• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.10 no.7
• /
• pp.545-550
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to improve the mapping between functional image and conventional image by using rectangular FOV technique. Diffusion weighted imaging which is widely used for stroke was acquired by reducing the FOV and compared each Apparent Diffusion Coefficient(ADC). As a result, there is no significant difference of each ADC value in one-way-anova analysis and post-hoc analysis. Thus, Mismatching problem may be improved by matching the FOV with rectangular FOV technique because there is no difference in ADC values.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.73-78
• /
• 2010

This study attempted to examine whether the propeller diffusion weighted image method may remove magnetic susceptibility artifacts caused by metallic materials. A comparison of occurrence rates of magnetic susceptibility artifacts in the four regions, both temporal lobes, pons, and orbit, between b = 0 and b = 1,000 s/mm2 images was made after obtaining echo-planar diffusion weighted image, propeller diffusion weighted image, and ADC map images, respectively, from a total of 20 patients who had MRI shots taken of their brain and were found to be with retained metallic foreign bodies within their teeth using a 3.0T MR scanner. In the case of echo-planar diffusion weighted image technique, the presence of metallic materials may bring in some limits on accurate diagnosis due to magnetic susceptibility artifacts, while the propeller diffusion weighted image technique where magnetic susceptibility artifacts decrease is expected to be more useful in ensuring accurate diagnosis in the clinical context.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.108-118
• /
• 2013

Currently, an arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique does not routinely used in clinical studies to measure perfusion in brain because optimization of imaging protocol is required to obtain optimal perfusion signals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate changes of perfusion-weighed signal intensities with varying several parameters on a pulsed arterial spin labeling MRI technique obtained from a 3T MRI system. We especially evaluated alternations of ASL-MRI signal intensities on special brain areas, including in brain tissues and lobes. The signal targeting with alternating radiofrequency (STAR) pulsed ASL method was scanned on five normal subjects (mean age: 36 years, range: 29~41 years) on a 3T MRI system. Four parameters were evaluated with varying: 1) the labeling gap, 2) the labeling delay time, 3) the labeling thickness, and 4) the slice scan order. Signal intensities were obtained from the perfusion-weighted imaging on the gray and white matters and brain lobes of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital areas. The results of this study were summarized: 1) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were decreased with increasing the labeling gap in the bilateral gray matter areas and were least affected on the parietal lobe, but most affected on the occipital lobe. 2) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were decreased with increasing the labeling delay time until 400 ms, but increased up to 1,000 ms in the bilateral gray matter areas. 3) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were increased with increasing the labeling thickness until 120 mm in both the gray and white matter. 4) Perfusion-weighted signal intensities were higher descending scans than asending scans in both the gray and white matter. We investigated changes of perfusion-weighted signal intensities with varying several parameters in the STAR ASL method. It should require having protocol optimization processing before applying in patients. It has limitations to apply the ASL method in the white matter on a 3T MRI system.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 2007

Purpose: To acquire high-resolution spiral-scan images at higher magnetic field, high homogeneous magnetic field is needed. Field inhomogeneity mapping and in-vivo shimming are important for rapid imaging such as spiral-scan imaging. The rapid scanning sequences are very susceptible to inhomogeneity. In this paper, we proposed a higher-order shimming method to obtain homogeneous magnetic field. Materials and Methods: To reduce measurement time for field inhomogeneity mapping, simultaneous axial/ sagittal, and coronal acquisitions are done using multi-slice based Fast Spin echo sequence. Acquired field inhomogeneity map is analyzed using the spherical harmonic functions, and shim currents are obtained by the multiplication of the pseudo-inverse of the field pattern with the inhomogeneity map. Results: Since the field inhomogeneity is increasing in proportion to the magnetic field, higher order shimming to reduce the inhomogeneity becomes more important in high field imaging. The shimming technique in which axial, sagittal, and coronal section inhomogeneity maps are obtained in one scan is developed, and the shimming method based on the analysis of spherical harmonics of the imhomogenity map is applied. The proposed technique is applicable to a localized shimming as well. High resolution spiral-scan imaging was successfully obtained with the proposed higher order shimming. Conclusion: Proposed pulse sequence for rapid measurement of inhomogeneity map and higher order shimming based on the inhomogeneity map work very well at 3 Tesla MRI system. With the proposed higher order shimming and localized higher order shimming techniques, high resolution spiral-scan images are successfully obtained at 3 T MRI system.

