• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.535-546
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• 2021

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of texture analysis on non-contrast-enhanced T1 maps of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for the diagnosis of myocardial injury in acute myocardial infarction (MI). Materials and Methods: This study included 68 patients (57 males and 11 females; mean age, 55.7 ± 10.5 years) with acute ST-segment-elevation MI who had undergone 3T CMR after a percutaneous coronary intervention. Forty patients of them also underwent a 6-month follow-up CMR. The CMR protocol included T2-weighted imaging, T1 mapping, rest first-pass perfusion, and late gadolinium enhancement. Radiomics features were extracted from the T1 maps using open-source software. Radiomics signatures were constructed with the selected strongest features to evaluate the myocardial injury severity and predict the recovery of left ventricular (LV) longitudinal systolic myocardial contractility. Results: A total of 1088 segments of the acute CMR images were analyzed; 103 (9.5%) segments showed microvascular obstruction (MVO), and 557 (51.2%) segments showed MI. A total of 640 segments were included in the 6-month follow-up analysis, of which 160 (25.0%) segments showed favorable recovery of LV longitudinal systolic myocardial contractility. Combined radiomics signature and T1 values resulted in a higher diagnostic performance for MVO compared to T1 values alone (area under the curve [AUC] in the training set; 0.88, 0.72, p = 0.031: AUC in the test set; 0.86, 0.71, p = 0.002). Combined radiomics signature and T1 values also provided a higher predictive value for LV longitudinal systolic myocardial contractility recovery compared to T1 values (AUC in the training set; 0.76, 0.55, p < 0.001: AUC in the test set; 0.77, 0.60, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The combination of radiomics of non-contrast-enhanced T1 mapping and T1 values could provide higher diagnostic accuracy for MVO. Radiomics also provides incremental value in the prediction of LV longitudinal systolic myocardial contractility at six months.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.86-90
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• 2013

Various methods have been proposed for enhancing the contrast of laser speckle contrast image (LSCI) in subcutaneous blood flow measurements. However, the LSCI still suffers from low image contrast due to tissue turbidity. Herein, a physicochemical tissue optical clearing (PCTOC) method was employed to enhance the contrast of LSCI. Ex vivo and in vivo experiments were performed with porcine skin samples and male ICR mice, respectively. The ex vivo LSCIs were obtained before and 90 min after the application of the PCTOC and in vivo LSCIs were obtained for 60 min after the application of the PCTOC. In order to obtain the skin recovery images, saline was applied for 30 min after the application of the PCTOC was completed. The visible appearance of the tubing under ex vivo samples and the in vivo vasculature gradually enhanced over time. The LSCI increased as a function of time after the application of the PCTOC in both ex vivo and in vivo experiments, and properly recovered to initial conditions after the application of saline in the in vivo experiment. The LSCI combined with the PCTOC was greatly enhanced even in deep vasculature. It is expected that similar results will be obtained in in vivo human studies.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.321-327
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to compare PET imaging performance with Fluorine-18 ($^{18}F$) and Gallium-68 ($^{68}Ga$) for influence of physical properties of PET tracer. Measurement were performed on a Siemens Biograph mCT64 PET/CT scanner using NEMA IEC body phantom and Flangeless Esser PET phantom containing filled with $^{18}F$ and $^{68}Ga$. Emission scan duration(ESD) was set to 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5min/bed for $^{68}Ga$ and 1min/bed for $^{18}F$. The PET image were evaluated in terms of contrast, spatial resolution. Under same condition, The percentage of contrast recovery measured in the phantom ranged from 16.88% to 72.56% for $^{68}Ga$ and from 27.51% to 74.43% for $^{18}F$ and The FWHM value to evaluate spatial resolution was 10.96 mm for $^{68}Ga$ and 9.19 mm for $^{18}F$. For this study, $^{18}F$ produces better image contrast and spatial resolution than $^{68}Ga$ due to higher positron yield and lower positron energy ($^{18}F$: 96.86%, 633.5 keV, $^{68}Ga$: 88.9%, 1899 keV), The physical properties of PET tracer effect on the PET image. $^{68}Ga$ image applying ESD of 3, 4, 5min/bed were showed similar to $^{18}F$ image with ESD of 1min/bed. This study suggests that increasing ESD for acquiring $^{68}Ga$ PET image seem to be similar to $^{18}F$ image.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.86-93
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• 2018

Purpose: Imaging plays a significant role in diagnosing leptomeningeal metastases. However, the most appropriate sequence for the detection of leptomeningeal metastases has yet to be determined. This study compares the efficacies of contrast-enhanced T2 fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and contrast-enhanced 3D T1 black-blood fast spin echo (FSE) imaging for the detection of leptomeningeal metastases. Materials and Methods: Tube phantoms containing varying concentrations of gadobutrol solution were scanned using T2 FLAIR and 3D T1 black-blood FSE. Additionally, 30 patients with leptomeningeal metastases were retrospectively evaluated to compare conspicuous lesions and the extent of leptomeningeal metastases detected by T2 FLAIR and 3D T1 black-blood FSE. Results: The signal intensities of low-concentration gadobutrol solutions (< 0.5 mmol/L) on T2 FLAIR images were higher than in 3D T1 black-blood FSE. The T2 FLAIR sequences exhibited significantly greater visual conspicuity scores than the 3D T1 black-blood sequence in leptomeningeal metastases of the pial membrane of cistern (P = 0.014). T2 FLAIR images exhibited a greater or equal extent (96.7%) of leptomeningeal metastases than 3D T1 black-blood FSE images. Conclusion: Because of its high sensitivity even at low gadolinium concentrations, contrast-enhanced T2 FLAIR images delineated leptomeningeal metastases in a wider territory than 3D T1 black-blood FSE.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2015

