• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2011

Purpose: Microfracture has been used as a first-line treatment to repair articular cartilage defects. In this study, a new technique using an extracelluar matrix biomembrane to cover the cartilage lesions after microfracture was evaluated in terms of cartilage repairability and clinical outcome compared with conventional microfracture technique in a prospective randomized trial. Materials and Methods: A total of 53 patients (59 cases) without osteoarthritis who had focal full thickness articular cartilage lesions were randomly assigned in two group. Seventeen patients (17 cases) underwent conventional microfracture procedure (control group) and thirty-six patients (42 cases) received microfracture and placing biomembrane cover (ArtiFilm$^{TM}$) concomitantly (experimental group). Clinical assessment was done through 6 months postoperatively using the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee IKDC questionnaire, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at 6 months after the operation in all patients. Results: In clinical outcomes, the significant difference was observed between both groups in IKDC, but not in VAS for pain and for satisfaction (final outcomes of IKDC, p=0.001; VAS for pain, p=0.074; VAS for satisfaction, p=0.194). The MRI showed good to complete defect fill (67 to 100%) in 33 patients (78.6%) of experimental group and 4 patients (23.5%) of control group, respectively. In control group, 9 of 17 patients (52.9%) showed poor defect fill (less than 33%), whereas 5 (11.9%) in experimental group (p=0.001). Assessment of peripheral integration revealed no gap formation in 35 patients (83.3%) in experimental group and 6 patients (35.3%) in control group (p=0.001). No serious complications or adverse effects related to the biomembrane were found. Conclusion: Good short-term follow-up clinical results were obtained in the group whose cartilage defects in the knee joint were covered with biomembrane after the microfracture, with the MRI findings confirming the excellent regeneration of the defective cartilage area. This suggests that the surgery to cover the defective area with biomembrane (ArtiFilm$^{TM}$) after the microfracture procedure is a safe, more effective treatment to induce cartilage regeneration.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.235-243
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• 2009

The purpose of this experiment is to know the relation of the detection and characterization of liver's diseases as comparison of finding at MR imaging using a Ferucarbotran (SPIO) and Gd-EOB-DTPA (Primovist) agents in diffuse liver disease. A total of 50 patients (25 men and 25 women, mean age: 50 years) with liver diseases were investigated at 3.0T machine (GE, General Electric Medical System, Excite HD) "with 8 Ch body coil for comparison of diseases and contrast's uptake relation, which used the LAVA, MGRE." All images were performed on the same location with before and after Ferucarbotran and Gd-EOB-DTPA administrations (p<0.05). Contrast to noise ratio of Ferucarbotran and Gd-EOB-DTPA in the HCC were $3.08{\pm}0.12$ and $7.00{\pm}0.27$ with MGRE and LAVA pulse sequence, $3.62{\pm}0.13$ and $2.60{\pm}0.23$ in the hyper-plastic nodule, $1.70{\pm}0.09$ and $2.60{\pm}0.23$ in the meta, $2.12{\pm}0.28$ and $5.86{\pm}0.28$ in the FNH, $4.45{\pm}0.28$ and $1.73{\pm}0.02$ in the abscess and ANOVA test was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of each disease (p<0.05). In conclusions, two techniques were well demonstrated with the relation of the detection and characterization of liver's diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.331-343
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• 2022

