• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2011

Purpose : Localization using MRI is difficult due to susceptibility induced artifacts caused by metal electrodes. Here we took an advantage of the B0 pattern induced by the metal electrodes by using an oblique-view imaging method. Materials and Methods : Metal electrode models with various diameters and susceptibilities were simulated to understand the aspect of field distortion. We set localization criteria for a turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequence usingconventional ($90^{\circ}$ view) and $45^{\circ}$ oblique-view imaging method through simulation of images with various resolutions and validated the criteria usingphantom images acquired by a 3.0T clinical MRI system. For a gradient-refocused echo (GRE) sequence, which is relatively more sensitive to field inhomogeneity, we used phase images to find the center of electrode. Results : There was least field inhomogeneity along the $45^{\circ}$ line that penetrated the center of the electrode. Therefore, our criteria for the TSE sequence with $45^{\circ}$ oblique-view was coincided regardless of susceptibility. And with $45^{\circ}$ oblique-view angle images, pixel shifts were bidirectional so we can detect the location of electrodes even in low resolution. For the GRE sequence, the $45^{\circ}$ oblique-view anglemethod madethe lines where field polarity changes become coincident to the Cartesian grid so the localization of the center coordinates was more facilitated. Conclusion : We suggested the method for accurate localization of electrode using $45^{\circ}$ oblique-view angle imaging. It is expected to be a novelmethodto monitoring an electrophysiological brain study and brain neurosurgery.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.328-340
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• 2019

Purpose: To generate phase images with free of motion-induced artifact and susceptibility-induced distortion using 3D radial ultrashort TE (UTE) MRI. Materials and Methods: The field map was theoretically derived by solving Laplace's equation with appropriate boundary conditions, and used to simulate the image distortion in conventional spin-warp MRI. Manufacturer's 3D radial imaging sequence was modified to acquire maximum number of radial spokes in a given time, by removing the spoiler gradient and sampling during both rampup and rampdown gradient. Spoke direction randomly jumps so that a readout gradient acts as a spoiling gradient for the previous spoke. The custom raw data was reconstructed using a homemade image reconstruction software, which is programmed using Python language. The method was applied to a phantom and in-vivo human brain and abdomen. The performance of UTE was compared with 3D GRE for phase mapping. Local phase mapping was compared with T₂* mapping using UTE. Results: The phase map using UTE mimics true field-map, which was theoretically calculated, while that using 3D GRE revealed both motion-induced artifact and geometric distortion. Motion-free imaging is particularly crucial for application of phase mapping for abdomen MRI, which typically requires multiple breathold acquisitions. The air pockets, which are caught within the digestive pathway, induce spatially varying and large background field. T₂* map, that was calculated using UTE data, suffers from non-uniform T₂* value due to this background field, while does not appear in the local phase map of UTE data. Conclusion: Phase map generated using UTE mimicked the true field map even when non-zero susceptibility objects were present. Phase map generated by 3D GRE did not accurately mimic the true field map when non-zero susceptibility objects were present due to the significant field distortion as theoretically calculated. Nonetheless, UTE allows for phase maps to be free of susceptibility-induced distortion without the use of any post-processing protocols.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2002

Conventional radiograph, computed tomograph (CT), magnetic resonance image (MRI) are commonly used methods for diagnosis of oro-maxillofacial cancer. MRI is an effective tool to verify soft tissue lesion however, metal produces black artifacts in the image. Therefore, metal structure should be removed before taking MRI to diagnose head and neck cancer patients. A 52-year-old female patient with adenocarcinoma in the posterior right soft palate was referred to take a MRI before surgery. She has 7-unit porcelain fused to metal bridge in the maxilla. Eight-unit Tagis-Vectris fixed partial denture was fabricated to replace her existing PFM bridge to take a MRI without any artifact before and after surgery. The patient satisfied with her restorations in terms of esthetics, function after 11 months. Even though minor staining was detected, Tagis-Vectris restoration fixed partial denture was intact during observation period.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.957-964
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• 2020

T2 FLAIR sequence of MRI in Acute Ischemic Stroke patients is meaningful to those who have the diagnosis of cerebral hemorrhage and neurological deficiency, including the detection of cerebral infarction around Cerebrospinal fluid. However, because of the long acquisition time and mutative motion artifacts caused by movement, It is difficult to take the MRI image acquisition for non-cooperative patients who need to apply a rapid image acquisition. In this study, we applied the EPI-FLAIR sequence, which is one of the fastest pulse sequences in use, which is a combination of EPI sequence and T2 FLAIR sequence, to patients with acute ischemic cerebral infarction. Based on the qualitative and quantitative evaluation results of the EPI-FLAIR and T2 FLAIR image, we will evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of the EPI-FLAIR sequence.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.413-419
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the role of bandwidth on the area of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) artifacts caused by orthodontic appliances composed of different alloys, using different pulse sequences in 1.5 T and 3.0 T magnetic fields. Materials and Methods: Different phantoms containing orthodontic brackets (ceramic, ceramic bracket with a stainless-steel slot, and stainless steel) were immersed in agar gel and imaged in 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI scanners. Pairs of gradient-echo (GE), spin-echo (SE), and ultrashort echo time (UTE) pulse sequences were used differing in bandwidth only. The area of artifacts from orthodontic devices was automatically estimated from pixel value thresholds within a region of interest (ROI). Mean values for similar pulse sequences differing in bandwidth were compared at 1.5 T and 3.0 T using analysis of variance. Results: The comparison of groups revealed a significant inverse association between bandwidth values and artifact areas of the stainless-steel bracket and the self-ligating ceramic bracket with a stainless-steel slot(P<0.05). The areas of artifacts from the ceramic bracket were the smallest, but were not reduced significantly in pulse sequences with higher bandwidth values(P<0.05). Significant differences were also observed between 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI using SE and UTE, but not using GE 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional pulse sequences. Conclusion: Higher receiver bandwidth might be indicated to prevent artifacts from orthodontic appliances in 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI using SE and UTE pulse sequences.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.975-982
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect on the phantom for magnetic resonance imaging located nearby by partially shielding RF with a mesh made thinner than hair composed of copper, black metal, and polyester using metallic materials of titanium, which are commonly used for esophageal stents and implants in the body. Magnetic resonance images according to field of view (FOV) were analyzed in the Spin Echo T1 weighted images of TR 500 ms, TE 20 ms, NEX 1, and slice thickness 5mm using a Cardiac coil of 3T Achieva X-series. Aliasing artifact did not occur in FOV 304 mm × 304 mm, but it occurred in 250 mm × 250 mm and 170 mm × 170 mm. In FOV 170 mm × 170 mm, when a mesh was not used, the SNR was measured with 78.23, and when separated by standing a mesh in the middle, it was 215.05, and when completely shielded with a mesh, the SNR was 366.44. In addition, when completely shielded with a mesh, the aliasing artifact was also removed, and signal intensities on the left, middle and right of the image were also able to obtain homogeneous images compared to the previous two cases. In conclusion, if RF is partially shielded with a mesh, aliasing artifact can be removed, and magnetic resonance images with excellent image resolution and homogeneity can be obtained using a small FOV.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 1998

