• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.311-315
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• 2004

The detection of lymph node metastasis is an important step in tumor staging and is significant for therapy planning. It has been challenged to yield an appropriate image with diagnostic methods such as Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Computed Tomography (CT). Though CT has been used widely and accessed easily to show internal organs, it can hardly provide difference between lymph node and adjacent vessel or fat tissue. It has been well established that MR can reveal the subtle discrepancy within soft tissue. This study investigated the suitability of MR lymph node imaging without contrast enhancement by comparison of T1-weighted image (T1WI) and T2- weighted image (T2WI) in ten normal rabbits. According to the pulse sequence optimized from preliminary study, T1-weighted spin-echo (repetition time/echo time=400/12 ms) and T-2 weighted fast spin-echo (repetition time/echo time=3500/84 ms) images covering the hind limbs and pelvic region were acquired at 1.5 T. Two radiologists scrupulously evaluated the MR images in consensus. And signal intensity of lymph nodes was compared with that of adjacent fat. Statistical analysis showed that T1-weighted coronal image visualized the lymph nodes (iliac, superficial inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes) quickly and consistently rather than T2-weighted one. Conclusively, T1WI for evaluation of lymph nodes is moderately better than T2WI and appears to have potential for quick and sufficient mapping of the lymph nodes. In addition, this normal MR image of lymph nodes could be applied to further study for the evaluation of lymphatic system in abscess and tumor bearing animal model.

• Journal of KIISE
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• v.43 no.8
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• pp.869-877
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• 2016

In this paper, we propose an automated segmentation method of femoral cartilage in knee MR images using multi-atlas-based locally-weighted voting. The proposed method involves two steps. First, to utilize the shape information to show that the femoral cartilage is attached to a femur, the femur is segmented via volume and object-based locally-weighted voting and narrow-band region growing. Second, the object-based affine transformation of the femur is applied to the registration of femoral cartilage, and the femoral cartilage is segmented via multi-atlas shape-based locally-weighted voting. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, we compared the segmentation results of majority voting method, intensity-based locally-weighted voting method, and the proposed method with manual segmentation results defined by expert. In our experimental results, the newly proposed method avoids a leakage into the neighboring regions having similar intensity of femoral cartilage, and shows improved segmentation accuracy.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the knee joint after double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with three-dimensional (3D) isotropic magnetic resonance (MR) image, and to directly compare the ACL graft findings on 3D MR with the clinical results. Materials and Methods: From January 2009 to December 2014, we retrospectively reviewed MRIs of 39 patients who had reconstructed ACL with double bundle technique. The subjects were examined using 3D isotropic proton-density sequence and routine two-dimensional (2D) sequence on 3.0T scanner. The MR images were qualitatively evaluated for the intraarticular curvature, graft tear, bony impingement, intraosseous tunnel cyst, and synovitis of anteromedial and posterolateral bundles (AMB, PLB). In addition anterior tibial translation, PCL angle, PCL ratio were quantitatively measured. KT arthrometric values were reviewed for anterior tibial translation as positive or negative. The second look arthroscopy results including tear and laxity were reviewed. Results: Significant correlations were found between an AMB tear on 3D-isotropic proton density MR images and arthroscopic proven AMB tear or laxity (P < 0.05). Also, a significant correlation was observed between increased PCL ratio on 3D isotropic MRI and the arthroscopic findings such as tear, laxities of grafts (P < 0.05). KT arthrometric results were found to be significantly correlated with AMB tears (P < 0.05) and tibial tunnel cysts (P < 0.05). Conclusion: An AMB tear on 3D-isotropic MRI was correlated with arthroscopic results qualitatively and quantitatively. 3D isotropic MRI findings can aid the evaluation of ACL grafts after double bundle reconstruction.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2013

Correct target volume delineation is an important part of radiosurgery treatment planning process. We designed head phantom and performed target delineation to evaluate the volume differences due to radiosurgery treatment planning systems and image acquisition system, CT/MR. Delineated mean target volume from CT scan images was $2.23{\pm}0.08cm^3$ on BrainSCAN (NOVALS), $2.13{\pm}0.07cm^3$ on Leksell gamma plan (Gamma Knife) and $2.24{\pm}0.10cm^3$ on Multi plan (Cyber Knife). For MR images, $2.08{\pm}0.06cm^3$ on BrainSCAN, $1.94{\pm}0.05cm^3$ on Leksell gamma plan and $2.15{\pm}0.06cm^3$ on Multi plan. As a result, Differences of delineated mean target volume due to radiotherapy planning system was 3% to 6%. And overall mean target volume from CT scan images was 6.36% larger than those of MR scan images.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.63-67
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• 2001

