• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.372-375
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• 2000

Spinal epidural emphysema is rare, and only a few cases have ever been reported. A 18 year-old man was admitted for neck and chest pain for 3 days. Before admission he experienced rhinorrhea and severe cough. Physical examination revealed wheezing on whole lung field and subcutaneous emphysema over the upper portion of the chest and neck. Chest radiograph showed pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema in the neck and chest CT images demonstrate a free air in the prevertebral fascia. With conservative management, the patient's condition and the pneumomediastinum improved. The patient was discharged to home on the fourteenth day.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 1997

From January 1990 to March 1994, 61 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer were treated at our institute. We analyzed the medical records retrospec ively to fond any prognostic factors of esophageal cancer surgery. The age ranged from 36 years to 74 years and the mean age was 58.3 years. The sex ratio of men to women was 14: 1. The mean duration of dysphagia was 3.8 months and they mostly suffered from the dysphagia of grade IV. Tumors were staged postoperatively; 2 stage I, 23 Stage II, 27 stage III, 9 stage IV, and the resectability was 78.7%, Fortynlne patients underwent curative esophageal resection and 5 patients permitted palliative esophagogastrostomy with incomplete tumor resection. Five patients underwent feeding gastrostomy and 2 patients were managed with Celestin tube. The most common complication was atelectasis and pneumonia, and early mortality rate was 5.6%. There were 9 cases of identified local recurrence or distant metastasis. Estimated overall actuarial survival rate during the follow-up was 73.4% in 1 year, 54.7% in 2 years, and 23.1% In 4 years. The tumor stage higher than II(p=0.02) was confirmed as a poor prognostic factor.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 1998

Treatment of esophageal perforation when diagnosed late remains controversial. Ten consecutive patients since 1990 were treated late(later than 24 hours) for esophageal perforation with primary repair. Four perforations were iatrogenic, 3 were spontaneous, 2 were foreign body aspiraton and 1 was trauma. The interval from perforation to operation was 116 hours in mean and 48 hours in median value. The principles of repair included (1) a local esophagomyotomy proximal and distal to the tear to expose the mucosal defect and intact mucosa beyond, (2) debridement of the mucosal defect and closure, (3) reapproximation of the muscle, and (4) adequate drainage. The repair was buttressed with parietal pleura or pericardial fat in 9 patients. Associated distal obstruction was treated with dilation and esophagomyotomy intraoperatively. There was one mortality and cause of death was massive gastric bleeding due to gastric ulcer on 33rd day after operation. Five patients had leak at the site of repair and these cases were treated completely with conservative treatment except a mortality case. In conclusion, in the absence of malignant or irreversible distal obstruction, meticulous repair of perforated esophagus and adequate drainage are preferred approach, regardless of the duration from the injury to the operation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 1986

Radiation myelitis is a rather rare, but irreversible fatal complication. Etiology, pathologic change, clinical symptoms and the method of diagnosis have been studied with animal experiments and human necropsies. In spite of massive studies, pathogenesis of post-irradiation myelitis and the level of tolerance dose still remain controversial. Thoracolumbar spine of 110 hybrid mice were irradiated with orthovoltage x-ray machine. Mild capillary congestion and axonal swelling were observed in 1,000 rad irradiated specimens. Focal necrosis in 3,500 rad specimens, fragmentation of neural tissue in 4,000 rad specimens were also observed. These results suggest that 5,000 rad is not a completely safe tolerable dose which have been accepted and we cannot exclude direct radiation damage to news tissue as the causative pathology of radiation myelitis in addition to blood vessel damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.258-269
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• 2024

