• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.56-59
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• 2002

A 28-year-old man presented with headache, fever, and myalgia. Subsequently, rapidly progressive quadriplegia with areflexia developed. CSF examination revealed moderate pleocytosis and protein elevation. MRI of brain and spinal cord showed hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted image at midbrain and ventral horns along the whole spinal cord. Serial serologic examinations of CSF for Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus were negative. Culture and neutralization tests of stool and CSF for enterovirus were negative. Although the etiologic pathogen was not identified, we diagnosed him as poliomyelitis-like syndrome by clinical features and findings of MRI.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.4816-4834
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• 2020

This paper proposes transfer learning and fine-tuning techniques for a deep learning model to detect three distinct brain tumors from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. In this work, the recent YOLOv4 model trained using a collection of 3064 T1-weighted Contrast-Enhanced (CE)-MRI scans that were pre-processed and labeled for the task. This work trained with the partial 29-layer YOLOv4-Tiny and fine-tuned to work optimally and run efficiently in most platforms with reliable performance. With the help of transfer learning, the model had initial leverage to train faster with pre-trained weights from the COCO dataset, generating a robust set of features required for brain tumor detection. The results yielded the highest mean average precision of 93.14%, a 90.34% precision, 88.58% recall, and 89.45% F1-Score outperforming other previous versions of the YOLO detection models and other studies that used bounding box detections for the same task like Faster R-CNN. As concluded, the YOLOv4-Tiny can work efficiently to detect brain tumors automatically at a rapid phase with the help of proper fine-tuning and transfer learning. This work contributes mainly to assist medical experts in the diagnostic process of brain tumors.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2004

Purpose : To evaluate changes in total cerebral blood flow (tCBF) with aging, parenchymal volume changes and vascular abnormalities, using 2 dimensional (D) phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC MRI). Materials and Methods : Routine brain MRI including T2 weighted image, time-of-flight (TOF) MR Angiography (MRA) and 2D PC MRI were performed in 73 individuals, including 12 volunteers. Normal subjects (12 volunteers, and 21 individuals with normal MRI and normal MRA) were classified into groups according to age (18-29, 30-49 and 50-66 years). For the group with abnormalities in brain MRIs, cerebral parenchymal volume changes were scored according to the T2 weighted images, and atherosclerotic changes were scored according to the MRA findings. Abnormal groups were classified into 4 groups: (i) mild reduction in volume, (ii) marked reduction in volume by parenchymal volume and atherosclerotic changes, and (iii) increased volume and (iv) Moya-moya disease. Volumetric flow was measured at the internal carotid artery (ICA) and vertebral artery bilaterally using the velocity-flow diagrams from PC MRI, and combined 4 vessel flows and tCBF were compared among all the groups. Results : The age-specific distribution of tCBFs in normal subjects were as follows: $12.0{\pm}2.1ml/sec$ in 18-29 years group, $11.8{\pm}1.9ml/sec$ in 30-49 years group, $10.9{\pm}2.2ml/sec$ in 50-66 years group. The distribution of tCBFs in the different subsets of the abnormal population were as follows: $9.5{\pm}2.5ml/sec$ in the group with mild reduction in volume, $7.6{\pm}2.0ml/sec$ in the group with marked reduction in volume, and $7.3{\pm}1.2ml/sec$ and $7.0{\pm}1.1ml/sec$ in the increased parenchymal volume and Moya-moya disease groups respectively. Conclusion : Total cerebral blood flow decreases with increasing age with a concomitant reduction in parenchymal volumes and increasing atherosclerotic changes. It is also reduced in the presence of increased parenchymal volume and Moya-moya disease.2D PC MRI can be used as a tool to evaluate tCBF with aging and in the presence of various conditions that can affect parenchymal volume and cerebral vasculature.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.123-131
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• 2020