Objective: Atrophy and a high T2 signal of the hippocampus are known to be the principal MR imaging findings of hippocampal sclerosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not individual MRI findings correlate with surgical outcome in patients with this condition. Materials and Methods: Preoperative MR imaging findings in 57 consecutive patients with pathologically-proven hippocampal sclerosis who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy and were followed-up for 24 months or more were retrospectively reviewed, and the results were compared with the postsurgical outcome (Engel classification). The MR images included routine sagittal T1-weighted and axial T2-weighted spin-echo images, and oblique coronal T1-weighted 3D gradient-echo and T2-weighted 2D fast spin-echo images obtained on either a 1.5 T or 1.0 T unit. The images were visually evaluated by two neuroradiologists blinded to the outcome; their focus was the presence or absence of atrophy and a high T2 hippocampal signal. Results: Hippocampal atrophy was seen in 96% of cases (55/57) [100% (53/53) of the good outcome group (Engel class I and II), and 50% (2/4) of the poor outcome group (class III and IV)]. A high T2 hippocampal signal was seen in 61% of cases (35/57) [62% (33/53) of the good outcome group and 50% (2/4) of the poor outcome group]. All 35 patients with a high T2 signal had hippocampal atrophy. 'Normal' hippocampus, as revealed by MR imaging, occurred in 4% of patients (2/57), both of whom showed a poor outcome (Engel class III). The presence or absence of hippocampal atrophy correlated well with surgical outcome (p<0.01). High T2 signal intensity did not, however, significantly correlate with surgical outcome (p>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with a high T2 hippocampal signal, hippocampal atrophy is more common and correlates better with surgical outcome. For the prediction of this, it thus appears to be the more useful indicator.

• Proceedings of the Korea Multimedia Society Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.204-207
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• 2001

뇌 MR 영상에서 질환을 자동적으로 진단하고 판별하는 작업은 정상인의 뇌 영상과의 비교를 통해서 가능하다. 정상인과의 뇌 영상 비교를 통하여 보다 정확하게 질병에 대한 근거를 제시할 수가 있기 때문에 이러한 접근 방법들이 여러 의료영상 연구 분야에서 시도되고 있다. 정상인의 뇌 영상과의 비교를 위해서는 우선적으로 해결되어야 하는 것이 현재의 대상 영상이 정상인 뇌의 어느 위치의 영상과 일치하는 지를 판별하는 문제이다. 따라서 본 연구는 이러한 뇌 매핑에 사용될 수 있는 특징들을 추출하기 위한 것으로, 뇌 매핑에 사용되는 특징들을 추출하기 위해서 뇌 MR 영상으로부터 대리영역, 뇌영역, 뇌척수액영역 그리고 눈영역을 분할한 후 이들의 윤곽선, 최소사각형과 각 영역들의 픽셀 정보들을 찾아낸다. 이는 추후 연구할 뇌 매핑을 위한 대분류에 사용될 수 있다.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 1999.11a
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• pp.525-528
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• 1999

Abstract - In this paper, a segmentation method for brain Magnetic Resonance(MR) image using region clustering technique with statistical distribution of gradient image and fuzzy rules is described. The brain MRI consists of gray matter and white matter, cerebrospinal fluid. But due to noise, overlap, vagueness, and various parameters, segmentation of MR image is a very difficult task. We use gradient information rather than intensity directly from the MR images and find appropriate thresholds for region classification using gradient approximation, rayleigh distribution function, region clustering, and merging techniques. And then, we propose the adaptive fuzzy rules in order to extract anatomical structures and diseases from brain MR image data. The experimental results shows that the proposed segmentation algorithm given better performance than traditional segmentation techniques.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.172-174
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• 2000

We present a case of medullary sclerosis of the appendicular skeleton in a patient with chronic renal insufficiency for whom MR imaging findings were characteristic. T1- and T2-weighted MR images showed multiple vertical lines (medullary streaks) of low signal intensity in the metaphyses and diaphyses of the distal femur and proximal tibia.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.341-344
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• 2002

Neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer's disease, are often accompanied by reduced brain perfusion (cerebral blood flow). Using the intrinsic magnetic properties of water, arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASLMRI) can map brain perfusion without injection of radioactive tracers or contrast agents. However, accuracy in measuring perfusion with ASL-MRI can be limited because of contributions to the signal from stationary spins and because of signal modulations due to transient magnetic field effects. The goal was to optimize ASL-MRI for perfusion measurements in the aging human brain, including brains with Alzheimer's disease. A new ASL-MRI sequence was designed and evaluated on phantom and humans. Image texture analysis was performed to test quantitatively improvements. Compared to other ASL-MRI methods, the newly designed sequence provided improved signal to noise ratio improved signal uniformity across slices, and thus, increased measurement reliability. This new ASL-MRI sequence should therefore provide improved measurements of regional changes of brain perfusion in normal aging and neurodegenerative disorders.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.25-31
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• 2009

The recently developed sampling theory, "compressed sensing" is gathering huge interest in MR reconstruction area because of its feasibility of high spatio-temporal resolution of dynamic MRI which has been limited in conventional methods based on Nyquist sampling theory. Since dynamic MRI usually has high redundant information along temporal direction, this can be very sparsely represented in most of cases. Therefore, compressed sensing that exploits the sparsity of unknown images can be effectively applied in most of dynamic MRI. This review article briefly introduces currently proposed compressed sensing based dynamic MR imaging algorithms and other methods exploiting sparsity. By comparing them with conventional methods, you may have insight how the compressed sensing based methods can impact nearly every area of clinical dynamic MRI.