• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.27-31
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• 2013

In this paper, we propose a new quantization method using fuzzy C-means clustering(FCM) for lumbar ultrasound image recognition. Unlike usual histogram based quantization, our method first classifies regions into 10 clusters and sorts them by the central value of each cluster. Those clusters are represented with different colors. This method is efficient to handle lumbar ultrasound image since in this part of human body, the brightness values are distributed to doubly skewed histogram in general thus the usual histogram based quantization is not strong to extract different areas. Experiment conducted with 15 real lumbar images verified the efficacy of proposed method.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.81-93
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• 2013

This review was described to investigate the feasibility of using ultrasound as an image tool for interventions of lumbar spine. This article will first provide an overview of lumbosacral spine surface anatomy and sonoanatomy. A detailed understanding of anatomy is critical for interpretation of ultrasound and procedural performance at spine. Fluoroscopy is most commonly used in interventional spine procedures, but radiation exposure is the major concern when obtaining fluoroscopic images. Ultrasound is radiation-free, is easy to use, and can provide real-time images with high accuracy. Also this device can be used in virtually any clinical setting. Ultrasound guidance offers a reliable alternative to fluoroscopy or computed tomography for lumbar interventions and can be safely performed without radiation exposure.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.53-58
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• 2011

Purpose: This study aims to examine the effects of pulsed ultrasound on skin inflammatory reaction induced by ultraviolet irradiation. Methods: Twenty subjects were selected for this study. Inflammatory reaction was induced by ultraviolet irradiation in two areas of the lumbar region of the subjects. Pulsed ultrasound (3 MHz) was applied to one of the two areas of inflammatory reaction at a pulse ratio of 1:4, intensity of $0.5W/cm^2$, once a day for 5 min, and pulsed ultrasound was not applied to the other area. Wound color (chromatic red), luminance (gray) and wound contraction (area) were measured using digital imaging processing method. Results: There was a significant difference in wound color (chromatic red) in the interaction between time and area. There was a significant difference in luminance in the interaction between time and area. There was a significant difference in wound contraction between the two areas. Conclusion: These results indicate that pulsed ultrasound increased the wound contraction rate and reduced the inflammatory reaction activity such as erythema induced by ultraviolet irradiation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.339-345
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• 2021

Background: Ultrasound-guided caudal epidural injection (CEI) is limited in that it cannot confirm drug distribution at the target site without fluoroscopy. We hypothesized that visualization of solution flow through the inter-laminar space of the lumbosacral spine using color Doppler ultrasound alone would allow for confirmation of drug distribution. Therefore, we aimed to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of this method by comparing the color Doppler image in the paramedian sagittal oblique view of the lumbosacral spine (LS-PSOV) with the distribution of the contrast medium observed during fluoroscopy. Methods: Sixty-five patients received a 10-mL CEI of solution containing contrast medium under ultrasound guidance. During injection, flow was observed in the LSPSOV using color Doppler ultrasonography, following which it was confirmed using fluoroscopy. The presence of contrast image at L5-S1 on fluoroscopy was defined as "successful CEI." We then calculated prediction accuracy for successful CEI using color Doppler ultrasonography in the LS-PSOV. We also investigated the correlation between the distribution levels measured via color Doppler and fluoroscopy. Results: Prediction accuracy with color Doppler ultrasonography was 96.9%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 96.7%, 100%, 100%, and 60.0%, respectively. In 52 of 65 patients (80%), the highest level at which contrast image was observed was the same for both color Doppler ultrasonography and fluoroscopy. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that color Doppler ultrasonography in the LS-PSOV is a new method for determining whether a drug solution reaches the lumbosacral region (i.e., the main target level) without the need for fluoroscopy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2019

Purpose : Lower back pain is a common disorder experienced by approximately 90-% of the population at least once in a lifetime. This study examines changes in the thicknesses and ratios of the deep and superficial fibers of the multifidus according to the lumbar stabilization exercise used for spinal stabilization. Methods : Ten different lumbar stabilization exercises were implemented by 20 healthy men in random order, and the thickness of multifidus muscle was measured ultrasound image during each exercise. Results : The surface muscle fibers of the multifidus muscles significantly increased in the exercise method in which the arms and legs were lifted (p<.05), while the deep muscle fibers of the multifidus muscles increased significantly in the exercise in which the arms and legs were not lifted (p<.05). The ratio of the thickness of surface muscle fibers to the total thickness of muscle fibers was higher in the exercise method in which the arms and legs were lifted (p<.05), while the ratio of the thickness of deep muscle fibers to the total thickness of muscle fibers was higher in the hollowing and bracing exercise method in which the arms and legs were not lifted (p<.05). Conclusion : When lumbar stabilization exercise should be performed at clinics to strengthen the deep muscle fibers of the multifidus muscles that have larger effects on the stability of spinal segments, taking the stability of the spine into consideration indicates that, hollowing and bracing exercise methods that do not that cause isotonic extension to the spine are appropriate.

• Proceedings of the Korea Multimedia Society Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.1-3
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• 2012

본 논문에서는 요부 초음파 영상에서 다열근의 두께를 자동으로 측정하는 방법을 제안한다. 기존의 방법에서는 Valley Search 알고리즘을 적용하여 측정 기준 객체를 추출하고 다열근의 두께를 측정하였으나, 다열근의 형태학적 위치 정보를 반영하지 않았기 때문에 잘못된 측정 기준 객체를 추출하는 단점이 있다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 중앙 객체 탐색 알고리즘을 적용하여 측정 기준 객체를 추출하고 다열근의 두께를 자동으로 측정하는 방법을 제안한다. 제안된 방법을 획득한 요부 초음파 영상을 대상으로 실험한 결과, 기존의 방법보다 효율적으로 측정 기준 객체를 추출하고 다열근의 두께를 기존의 방법보다 정확히 측정하는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2011

In this paper, we propose a new method for extracting muscles from lumbar images. The proposed method sets areas without distortions with field expert's assistance as areas of measuring interest and removing noises from initial ultrasonic videos. Then, the method emphasizes the brightness contrast with Ends-in search stretching algorithm and separate thoracic vertebra from subcutaneous fat area using morphological characteristics. 4-directions contour tracing algorithm is applied to extract the bottom of subcutaneous fat area. Extracting thoracic vertebra area requires noise removal and morphological characteristics as well among candidate areas obtained by controlling min-max brightness. The thickness of muscles is then defined as the length between subcutaneous fat area and extracted thoracic vertebra. The experiment which consists of 368 image analysis verifies that the proposed method is more effective in measuring the thickness of muscles than before.