• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2005

Purpose: To develop an advanced non-linear curve fitting (NLCF) algorithm for dynamic susceptibility contrast study of brain. Materials and Methods: The first pass effects give rise to spuriously high estimates of $K^{trans}$ in voxels with large vascular components. An explicit threshold value has been used to reject voxels. Results: By using this non-linear curve fitting algorithm, the blood perfusion and the volume estimation were accurately evaluated in T2*-weighted dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MR images. From the recalculated each parameters, perfusion weighted image were outlined by using modified non-linear curve fitting algorithm. This results were improved estimation of T2*-weighted dynamic series. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated an improvement of an estimation of kinetic parameters from dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data, using contrast agents. The advanced kinetic models include the relation of volume transfer constant $K^{trans}\;(min^{-1})$ and the volume of extravascular extracellular space (EES) per unit volume of tissue $\nu_e$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2008

Line scan diffusion weighted imaging (LSDI) pulse sequence for 0.32 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system was developed. In the LSDI pulse sequence, the imaging volume is formed by the intersection of the two perpendicular planes selected by the two slice-selective $\pi$/2-pulse and $\pi$-pulse and two diffusion sensitizing gradients placed on the both side of the refocusing $\pi$-pulse and the standard frequency encoding readout was followed. Since the maximum gradient amplitude for the MR system was 15 mT/m the maximum b value was $301.50s/mm^2$. Using the developed LSDI pulse sequence, the diffusion weighted images for the aqueous NaCl solution phantom and triacylglycerol solution phantom calculated from the line scan diffusion weighted images gives the same results within the standard error range (mean diffusivities = $963.90{\pm}79.83({\times}10^{-6}mm^2/s)$ at 0.32 T, $956.77{\pm}4.12({\times}10^{-6}mm^2/s)$ at 1.5 T) and the LSDI images were insensitive to the magnetic susceptibility difference and chemical shift.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the microstructural changes according to aging on the thickness and signal intensity (SI) of the cortical gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) on the T2-, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T1-weighted MR images in normal subjects. Materials and Methods : The 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 year age groups of men and women (each 10 individuals) who underwent routine brain MRI, including the T2-, FLAIR and T1-weighted images, were selected for this study. We measured the thickness and the SI of the cortical GM and WM at the postcentral gyrus, which has an even thickness at the level of centrum semiovale, on the axial scans and we calculated the mean values of the thickness ratio of the gray/white matter (TRGW) and the signal intensity ratio of the gray/white matter (SRGW), and we compared the ratios of each age group. Results : On the T2-weighted images, the TRGWs were 0.81 and 0.79 at the age of 10 and they were 0.73 and 0.71 at the age of 90 in the men and women, respectively. So, the GM thickness was decreased more than the WM thickness was with aging. On the FLAIR images, the TRGWs were 1.09 and 1.00 at the age of 10 and they were 1.11 and 0.95 at the age of 70 in the men and women, respectively. On the T1-weighted images, the TRGWs were 0.66 and 0.80 at the age of 10, and the ratio was changed to 0.90 and 0.78 at the age of 90 in the men and women, respectively. On the T2-weighted image, the SRGWs were 1.53 and 1.43 at the age of 10, and they were 1.23 and 1.27 at the age of 90 in the men and women, respectively. On the FLAIR images, the SRGWs were 1.23 and 1.25 at the age of 10 and they were 1.06 and 1.05 at the age of 90 in the men and women, respectively. On the T1-weighted images, the SRGWs were 0.86 and 0.85 at the age of 10, and they were 0.90 and 0.87 at the age of 90 in the men and women, respectively. Conclusion : We suggest that the age-related microstructural changes of the thickness and the SI of the cortical GM and WM on the T2-, FLAIR and T1-weighted images are unique, and so this knowledge will be helpful to differentiate neurodegenerative disease from normal aging of the brain.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.166-172
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• 2002