• Investigative and Clinical Urology
• /
• v.59 no.6
• /
• pp.363-370
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe the technique and to report early results of transperineal magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography (MRI-US) fusion biopsy. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 patients underwent MRI-US fusion transperineal biopsy. Targeted biopsy via MRI-US fusion imaging was carried out for cancer-suspicious lesions with additional systematic biopsy. Detection rates for overall and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) were evaluated and compared between systematic and targeted biopsy. In addition, further investigation into the detection rate according to prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) score was done. Results of repeat biopsies were also evaluated. Results: Overall cancer detection rate was 61.3% (46 patients) and the detection rate for csPCa was 42.7% (32 patients). Overall detection rates for systematic and targeted biopsy were 41.3% and 57.3% (p<0.05), respectively. Detection rates for csPCa were 26.7% and 41.3%, respectively (p<0.05). The cancer detection rates via MRI fusion target biopsy were 30.8% in PI-RADS 3, 62.1% in PI-RADS 4 and 89.4% in PI-RADS 5. Rates of csPCa missed by targeted biopsy and systematic biopsy were 0.0% and 25.0%, respectively. The cancer detection rate in repeat biopsies was 61.1% (11 among 18 patients) in which 55.5% of cancer suspected lesions were located in the anterior portion. Conclusions: Transperineal MRI-US fusion biopsy is useful for improving overall cancer detection rate and especially detection of csPCa. Transperineal MRI-US targeted biopsy show potential benefits to improve cancer detection rate in patients with high PIRADS score, tumor located at the anterior portion and in repeat biopsies.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.173-178
• /
• 1999

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of functional MRI (fMRI) of visual cortex in patients with ischemic infarction in the occipital lobe. Materials and Methods : Four patients with the symptoms and signs of visual cortical ischemia were included. Functional MRI was performed by 2D-FLASH technique with the parameter of 90/56msec TR/TE, $40^{\circ}$ flip angle, $240{\times}240{\;}FOV,{\;}64{\times}128$ matrix number, 8.32 seconds acquisition time, 8mm slice thickness. An axial slice including both visual cortices was selected and alternative activation and resting of the visual cortex was performed using red color photostimulator. all patients undertook visual field test, and vascular abnormality was examined by MRA (n=4) and DSA (n=2). fMRI results were compared with the results of a visual field test, conventional MRI and cerebral angiography. Results : On fMRI, decreased activity of the visual cortex was found in the occipital lobe corresponding to stenosis of the posterior cerebral artery or its branch noted on angiogram. However, 2 of 4 patients showed no abnormal findings on conventional MRI. Visual field defect was noted in 3 patients, one and of whom showed no abnormality on conventional MRI and diffusion-weighted image, but revealed decreased activity in the corresponding visual cortex on fMRI. Conclusion : fMRI may be a sensitive method for detection of the status of decreased blood flow or vascular reserve which other methods can not.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2019

It was reported that there were some cases in which signal was not inhibited but high signal appeared in cerebrospinal fluid on FLAIR(fluid attenuated inversion recovery) of MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in case a person inhales high-concentration oxygen. This study was to prepare basic database. We produced a phantom fixed with agar gel and by using it, obtained the images of the signals of normal saline into which oxygen was injected and normal saline diluted with contrast media by changing the TI(Inversion Time) of FLAIR technique and analyzed them. In the result of FLAIR technique of MRI using Philips Achieva MR 3.0T in Busan P Hospital, the SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio) of normal saline into which oxygen was injected was higher than the SNR of normal saline into which oxygen was not injected. However, it was not higher than the SNR of normal saline diluted with contrast media. In the TI 1,800ms, we could obtain the images which do not have the rise of the signal due to oxygen. In the CNR(Contrast to Noise Ratio) of normal saline into which oxygen was injected and normal saline diluted with contrast media as well, it was higher in the TI 1,800ms than in the TI 2,800ms that is mainly used clinically. It is thought that the result of this study could be basic database for studies on change of signal of cerebrospinal fluid as a result of injection of oxygen in FLAIR technique of MRI.

