• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.306-315
• /
• 1998

MR findings in nine patients(three female, six male) with neuro-Behcet's disease were retrospectively analyzed. NeuroBehcet's disease was diagnosed on the basis of typical clinical symptoms. Involved site, pattern, signal intensity, and contrast enhancement pattern on MRI were evaluated. In addition, follow up MR imaging was performed in four patients. The midbrain(7/9), internal capsule(7/9), pons(6/9), thalamus(6/9), basal ganglia (5/9), middle cerebella peduncle(4/9), medulla oblongata(2/9), and subcortical white matter(2/9) are involved on MRI. The size of lesions was 1cm to 3cm and their margin was ill-defined and patchy. Inhomogeneous high signal intensity on the T2-weighted images and low signal intensity on T1-weighted images was seen respectively. In four of nine cases, there was focal enhancement. On follow up MR imaging, improvement or recurrance of the lesions was found. Also in two cases of follow up cases, there was artophy in brainstem and(or) middle cerebellar peduncles. In conclusion, MR imaging with systemic clinical symptoms is useful for diagnosing neuro-Behcet's disease.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
• /
• 2003.06a
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2003

의료영상의 분할은 의료영상을 컴퓨터 진단 및 가시화에 필요한 같은 성질을 가진 여러 조직으로 나누어주는 방법이다. 즉 입력되어진 영상을 처리하여 유사한 화소들의 집합인 영역들로 화소들을 구분하는 작업이며 영상분할의 결과는 영상인식의 정확성에 큰 영향을 미친다. MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging)으로부터 정상적인 세포조직 또는 뇌종양과 같은 비정상적인 세포조직의 가시화와 분석을 위해서는 대상 세포조직의 적절한 분류를 필요로 한다. 하지만 기존의 영역 검출 방법으로는 잡음이 섞여 있는 영상에서 여러 가지의 처리과정(주로 잡음 제거)이 필수적이고 그런 과정으로 인해 정확한 영역 검출이 힘들게 된다. 이에 잡음이 있더라도 이를 제거하기 위한 처리가 필요 없이 영역기반으로 필요한 파라미터의 추정을 통한 MRF(Markov Random Field)를 이용하여 보다 효율적이고 정확하게 MRI에서 질환 영역을 검출할 수 있다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.34-41
• /
• 2000

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of diffusion weighted MR imaging(DWI) in the differential diagnosis of brain tumors. Materials and methods: DWI and conventional MR images of nineteen patients with brain tumors(10 metastatic tumors, 4 high grade gliomas, 4 low grade astrocytomas, one oligodendroglioma)were obtained on 1.5T unit. DWI was obtained using single shot spin echo planar imaging with b-value near 1000. We analyzed the signal intensities of lesions including solid portion, necrotic or cystic portion and peritumoral edema of brain tumors (classified five grades comparison with the signal intensities of brain parenchyma and CSF)and calculate the SIR(signal intensity ratio)of lesions to the contralateral normal brain parenchyma. We analyzed statistically the signal intensities and SIR of tumors using independence T test. Results: In solid portions of tumors, all the metastatic tumors and high grade gliomas showed high signal intensities, but low grade astrocytomas and oligodendroglioma showed iso or slight high signal intensities to the normal brain parenchyma. The SIR of solid portion has positive correlation with malignant pot ential(metastatic tumors 1.52, high grade gliomas 1.38, low grade astrocytomas 1.16, oligodendroglioma 1.31)(p < 0.05). In peritumoral edema where seen in 14 tumors, seven of 10 metastatic tumors and two of 4 high grade gliomas showed iso signal intensities, whereas edemas in other 5 brain tumors showed hyperintense to the normal brain parenchyma. The SIRs of peritumoral edemas in metastatic tumors (1.14) was lower than high grade gliomas(1.31),but statistically insignificant. The SIR of cystic or necrotic portion of brain tumors was 0.63. In non enhancing solid portions, three of six cases showed hyperintense to the adjacent peritumoral edema. Conclusion: On DWI, the signal intensities of solid portion has positive correlation with malignant potential, and perilesional edema of brain tumors appear various signal intensities owing to "T2 shine through effect" and the extensiveness of vasogenic edema. Another merit using DWI on the evaluation of brain tumors is to improved better delineation of tumor margins from the adjacent edemas, especially at the non enhancing solid portion of the tumors.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
• /
• 2001.11a
• /
• pp.73-83
• /
• 2001

