• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.20-27
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• 2017

Purpose: To evaluate quantification results of single breath-hold (SBH) magnetic resonance (MR) cine imaging compared to results of conventional multiple breath-hold (MBH) technique for left ventricular (LV) function in patients with cardiac arrhythmia. Materials and Methods: MR images of patients with arrhythmia who underwent MBH and SBH cine imaging at the same time on a 1.5T MR scanner were retrospectively reviewed. Both SBH and MBH cine imaging were performed with balanced steady state free precession. SBH scans were acquired using temporal parallel acquisition technique (TPAT). Fifty patients ($65.4{\pm}12.3years$, 72% men) were included. End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), myocardial mass, and LV regional wall motion were evaluated. Results: EF, myocardial mass, and regional wall motion were not significantly different between SBH and MBH acquisition techniques (all P-values > 0.05). EDV, ESV, and SV were significant difference between the two techniques. These parameters for SBH cine imaging with TPAT tended to lower than those in MBH. EF and myocardial mass of SBH cine imaging with TPAT showed good correlation with values of MBH cine imaging in Passing-Bablok regression charts and Bland-Altman plots. However, SBH imaging required significantly shorter acquisition time than MBH cine imaging ($15{\pm}7sec$ vs. $293{\pm}104sec$, P < 0.001). Conclusion: SBH cine imaging with TPAT permits shorter acquisition time with assessment results of global and regional LV function comparable to those with MBH cine imaging in patients with arrhythmia.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.119-128
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• 2007

목적 : 이 연구는 낮은 b값의 SSFP-확산강조영상에 의한 물분자의 확산 성질 측정이 가능한지를 알기 위한 모형연구를 하고 이 기법이 골수질환에 적용이 가능한 가를 아는 것이 목적이다. 재료 및 방법: 모형 연구：순수한 물로 구성된 모형에서 확산강조 영상을 시행하였다. 섭씨 3도, 23도 그리고 63도의 순수한 물로 구성된 모형에서 SSFP 확산강조영상과 echo plannar imaging (EPI) 확산강조영상 (b값: $1000s/mm^2$)을 모두 시행하여 각각에서 신호 대 잡음 비 (SNR; signal to noise ratio)와 확산계수를 얻었다. 임상 연구 : 10명의 천골 부족 골절, 10명의 골다공증에 의한 급성 요추 압박골절, 그리고 전이암에 의한 요추 압박골절 8명에서 각각 SSFP 확산강조영상을 시행하였다. SSFP 확산 강조영상 외 확산계수를 측정하기 위해 single shot stimulated echo-acquisition mode sequence 를 이용한 확산강조영상을 시행하였다. 결과: 모형연구에서 EPI 확산 강조영상뿐만 아니라 SSFP 확산강조영상에서 물의 온도가 증가됨에 따라 신호강도의 감소를 보였다. EPI-확산계수 영상에서 확산계수 값은 3도의 물은 $0.13{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/s$, 23도는 $0.22{\times}10^{-3}mm2/s$ 그리고 63도에서 $0.37{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/s$를 나타냈다. 이러한 결과는 SSFP 기법은 비록 낮은 b 값을 가지지만 확산 강조 영상으로 확신된다. SSFP 확산강조영상에서 모든 천골 부족 골절과 골다공증 척추 압박골절은 높은 확산계수를 의미하는 저신호강도를 전이암에 의한 압박골절은 낮은 확산 값을 나타내는 고신호 강도를 보였다. 결론 : SSFP 확산강조영상에서 다른 확산계수를 가진 골수질환이 영상화 되었으며 모든 양성골절은 주위 정상 골수에 비해 저신호강도, 악성 종양에 의한 골절은 고신호강도로 관찰되었다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권12호
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• pp.1221-1231
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• 2023

Objective: To clinically validate the feasibility and accuracy of cine images acquired through the multitasking method, with no electrocardiogram gating and free-breathing, in measuring left ventricular (LV) function indices by comparing them with those acquired through the balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) method, with multiple breath-holds and electrocardiogram gating. Materials and Methods: Forty-three healthy volunteers (female:male, 30:13; mean age, 23.1 ± 2.3 years) and 36 patients requiring an assessment of LV function for various clinical indications (female:male, 22:14; 57.8 ± 11.3 years) were enrolled in this prospective study. Each participant underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the multiple breath-hold bSSFP method and free-breathing multitasking method. LV function parameters were measured for both MRI methods. Image quality was assessed through subjective image quality scores (1 to 5) and calculation of the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the myocardium and blood pool. Differences between the two MRI methods were analyzed using the Bland-Altman plot, paired t-test, or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, as appropriate. Results: LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was not significantly different between the two MRI methods (P = 0.222 in healthy volunteers and P = 0.343 in patients). LV end-diastolic mass was slightly overestimated with multitasking in both healthy volunteers (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 60.5 ± 10.7 g vs. 58.0 ± 10.4 g, respectively; P < 0.001) and patients (69.4 ± 18.1 g vs. 66.8 ± 18.0 g, respectively; P = 0.003). Acceptable and comparable image quality was achieved for both MRI methods (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 4.5 ± 0.7 vs. 4.6 ± 0.6, respectively; P = 0.203). The CNR between the myocardium and blood pool showed no significant differences between the two MRI methods (18.89 ± 6.65 vs. 18.19 ± 5.83, respectively; P = 0.480). Conclusion: Multitasking-derived cine images obtained without electrocardiogram gating and breath-holding achieved similar image quality and accurate quantification of LVEF in healthy volunteers and patients.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.81-87
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• 2016