Purpose To systematically compare the performance of liver imaging reporting and data system treatment response (LR-TR) with the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) for diagnosing viable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with locoregional therapy (LRT). Materials and Methods Original studies of intra-individual comparisons between the diagnostic performance of LR-TR and mRECIST using dynamic contrast-enhanced CT or MRI were searched in MEDLINE and EMBASE, up to August 25, 2021. The reference standard for tumor viability was surgical pathology. The meta-analytic pooled sensitivity and specificity of the viable category using each criterion were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model and compared using bivariate meta-regression. Results For five eligible studies (430 patients with 631 treated observations), the pooled per-lesion sensitivities and specificities were 58% (95% confidence interval [CI], 45%-70%) and 93% (95% CI, 88%-96%) for the LR-TR viable category and 56% (95% CI, 42%-69%) and 86% (95% CI, 72%-94%) for the mRECIST viable category, respectively. The LR-TR viable category provided significantly higher pooled specificity (p < 0.01) than the mRECIST but comparable pooled sensitivity (p = 0.53). Conclusion The LR-TR algorithm demonstrated better specificity than mRECIST, without a significant difference in sensitivity for the diagnosis of pathologically viable HCC after LRT.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2005

Purpose: to know the treatment result of squamous cell carcinoma in extremity had poor prognosis with risk factor including burn scar and chronic osteomyelitis. Material and Methods: Between Octorber 1993 and September 2002, 20 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in extremity had no distant metastasis was got operation and followed over 36 months. Amputation was done when it was hard to get enough wide margin or neurovascular structure was involved instead of wide excision. Mean age of patients was 57.2 years old and male to female was 16 to 4. TMN staging and histologic grading were performed. Results: There were 6 metastasis (30%) in 20 cases for mean 48.3 months (36-84 months). 3 metastasis to local lymph node and 3 distant metastasis were happened at lung (in 3 cases) and thorasic vertebra (in 1 case). Survival was 18 cases at last look. 5-year survival rate was 50%. 3 local recurrence was developed at average 11 months (4-18 months). Complication was focal skin defect after wide excision and skin graft in 2 cases. The patients by wide excision got average 1.9 time operation and by amputation got average 1.3 time. Conclusion: Squamous cell carcinoma at extremity in Korea had high metastasis rate due to burn scar and chronic osteomyelitis, and it showed equal treatment result which treated by wide excision compared with amputation.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2005

Purpose: The granulocytic sarcoma which developed in leukemic patients are quite rare and it will have bad prognosis, but it's tumor pathogenesis and also their treatment are not yet established. Through this study we have tried to know their clinical course, prognosis and their end result of recent treatment. Material and Methods: Total 20 patients of granulocytic sarcoma which were developed in total 2,197 leukemic patients from April, 1998 to September, 2004 were treated at the leukemic center and the orthopaedic department of St. Mary's hospital, Catholic University of Korea, and followed them for 1~78 months(average 18 months). Results: Total 20 cases of granulocytic sarcoma was found in 14 cases of total 1,331 acute myelocytic leukemic patients(AML), 4 cases of total 744 of chronic myelocytic leukemic patients(CML), and only one case in total 122 of acute biphenotype of leukemia. And so their occurrence rate in leukmic patients are actually 0.91%, total 20 cases of granulocytic sarcoma in total 2,197 leukemic patients at same period. Their ages are average 28.3 years(4~52 years), and male are predominant(13 cases) than female(7 cases). Single involvement was found in 11 cases but multiple