• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.119-124
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• 1997

Purpose: To assess the utility of magnetic resonance(MR) cerebral blood volume (CBV) map in the evaluation of brain tumors. Materials and Methods: We performed perfusion MR imaing preoperatively in the consecutive IS patients with intracranial masses(3 meningiomas, 2 glioblastoma multiformes, 3 low grade gliomas, 1 lymphoma, 1 germinoma, 1 neurocytoma, 1 metastasis, 2 abscesses, 1 radionecrosis). The average age of the patients was 42 years (22yr -68yr), composed of 10 males and S females. All MR images were obtained at l.ST imager(Signa, CE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wisconsin). The regional CBV map was obtained on the theoretical basis of susceptibility difference induced by first pass circulation of contrast media. (contrast media: IScc of gadopentate dimeglumine, about 2ml/sec by hand, starting at 10 second after first baseline scan). For each patient, a total of 480 images (6 slices, 80 images/slice in 160 sec) were obtained by using gradient echo(CE) single shot echo-planar image(EPI) sequence (TR 2000ms, TE SOms, flip angle $90^{\circ}$, FOV $240{\times}240mm,{\;}matrix{\;}128{\times}128$, slice-thick/gap S/2.S). After data collection, the raw data were transferred to CE workstation and rCBV maps were generated from the numerical integration of ${\Delta}R2^{*} on a voxel by voxel basis, with home made software (${\Delta}R2^{*}=-ln (S/SO)/TE). For easy visual interpretation, relative RCB color coding with reference to the normal white matter was applied and color rCBV maps were obtained. The findings of perfusion MR image were retrospectively correlated with Cd-enhanced images with focus on the degree and extent of perfusion and contrast enhancement. Results: Two cases of glioblastoma multiforme with rim enhancement on Cd-enhanced Tl weighted image showed increased perfusion in the peripheral rim and decreased perfusion in the central necrosis portion. The low grade gliomas appeared as a low perfusion area with poorly defined margin. In 2 cases of brain abscess, the degree of perfusion was similar to that of the normal white matter in the peripheral enhancing rim and was low in the central portion. All meningiomas showed diffuse homogeneous increased perfusion of moderate or high degree. One each of lymphoma and germinoma showed homogenously decreased perfusion with well defined margin. The central neurocytoma showed multifocal increased perfusion areas of moderate or high degree. A few nodules of the multiple metastasis showed increased perfusion of moderate degree. One radionecrosis revealed multiple foci of increased perfusion within the area of decreased perfusion. Conclusion: The rCBV map appears to correlate well with the perfusion state of brain tumor, and may be helpful in discrimination between low grade and high grade gliomas. The further study is needed to clarify the role of perfusion MR image in the evaluation of brain tumor.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.113-124
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• 2001

For veterinary imaging diagnosis, we obtained MR images of the canine brain, spine, kidney and pelvis from 3T MRI system which was equipped with the world first 3T active shield magnet. Spin echo (SE) and fast Spin Echo (FSE) images were obtained from the canine brain, spine, kidney and pelvis of normal and sick dogs using a homemade birdcage and transverse electromagnetic (TEM) resonators operating in quadrature and tuned to 128 MHz. In addition, we employed a homemade saddle shaped RF coil. Typical common acquisition parameters were as follows: matrix=512$\times$512, field of view (FOV)=20cm, slice thickness=3 w, number of excitations (NEX)=1. For T1-weighted MR images, we used TR=500 ms, TE=10 or 17.4 ms. For T2-weighted MR images, we used TR=4000 ms, TE=108 ms. Signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 3T system was measured 2.7 times greater than that of prevalent 1.57 system. The high resolution images acquired in this study represent more than a 4-fold increase in in-plane resolution relative to conventional images obtained with a 20 cm field of view and a 5 mm slice thickness. MR images obtained from 3T system revealed numerous small venous structures throughout the image plane and provided reasonable delineation between gray and white matter The present results demonstrate that the MR images from 3T system could provide better diagnostic quality of resolution and sensitivity than those of 1.5T system. The elevated SNR observed in the 3T high field magnetic resonance imaging can be utilized to acquire images with a level of resolution approaching the microscopic structural level under in vivo conditions. These images represent a significant advance in our ability to examine small anatomical features with noninvasive imaging methods. Moreover, MRI technique could begin to apply for veterinary medicine in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Information Science Society Conference
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• 2001.10b
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• pp.466-468
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• 2001