영상의 좋고 나쁨을 나타낼 때는 대조도, 해상도, 잡음 그리고 Artifact 등을 정량적으로 측정하거나 기준이 되는 영상과 정성적으로 비교하게 된다. 이 중에서 Artifact는 영상의 해부학적 진단에 오류를 범하게 하여 엉뚱한 병리학적 해석을 내리게 하거나 해석이 불가능하게 하기도 하므로 적절한 규명을 하여 그 원인을 제거하는 등, 응당한 조치를 취해 최상의 화질을 유지하기 위한 노력을 기울여야한다. MR 영상에서 Artifact는 기하학적 늘림(stretch), 주름(wrinkle), 왜곡(distortion), 허상(ghost), 줄(line), 눈잡음(snow noise), 신호의 증감 등과 같은 다양한 현상으로 나타나며 이들은 영상을 해석할 때 오류를 범하는 원인이 된다. Artifact의 발생원인으로는 MR 장치의 기능장애, 부적절한 영상기법의 구사, 또는 MR 영상의 고유한 성질에 기인하기도 한다. MR Artifacts의 근본적인 이해를 위해서는 MRI의 물리적 원리와 장비에 관한 이해가 필요하다. 이렇게 MR Artifact는 여러 가지 인자들이 복합적인 관계를 가지고 나타나기 때문에 분류하기가 쉽지 않지만 전형적인 양상과 원인 그리고 그에 대한 여러 가지 대책을 살펴보고자 한다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate value of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) as a negative oral contrast agent in MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Materials and methods : Forty-eight patients with suspected biliary tract or pancreatic diseases and six healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. All MR images were obtained using a 1.5 T MR unit. MR-CP using fat-suppressed half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) and turbo spin echo (TSE) techniques were performed and reconstructed with maximal intensity projection (MIP). To determine the most optimal concentration of SPIO to obliterate the high signal intensity of water, a phantom experiment was conducted with various concentrations of SPIO-water mixture. Two radiologists evaluated pre- and postcontrast MRCPS. The contrast enhancement was assessed on the basis of loss of signal intensity in the stomach and duodenum. Results : In the phantom experiment, a significant increase of percentage of signal intensity loss (PSIL) occurred in concentration of 22.4 ugFe/ml (Feridex1 ml diluted with water 500 ml). Postcontrast MRCP showed an improved image quality compared with precontrast images. The rate of improvement in the diagnosis of diseases of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct was 25% (12/48). Conclusion : In patients with suspected biliary tract and pancreatic diseases, the SPIO is useful as a negative oral contrast agent for MRCP and provides an improvement of image quality.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2010.08a
• /
• pp.1-1
• /
• 2010

핵융합에너지는 1930년대 한스 베테에 의해 태양과 별 에너지의 근원임이 밝혀진 후 소핵 폭탄실험 성공으로 그 위력적인 에너지를 인공적으로 만들 수 있음을 세상에 드러내게 된다. 그 뒤 이 에너지의 평화적인 이용 노력이 시작되었고 1958년 스위스에서 핵융합에너지의 평화적 이용에 대한 첫 국제회의가 열리게 되면서 에너지원으로서의 연구를 통해 냉전시대의 경쟁 대상의 과학기술의 하나로 부각되면서 눈부신 성능 향상을 보여주게 되었다. 아직 여러 어려운 관문이 남아있지만 기후변화와 에너지원 고갈에 의한 새로운 에너지원에 대한 강력한 필요성이 제기되면서 ITER와 같은 대형 국제공동연구시설 건설이 시작되었고 2030년대에는 최초의 핵융합발전소를 건설하려는 꿈도 그려가고 있다. 핵융합에너지를 얻는 방식에는 여러 방법이 시도되었는데 현재는 자기장을 이용해 플라즈마를 핵융합반응이 일어나기에 충분한 시간동안 가두는 자기핵융합방식과 관성으로 플라즈마를 가두는 관성핵융합방식으로 크게 구분할 수 있다. 자기핵융합방식의 경우 플라즈마를 만들고 가열하여 핵융합반응 확률이 높은 고온으로 가열하고 그 조건을 오래 지속시키는 기술들이 필요한데 이 기술들은 오늘날의 거의 모든 극한기술들이 망라되어 적용되는데 초전도, 고주파/ 초고주파, 대전력 공급, 대형 시설 실시간 제어기술, 대규모 신호처리기술, 고온 플라즈마 진단 기술, 대규모 시스템 시뮬레이션 기술 등이 그것이다. 여기에 또한 중요한 기술의 하나로 초고진공 기술이 필요하다. 이러한 기술이 집약되고 서로 통합되어 하나의 목적을 위해 쓰여지도록 고안되고 만들어진 장치가 자기핵융합 장치이며 따라서 현대의 자기핵융합장치들은 굉장히 복잡하며 대형 시설로 지어질 수밖에 없다. 우리나라는 1970년대 말부터 소형의 플라즈마 연구시설을 시작으로 자기핵융합 연구를 시작하면서 인력 양성을 시작하였으며 가속기 등 대형 연구시설이 본격적으로 지어지던 1990년대에 세계적으로 유래가 없는 초전도 자기핵융합장치인 KSTAR장치 건설 프로젝트를 시작하게 되었다. 총 11년이 넘는 건설기간 동안 여러 학교와 연구기관, 그리고 산업체가 참여하여 성공적으로 시운전을 실시하였으며 당당히 세계적인 장치를 통한 핵융합연구 대열에 동참하게 되었다. 이를 통한 기술 개발의 결과로 국제적 공동연구장치 ITER의 건설사업에 참여하게 되었고 KSTAR와 ITER를 통해 핵융합 에너지 상용화 기술 개발을 국가적인 기술개발의 목표로 결정하고 연구개발계획을 전략적으로 세워 진행하고 있다. 이번 논문에서는 자기핵융합의 특징과 연구 동향을 통해 우리나라의 기술 수준을 조망하고 특히 진공 기술 분야와의 상호 의존적 영향 분석을 통해 공동의 발전 방향을 모색해 보려고 한다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.135-141
• /
• 1997