Purpose: Joint label fusion (JLF) is a popular multi-atlas-based segmentation algorithm, which compensates for dependent errors that may exist between atlases. However, in order to get good segmentation results, it is very important to set the several free parameters of the algorithm to optimal values. In this study, we first investigate the feasibility of a JLF algorithm for prostate segmentation in MR images, and then suggest the optimal set of parameters for the automatic prostate segmentation by validating the results of each parameter combination. Materials and Methods: We acquired T2-weighted prostate MR images from 20 normal heathy volunteers and did a series of cross validations for every set of parameters of JLF. In each case, the atlases were rigidly registered for the target image. Then, we calculated their voting weights for label fusion from each combination of JLF's parameters (r_pxy, r_pz, r_sxy, r_sz, β). We evaluated the segmentation performances by five validation metrics of the Prostate MR Image Segmentation challenge. Results: As the number of voxels participating in the voting weight calculation and the number of referenced atlases is increased, the overall segmentation performance is gradually improved. The JLF algorithm showed the best results for dice similarity coefficient, 0.8495 ± 0.0392; relative volume difference, 15.2353 ± 17.2350; absolute relative volume difference, 18.8710 ± 13.1546; 95% Hausdorff distance, 7.2366 ± 1.8502; and average boundary distance, 2.2107 ± 0.4972; in parameters of r_pxy = 10, r_pz = 1, r_sxy = 3, r_sz = 1, and β = 3. Conclusion: The evaluated results showed the feasibility of the JLF algorithm for automatic segmentation of prostate MRI. This empirical analysis of segmentation results by label fusion allows for the appropriate setting of parameters.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.212-216
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• 2006

Neurocutaneous melanosis is a rare congenital syndrome characterized by the presence of large or multiple congenital melanocytic nevi and benign pigment cell tumors of the leptomeninges. Neurocutaneous melanosis is thought to represent an error in the morphogenesis of embryonal neuroectoderm. We experienced a neonate who presented with giant, dark colored pigmented nevi covering chest, abdomen, neck and arms, with satellite lesions. Magnetic resonance image showed a nodular hyperintense lesion in the amygdala of the right temporal lobe, and T1-weighted images showed hyperintensities in the adjacent leptomeninges. We report a rare case of neurocutaneous melanosis with a brief review of related literature.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.98-107
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• 2006

Magnetization Transfer (MT) imaging generates contrast dependent on the phenomenon of magnetization exchange between free water proton and restricted proton in macromolecules. In biological materials in knee, MT or cross-relaxation is commonly modeled using two spin pools identified by their different T2 relaxation times. Two models for cross-relaxation emphasize the role of proton chemical exchange between protons of water and exchangeable protons on macromolecules, as well as through dipole-dipole interaction between the water and macromolecule protons. The most essential tool in medical image manipulation is the ability to adjust the contrast and intensity. Thus, it is desirable to adjust the contrast and intensity of an image interactively in the real time. The proton density (PD) and T2-weighted SE MR images allow the depiction of knee structures and can demonstrate defects and gross morphologic changes. The PD- and T2-weighted images also show the cartilage internal pathology due to the more intermediate signal of the knee joint in these sequences. Suppression of fat extends the dynamic range of tissue contrast, removes chemical shift artifacts, and decreases motion-related ghost artifacts. Like fat saturation, phase sensitive methods are also based on the difference in precession frequencies of water and fat. In this study, phase sensitive methods look at the phase difference that is accumulated in time as a result of Larmor frequency differences rather than using this difference directly. Although how MT work was given with clinical evidence that leads to quantitative model for MT in tissues, the mathematical formalism used to describe the MT effect applies to explaining to evaluate knee disorder, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and meniscal tear. Calculation of the effect of the effect of the MT saturation is given in the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) which is a quantitative measure of the relative decrease in signal intensity due to the MT pulse.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.699-706
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• 2018