의료 영상 처리 기술은 질병의 진단 및 치료를 위한 계획이나 방법을 결정하는데 있어 매우 중요한 역할을 하고 있으며 의료 영상 시스템과 같은 활용 분야에서는 질병이 있는 환자의 자동 진단을 위한 연구도 활발하게 이루어지고 있다. 여기서는 뇌 MR영상에서의 질병을 자동 진단할 수 있는 방법에 관한 연구를 한다. 뇌 MR영상에서의 질병 진단을 위한 단계로서 필수적으로 이루어져야 하는 단계가 비정상 영역의 추출 단계이다. 이 논문에서는 뇌의 질병 진단에 사용할 수 있는 자료를 제공하기 위한 전처리 단계로서 질병이 있는 환자의 뇌 영상에서 비정상적인 영역 추출 방법을 제안한다. 일반적으로 비정상적인 영역의 명암간 분포는 회백질 영역의 분포와 유사하나 두께 차이로서 구분이 가능하다. 여기서는 이 정보를 활용하여 정상인의 뇌영상에 대해서 회백질의 평균 두께 분포를 구하여 테스트로 입력되어지는 영상에서 회백질의 평균 두께 이상의 영역만을 남김으로서 질병이 있는 환자의 뇌 영상에서 비정상적인 영역을 추출할 수 있음을 보인다. 또한 추출되어진 비정상 영역에 대해서 진단에 필요한 인자를 자동으로 측정하였고 뇌경색, 뇌종양 환자를 포함한 63명의 뇌 MR 영상 시리즈에 대해서 실험하여 비교적 정확한 추출결과를 유도할 수 있었음을 확인하였다.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2016

In this study digital holographic microscopy system for measurements of 3-D velocities of particles in MR fluid is developed. Holograms are recorded using either a CCD camera with a double pulse laser or a high-speed camera with a continuous laser. To process recorded holograms, the correlation coefficient method is used for focal plane determination of particles. To remove noise and improve the quality of holograms and reconstructed images, a Wiener filter is adopted. The two-threshold and image segmentation methods are used for binary image transformation. For particle pairing, the match probability method is adopted. The developed system will be applied to measurements of the characteristics of unsteady 3-D particle velocities in MR fluids through the next stage of this study.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.138-138
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• 2002

To determine the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for discrimination between intervertebral disk extrusion versus protrusion. MR images of 80 patients who had MR imaging of the spine and confirmed as intervertebral disk extrusion or protrusion were retrospectively reviewed by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. A 1.5-T scanner was used. After review of medical records, MR findings of disk extrusion and protrusion were compared using the chi-square test. Intraobserver agreement for differentiation of disk extrusion from protrusion was calculated by using coefficient.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.34-40
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• 1998