Purpose: To assess the usefulness of breath-hold fast MR imaging of liver with fat suppression (FS) by application of chemical saturation technique in the diagnosis of regional fatty changes suspected in sonography. Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients who had focal lesions with diffuse, homogeneous signal changes after FS through chemical saturation technique without additional changes of imaging parameter during MR imaging of liver were selected. T1-weighted fast low-angle shot and T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequences were obtained with or without FS during each single breath-holding session. Subjective changes of signal intensity between the pre-FS and the FS images were compared with the sonographic findings in each lesion. Results: Seven lesions of decreased signal intensity after FS on T1 or T2-weighted images, including three lesions only at FS T1 images, were regarded as focal fat infiltration. All seven lesions had compatible sonographic findings as homogenously echogenic areas. Another six lesions of subjectively increased signal intensity including two lesions only at FS T2 images were regarded as focal fat sparing. All six lesions had sonographic findings as homogenous echo poor areas suggesting focal fat sparing. In cases regarded as fat infiltration, score changes were more prominent at FS T1 images than FS T2 images(p=0.0002). In cases regarded as fat sparing, score changes were more prominent at FS T2 images than FS T1 images(p=0.042). Conclusion: Breath-hold fast T1 and T2-weighted MR imaging with and without chemical saturation pre-pulse may be sufficient for characterization of regional fatty changes in the differential diagnosis of focal hepatic lesion found at sonography.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.177-185
• /
• 2011

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between temporomandibular joint pain and the relative signal intensity (RSI) of retrodiscal tissue on T1-, and T2-weighted MRI images. Materials and Methods: This study was based on 122 TMJs of 61 patients who complain of TMJ pain in only one side but were revealed to have disc displacement in both TMJs according to MRI findings. The signal intensities of regions of interest (ROIs) in retrodiscal tissues were measured using T1-, and T2-weighted MRI images. The RSIs of retrodiscal tissues were referenced to the signal intensities of the ROIs of brain gray matter. The relationships between the RSI of retrodiscal tissue and joint pain, joint effusion, condylar degenerative change, and degree of disc displacement were examined. In addition, the relationships between joint pain and joint effusion, condylar degenerative change, and degree of disc displacement were examined. Results: On T1-weighted MR images, the painful TMJs showed significantly higher retrodiscal tissue RSI than non-painful TMJs. In addition, there is an association between joint pain and the degree of disc displacement. However, on T2-weighted MR images, the RSIs of retrodiscal tissues didn't show any significant differences with regard to joint pain, joint effusion, condylar degenerative change, and degree of disc displacement. Conclusions: The signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue can be used as a diagnostic marker for painful TMJ. However, the overall results suggest the signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue has a limited diagnostic significance in determining the pathologic status of TMJ.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.320-323
• /
• 2013

Spinal cord infarction is becoming recognized as an important cause of acute myelopathy in cats. Although the definitive diagnosis is confirmed through postmortem histopathologic examination, MR imaging features provide valuable informations for the diagnosis of spinal cord infarction. The aim of this report is to describe MR findings of acute spinal cord infarction in two cats and to evaluate usefulness of low field MRI (0.3Tesla) as a potential diagnostic tool of acute spinal cord infarction. A cat (unknown age, neutered male mixed breed cat) was referred one day after the acute onset of non-ambulatory spastic tetraparesis and the other cat (a 9-year-old, neutered female domestic short hair cat) was presented due to the acute onset of non-ambulatory paraparesis and one day later paraplegia. The lesions of the MR images were shown on the spinal cord parenchyma over C2 to C6 in case 1 and L2 to L5 in case 2. The MR images in these two cases were characterized by focal intramedullary lesions, mainly involving grey matter which were hyperintense T2 weighted and FLAIR images and hyperintense on DWI and hypointense on ADC map. The MR findings in both cases were highly suggestive of acute spinal cord infarctions, based upon previous reported small animal cases and human cases. In conclusion, based on MR features, together with the history and clinical examination findings, MRI modality can be used as an antemortem tool for the diagnosis of acute spinal cord infarction in cats.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.797-804
• /
• 2013

In this study, the authors develop a methodology for a diagnostic system with a vibration parameter that is influenced by environmental factors. The data tends to have a varying average over time. Often, these features are found in statistical data retrieved from a production line. If we utilize existing statistical techniques for these features, we could derive an incorrect diagnostic conclusion based on the different average values. To overcome the limitations of previous methods, the authors apply a function analyzed through regression analysis to predict the mean value and corresponding upper and lower limits at each stage. This technique also provides corresponding statistical parameters in varying dynamic means. To validate the proposed methods, we retrieve data from the engine assembly line of H Motors and verify the results.