This result suggests that the clip-type pulsimeter can be used the reproducible and efficacious oriental diagnostic medical instrument.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.146-146
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• 2001

목적： 해상도가 우수한 경직장 영상을 위한 소아용 two-turn 표면형 수신 코일, 안장 수신 코일을 제작하여 이를 이용하여 얻은 고양이의 경직장 영상을 비교한다. 대상 및 방법： 지금까지 소아의 경직장 영상은 주로 초음파를 이용하여 얻었으나 해상도가 떨어지며 아직까지 소아용 탐촉자는 개발되지 않았다. 소아의 항문직장 기형의 진단을 위해서는 해상도가 우수한 영상이 필요하고, 이를 위해 소아용 직장 RF 코일로 원주형 two-turn 표면형 코일, 안장 코일을 제작하였다. 크기는 직경 7mm, 길이 6cm와, 직경 10mm, 길이 l0cm 하였고, 코일의 구리선 바깥으로는 두께 1mm의 테프론 tube로 감쌌다. 균일한 시험 시료(phantom)로 마요네즈를 이용하여 T1 강조 영상(Spin echo TR/TE= 500/11 msec, FOV=12cm, 영상행렬 256$\times$256)을 얻어서 신호 강도의 profile을 얻는다. 이를 Mathematica를 이용하여 구한 RF 자기장 세기의 분포와 비교했다. 두 종류의 코일을 각각 사용하여 얻은 고양이 항문 괄약근 영상에서 외부 괄약근, 내부 괄약근 등을 구분, 비교하였다.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.108-118
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• 2013

Currently, an arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique does not routinely used in clinical studies to measure perfusion in brain because optimization of imaging protocol is required to obtain optimal perfusion signals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate changes of perfusion-weighed signal intensities with varying several parameters on a pulsed arterial spin labeling MRI technique obtained from a 3T MRI system. We especially evaluated alternations of ASL-MRI signal intensities on special brain areas, including in brain tissues and lobes. The signal targeting with alternating radiofrequency (STAR) pulsed ASL method was scanned on five normal subjects (mean age: 36 years, range: 29~41 years) on a 3T MRI system. Four parameters were evaluated with varying: 1) the labeling gap, 2) the labeling delay time, 3) the labeling thickness, and 4) the slice scan order. Signal intensities were obtained from the perfusion-weighted imaging on the gray and white matters and brain lobes of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital areas. The results of this study were summarized: 1) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were decreased with increasing the labeling gap in the bilateral gray matter areas and were least affected on the parietal lobe, but most affected on the occipital lobe. 2) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were decreased with increasing the labeling delay time until 400 ms, but increased up to 1,000 ms in the bilateral gray matter areas. 3) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were increased with increasing the labeling thickness until 120 mm in both the gray and white matter. 4) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were higher descending scans than asending scans in both the gray and white matter. We investigated changes of perfusion-weighted signal intensities with varying several parameters in the STAR ASL method. It should require having protocol optimization processing before applying in patients. It has limitations to apply the ASL method in the white matter on a 3T MRI system.