Treatment of patients with coronary artery disease commonly involves the use of balloon-expandable stent placements, currently recognized as the most prevalent approach for coronary artery revascularization. Nevertheless, the occurrence of restenosis remains a significant complication following percutaneous coronary interventions. The diagnostic role of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in detecting stent restenosis has limitations primarily attributable to challenges in accurately discerning the lumen, due to issues such as blooming and motion artifacts. As a result, many cases often necessitate a transition to conventional coronary angiography. However, recent advancements in CT technology have led to notable improvements in both sensitivity and specificity, underscoring the growing significance of CCTA as a diagnostic tool. The consistent reporting of high negative predictive value is particularly noteworthy. This review aims to explore the historical context, current status, and recent trends in diagnosing coronary artery stent restenosis using CCTA.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of minimally invasive arthroscopy-assisted plate removal of a laterally inserted periarticular distal femur plate used for the treatment of AO type-C distal femur fractures. Materials and Methods: From October 2002 to November 2005, we evaluated 17 patients whose plates were removed through minimally invasive arthroscopy-assisted plate-removal technique and 15 patients who got their plates removed through conventional method without using arthroscopy, 32 patients in total. All these patients included in this study initially underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the distal femoral fractures with a lateral plate, and complained of continued pain over the lateral femoral condyle after the fracture fixation. The average age was 42.6 (ranges: 20~66) and initial fracture types included 16 cases of C1, 11 cases of C2, and 5 cases of C3 following AO/ASIF classification guidelines. Measured outcomes included: associated intra-articular pathologies, time needed to return to activities of daily living, patients' overall satisfaction, complications following the removal of hardware, and pain before and 6 months after the operation. Results: The distal-most end of the plate was placed in the knee joint in all cases and damage of the lateral articular capsule was found in 23 cases. Continuous wound discharge after surgery was found in one case who underwent arthroscopy-assisted plate removal, and it was treated by irrigation and re-suture. Average time needed to return to activities of daily living was 7 days in arthroscopy assisted group and 7.6 days in conventionally removed group. Fourteen patients (82.4%) who underwent arthroscopyassisted plate-removal reported above 'fair' satisfaction and the Visual analog scale pain score decreased from 4.9 to 1.9, six months after the plate removal. Thirteen patients(86.7%) who underwent conventional plate removal reported above 'fair' satisfaction and the Visual analog scale pain score decreased from 5.2 to 2.5, six months after the operation. Conclusion: Through minimally invasive arthroscopic-assisted plate removal, intrarticular pathology of the knee joint was able to be simultaneously identified and treated at the time of hardware removal. Damage of lateral capsule of the knee joint caused by the inserted plate for the treatment of type C distal femoral fracture was very frequently found and following the plate removal, patients experienced an improvement in pain score. We therefore recommend routine lateral distal femoral plate removal if the bony union is attained in such cases as type C distal femoral fractures whose distal most end of the plates are located in the joint.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2005

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a percutaneously placed self-expanding metallic stent for the relief of biliary obstruction in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: From November 2001 to December 2004, 48 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma were prospectively studied. After percutaneous placement of bilateral selfexpanding, uncovered metallic stents, follow-up evaluation was carried out until July 2005. Results: There were 4 cases of Bismuth type II, 21 cases of Bismuth type IIIa, 8 cases of Bismuth type IIIb and 15 cases of Bismuth type IV. Stent placement was technically successful in all patients. All patients had satisfactory biliary drainage, resulting in one week drainage rate of 72.8% and final drainage rate of 91.1%. There were 12 cases (21.3%) of abdominal pain requiring analgesics and 1 case (7.1%) of cholangitis; both were successfully managed with conservative treatments. Late complications occurred in four patient (8.3%), including two patients with cholangitis, one patient with liver abscess, and one patient with biloma; all were appropriately managed by percutaneous drainage. The average length and median durations of stent patency and median survival time were 303 days (range, 60~815) and 338 days (range, 60~1175), respectively. Conclusion: Placement of a percutaneous metallic stent is an effective and safe method for palliation of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.55-63
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was performed to objectively evaluate the rate of tumor response to hypofractionated radiotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, who were treated by hypofractionated radiotherapy with 3 Gy per fraction for palliative purpose between 1998 and 2008, were reviewed retrospectively. Every tumor-volume was measured and evaluated from CT (computed tomography) images obtained before and 2~3 months after radiotherapy. The radiation toxicity was assessed during and after radiotherapy. A statistical analysis was performed to investigate overall survival, progressionfree survival, and the prognostic factors for survival and response. Results: The median age of the study patients was 70 years. In addition, 85% of the patients were in stage 4 cancer and 66.7% had an ECOG performance status of 1~2. The mean tumor-volume was 128.4 cc. Radiotherapy was administered with a total dose of 24~45 Gy (median: 36 Gy) over 10~25 days. Twenty-nine patients were treated with 30 Gy or more. The observed complete response rate was 12.9% and the partial response rate was 61.3%. Median survival time was 8.9 months and the 1-year progression-free survival rate was 12.9%. The treatment response rate was confirmed as a prognostic factor in the rate of survival. The primary site, stage, tumor-volume, radiotherapy field and overall radiation-dose showed a significant relationship with survival and treatment response. No grade 4 toxicity was observed during and after radiotherapy. Conclusion: There was an objective tumor-regression in about 74% of patients treated by hypofractionated radiotherapy. Further evaluation is needed to select the appropriate fraction-size and patient who may require the additional radiotherapy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2003