lesions are in 9 cases, and spine, brain, extremities, chest, and pelvic bone are involved in frequency. The granulocytic sarcoma was developed in various stages of the leukemia, ie, 8 cases in complete remission of leukemia, and 12 cases in the treatment process of AML. The pathohistologic evaluation of granulocytic sarcoma was done in 6 cases which was developed in their extremities, and confirmed numerous immature myeloblasts and lymphocytes mixed. The treatment of these granulocytic sarcoma was mainly limited for the treatment of leukemia by Glivac and massive steroid therapy(19cases) and also combined with the bone marrow transplantation(13 cases), but radiation therapy with average 3,500 rads in 15 cases out of total 20 sarcomas was also done, and followed them for average 17.5 months after development of granulocytic sarcomas. Finally their prognosis was so bad that 12 patients(60%) out of total 20 granulocytic sarcoma were dead in 6.5 months after sarcoma developed and we found the granulocytic sarcoma was more fatal if they are developed during the process of CML(mortality: 100%(4/4cases). Conclusion: The prognosis of granulocytic sarcomas in leukemic patients are quite fatal, and much more studies for their pathogenesis and ways of treatment should be performed continuously.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.453-473
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• 1992

Background: National survey was performed to estimate the incidence of sarcoidosis in Korea. The clinical data of confirmed cases were analysed for the practice of primary care physicians and pulmonary specialists. Methods: The period of study was from January 1991 to December 1992. Data were retrospectively collected by correspondence with physicians in departments of internal medicine, dermatology, ophthalmology and neurology of the hospitals having more than 100 beds using returning postcards. In confirmed and suspicious cases of sardoidosis, case record chart for clinical and laboratory findings were obtained in detail. Results: 1) Postcards were sent to 523 departments in 213 hospitals. Internal medicine composed 41%, dermatology 20%, ophthalmology 20% and neurology 19%. 2) Postcards were returned from 241 departments (replying rates was 48%). 3) There were 113 confirmed cases from 50 departments and 10 cases. The cases were composed from internal medicine (81%), dermatology (13%), ophthalmology (3%) and neurology (3%). 78 confirmed cases were analysed, which were composed from department of internal medicine (92%), dermatology (5%), and neurology (3%). 4) The time span for analysed cases was 1980 to 1992. one case was analysed in 1980 and the number gradually increased to 18 cases in 1991. 5) The majority of patients (84.4%) were in the age group of 20 to 49 years. 6) The ratio of male to female was 1 : 1.5. 7) The most common chief complains were respiratory symptoms, dermatologic symptoms, generalized discomforts, visual changes, arthralgia, abdominal pains, and swallowing difficulties in order. 16% of the patients were asymptomatic. 8) Mean duration between symptom onset and diagnosis was 2 months. 9) The most common symptoms were respiratory, general, dermatologic, ophthalmologic, neurologic and cardiac origin in order. 10) Hemoglobin, hematocrits and platelet were in normal range. 58% of the patients had lymphopenia measuring less than 30% of white cell count. The ratio of CD4 to CD8 lymphocytes was $1.73{\pm}1.16$ with range of 0.43 to 4.62. ESR was elevated in 43% of the cases. 11) Blood chemistry was normal in most cases. Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (S-ACE) was $66.8{\pm}58.6\;U/L$ with the range of 8.79 to 265 U /L. Proteinuria of more than 150 mg was found in 42. 9% of the patients. 12) Serum IgG was elevated in 43.5%, IgA in 45.5%, IgM in 59.1% and IgE in 46.7%. The levels of complement C3 and C4 were in the normal range. Anti-nuclear antibody was detected in 11% of the cases. Kweim test was performed in 3 cases, and in all cases the result was positive. 