• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.280-286
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic changes after endovascular stenting in patients with unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis using statistical probabilistic anatomical mapping (SPAM) analysis of basal/acetazolamide (ACZ) Tc-99m ECD brain perfusion SPECT. Materials and Methods: Eight patients (3 men and 5 women, 64.8$\pm$10.5 years) who underwent endovascular stenting for unilateral MCA stenosis were enrolled. Basal/ACZ Tc-99m ECD brain perfusion SPECT studies were performed by one-day protocol before and after stenting. Using SPAM analysis, we compared basal cerebral perfusion (BCP) counts and cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) index of the MCA territory before stenting with those after stenting. Results: After stenting, no patient had any complication nor additional stroke. In SPAM analysis, 7 out of the 8 patients had improved BCP counts of the MCA territory and 7 out of the 8 patients had improved CVR index of the MCA territory after stenting. Before stenting, the mean BCP counts and CVR index in the affected MCA territory were 47.1$\pm$2.2 ml/min/100 g and -2.1$\pm$2.9%, respectively. After stenting, the mean BCP counts and CVR index in the affected MCA territory were improved significantly (48.3$\pm$2.9 ml/min/100 g, p =0.025 and 0.1$\pm$1.3%, p =0.036). Conclusion: This study revealed that SPAM analysis of basal/ACZ brain perfusion SPEG would be helpful to evaluate hemodynamic efficacy of endovascular stenting in unilateral MCA stenosis.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2018

Purpose: End-of-life (EoL) decisions are challenging and multifaceted for patients and physicians. This study was aimed to explore how EoL care is practiced for patients with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients who died after agreeing to a DNR order in 2016 at a university hospital. Characteristics including cause of death, intensity of EoL care, and other factors were reviewed and statistically analyzed. Results: Of total 375 patients, 170 patients (45.3%) died with malignancies, and 205 patients (54.6%) with other causes involving the central nervous system (19.2%), pulmonary (14.7%), cardiologic (6.7%) and infectious (6.4%) conditions. Both the cancer and non-cancer patient groups showed a short duration from DNR to death (median 3 days vs 2 days, P=0.629). An intensive care group comprising patients who received one or more intensive treatments such as ventilator (n=205) showed a higher number of non-cancer patients and a shorter duration from DNR to death than a group that withheld treatment before DNR (P<0.05). Conclusion: EoL decisions were made very late by both cancer and non-cancer patients. About half of the patients did not have cancer, and two-thirds of them decided DNR during intensive treatment. To make a good EoL decision, a shared decision making with patients should be done at an earlier stage.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.5-24
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• 1997

Clinical observation was made on 226 cases of CVA that were confirmed through brain CT, MRI scan and clinical observation. They were hospitalized in the oriental medical hospital of Kyung-Won University from January to December in 1995. 1. The CVA cases were classified into the following kinds: cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH), transient ischemic attack, and the greatest in number among them were the cases of cerebral infarction. 2. The frequency of strokes was much the same between male and female cases and most cases were over 50 of age. 3. In the case of cerebral infarction the place of the most frequent occurrences was in the MCA territory, and as for cerebral hemorrhage, in the basal ganglia area. 4. The most ordinary preceding disease was hypertension. The next was diabetes mellitus. 5. Generally it is thought that CVA occurs frequently in winter. But on the contrary this study of observation confirmed that it occurs mostly in spring and summer. 6. The predisposing factors of cerebral infarction were usually initiated during the time of resting and sleeping and those of cerebral hemorrhage chiefly during the time of exercising. 7. As concerns the course of hospitalization, most patients passed through vestern medical hospitals or oriental medical hospitals. 8. For the patients the condition of whose consciousness was bad at the time of admission. the prognosis in most cases was bad. 9. The common symptoms were motor disability and verbal disturbance. 10. With regard to cerebral infarction, the average time to start physical theraphy was 6.4 days and with cerebral hemorrhage 9.7 days after stroke. 11. The duration of hospitalization was in most cases more than one month. 12. The main complication was urinary tract infection. 13. At the time of admission to hospital, the blood pressure in most cases was high, but it well controlled at the time of discharge. 14. Most cases were given simultaneous treatment in both ways of western and oriental medicine.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.96-103
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• 1998

