• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권10호
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• pp.1006-1016
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• 2023

Objective: Computed tomography (CT) is an established method for the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of multiple myeloma. Here, we investigated the potential of photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) in terms of image quality, diagnostic confidence, and radiation dose compared with energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT). Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, patients with known multiple myeloma underwent clinically indicated whole-body PCD-CT. The image quality of PCD-CT was assessed qualitatively by three independent radiologists for overall image quality, edge sharpness, image noise, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence using a 5-point Likert scale (5 = excellent), and quantitatively for signal homogeneity using the coefficient of variation (CV) of Hounsfield Units (HU) values and modulation transfer function (MTF) via the full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the frequency space. The results were compared with those of the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols as controls. Additionally, the radiation dose (CTDIvol) was determined. Results: We enrolled 35 patients with multiple myeloma (mean age 69.8 ± 9.1 years; 18 [51%] males). Qualitative image analysis revealed superior scores (median [interquartile range]) for PCD-CT regarding overall image quality (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), edge sharpness (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), image noise (4.0 [4.0-4.0] vs. 3.0 [3.0-4.0]), lesion conspicuity (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), and diagnostic confidence (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]) compared with EID-CT (P ≤ 0.004). In quantitative image analyses, PCD-CT compared with EID-CT revealed a substantially lower FWHM (2.89 vs. 25.68 cy/pixel) and a significantly more homogeneous signal (mean CV ± standard deviation [SD], 0.99 ± 0.65 vs. 1.66 ± 0.5; P < 0.001) at a significantly lower radiation dose (mean CTDIvol ± SD, 3.33 ± 0.82 vs. 7.19 ± 3.57 mGy; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Whole-body PCD-CT provides significantly higher subjective and objective image quality at significantly reduced radiation doses than the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols, along with readily available multi-spectral data, facilitating the potential for further advanced post-processing.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.77-87
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• 2020

Objective: To assess the feasibility of simultaneous multislice-accelerated diffusion-weighted imaging (SMS-DWI) of the rectum in comparison with conventional DWI (C-DWI) in rectal cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This study included 65 patients with initially-diagnosed rectal cancer. All patients underwent C-DWI and SMS-DWI with acceleration factors of 2 and 3 (SMS2-DWI and SMS3-DWI, respectively) using a 3T scanner. Acquisition times of the three DWI sequences were measured. Image quality in the three DWI sequences was reviewed by two independent radiologists using a 4-point Likert scale and subsequently compared using the Friedman test. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for rectal cancer and the normal rectal wall were compared among the three sequences using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Acquisition times using C-DWI, SMS2-DWI, and SMS3-DWI were 173 seconds, 107 seconds, (38.2% shorter than C-DWI), and 77 seconds (55.5% shorter than C-DWI), respectively. For all image quality parameters other than distortion (margin sharpness, artifact, lesion conspicuity, and overall image quality), C-DWI and SMS2-DWI yielded better results than did SMS3-DWI (Ps < 0.001), with no significant differences observed between C-DWI and SMS2-DWI (Ps ≥ 0.054). ADC values of rectal cancer (p = 0.943) and normal rectal wall (p = 0.360) were not significantly different among C-DWI, SMS2-DWI, and SMS3-DWI. Conclusion: SMS-DWI using an acceleration factor of 2 is feasible for rectal MRI resulting in substantial reductions in acquisition time while maintaining diagnostic image quality and similar ADC values to those of C-DWI.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권7호
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• pp.752-762
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• 2022

Objective: To compare a deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) algorithm for pediatric abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) with filtered back projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms. Materials and Methods: Post-contrast abdominopelvic CT scans obtained from 120 pediatric patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 8.7 ± 5.2 years; 60 males) between May 2020 and October 2020 were evaluated in this retrospective study. Images were reconstructed using FBP, a hybrid IR algorithm (ASiR-V) with blending factors of 50% and 100% (AV50 and AV100, respectively), and a DLR algorithm (TrueFidelity) with three strength levels (low, medium, and high). Noise power spectrum (NPS) and edge rise distance (ERD) were used to evaluate noise characteristics and spatial resolution, respectively. Image noise, edge definition, overall image quality, lesion detectability and conspicuity, and artifacts were qualitatively scored by two pediatric radiologists, and the scores of the two reviewers were averaged. A repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by the Bonferroni post-hoc test was used to compare NPS and ERD among the six reconstruction methods. The Friedman rank sum test followed by the Nemenyi-Wilcoxon-Wilcox all-pairs test was used to compare the results of the qualitative visual analysis among the six reconstruction methods. Results: The NPS noise magnitude of AV100 was significantly lower than that of the DLR, whereas the NPS peak of AV100 was significantly higher than that of the high- and medium-strength DLR (p < 0.001). The NPS average spatial frequencies were higher for DLR than for ASiR-V (p < 0.001). ERD was shorter with DLR than with ASiR-V and FBP (p < 0.001). Qualitative visual analysis revealed better overall image quality with high-strength DLR than with ASiR-V (p < 0.001). Conclusion: For pediatric abdominopelvic CT, the DLR algorithm may provide improved noise characteristics and better spatial resolution than the hybrid IR algorithm.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was designed to optimize the flip angle (FA) and scan timing of the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) using the 3D T1-weighted, gradient-echo (GRE) imaging with controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPIRINHA) technique on gadoxetic acid-enhanced 3T liver MR imaging. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two patients who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced 3T liver MR imaging were included in this study. Four 3D T1-weighted GRE imaging studies using the CAIPIRINHA technique and FAs of $9^{\circ}$ and $13^{\circ}$ were acquired during HBP at 15 and 20 min after intravenous injection of gadoxetic acid. Two abdominal radiologists, who were blinded to the FA and the timing of image acquisition, assessed the sharpness of liver edge, hepatic vessel clarity, lesion conspicuity, artifact severity, and overall image quality using a five-point scale. Quantitative analysis was performed by another radiologist to estimate the relative liver enhancement (RLE) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and one-way analysis of variance. Results: The scores of the HBP with an FA of $13^{\circ}$ during the same delayed time were significantly higher than those of the HBP with an FA of $9^{\circ}$ in all the assessment items (P < 0.01). In terms of the delay time, images at the same FA obtained with a 20-min-HBP showed better quality than those obtained with a 15-min-HBP. There was no significant difference in qualitative scores between the 20-min-HBP and the 15-min-HBP images in the non-liver cirrhosis (LC) group except for the hepatic vessel clarity score with $9^{\circ}$ FA. In the quantitative analysis, a statistically significant difference was found in the degree of RLE in the four HBP images (P = 0.012). However, in the subgroup analysis, no significant difference in RLE was found in the four HBP images in either the LC or the non-LC groups. The SNR did not differ significantly in the four HBP images. In the subgroup analysis, 20-min-HBP imaging with a $13^{\circ}$ FA showed the highest SNR value in the LC-group, whereas 15-min-HBP imaging with a $13^{\circ}$ FA showed the best value of SNR in the non-LC group. Conclusion: The use of a moderately high FA improves the image quality and lesion conspicuity on 3D, T1-weighted GRE imaging using the CAIPIRINHA technique on gadoxetic acid, 3T liver MR imaging. In patients with normal liver function, the 15-min-HBP with a $13^{\circ}$ FA represents a feasible option without a significant decrease in image quality.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.71-81
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• 2017

Purpose: To compare three, motion-resistant, T1-weighted MR sequences on the hepatobiliary phase for gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging of the liver. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 79 patients underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced, 3T liver MR imaging. Fifty-nine were examined using a standard protocol, and 20 were examined using a motion-resistant protocol. During the hepatocyte-specific phase, three MR sequences were acquired: 1) gradient recalled echo (GRE) with controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPIRINHA); 2) radial GRE with the interleaved angle-bisection scheme (ILAB); and 3) radial GRE with golden-angle scheme (GA). Two readers independently assessed images with motion artifacts, streaking artifacts, liver-edge sharpness, hepatic vessel clarity, lesion conspicuity, and overall image quality, using a 5-point scale. The images were assessed by measurement of liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and tumor-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The results were compared, using repeated post-hoc, paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction and the Wilcoxon signed rank test with Bonferroni correction. Results: In the qualitative analysis of cooperative patients, the results for CAIPIRINHA had significantly higher ratings for streak artifacts, liver-edge sharpness, hepatic