• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.209-217
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• 2021

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) plays an important role in accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning for patients with arterial disease. Contrast-enhanced (CE) MRA is fast and robust, offering hemodynamic information of arterial flow, but involves the risk of a side effect called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Various non-contrast-enhanced (NCE) MRA techniques have been developed by utilizing the fact that arterial blood is moving fast compared to background tissues. NCE MRA is completely free of any safety issues, but has different drawbacks for various approaches. This review article describes basic principles of CE and NCE MRA techniques with a focus on how to generate angiographic image contrast from a pulse sequence perspective. Advantages, pitfalls, and key applications are also discussed for each MRA method.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.86-90
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• 2013

Various methods have been proposed for enhancing the contrast of laser speckle contrast image (LSCI) in subcutaneous blood flow measurements. However, the LSCI still suffers from low image contrast due to tissue turbidity. Herein, a physicochemical tissue optical clearing (PCTOC) method was employed to enhance the contrast of LSCI. Ex vivo and in vivo experiments were performed with porcine skin samples and male ICR mice, respectively. The ex vivo LSCIs were obtained before and 90 min after the application of the PCTOC and in vivo LSCIs were obtained for 60 min after the application of the PCTOC. In order to obtain the skin recovery images, saline was applied for 30 min after the application of the PCTOC was completed. The visible appearance of the tubing under ex vivo samples and the in vivo vasculature gradually enhanced over time. The LSCI increased as a function of time after the application of the PCTOC in both ex vivo and in vivo experiments, and properly recovered to initial conditions after the application of saline in the in vivo experiment. The LSCI combined with the PCTOC was greatly enhanced even in deep vasculature. It is expected that similar results will be obtained in in vivo human studies.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.2.1-2.10
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• 2021

Background: Diseases related to cerebrospinal fluid flow, such as hydrocephalus, syringomyelia, and Chiari malformation, are often found in small dogs. Although studies in human medicine have revealed a correlation with cerebrospinal fluid flow in these diseases by magnetic resonance imaging, there is little information and no standard data for normal dogs. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to obtain cerebrospinal fluid flow velocity data from the cerebral aqueduct and subarachnoid space at the foramen magnum in healthy beagle dogs. Methods: Six healthy beagle dogs were used in this experimental study. The dogs underwent phase-contrast and time-spatial labeling inversion pulse magnetic resonance imaging. Flow rate variations in the cerebrospinal fluid were observed using sagittal time-spatial labeling inversion pulse images. The pattern and velocity of cerebrospinal fluid flow were assessed using phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging within the subarachnoid space at the foramen magnum level and the cerebral aqueduct. Results: In the ventral aspect of the subarachnoid space and cerebral aqueduct, the cerebrospinal fluid was characterized by a bidirectional flow throughout the cardiac cycle. The mean ± SD peak velocities through the ventral and dorsal aspects of the subarachnoid space and the cerebral aqueduct were 1.39 ± 0.13, 0.32 ± 0.12, and 0.76 ± 0.43 cm/s, respectively. Conclusions: Noninvasive visualization of cerebrospinal fluid flow movement with magnetic resonance imaging was feasible, and a reference dataset of cerebrospinal fluid flow peak velocities was obtained through the cervical subarachnoid space and cerebral aqueduct in healthy dogs.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.301-306
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• 2019

Purpose: This report presents a procedure for performing power Doppler ultrasound-guided sialography using the phenomenon of increased blood flow and illustrates its application to practical patient cases. Materials and Methods: The salivary gland was scanned using ultrasound equipment (GE LOGIQ5 Expert^® device; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI, USA) to identify pathological findings related to the patient's chief complaint. To identify the orifice of the main duct, it should be cannulated using a lacrimal dilator. After inserting the catheter into the cannulated main duct, the position of the catheter within the duct was confirmed by ultrasound. A contrast agent was injected until the patient felt fullness, and ultrasound (B-mode) was used to confirm whether the contrast agent filled the main canal and secondary and tertiary ducts. Then, power Doppler ultrasound was performed to determine whether the salivary gland had increased blood flow. Results: In 2 cases in this report, a power Doppler ultrasound scan showed a significant increase in blood flow after contrast medium injection, which was not observed on a preoperative scan. Conclusion: Power Doppler ultrasound was found to be a simple, safe, and effective tool for real-time sialography monitoring.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.339-345
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• 2021