본 논문에서는 일반 X-ray 필름을 사용하는 기존 아날로그 의료 영상 진단 체계의 문제점들을 해결하기 위해 연구 개발된 포괄적인 영상관리 전송 시스템(PACS)에서의 효율 적인 영상 전송과 저장을 위해 병원에서 매일 다량으로 발생하는 의료 영상들 중 CT와 MR영상을 대상으로 하여 새로운 무손실 영상 압축 기법인 CRAC 압축 알고리즘을 설계하 였다. CRAC 압축 알고리즘에서는 CT와 MR 영상의 파일구조를 분석하여 런랭스 코딩에 적합하도록 데이터를 재배열하는 전처리 작업을 설계하였으며, 이를 CT와 MR 영상에 최적 화 시킨 개선된 런랭스 알고리즘으로 1차 압축시켜 그 결과를 산술 부호화 알고리즘과 결합 함으로써 압축효율을 향상시켰다. 이러한 CRAC 압축 알고리즘은 무손실 압축 기법으로, 의 료 영상을 압축한 수 손실 없이 원 영상을 그대로 복원할 수 있기 때문에 PACS에서의 CT, MR 영상의 판독을 위한 단기 저장시에 적합한 압축 알고리즘으로 CT와 MR 영상의 무손 실 압축에 대해 새로운 전처리 방법을 제시하였고, 기존 무손실 압축 방법들과 비교 분석한 결과 압축률이 2.1%∼5.9% 정도 향상되었다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2001

Purpose : Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MR imaging for detection of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) compared with unenhanced CT. Materials and methods ; We compared FLAIR MR images with unenhanced CT scans in 28 patients with acute SAH. Findings of SAH on CT and MR images were graded as 0 (absence), 1 (suspicious), 2 (definite) in the cerebral sulci, sylvian fissure, basal cistern, and cisterns of the posterior fossa. We also compared FLAIR MR images of 28 patients with those of 35 normal subjects, and then the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of FLAIR MR image for detection of acute SAH were calculated. Results : FLAIR MR image was superior to CT in detecting SAH in the posterior fossa ($1.41{\pm}0.74{\;}vs{\;}0.78{\pm}0.80$; p<0.05) and cortical sulci ($1.11{\pm}0.80{\;}vs{\;}0.70{\pm}0.83$; p<0.05). There was no significant difference between FLAIR MR image and CT in detecting SAH in the basal cistern and sylvian fissure. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of FLAIR MR image for detection of SAH were 100% in all. Conclusion : FLAIR MR image is useful in detecting acute SAH, especially in patients with small amount of SAH or SAH in the posterior fossa.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 1998

The mapping of the spin-spin relaxation time T2 in pixel-by-pixel was suggested as a quantitative diagnostic tool in medicine. although the CPMG pulse sequence has been known to be the best pulse sequence for T2 measurement in physics NMR, the supplied pulse sequence by the manufacture of MRI system was able to obtain the maximum of 4 CPMG images. Eight or more images with different echo time TEs are required to construct a reliable T2 map, so that two or more acquisitions were required, which easily took more than 10 minutes. 4-echo CPMG imaging pulse sequence was modified to generate the maximum of 8 MR images with evenly spaced echo time TEs. In human MR imaging, since patients tend to move at least several pixels between the different acquisitions, 8-echo CPMG imaging sequence reduces the acquisition time and may remove any mis-regitration of each pixels signal for the fitting of T2. The resultant T2 maps using the theoretically simulated images and using the MR images of the human brain suggested that 8 echo CPMG sequence with short echo spacing such as 17-20 msec can give the reliable T2 map.

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

• Journal of KIISE:Computing Practices and Letters
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1096-1100
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• 2010

In this paper, we propose an automatic segmentation of the meniscus based on active shape model using interpolated shape information in MR images. First, the statistical shape model of meniscus is constructed to reflect the shape variation in the training set. Second, the generation technique of interpolated shape information by using the weight according to shape similarity is proposed to robustly segment the meniscus with large variation. Finally, the automatic meniscus segmentation is performed through the active shape model fitting. For the evaluation of our method, we performed the visual inspection, accuracy measure and processing time. For accuracy evaluation, the average distance difference between automatic segmentation and semi-automatic segmentation are calculated and visualized by color-coded mapping. Experimental results show that the average distance difference was $0.54{\pm}0.16mm$ in medial meniscus and $0.73{\pm}0.39mm$ in lateral meniscus. The total processing time was 4.87 seconds on average.