vessel clarity, and overall image quality as compared to, radial GRE, (P < 0.016). In the imaging of uncooperative patients, higher scores were recorded for ILAB and GA with respect to all of the qualitative assessments, except for streak artifact, compared with CAIPIRINHA (P < 0.016). However, no significant differences were found between ILAB and GA. For quantitative analysis in uncooperative patients, the mean liver SNR and lesion-to-liver CNR with radial GRE were significantly higher than those of CAIPIRINHA (P < 0.016). Conclusion: In uncooperative patients, the use of the radial GRE sequence can improve the image quality compared to GRE imaging with CAIPIRINHA, despite the data acquisition methods used. The GRE imaging with CAIPIRINHA is applicable for patients without breath-holding difficulties.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.374-383
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance and image quality of 1.5-mm slice thickness MRI with deep learningbased image reconstruction (1.5-mm MRI + DLR) compared to routine 3-mm slice thickness MRI (routine MRI) and 1.5-mm slice thickness MRI without DLR (1.5-mm MRI without DLR) for evaluating temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 117 MR image sets comprising 1.5-mm MRI + DLR, 1.5-mm MRI without DLR, and routine MRI from 117 consecutive patients (mean age, 41 years; 61 female; 34 patients with TLE and 83 without TLE). Two neuroradiologists evaluated the presence of hippocampal or temporal lobe lesions, volume loss, signal abnormalities, loss of internal structure of the hippocampus, and lesion conspicuity in the temporal lobe. Reference standards for TLE were independently constructed by neurologists using clinical and radiological findings. Subjective image quality, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were analyzed. Performance in diagnosing TLE, lesion findings, and image quality were compared among the three protocols. Results: The pooled sensitivity of 1.5-mm MRI + DLR (91.2%) for diagnosing TLE was higher than that of routine MRI (72.1%, P < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, 1.5-mm MRI + DLR showed higher sensitivity for hippocampal lesions than routine MRI (92.7% vs. 75.0%, P = 0.001), with improved depiction of hippocampal T2 high signal intensity change (P = 0.016) and loss of internal structure (P < 0.001). However, the pooled specificity of 1.5-mm MRI + DLR (76.5%) was lower than that of routine MRI (89.2%, P = 0.004). Compared with 1.5-mm MRI without DLR, 1.5-mm MRI + DLR resulted in significantly improved pooled accuracy (91.2% vs. 73.1%, P = 0.010), image quality, SNR, and CNR (all, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of 1.5-mm MRI + DLR enhanced the performance of MRI in diagnosing TLE, particularly in hippocampal evaluation, because of improved depiction of hippocampal abnormalities and enhanced image quality.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제9권12호
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• pp.683-690
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• 2009