13) FVC was decreased in 17.3%, FEV1 in 11.5%, FEV1/FVC in 10%, TLC in 15.2%, and DLco in 64.7%. 14) PaO2 was decreased below 90 mmHg in 48.6% and PaCO2 was increased above 45 mmHg in 5.7%. 15) The percentage of macrophages in BAL fluid was $51.4{\pm}19.2%$, lymphocytes $44.4{\pm}21.1%$, and the ratio of CD4 to CD8 lymphocytes was $3.41{\pm}2.07$. 16) There was no difference in laboratory findings between male and female. 17) Hilar enlargement on chest PA was present in 87.9% (bilaterally in 78.8% and unilaterally in 9.1%). 18) According to Siltzbach's classification, stage 0 was 5%, stage 158.3%, stage 228.3%, and stage 38.3%. 19) Hilart enlargement on chest CT was present in 92.6% (bilaterally 76.4% and unilaterally in 16.2%). 20) HRCT was done in 16 cases. The most common findings were nodules, interlobular thickening, focal patchy infiltrations in order. Two cases was normal finding. 21) Other radiologic examinations showed bone change in one case and splenomegaly in two cases. 22) Gallium scan was done in 12 cases. Radioactivity was increased in hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes in 8 cases and in parenchyme in 2 cases. 23) The pathologic diagnosis was commonly performed by transbrochial lung biopsy (TBLB, 47.3%), skin and mediastinal lymph nodes biopsy (34.5%), peripheral lymph nodes biopsy (23.6%), open lung biopsy (18.2%) and bronchial biopsy in order. 24) The most common findings in pathology were non·caseating granuloma (100%), multi-nucleated giant cell (47.3%), hyalinized acellular scar (34.5%), reticulin fibrin network (20%), inclusion body (10.9%), necrosis (9.1%), and lymphangitic distribution of granuloma (1.8%) in order. Conclusion: Clinical, laboratory, radiologic and pathologic findings were summarized. This collected data will assist in finding a test for detection and staging of sarcoidosis in Korea in near future.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.198-206
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• 2000

Background : Pulmonary complications following bonemarrow transplantation (BMT) are common and associated with a high mortality rate. We investigated the yield, safety, and impact of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) for diagnosis of postBMT pneumoniae. Methods : From May 1997 to April 2000, 56 FOBs were performed in 52 post BMT patients for clinical pneumoniae. BMT patients with respiratory symptoms and/or pulmonary infiltrates had a thoracic HRCT(high resolution computed tomography) and bronchoscopic examination including BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage), TBLB (transbronchial lung biopsy), PSB (protected specimen brush). Results : The characteristics of the subjects were as follows : 37 males, 15 females, mean age of 31.3 years(l7-45), 35 sibling donor allogenic BMTs, 15 nonrelated donor allogenic BMTs, and 2 autologous BMTs. Fiftynine percent of FOBs (33 FOBs, 31 patients) were diagnostic. Isolated pathogens included the following : 12 cytomegalovirus (CMV) (21.4 %), 7 pneumocystis carinii (PC) (12.5 %), 11 CMV with PC (19.6 %), 2 Mycobacaterium tuberculosis (3.6%), and 1 streptococcus (1.8%). Most of the radiographic findings were diffuse interstitial lesions. CMV pneumoniae had mainly diffuse interstitial nodular lesion, and PC pneumoniae had diffuse, interstitial ground glass opacity(GGO). When CMV was accompanied by PC, a combined pattern of nodular and GGO was present. Of the 56 cases (23.2%), 13 died of CMV pneumoniae (n=2), PCP (n=2),mixed infection with CMV and PC (n=3), underlying GVHD (n=1), underlying leukemia progression (n=1), or respiratory failure of unknown origin (n=4). There was no major complication by bronchoscopy. Only 3 cases developed minor bleeding and 1 episode temporary hypoxemia. Conclusion : Based on our findings, CMV and PC are the major causes of postBMT pneumoniae. In addition, BAL can be considered a safe and accurate procedure for the evaluation of pulmonary complications after BMT.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1970