Purpose: To analyze the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) diffusion-weighted (DW) PSIF (reversed FISP [fast imaging with steady-state free precession]) sequence in order to evaluate peripheral nerves in the elbow. Materials and Methods: Ten normal, asymptomatic volunteers were enrolled (6 men, 4 women, mean age 27.9 years). The following sequences of magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the elbow were obtained using a 3.0-T machine: 3D DW PSIF, 3D T2 SPACE (sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution) with SPAIR (spectral adiabatic inversion recovery) and 2D T2 TSE (turbo spin echo) with modified Dixon (m-Dixon) sequence. Two observers used a 5-point grading system to analyze the image quality of the ulnar, median, and radial nerves. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of each nerve were measured. We compared 3D DW PSIF images with other sequences using the Wilcoxon-signed rank test and Friedman test. Inter-observer agreement was measured using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. Results: The mean 5-point scores of radial, median, and ulnar nerves in 3D DW PSIF (3.9/4.2/4.5, respectively) were higher than those in 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR (1.9/2.8/2.8) and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon (1.7/2.8/2.9) sequences (P < 0.05). The mean SNR in 3D DW PSIF was lower than 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR, but there was no difference between 3D DW PSIF and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon in all of the three nerves. The mean CNR in 3D DW PSIF was lower than 3D T2 SPACE SPAIR and 2D T2 TSE m-Dixon in the median and ulnar nerves, but no difference among the three sequences in the radial nerve. Conclusion: The three-dimensional DW PSIF sequence may be feasible to evaluate the peripheral nerves around the elbow in MR imaging. However, further optimization of the image quality (SNR, CNR) is required.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.200-206
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• 2013

목적: 자기공명 심장영상을 이용한 좌심실 파라미터 측정에 있어, 자동화 방식을 적용하였을 경우에 나타나는 효과를 분석하고 이를 수동 및 반자동 방식을 적용했을 경우 나타나는 결과와 비교하였다. 대상과 방법: 1.5T 자기공명 심장영상 촬영을 시행한 62명의 환자를 대상으로, 심장 주기당 20상의 단축 항정상태 자유세차 동영상과 심첨2방 및 심첨4방 영상을 얻었다. 심내막 경계와 심외막 경계를 수동, 자동, 반자동 방식으로 각각 구하여 이를 바탕으로 이완말기와 수축말기 용적, 박출 계수, 일회 박출량, 좌심실 질량을 계산하고 각 방식간 평균값 차이를 일원분산분석법을 이용 통계적 분석하였다. 결과: 이완말기와 수축말기 용적의 경우에는 세 방식으로 측정한 결과는 통계적으로 유의하게 다르지 않았다. (P = .399 and .145). 그러나, 박출 계수, 일회 박출량, 좌심실 질량의 경우에는 통계적으로 유의하게 다르게 나타났으며 (P=.001, < 001, < 001) 자동화 방식으로 측정한 측정치가 다른 두 방식에 비해 일관되게 큰 결과치를 보였다. 결론: 자동화 방식을 적용하여 측정한 좌심실의 박출 계수, 일회 박출량, 좌심실 질량의 측정치는 수동, 반자동 방식에 비해 과장된 값을 나타낸다. 자동화 방식으로 많은 노력을 절감할 수 있으나, 임상적으로 민감한 케이스에 대해서는 이에 더하여 수동적 교정을 고려해야 할 것이다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권8호
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• pp.1266-1278
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• 2021

Objective: We aimed to compare the aortic valve area (AVA) calculated using fast high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) image acquisition with that of the conventional two-dimensional (2D) cine MR technique. Materials and Methods: We included 139 consecutive patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 68.5 ± 9.4 years) with aortic valvular stenosis (AS) and 21 asymptomatic controls (52.3 ± 14.2 years). High-resolution T2-prepared 3D steady-state free precession (SSFP) images (2.0 mm slice thickness, 10 contiguous slices) for 3D planimetry (3DP) were acquired with a single breath hold during mid-systole. 2D SSFP cine MR images (6.0 mm slice thickness) for 2D planimetry (2DP) were also obtained at three aortic valve levels. The calculations for the effective AVA based on the MR images were compared with the transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) measurements using the continuity equation. Results: The mean AVA ± SD derived by 3DP, 2DP, and TTE in the AS group were 0.81 ± 0.26 cm², 0.82 ± 0.34 cm², and 0.80 ± 0.26 cm², respectively (p = 0.366). The intra-observer agreement was higher for 3DP than 2DP in one observer: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-0.97) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82-0.91), respectively, for observer 1 and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.96-0.98) and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97-0.99), respectively, for observer 2. Inter-observer agreement was similar between 3DP and 2DP, with the ICC of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.89-0.94) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88-0.93), respectively. 3DP-derived AVA showed a slightly higher agreement with AVA measured by TTE than the 2DP-derived AVA, with the ICC of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82-0.91) vs. 0.85 (95% CI, 0.79-0.89). Conclusion: High-resolution 3D MR image acquisition, with single-breath-hold SSFP sequences, gave AVA measurement with low observer variability that correlated highly with those obtained by TTE.