Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is widely used in many areas of cardiovascular disease assessment. This is a practical, standard CMR protocol for beginners that is designed to be easy to follow and implement. This protocol guideline is based on previously reported CMR guidelines and includes sequence terminology used by vendors, essential MR physics, imaging planes, field strength considerations, MRI-conditional devices, drugs for stress tests, various CMR modules, and disease/symptom-based protocols based on a survey of cardiologists and various appropriate-use criteria. It will be of considerable help in planning and implementing tests. In addressing CMR usage and creating this protocol guideline, we particularly tried to include useful tips to overcome various practical issues and improve CMR imaging. We hope that this document will continue to standardize and simplify a patient-based approach to clinical CMR and contribute to the promotion of public health.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is expected to be increasingly used in Korea due to technological advances and the expanded national insurance coverage of CMR assessments. For improved patient care, proper acquisition of CMR images as well as their accurate interpretation by well-trained personnel are equally important. In response to the increased demand for CMR, the Korean Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (KOSCI) has issued interpretation guidelines in conjunction with the Korean Society of Radiology. KOSCI has also created a formal Committee on CMR guidelines to create updated practices. The members of this committee review previously published interpretation guidelines and discuss the patterns of CMR use in Korea.

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is widely used in many areas of cardiovascular disease assessment. This is a practical, standard CMR protocol for beginners that is designed to be easy to follow and implement. This protocol guideline is based on previously reported CMR guidelines and includes sequence terminology used by vendors, essential MR physics, imaging planes, field strength considerations, MRI-conditional devices, drugs for stress tests, various CMR modules, and disease/symptom-based protocols based on a survey of cardiologists and various appropriate-use criteria. It will be of considerable help in planning and implementing tests. In addressing CMR usage and creating this protocol guideline, we particularly tried to include useful tips to overcome various practical issues and improve CMR imaging. We hope that this document will continue to standardize and simplify a patient-based approach to clinical CMR and contribute to the promotion of public health.

ObjectiveTo assess the current practice patterns of radiologists who perform transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB).Materials and MethodsAn email survey of 71 questions on TNB was sent to 240 members of the Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology. The answers to multiple-choice questions (n = 56) were analyzed.ResultsOf 60 respondents, 45% had 10 or more years of experience in chest radiology, and 70% had 5 or more years of experience in TNB. For the question on the most frequently used diagnostic method for lesions with high probability of being resectable-stage lung cancer, 70% of respondents answered that TNB is initially used, with or without bronchoscopy. In patients at high-risk of TNB-related complications, the proportion of the respondents who consistently declined TNB was only 5%. The number of rebiopsies was said to be increased; molecular analysis for an established target therapy (43.6%) and clinical trial of a new drug (28.2%) were the two most common reasons for it. The most popular needle type was the coaxial cutting needle (55%), and the popular guiding modality was conventional computed tomography (CT) (56.7%). In addition, 15% of respondents have encountered air embolism.ConclusionDespite high variation in how TNB is being performed in Korea, some patterns were noted. It is common for patients with resectable-stage lung cancer to undergo TNB prior to surgery. Rebiopsy is now more common than before, with personalized medicine as the most important reason for it. The most popular type of needle is the coaxial system; the most popular modality for guidance is still CT.