철대사(鐵代謝)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究)는 과거(過去) 30년(年)동안 새로운 검사방법(檢査方法)의 도입(導入)으로 눈부신 발전(發展)을이룩하였다. 1937년(年) Heilmeyer 등(等)에 의(依)하여 Ortho-phenanthrolin방법(方法)의 개발(開發)로 저색소성빈혈(低色素性貧血)의 원인(原因)이 구명(究明)되고 또한 이에 대(對)한 치료(治療)의 원칙(原則)이 세워졌다. 그 후 심(甚)한 감염(感染)이나 악성종양(惡性腫瘍)을 가진 환자(患者)者에서 관찰(觀察)되는 빈혈(貧血)에 대(對)해서 하나의 가설(假說)을 세워 이를 설명(說明)하려 하였는데 이는 곧 혈장(血漿)으로부터 철분(鐵分)이 신속(迅速)히 소실(消失)되어 망내계(網內系)나 병변(病變)이 있는 국소부위(局所部位)에 주(主)로 모여 들어 특수(特殊)한 방어기능(防禦機能)을 발휘(發揮)한다는것으로 연자(演者)는 방사성동위원소(放射性同位元素)를 이용(利用)하여 이 가설(假說)을 증명(證明)하였으며 이 연구(硏究)에는 또한 이문호교수(李文鎬敎授)가 Freiburg대학(大學) 유학중(留學中) 참여(參與)한 바 있다. 철대사(鐵代謝)를 파악(把握)하기 위(爲)해서 $^{59}Fe$가 흔히 사용(使用)되는데 이러한 방사성동위원소(放射性同位元素)를 이용(利用)함으로서 다음 사항(事項)들을 관찰(觀察)할 수 있었다. 즉(卽) 1. 소화장기(消化臟器)로 부터의 철흡수(鐵吸收) 2. 혈장(血漿)에서의 철(鐵)의 소실속도(消失速度) 3. 혈장내(血漿內)에서의 철교체율(鐵交替率) 4. 적혈구(赤血球)의 철이용(鐵利用) 5. 생체내(生體內)의 철분포(鐵分布) 6. 철배설(鐵排泄)의 정량적(定量的) 분석(分析) 또한 근년(近年)에는 특수(特殊)한 기능(機能)을 발휘(發揮)할 수 있는 동위원소(同位元素)를 이용(利用)하여 철흡수(鐵吸收) 및 대사이외(代謝以外)에도 적혈구(赤血球)의 수명(壽命)과 혈액량등(血液量等)을 측정(測定)하게 되었다. 경구적(經口的)으로 투여(投與)된 철(鐵)은 대부분(大部分) 십이지장(十二指腸)의 상부(上部)에서 흡수(吸收)되고 무기철(無機鐵)이 보다 쉽게 흡수(吸收)되어 가(價)의 상태(狀態)로 된다. 혈장(血漿)에서는 transferrin에 의(依)해서 철(鐵)이 운반(運搬)된다. 혈장철(血漿鐵)의 대부분(大部分)은 혈색소분해(血色素分解)에서 유래(由來)되며 이는 다시 혈색소(血色素)의 재생(再生)에 이용(利用)되는데 혈장내(血漿內) 철교체율(鐵交替率)은 방사성철(放射性鐵)을 이용(利用)하여 측정(測定)할수 있다 이와같이 방사성철(放射性鐵)을 이용(利用)하여 철대사과정(鐵代謝過程)을 숙지(熟知)함으르서 임상(臨床)에 응용(應用)하기에 이르렀으며 다음과 같은 질환(疾患)의 진단(診斷)에 특(特)히 큰 도움을 준다. A. 진성철결핍증(眞性鐵缺乏症) : 혁색소철(血色素鐵) 및 저장철(貯藏鐵)을 포함(包含)한 생체내(生體內) 전철분(全鐵分)의 부족(不足)된 상태(狀態)로서 실혈(朱血)에 의(依)한 것이 대부분(大部分)이다. 이 경우 철흡수(鐵吸收)는 증가(增加), 혈장철치(血漿鐵値)는 저하(低下), 철소실속도(鐵消失速度)는 증가(增加)되며 혈장철(血漿鐵) 교체율(交替率)은 항진(亢進) 혹(或)은 정상(正常)이다. B. 심(甚)한 염증성(炎症性) 질환(疾患) : 이 경우에도 혈장철치(血漿鐵値)의 저하(低下), 소실속도(消失速度)의 증가(增加), 교체율(交替率)은 정상(正常)보다 4배(倍)까지 증가(增加)할 수 있다. 골수(骨髓)에서 보다는 간(肝), 비(脾)와 같은 망내계(網內系)에 방사성철(放射性鐵)이 집결(集結)되는 것으로 보아 혈색소철(血色素鐵)보다는 저장철(貯藏鐵)이 관여(關與)되는 것이다. C. 원발성(原發性) 혈색소증(血色素症)(Idiopathic hemochromatosis) : 혈장철(血漿鐵)의 증가(增加)가 현저(顯著)하며 transferrin 농도(濃度)는 정상(正常)보다 낮으나 거의 대부분(大部分)의 철분(鐵分)으로 포화(飽和)된다. 철흡수(鐵吸收)는 증가(增加)되고 철소실속도(鐵消失速度)는 감소(減少) 되어 있으나 교체율(交替率)은 항진(亢進)되어 있다. 혈장철(血漿鐵)은 간(肝), 비(脾) 등(等)의 기관(器管)으로 저장집결(貯藏集結)되어 철저류(鐵貯溜)가 증대(增大)되므로 철이용증((鐵利用症)은 저하(低下)된다. D. 선천성(先天性) 무(無)$\ulcorner$트란스헤 린$\lrcorner$증(症)(Congenital atransferrinemia) : 방사성철(放射性鐵)을 이용(利用)한 진단방법(診斷方法)으로 Freiburg에서 7세(歲)의 소녀(少女)에서 발견(發見)한 증례(症例)인데 간(肝), 비(脾), 심(心)의 비대(肥大)가 임상적(臨床的)으로 인지(認知)되었고 중증(重症)의 철결핍상(鐵缺乏狀)을 검출(檢出)할 수 있었다. 철흡수율(鐵吸收率)의 상승(上昇), 혈장철치(血裝鐵値)의 감소(減少), 혈장철소실속도(血漿鐵消失速度)의 증가(增加), 혈장철교체율(血漿鐵交替率)의 상승(上昇) 및 적혈구(赤血球)에서의 철분이용율(鐵分利用率)의 저하(低下)를 ferrokinetic study에서 알 수 있었고 간(肝)에서 고도(高度)의 방사능(放射能)이 검출(檢出)되는 반면(反面), 비(脾)에서는 극소(極小), 골수(骨髓)에는 전(全)혀 방사능(放射能)이 들어가 있지 않았다. 이 증례(症例)와 같이 transferrin이 없으면 철분(鐵分)은 쉽게 조직(組織)으로 들어가 hemosiderin으로 저장(貯藏)되고 골수(骨髓)는 고도(高度)의 철결핍증(鐵缺乏症)을 나타내어 기관철침착증(器管鐵沈着症)과 철결핍성빈혈(鐵缺乏性貧血)이 동시(同時)에 나타나게 된다. 철대사장애면(鐵代謝障碍面)으로 보아 많은 미해결점(未解決點)이 남아 있으며 앞으로 자라나는 젊은 학도(學徒)들이 구명(究明)할 문제(間題)라고 믿는다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2003

Purpose : To evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy, and the factors affecting survival in patients of extrahepatic bile duct cancer, by analyzing the results of postoperative radiotherapy Materials and Methods : Between October 1991 and July 2001, 21 patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer, who received radiotherapy after a radical resection, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' ages ranged from 39 to 75 years, with a median of 61 years, and a male to female ratio of 16 to 5. The numbers of patients with proximal and distal bile duct cancer were 14 and 7, respectively. From the postoperative pathological examination, 19 of the patients were found to have microscopic residues, and 7 to be lymph node positive. Patients with AJCC stages I, II and III were 10, 10 and 1, respectively. The total radiation dose