Reconstruction aspects of spiral scan imaging for ultra fast magnetic resonance imagine(MRI) have been investigated with polar and rectangular coordinates-based reconstruction. For the reconstruction of the spiral scan imaging, acquired data in spiral trjectory should be converted to polar or rectangular grids, where interpolation techniques are used. Various reconstruction algorithms for spiral scan imaging are tested, and reconstructed image qualities are compared with computed phantom. An improved reconstruction algorithm with dc-offset correction in projection domain is proposed, which provides the best reconstructed image quality from the simulation. Image artifact with existing algorithms is completely removed with the proposed method.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.6284-6289
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• 2013

With the application of k-space trajectory in a different manner and analyzing the influence of noise and its direction, this study was conducted to obtain high-quality images with minimal influence of noise during an MRI examination for cerebrovascular disease, which has a low signal for imaging. To evaluate influence of the noise of different k-space trajectories, a linear Cartesian coordination trajectory and non-Cartesian coordination trajectory were applied to 38 people who had received a high-resolution MRI examination for the early detection of cerebrovascular disease. As a result, the non-Cartesian coordination trajectory showed a 43.32% lower signal of lumens in the internal carotid artery than a linear Cartesian coordination trajectory, and the noise level was also 50.19% lower in a non-Cartesian coordination trajectory. This result shows that noise occurs less in a non-Cartesian coordination trajectory than a linear Cartesian coordination trajectory, and a non-Cartesian coordination trajectory is more effective in low-signal and low-resolution MRI examination. Therefore, when performing high-resolution MRI examination with a low-signal cerebrovascular system, the use of non-Cartesian coordination k-space trajectory will minimize the influence of noise and provide good images.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2016

Purpose: To quantitatively and qualitatively compare fat-suppressed MRI quality using iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL) with that using frequency selective fat-suppression (FSFS) T2- and postcontrast T1-weighted fast spin-echo images of the head and neck at 3T. Materials and Methods: The study was approved by our Institutional Review Board. Prospective MR image analysis was performed in 36 individuals at a single-center. Axial fat suppressed T2- and postcontrast T1-weighted images with IDEAL and FSFS were compared. Visual assessment was performed by two independent readers with respect to; 1) metallic artifacts around oral cavity, 2) susceptibility artifacts around upper airway, paranasal sinus, and head-neck junction, 3) homogeneity of fat suppression, 4) image sharpness, 5) tissue contrast of pathologies and lymph nodes. The signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) for each image sequence were assessed. Results: Both IDEAL fat suppressed T2- and T1-weighted images significantly reduced artifacts around airway, paranasal sinus, and head-neck junction, and significantly improved homogeneous fat suppression in compared to those using FSFS (P < 0.05 for all). IDEAL significantly decreased artifacts around oral cavity on T2-weighted images (P < 0.05, respectively) and improved sharpness, lesion-to-tissue, and lymph node-to-tissue contrast on T1-weighted images (P < 0.05 for all). The mean SNRs were significantly improved on both T1- and T2-weighted IDEAL images (P < 0.05 for all). Conclusion: IDEAL technique improves image quality in the head and neck by reducing artifacts with homogeneous fat suppression, while maintaining a high SNR.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.213-217
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• 2015

To report problems found in a patient who has implemented stent implantation and then conducted a perfusion MRI using ASL(Arterial Spin Labeling), in order to suggest a solution to them. The perfusion MRI was conducted, using pCASL among ASL methods. Data from pCASL(Pseudo Continuous Arterial Spin Labeling) was acquired together with the structural image simply by changing position(labeling gap 15 mm, 170 mm) of the labeling pulse to avoid stent. Data was processed through the ASLtbx. When perfusion MRI was acquired using pCASL, it showed that the position of the conventional labeling pulse (labeling gap 24 mm) was overlapped with that of stent, which made signal intensity in right brain tissue appear as if it were void. When the labeling pulse was positioned (labeling gap 15 mm) to avoid stent, high signal intensity images were acquired. In labeling pulse (labeling gap 170 mm), the signal intensity was more reduced due to relaxation before labeled blood arrived at the imaging slice. pCASL can be stably repeated measurements because it does not use a contrast agent. And it should be selected with the appropriate image acquisition parameters for the high quality image.