Background: Ultrasound-guided caudal epidural injection (CEI) is limited in that it cannot confirm drug distribution at the target site without fluoroscopy. We hypothesized that visualization of solution flow through the inter-laminar space of the lumbosacral spine using color Doppler ultrasound alone would allow for confirmation of drug distribution. Therefore, we aimed to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of this method by comparing the color Doppler image in the paramedian sagittal oblique view of the lumbosacral spine (LS-PSOV) with the distribution of the contrast medium observed during fluoroscopy. Methods: Sixty-five patients received a 10-mL CEI of solution containing contrast medium under ultrasound guidance. During injection, flow was observed in the LSPSOV using color Doppler ultrasonography, following which it was confirmed using fluoroscopy. The presence of contrast image at L5-S1 on fluoroscopy was defined as "successful CEI." We then calculated prediction accuracy for successful CEI using color Doppler ultrasonography in the LS-PSOV. We also investigated the correlation between the distribution levels measured via color Doppler and fluoroscopy. Results: Prediction accuracy with color Doppler ultrasonography was 96.9%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 96.7%, 100%, 100%, and 60.0%, respectively. In 52 of 65 patients (80%), the highest level at which contrast image was observed was the same for both color Doppler ultrasonography and fluoroscopy. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that color Doppler ultrasonography in the LS-PSOV is a new method for determining whether a drug solution reaches the lumbosacral region (i.e., the main target level) without the need for fluoroscopy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.125-131
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• 2018

Background: The thoracic transforaminal epidural block (TTFEB) is usually performed to treat herpes zoster or postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Especially, multiple segmental involvements and approximate contrast medium spread range, according to volume, help to choose the proper drug volume in the transforaminal epidural block. This study investigated the contrast medium spread patterns of 1-ml to 3-ml TTFEBs. Methods: A total of 26 patients with herpes zoster or PHN were enrolled in this study. All participants received 1 ml, 2 ml, or 3 ml of contrast medium. Results were divided into Groups A, B and C based on the volume (1, 2, or 3 ml), with n = 26 for each group. After the injection of contrast medium, the spread levels were estimated in both the lateral and anteroposterior (AP) images using fluoroscopy. Results: The cephalad spread of contrast medium in the lateral image as expressed by the median (interquartile range) was 2.00 levels (1.00-2.00) for Group A, 2.50 (2.00-3.00) for Group B, and 3.00 (2.00-4.00) for Group C. The caudal spread level of contrast medium was 1.00 (1.00-2.00) for Group A, 2.00 (2.00-3.00) for Group B, and 2.00 (2.00-3.00) for Group C. There was ventral and dorsal spread of the 3-ml contrast medium injection in 88% (23/26) of cases in the lateral image. Conclusions: Injection of 3 ml of contrast medium through the foramina spread 6 levels in a cephalocaudal direction. Spread patterns revealed a cephalad preference. TTFEB resulted in dorsal and ventral spread in a high percentage of cases. This procedure may be useful for transferring drugs to the dorsal and ventral roots.

• 대한기계학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한기계학회 2000년도 추계학술대회논문집B
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• pp.461-466
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• 2000

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) is carried out to study fully-developed turbulent concentric annular pipe flow with two radius ratios at $Re_{Dh}\;=\;8900$. In case of $R_1/R_2\;=\;0.5$, the present result for the mean flow is in good agreement with the previous experimental data. Because of the transverse curvature effects, the distributions of mean flow and turbulent intensities are asymmetric in contrast to those of other fully-developed flows (channel and pipe flow). From the distributions of skewness of radial velocity fluctuations, it co be identified that all of the characteristics of channel, pipe and turbulent flow on a cylinder in axial flow can be appeared in concentric annular pipe flow.

• 정보처리학회논문지:소프트웨어 및 데이터공학
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.69-76
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• 2020

본 연구에서는 조영증강 초음파 영상에서 조영효과 확산 패턴과 동적 혈류 패턴을 가시화 하는 방법론을 제시한다. 세부적으로 조영증강 초음파 데이터에서 조영제의 전이시간, 최대 명도변화, 조영효과의 감쇄 시간 등과 같은 진단 파라미터를 영상으로 생성하는 기법을 제안한다. 간병변 진단과 같은 의료 진단에서 조영제의 전이와 확산 속도는 매우 중요한 요소가 된다. 이에 본 연구에서는 조영효과의 확산 패턴을 하나의 영상으로 표현하는 방법을 제시하였다. 이 과정에서 호흡에 의한 흔들림으로 인하여 영상의 정확도가 저하시키는 현상을 개선하기 위하여 호흡주기에 따른 동적 가중치와 모멘텀 요소를 사용하는 영상추적 기법을 제안하였다. 총 72개의 조영증강 데이터를 사용한 실험을 통하여, 제안된 기법이 초음파진단에서 육안 판별의 한계를 극복할 수 있게 하고, 호흡에 의한 흔들림을 보정함으로써 진단 파라미터의 신뢰도를 향상시킬 수 있음을 보인다.

• 대한기계학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한기계학회 2005년도 창립60주년 기념 추계 학술대회
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• pp.68.2-68.2
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• 2005

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• 제4권4호
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• pp.251-263
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• 2013

The internal reflux effect on dialysis through the retentate phase of a countercurrently cross-flow rectangular module is investigated. Theoretical analysis of mass transfer in cross-flow devices with or without recycling is analogous to heat transfer in cross-flow heat exchangers. In contrast to a device without reflux, considerable mass transfer is achievable if cross-flow dialyzers are operated with reflux, which provides an increase in fluid velocity, resulting in a reduction in mass-transfer resistance. It is concluded that reflux can enhance mass transfer, especially for large flow rate and feed-concentration operated under high reflux ratio.