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) and quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps in the patients with spinal cord infarction. Materials and methods : We studied 6 patients presented symptoms with spinal cord infarction, retrospectively (3 men and 3 women). We obtained multi-shot echo planar-based, DWI using 1.5T MR scanner at 5.4 mean days after the onset of ischemic symptoms. In six patients, signal intensity was acquired at conventional b value $1000s/\textrm{mm}^2$). The ADC value for the normal spinal cord and for infarcted lesions was measured from the trace ADC maps by using regions of interest positioned over the spinal cord. We analyzed signal intensity of lesion on MRI and DWI, and compared with ADC values in infarcted lesions and normal site. Results : T1-weighted MR image showed isosignal intensity in four of six patients and low signal intensity in two of six. T2-weighted MR image demonstrated high signal intensity in all of six. All DWI were considered to be diagnostic. All of six depicted a bright signal intensity on DWI. ADC values of infarcted lesion were measured lower than that of normal spinal cord on ADC map. The differences in ADC values between infarcted and normal spinal cord were significantly different (p＜0.05). Conclusion : It is possible to obtain DWI and ADC map of the spinal cord and DWI may be useful in the early diagnosis and localization of lesion site in patients with spinal cord infarction.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2013

Purpose : To evaluate and compare the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) for detection and estimation of invasion depth of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) by correlation with histopathologic findings in vitro, and to find out the best MR pulse sequence for accurate delineation of tumor from surrounding normal tissue. Materials and Methods: Resected specimens of CRC from 45 patients were examined about tumor detectability and invasion depth of US using high frequency (5-17 MHz) linear transducer in a tube filled with normal saline and MRI in a 8-channel quadrate head coil. The institutional review board approved this study and informed consent was waived. MRI with seven pulse sequences of in- and out-of-phases gradient echo T1 weighted images, fast spin echo T2 weighted image and its fat suppression image, fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) and its fat suppression image, and diffusion weighted image (DWI) were performed. In each case, both imaging findings of MRI and US were evaluated independently for detection and estimation of invasion depth of tumor by consensus of two radiologists and were compared about diagnostic accuracy according to the histopathologic findings as reference standard. Seven MR pulse sequences were evaluated on the point of accurate delineation of tumor from surrounding normal tissue in each specimen. Results: In specimens of CRC, both imaging modalities of MRI (91.1%) and US (86.7%) showed relatively high diagnostic accuracy to detect tumor and evaluate invasion depth of tumor. In early CRC, diagnostic accuracy of US was 87.5% and that of MRI was 75.0%. There was no statistically significant difference between two imaging modalities (p > 0.05). The best pulse sequence among seven MR sequences for accurate delineation of tumor from surrounding normal tissue in each specimen of CRC was fast spin echo T2 weighted image. Conclusion: MRI and US show relatively high diagnostic accuracy to detect tumor and evaluate invasion depth of resected specimen of CRC. The most excellent pulse sequence of MRI for accurate delineation of tumor from surrounding normal tissue in CRC is fast spin echo T2 weighted image.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.277-280
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• 2006

Extracerebral cavernous hemangiomas are rare vascular tumors that are very difficult to remove because of severe intraoperative bleeding. We report a case of 57-year-old male with extracerebral cavernous hemangioma with review of 126 cases in the literature. Patient presented with blurred vision, diplopia, numbness on the left side of his face. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well defined mass of $3{\times}4{\times}3cm$ size with heterogenous iso-or hypointensity on T1-weighted image showing strong homogenous contrast enhancement and marked hyperintensity on T2-weighted image. Digital subtraction angiography[DSA] revealed a faint tumor blush by feeders from the left internal carotid artery[ICA] and left external carotid artery[ECA] in the delayed phase. Even with profuse intratumoral bleeding, near total removal was achieved. In addition to preoperative neurologic deficits such as ophthalmoplegia, facial numbness in the V1-2 dermatomes, ptosis appeared postoperatively.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.157-161
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• 2010