The information of contrast media concentration on target organ is very important to get reduce the side effect and high contrast imaging. We investigated alternation of signal intensity as a function of the modality of Gd-based contrast media on spin echo and ultra short time echo (UTE) of T1 effective pulse sequence at 3T MRI unit. Gadoxetic acid, which is a MRI T1 contrast medium, was used to manufacture an agarose phantom diluted in various molarities, and sterile water and agarose 2% were used as the buffer solution for the dilution. The gold standard T1 calculation was based on coronal single section imaging of the phantom mid-point with 2D Inversion recovery spine-echo pulse sequence MR imaging for testing of phantom accuracy. The 1-2mmol/L and 7mmol/L was shown the maximum signal intensity on spin echo and UTE respectively. We confirm the difference of contrast media concentration which was shown the maximum signal intensity depending on the T1 effective pulse sequence.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2012

To test the real image quality of a spectral attenuated inversion-recovery (SPAIR) fat-suppression (FS) techniquein clinical abdominal MRI by comparison to turbo spin echo inversion-recovery (TSEIR) fat-suppression (FS) technique. 3.0T MRI studies of the abdomen were performed in 30 patients with liver lesions (hemangiomas n: 15; HCC n: 15). T2W sequences were acquired using SPAIR TSEIR. Measurements included retroperitoneal and mesenteric fat signal-to-noise (SNR) to evaluate FS; liver lesion contrast-to-noise (CNR) to evaluate bulk water signal recovery effects; and bowel wall delineation to evaluate susceptibility and physiological motion effects. SPAIR-TSEIR images produce significantly improved FS and liver lesion CNR. The mean SNR of the retroperitoneal and mesenteric fat for SPAIR were 20.5, 10.2 and TSEIR were 43.2, 24.1 (P<0.05). SPAIR-TSEIR images produced higher CNR for both hemangiomas CNR 164.88 vs 126.83 (P<0.05) and metastasis CNR 75.27 vs 53.19 (P<0.05). Bowel wall visualization was significantly improved using in both SPAIR-TSEIR (P< 0.05). The real image quality of SPAIR was better than over conventional TSEIR FS on clinical abdominal MRI scans.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.78-80
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• 2015

Purpose: Many studies have attempted to elucidate the motor recovery mechanisms of stroke. In the current study, we report on a patient with infarction who showed recovery of an injured corticospinal tract (CST), using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Methods: A 20-year-old male presented with severe paralysis of the left extremities following an infarction in the right corona radiate and basal ganglia. The patient showed good motor recovery as much as being able to manipulate object using his left hand and could walk independently on stairs at 9 months after onset. Results: At 1 month after onset, the right CST showed decreased fiber volume due to the partial injury at the level of the corona radiate, and no (motor evoked potential) MEP was evoked from the right hemisphere. By contrast, the results at 9 months showed increased fiber volume of the right CST and the amplitude of MEP had improved to normal range on TMS. Conclusion: These results suggest that the severely injured right CST and MEP amplitude had been recovered during 9 months. Therefore, this result has important implications for brain plasticity and brain rehabilitation in patients with infarction.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.302-307
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• 2013

The Sb-doped $SnO_2$ nanowire network sensors were prepared by thermal evaporation of the mixtures between tin and antimony powders. Pure $SnO_2$ nanowire networks showed high sensor resistance in air ($99M{\Omega}$), similar gas responses to 4 diffferent gases (5 ppm $C_2H_5OH$, CO, $H_2$, and trimethylamine), and very sluggish recovery speed (90% recovery time > 800 s). In contrast, 2 wt% Sb-doped $SnO_2$ showed the selective detection toward $C_2H_5OH$ and trimethylamine, relatively low resistance ($176k{\Omega}$) for facile measurement, and ultrafast recovery speed (90% recovery times: 6 - 18 s). The change of gas sensing charactersitics by Sb doping was discussed in relation to gas sensing mechanism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.5
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• pp.1239-1245
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• 2020

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a clinical and radiological syndrome with primary features that include hyperacute onset of severe headache and segmental vasoconstriction of the cerebral arteries, which resolve within 3 months. Vessel wall enhancement has been reported in some cases of RCVS; however, its pathophysiological and diagnostic implications remain unclear. We review a case of RCVS in a patient with transient vessel wall enhancement on contrast-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images, focusing on the pathophysiological and diagnostic implications.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.55-56
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• 1998

The 3-D Fast Gradient Echo (Turbo FLASH, Turbo Fast Low Angle Shot) sequence is optimized to achieve a good T1 contrast using variable excitation flip angles. In Turbo FLASH sequence, depending on the contrast preparation scheme, various types of image contrast can be established. While proton density contrast is obtained when using a short repetition time with a short echo time and small flip angles, T1 or T2 weighting can be obtained with proper contrast preparation sequences applied before the above proton density Turbo FLASH sequence. To maximize the contrast to noise ratio while retaining a sharp impulse response (smooth frequency domain response), the excitation flip-angle pattern is optimized through simulation and experiments. The TI (the delay after the preparation sequence which is a 180 degree inversion RF pulse in the IR T1 weighted imaging case), TD (the delay time between the Turbo FLASH sequence and the next preparation), and TR are also optimized fur the best image quality. The proposed 3-D Turbo FLASH provides $1mm\times1mm\times1.5mm$ high resolution images within a reasonable 5-8 minutes of imaging time. The proposed imaging sequence has been implemented in a Medison's Magnum 1.0T system and verified through simulations as well as human volunteer imaging. The experimental results show the utility of the proposed method.