In this study, we measured signal intensities according to array coil position changes to provide reference data of coil directions and the distances as it deters image quality unless the coils are aligned properly. The multi-purpose MRI phantom was placed in body array coils, and it was moved to the top, bottom, left, and right directions by 2 cm from the center to 10 cm. After obtaining images, signal intensities were measured and compared. The results of this study were as follows: Except for the upward direction, the signal intensities of the reference signal was not significantly different from that of the reference signal intensity within 2cm in both T1 and T2-weighted images. In conclusion, in clinical circumstances which various challenges exist to align the coils exactly on the same lines, array coils should be positioned at least within 2 cm from the center except for the upward direction, on the same line to prevent the image qualities are lowered.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.101-107
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• 2000

Objectives : The evaluation of peripheral nerve injuries has traditionally relied on a clinical history, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic studies. The purpose of the present study was to examine serial magnetic resonance image(MRI) changes following acute muscle denervation under experimental conditions and to identify potential advantages and disadvantages of this use of MRI. Methods : An experimental transection of right sciatic nerve on Spargue-Dawley rats was performed. MRI was performed with T1-weighted spin-echo and STIR sequences. The imaging findings were compared with EMG in order to determine its sensitivity relative to this standard procedure. A simultaneous histopathological study provided information about the morphological basis of the imaging findings. Signal intensities were expressed as a ratio of abnormal to normal. Results : The signal intensity ratio of muscles with the STIR sequence was increased significantly at 2 weeks after sciatic nerve transection(p<0.05), although definite signal change was seen as early as 4 days postdenervation in one. EMG revealed significant denervation potential from 3 days after nerve transection. Diffuse cell atrophy was revealed hostologically at 2 weeks after transection, which was at the same time of significant signal change in MRI. Conclusion : MRI signal changes in denervated muscles secondary to nerve injury correlate with the degree of muscle atrophy on histologic examination. In addition to EMG, MRI can document the course of muscle atrophy and mesenchymal abnormalities in denervation. These results indicate that MRI can play a complementary role in the evaluation of patients with denervation.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.60-65
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• 1999

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the image quality, contrast characteristics, and possible clinical utility of Medium Tau Inversion Recovery(MTIR) sequence with white matter suppression in patients with brain cortical lesion. Materials and methods : Two normal volunteers and twenty-one patients with cortical lesion were scanned with MTIR as well as other MR imaging sequences. Gray-white matter contrast was evaluated objectively using region-of-interest calculations, including percent contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR). MTIR sequence was visually compared with other sequences in 21 patients with cortical lesion including conspicuity and detection rate. Results : MTIR sequence had the highest present contrast and CNR between the gray matter and white matter. In twenty-one cases of cortical lesion including cortical dysplasia, MTIR sequence improved delineation and conspicuity of lesion, but MTIR sequence could not detect new lesions. Conclusion : The MTIR sequence well delineated the cortical lesions, particularly in including cortical dysplasia. It may be used as an adjunctive imaging sequence in case of poor gray and white matter differentiation with conventional T1-weighted sequences.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.615-621
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare chronic LBP patients and asymptomatic subjects on measures of multifidus size (cross-sectional area;CSA, thickness) and symmetry (proportional difference of relatively larger side to smaller side). Methods : Data were obtained from 12 asymptomatic subjects without a prior history of LBP (8 females, 4 males), and a retrospective audit was undertaken of records from 12 chronic low back pain patients (8 females, 4 males). CSA and Thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscles was measured from axial T1-weighted magnetic resonance images(MRI). Results : The results of the analysis showed that chronic LBP patients had significantly smaller multifidus CSA and thickness than asymptomatic subjects at L4-5 vertebral levels(p<.05). The asymmetry between sides was seen at L4- L5 vertebral level in patients with chronic low back pain presentations(p<.05). Conclusions : MRI provided a quantitative measure of change between asymptomatic subjects and chronic low back pain patients of multifidus muscle. MRI identified significant differences in cross-sectional area and thickness and helps to evaluate clinically and plan the treatment modalities of LBP.