administered was 4,500$\~$6,300 cGy, with a median dose of 5,040 cGy. The follow up period was 20$\~$81 months, with a median of 57.5 months. Results : The overall and disease free survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 41.0 and 29.3$\%$, and 41.6 and 29.7$\%$, respectively. The influences of age, sex, tumor location, differentiation, microscopic residue, neural invasion, 7 and N stage, the stage itself, the dose of radiation and chemotherapy, on survival were evaluated. The T stage and the stage itself were found to be significant from a univariate analysis (p<0.05), but the degree of significance was limited by the small number of patients. A recurrence occurred in 12 patients (57.1$\%$), 5 in locoregional sites, 4 in distant sites and 3 in a combination of locoregional and distant sites, and the sites of distant metastasis were the liver, 6, and the bone, 1 Grade 2 or 3 acute leucopenias occurred in 2 patients and grade 2 chronic peptic ulcers occurred in 4, who were all recovered by conservative management. Conclusion : Postoperative radiotherapy is feasigbls in extrah데atic bile duct cancer, with tolerable toxicity, but prospective studies, with a large patient enrollment, are needed for the evaluation of the effects of postoperative radiotherapy and the related prognostic factors.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 1998

Purpose : It is not a simple task to achieve the ideal isodose curve with a standard vaginal applicator or sing1e plane needle impant in the paravaginal tissue when primary or recurrent gynecological neoplasms(cervical cancers, vaginal cancers and vulvar cancers) are treated as a boost following external beam radiotherapy. The authors introduce the development and construction of a simple, inexpensive, customized applicator for volume implant to maximize the radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing the dose to the rectum and the bladder. Materials and Methods : Nine patients underwent Ir-192 transperineal interstitial implantation for either recurrent(5 cases) or primary(3 cases) cervical cancers or primary vaginal cancer(1 case) between August 1994 and February 1998 at Ajou university hospital. First 3 cases were performed with a sing1e plane implant guided by digital palpation. Because of inadequate isodose coverage in the tumor volume in first 3 cases, we designed and constructed interstitial vaginal applicator for volume implant to improve tumor dose distribution and homogeneity while sparing the surrounding normal tissue. Our applicators consist of vaginal obturator and perineal template that made of the clear acrylamide and dental mold material$(Provil^{(R)})$. The applicators were customized individually according to the tumor size and its location Both HDR and LDR irradiation were given with these applicators accomodating 6 Fr needles(Microselectron Nucletron). The pretreatment planning prior to actual implant was performed whenever possible. Results : Needles can be inserted easily and evenly into the tumor volume through the holes of templates, requiring less efforts and time for the implant procedure. Our applicators made of materials available from commercial vendors. These have an advantage that require easy procedure, and spend relatively short time to construct. Also it was possible to fabricate applicators to individualize according to the tumor size and its location and to achieve the ideal isodose coverage. We found an accurate needle arrangement and ideal dose distribution through the CT scan that was obtained in 3 cases after needle implant. Three patients with primary cervical and vaginal cancers were controlled locally at final follow up. But all recurrent cases failed to do so. Conclusion : The authors introduce inexpensive, simple interstitial vaginal templates which were self-designed and constructed using materials available from commercial vendors such as acrylanide and dental mold material $(Provil^{(R)})$.