• Journal of Magnetics
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.145-152
• /
• 2012

Patients who underwent hip arthroplasty using the conventional fat suppression technique (CHESS) and a new technique (IDEAL) were compared quantitatively to assess the effectiveness and usefulness of the IDEAL technique. In 20 patients who underwent hip arthroplasty from March 2009 to December 2010, fat suppression T2 and T1 weighted images were obtained on a 3.0T MR scanner using the CHESS and IDEAL techniques. The level of distortion in the area of interest, the level of the development of susceptibility artifacts, and homogeneous fat suppression were analyzed from the acquired images. Quantitative analysis revealed the IDEAL technique to produce a lower level of image distortion caused by the development of susceptibility artifacts due to metal on the acquired images compared to the CHESS technique. Qualitative analysis of the anterior area revealed the IDEAL technique to generate fewer susceptibility artifacts than the CHESS technique but with homogeneous fat suppression. In the middle area, the IDEAL technique generated fewer susceptibility artifacts than the CHESS technique but with homogeneous fat suppression. In the posterior area, the IDEAL technique generated fewer susceptibility artifacts than the CHESS technique. Fat suppression was not statistically different, and the two techniques achieved homogeneous fat suppression. In conclusion, the IDEAL technique generated fewer susceptibility artifacts caused by metals and less image distortion than the CHESS technique. In addition, homogeneous fat suppression was feasible. In conclusion, the IDEAL technique generates high quality images, and can provide good information for diagnosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.135-143
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Low back pain(LBP) is a common disabling disease in clinical practice and loss of working hours due to this condition is huge. The aim of this study was to determine if there was an association between fat deposit of paraspinal muscles as observed on MRI scans in patients presenting with unilateral LBP. Methods : 24 patients who visiting our hospital with a clinical presentation of unilateral LBP were recruited to the study. Patients were between 20 and 30 years and had a history of unilateral LBP within 12 months. After MRI scaning, the images were saved in DICOM file format for Picture Archiving and Communication System(PACS). The percentage of fat infiltrated area was measured using a pseudocoloring technique. Data were analyzed comparing the fat deposits of the muscles on the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides. Paired t-test was used to find the difference between the measurements of fat tissue in individual patients. Results : The amount of fat in the symptomatic side was $7.6{\pm}4.51%$, asymptomatic side was $6.7{\pm}4.29%$. There were increases, statistically significant, in the fat changes of the paraspinal muscles at the L4-5 disc level(P <0.05). Also, men were likely than women to have more fat deposit in symptomatic side(men $8.5{\pm}5.1%$, women $6.5{\pm}3.6%$). Conclusions : The amount of fat in the symptomatic side shows significantly increased than asymptomatic side in the paraspinal muscles at the L4-5 disc level. It suggested that fat infiltration in the muscles associated with LBP. Further studies will be needed to confirm the relationship between the muscle fatty changes and LBP in the large sample size. In addition, the correlation of pain severity with fat infiltration needs to be addressed.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2018

Purpose Respiratory motion during PET/MRI acquisition may result in image blurring and error in measurement for volume and quantification of lesion. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of quantitative accuracy, tumor size and image quality by applying MR based respiratory motion correction technique (MBRMCT) using integrated PET/MR scanner. Materials and Methods Data of 30 patients (aged $62.5{\pm}10.2y$) underwent $^{18}F-FDG$ liver PET/MR (Biograph mMR 3.0T, Siemens) study were collected. PET listmode data for 7 minutes was simultaneously acquired with maximum average gate (MAG), minimum time gate (MTG) and non gate (NG) T1 weighted MR images. Gated PET reconstruction was performed using mu-maps generated from MAG and MTG by setting 35% of efficiency window. Maximum SUV ($SUV_{max}$), peak SUV ($SUV_{peak}$), tumor size and full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the z-axis direction of MAG, MTG and NG PET images were evaluated. Results Compared to NG, mean $SUV_{max}$ and $SUV_{peak}$ were increased in MAG 13.15%(p<0.0001), 8.66%(p<0.0001), MTG 13.27%(p<0.0001), 8.80%(p<0.0001) and mean tumor size and FWHM were decreased in MAG 14.47%(p<0.0001), 15.49%(p=0.0004), MTG 14.89%(p<0.0001), 15.79%(p=0.0003) respectively. Mean $SUV_{max}$ and $SUV_{peak}$ of MTG were increased by 0.07%(p=0.8802), 0.13%(p=0.7766). Mean tumor size and FWHM of MTG were decreased by 0.49%(p=0.2786), 0.36%(p=0.2488) compared to MAG. There was no statistically significant difference between MAG and MTG which increase total scan time for about 7 and 2 minutes. Conclusion SUV, accuracy of tumor size and spatial resolution were improved in both of MAG and MTG by applying MBRMCT without installing additional hardware in liver PET/MR study. More accurate information can be provided with the increase of 2 minutes scan time if applying MTG of MBRMCT to various abdominal PET/MR studies affected by respiratory motion.