Primary central nervous system (CNS) melanoma is a rare condition that accounts for only 1% of all melanomas. A 34-year-old Korean female presented with a two-month history of progressive weakness in both legs. Spinal magnetic resonance image (MRI) revealed a spinal cord tumor at the level of T4, which was hyperintense on T1-weighted imaging and hypointense on T2-weighted imaging. The intradural and extramedullary tumor was completely resected and diagnosed as melanoma. There were no metastatic lesions. At three years after surgery, the patient is still alive, with no evidence of tumor recurrence. We present the details of this case along with a comprehensive review of spinal cord melanoma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of study was to evaluate the feasibility of brain magnetic resonance (MR) images of the rat obtained using a 1.5T MR machine in several blood-brain barrier (BBB) experiments. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. MR images were obtained using a clinical 1.5T MR machine. A microcatheter was introduced via the femoral artery to the carotid artery. Normal saline (group 1, n = 4), clotted autologous blood (group 2, n = 4), triolein emulsion (group 3, n = 4), and oleic acid emulsion (group 4, n = 4) were infused into the carotid artery through a microcatheter. Conventional and diffusion-weighted images, the apparent coefficient map, perfusion-weighted images, and contrast-enhanced MR images were obtained. Brain tissue was obtained and triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed in group 2. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran images and endothelial barrier antigen (EBA) studies were performed in group 4. Results : The MR images in group 1 were of good quality. The MR images in group 2 revealed typical findings of acute cerebral infarction. Perfusion defects were noted on the perfusion-weighted images. The MR images in group 3 showed vasogenic edema and contrast enhancement, representing vascular damage. The rats in group 4 had vasogenic edema on the MR images and leakage of dextran on the FITC-labeled dextran image, representing increased vascular permeability. The immune reaction was decreased on the EBA study. Conclusion : Clinical 1.5T MR images using a rat depicted many informative results in the present study. These results can be used in further researches of the BBB using combined clinical MR machines and immunohistochemical examinations.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.102-109
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• 2011

Purpose : To retrospectively evaluate the usefulness of diffusion-weighted images, ADC maps and conventional MR images for determination of brain tumor consistency. Materials and Methods : Twenty-three patients with brain tumor underwent MR examinations with T1, T2 and diffusion-weighted images. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn in the tumors, and the measured signal intensities (SI) were normalized with the contralateral side. We evaluated the correlation between SI ratios from various images and tumor consistency assessed at surgery. In three patients with both cystic and solid components, each component was evaluated independently. Qualitatively observed SIs were also correlated with tumor consistency. Results : Statistical analysis revealed significant correlation between tumor consistency and ADC ratio (r = -0.586, p = 0.002), SI ratios on T2-weighted images (r = -0.497, p = 0.010), and observed SIs on T2-weighted images (r = -0.461, p = 0.018). The relative ratio of ADC value correlated with tumor consistency most strongly. Conclusion : The measured ratio of ADC, SI ratio and observed SI grade on T2-weighted images can provide valuable information about the consistency of brain tumor.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2000

In this study, we showed a comparison and analysis making use of DWI(diffusion weighted image) using early diagnosis of cerebral Infarction and with the classified T2 weighted image, FLAIR images signal intensity for brain infarction period. period of cerebral infarction after the condition of a disease by ischemic stroke. To compare 3 types of image, we performed polynomial warping and affined transform for image matching. Using proposed algorithm, calculated signal intensity difference between T2WI, DWI, FLAIR and DWI. The quantification values between hand made and calculated data are almost the same. We quantified the each period and performed pseudo color mapping by comparing signal intensity each other according to previously obtained hand made data, and compared the result of this paper according to obtained quantified data to that of doctors decision. The examined mean and standard deviation for each brain infarction stage are as follows ; the means and standard deviations of signal intensity difference between DWI and T2WI for each period are $197.7{\pm}6.9$ in hyperacute, $110.2{\pm}5.4$ in acute, and $67.8{\pm}7.2$ in subacute. And the means and standard deviations of signal intensity difference between DWI and FLAIR for each period are $199.8{\pm}7.5$ in hyperacute, $115.3{\pm}8.0$ in acute, and $70.9{\pm}5.8$ in subacute. We can quantificate and decide cerebral infarction period objectively. According to this study, DWI is very exact for early diagnosis. We classified the period of infarction occurrence to analyze the region of disease and normal region in DW, T2WI, FLAIR images.