Purpose :To analyze the survival period, prognostic factors and complications of patients having undergone high-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy (HDR-ILB) as a salvage radiation therapy, while having a catheter, for percutaneous transhepatic billary drainage (PTBD), inserted due to biliary obstruction caused by a secondary malignant biliary tumor Methods and Materials : A retrospective study was performed on 24 patients having undergone HDR-ILB, with PTBD catheter Insertion, be)ween December 1992 and August 2001. Their median age was 58.5, ranging from 35 to 82 years. The primary cancer site were the stomach, gallbladder, liver, pancreas and the colon, with 12, 6, 3, 2 and 1 cases, respectively. Eighteen patients were treated with external beam radiation therapy and HDR-lLB, while slx were treated with HDR-lLB only. The 4otal external beam, and brachytherapy radiations dose were 30$\~$61.2 and 9$\~$30 Gy, with median doses of 50 and 15 Gy, respectively. Results : Of the 24 patients analyzed, 22 died during the follow-up period, with a median survival of 7.3 months. The 6 and 12 months survival rates were 54.2 (13 patients) and 20.8$\%$ (5 patients), respectively. The median survivals for stomach and gailbladder cancers were 7.8 and 10.2 months, respectively, According to the unlvariate analysis, a significant factor affecting survival of over one year was the total radiation dose (over 50 Gy) (o=0.0200), with all )he patients surviving more than one year had been Irradiated with more than 50 Gy. The acute side effects during the radiation therapy were managed with conservative treatment. During the follow-up period, 5 patients showed symptoms of cholangltis due to the radiation therapy Conclusion :An extension to the survival of those patients treated with HDR-ILB is suggested compared to the median historical survival of 4hose patients treated with external biliary drainage. A boost radiation dose could be effectively given, by performing HDR-lLB, which is a prognostic factor In addition, the acute complications of radiation therapy were effectively controlled by conservative management, and It could be regarded as a safe treatment.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.83-89
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• 2002

Purpose: To analyze the postoperative functional and radiographic follow-up results in patients who underwent percutaneous radiofrequency ablation therapy after the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. Materials and Methods: Seven patients, who were clinically and radiographically diagnosed with osteoid osteoma from July 1999 to January 2001, and received percutaneous radiofrequency ablation therapy. The average follow-up period was 15.5 months(range, 8~25 months). For the diagnosis and accurate localization of the lesion, simple radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) were performed preoperatively. Simple radiographs and MRI were taken periodically for the follow-up studies. Results: In all 7 patients, symptoms completely disappeared within 3 days after the operation. The average period of hospitalization was 2.4 days, excluding 1 patient who needed an additional burn treatment. The average postoperative night and day pain scores were 1.8 and 1.3, respectively. The average vocational and recreational activity scores were 1 and 0.6, respectively. Conclusions: Satisfactory functional results were obtained with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation therapy for the elimination of osteoid osteoma. Compared to conventional treatment, the advantages of this therapy were short hospitalization period, no internal fixation and bone graft for preventing fracture, and no limitation of joint motion by long fixation period.