본 연구의 목적은 직장암 국소병변의 수술 전 검출을 위한 고 확산경사계수(High-b-values) 자기공명영상의 유용성을 평가하고자 한다. 직장암의 진단을 위하여 확산강조 자기공명영상을 시행한 60명의 환자 중 연령분포는 38 - 78세(평균 60세)였고 남자 40명, 여자가 20명 이었다. 사용된 장비는 1.5 Tesla 자기공명 영상기기(GE, General Electric Medical System, Excite HD)로 사용하였고, 검사 프로토콜은 고속기법 T2, T1강조영상을 얻은 후 정확한 병변 검출을 위하여 같은 위치를 정하여 확산강조영상을 얻었다. 확산강조영상의 b-value$(s/mm^2)$값은 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000까지 변화시키면서 얻었다. 영상평가는 정량적 분석방법으로 직장, 방광과 종양간 대조도대 잡음비(rectum, bladder to tumor contrast noise ratio, 이하 CNR)를 GE software Functool tool을 사용하여 비교분석 하였고. 정성적 분석방법은 영상내의 인공물의 유무, 병변의 명확성, 직장벽 구분을 기준으로 네 명의 경험 있는 영상의학과 의사와 세 명의 방사선사가 영상을 분석하였다. 영상의 유의성 평가는 각 b-values 값에 대하여 ANOVA 검증과 Freedman 검증을 이용하여 분석하였다(p<0.05). 정량적 분석결과는 b-values 값 중 1000에서 직장, 종양의 평균 대조도대잡음비는 27.21, 24.44로 가장 높았고(p<0.05), 이때 확산계수는 $0.73\times10^{-3}$이었다. 정성적 분석결과로서, 병변의 명확성과 직장벽 구분은 $4.0\pm0.14$, $4.4\pm0.16$로 1000 값에서 가장 높았으며, 인공물유무는 $4.8\pm0.25$로 2000 값에서 높은 결과 이었다(p<0.05). 결론적으로, 확산강조영상은 수술 전 직장암 환자의 병변 검출에 유용성 있는 정보를 제공해 주었으며, 정확한 종괴의 발견을 위해는 고 확산경사계수 값 1000 영상이 가장 우수한 확산경사계수 값 이었다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.130-134
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• 1997

목적: 역동적 자기공명영상에서 위암의 조영증강양상을 분석하여, 병변의 평가에 조영증강검사의 필요성을 규명하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 병리조직학적으로 증명된 12명의 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 1.0T 자기공명영상장치를 이용하였고, FLASH T1 강조영상기법으로 조영제 주입전, 30초 후, 60초 후, 90초 후에 각각 횡단스캔을 얻었다. 검사 전 환자에게 1리터의 물을 마시게 하였고 장진경제인 Buscopan을 근육주사 하였다. 각 시기에서 병변의 신호 대 잡음비를 측정하였고, 병변과 췌장, 병변과 위장내 물과의 신호차이 대 잡음비를 측정하였다. 또한 각 시기의 영상에서 병변의 두으러짐을 0-3등급으로 나누어 두 명의 방사선과 의사가 합의하에 평가하였다. 결과: 병변의 신호 대 잡음비는 조영증강 전, 조영증강 후 30초, 60초, 90초의 시간경과에 따라 점차 증가하였다(38.7,42.5,57.4,65.7). 병변과 췌장과의 신호차이 대 잡음비는 10.5, 9.33, 9.99, 10.66으로 유의하게 증가하였다. 병변과 위장내 물과의 신호차이 대 잡음비도 1.24, 25.01, 39.30, 45.89로 유의하게 증가하였다. 그러나 정성적 분석에서는 조영 전 영상이 조영 후 영상에 비하여 병변의 두드러짐이 컸다(평균등급:2.8, 1.8, 1.6, 1.5). 병변의 신호강도는 조영증강 후 90초 지연영상에서 가장 높은 신호강도를 보여 병변의 위강쪽은 뚜렷하게 보였다. 그러나 병변과 위 주위 지방조직의 신호강도 차이가 줄어들어 전체적으로는 조영증강 전 영상에서 조영증강 후 영상보다 병변이 분명하게 보였다. 결론: 위암의 역동적 자기공명영상의 조영 전 영상에서 조영 후 영상보다 병변이 분명하게 보이므로 조영증강은 필요 없다고 생각된다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.31-40
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• 2010

목적: 간의 국소병변에 대한 3T 자기공명영상에서 초상자성산화철 조영증강영상을 얻기 위한 여러 급속호흡정지대열들의 상대적 가치를 평가하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 간의 자기공명영상을 시행하였던 환자들 중 한 개 이상의 악성 고형병소를 가진 102명의 연속으로 모은 환자들을 대상으로 초상자성산화철 조영제의 정맥주사 후 촬영한 3종류의 각각 다른 에코시간(2.4 msec [GRE_2.4], 5.8 msec [GRE_5.8], and 10 msec [GRE_10])을 갖는 $T2^*$ 강조 경사에코영상들과 하나의 T2 강조 고속스핀에코영상(TSE)을 비교하였다. 두 명의 관찰자가 독립적으로 간의 윤곽, 혈관지표, 인공물, 병변의 명확도에 대해 각각 4점 스케일로 질적분석을 시행하였다. 양적분석을 위해 1 cm 이상의 크기를 갖는 170개의 병변들(간세포암 107개, 담도암 9개, 간전이암 54개)에 대하여 대조도잡음비를 측정하였다. 결과: GRE_5.8은 간윤곽, 혈관지표, 인공물에 대해 질적으로 가장 높은 점수를 받았으며(p<.001) 간 병변의 명확도는 GRE_5.8과 GRE_10간에 유의한 차이가 없었다(p=.414). 전체적으로 평균 대조도잡음비는 GRE_10($24.4{\pm}14.5$), GRE_5.8($14.8{\pm}9.4$), FSE($9.7{\pm}6.3$), GRE_2.4($7.9{\pm}6.4$)의 순으로 높았으며(p<.001), 영상기법에 상관없이 담관암과 전이암의 평균 대조도잡음비가 간세포암에 비해 높았다(p<0.05). 결론: 3T 기기에서 악성 고형 간 병변의 진단을 위한 초상자성산화철 조영증강 급속 호흡정지기법들 중 5.8 msec의 중등도의 에코시간을 갖는 경사에코영상은 10 msec의 에코시간에 비해 대조도잡음비가 낮지만 전체적인 양적 및 질적 평가를 종합하여 볼 때 가장 우수한 영상을 제공할 수 있다.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제83권6호
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• pp.1327-1341
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• 2022

목적 국내 디지털 유방 토모신테시스(digital breast tomosynthesis; 이하 DBT) 사용 현황 및 영상의학과 의사들의 DBT에 대한 인식 및 사용자 요구조건에 관해 알아보고자 하였다. 대상과 방법 2021년 3월 대한 유방영상의학회 회원들을 대상으로 DBT와 관련한 26개의 객관식 문항과 1개의 주관식 문항이 포함된 온라인 설문조사를 시행하였다. 설문 문항은 기본 정보, 유방촬영술 및 DBT에 대한 진료 현황, DBT 인식, 관련 연구 경험 및 관심도를 포함하였다. 결과는 로지스틱 회귀분석을 이용하여 분석하였다. 결과 총 257명의 회원 중 120명이 응답하여, 응답률은 46.7%였다. 응답자 중 67명(55.8%)이 현재 DBT를 사용하고 있는 것으로 나타났다. DBT의 전반적인 만족도는 5점 척도를 사용하여 평균 3.31점이었다. DBT 검사의 장점으로 가장 많이 응답한 것은 소환율 감소(55.8%), 병변의 명확도 향상(48.3%), 유방암 발견율 향상(45.8%)이었고, 단점으로 많이 응답한 것은 환자의 추가비용 부담46.7%), 불충분한 미세석회화 검출(43.3%), 불충분한 진단능 향상 효과(39.2%), 방사선량 증가(35.8%)였다. DBT가 더 널리 사용되지 못하는 원인으로는 영상의 저장 용량, 판독 시간 증가를 주요 요인으로 응답하였다. 결론 DBT 사용이 보다 보편화되기 위해서는 사용자 불편사항과 피드백을 반영한 향후 기술개발이 필요하겠다.