Purpose : To assess the clinical utility of turbo contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography(CE MRA) in the evaluation of the aortic arch and its major branches and to compare the image quality of CE MRA among different coils used. Materials and Methods : Turbo three-phase dynamic CE MRA encompassing aortic arch and its major branches was prospectively performed after manual bolus IV injection of contrast material in 29 patients with suspected cerebrovascular diseases at 1.0T MR unit. the raw data were obtained with 3-D FISH sequence (TR 5.4ms, TE 2.3ms, flip angle 30, slab thickness 80nm, effective slice thickness 4.0mm, matrix size $100{\times}256$, FOV 280mm). Total data acquisition time was 4. to 60 seconds. We subjectively evaluated the imge quality with three-rating scheme : "good" for unequivocal normal finding, "fair" for relatively satisfactory quality to diagnose 'normal' despite intravascular low signal, and "poor" for equivocal diagnosis or non-visualization of the origin or segment of the vessels due to low signal or artifacts which needs catheter angiography. At the level of the carotid bifurcation, it was compared with conventional 2D-TOF MRA image. Overall image quality was also compared visually and quantitatively by measuring signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the ascending aorta, the innominate artery and both common carotid arteries among the three different coils used(CP body array(n=12), CP neck array(n=9), and head-and-neck(n=8). Results : Demonstration of the aortic arch and its major branches was rated as "good" in 55% (16/29) and "fair" in 34%(10/29). At the level of the carotid bifurcation, image quality of turbo CE MRA was same as or better than conventional 2D-TOF MRA in 65% (17/26). Overall image quality and SNR were significantlygreater with CP body array coil than with CP neck array or head-and-neck coil. Conclusions : Turbo CE MRA can be used as a screening exam in the evaluation of the major branches of the aortic arch from their origin to the skull base. Overall imagequality appears to be better with CP body array coil than with CP neck array coil or head-and-neck coil.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.240-247
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• 2017

The increased investigation of the cerebral arteries with magnetic resonance angiography has resulted in an increase in the identification of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Knowledge of the distribution and factors associated with UIAs might be helpful for understanding the pathological mechanism of unruptured aneurysms. This study examined patients who visited a health care center and had a health examination from January 2007 to December 2016. Subjects who underwent magnetic resonance angiography with a health examination at the Health Screening were enrolled in this study. The incidence and risk factors of UIAs (age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol, and coronary artery disease) were investigated by comparing the size (more than 3 mm vs. less than 3 mm) and multiple aneurysm (single vs. multiple aneurysms). The frequency of aneurysm according to the site was also analyzed. Among the 187166 subjects, who received a health examination, 18954 underwent magnetic resonance angiography. Of them, 367 (1.93%) had UIAs. A comparison of the size of more than 3 mm and less than 3 mm showed that the mean age of the more than 3 mm group of patients was significantly higher than the other size groups (more than 3 mm $57.16{\pm}8.47$ vs. less than 3 mm $55.12{\pm}8.19$; p=0.07). High-density lipoprotein was significantly higher in the more than 3 mm group than in the less than 3 mm($55.95{\pm}16.03$ vs. less than 3 mm $50.85{\pm}13.65$; p=0.007). Hypertension was significantly higher in the multiple aneurysm group (single 153 in 399 (38.3%) VS multiple 19 in 35 (54.3%); p=0.065). An aneurysm of less than 3 mm in size was frequent in the distal internal carotid artery (34.3%) and MCA-bifurcation (16.4%) (p=0.003). Aneurysms of more than 3 mm were frequent in the distal internal carotid artery (43.4%) and MCA-bifurcation (13.4%), and anterior communicating artery (13.4%) (p=0.003). The difference in size and single or multiple aneurysm revealed other risk factors. These risk factors suggest that degenerative and hemodynamic disorders may lead to the presence of aneurysms.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2007

Purpose : Menkes disease is an X-linked recessively inherited disorder caused by the mutation of the ATP7A gene encoding copper-transporting P-type AT Pase. The phenotypic features are progressive neurological degeneration, mental retardation, loose skin, and vascular complications. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for the prognosis of Menkes disease. Here, we describe nov el mutations of the ATP7A gene and prenatal diagnosis by mutation analysis. Methods : Five unrelated Korean Menkes patients were included in this study. They presented with depigmented wool-like hair, progressive neurologic deterioration, and hypotonia in infancy. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels w ere decreased. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed tortuous intracranial vessels. Mutation analysis has been carried out using cDNA from cultured skin fibroblasts or genomic DNA from peripheral leukocytes. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in two cases using chorionic villi samples or amniocytes. Results : Four novel mutations have been identified from four different families; c.3511+1G>A (p.E1099_N1171delinsMfsX 18), c.4005+5 G>A (p.V1268_R1335del), c.1870_2172del (p.S624_Q724del), and c.3352 G>A (p.G1118S). T he remaining one was previously reported (c.1933 C>T (p.V 1268_R1335del)). On prenatal DNA analysis, one w as diagnosed as normal, while the other turned out to be a female heterozygote with p.S624_Q724del mutation of the ATP7A gene. Conclusion : We identified 4 novel mutations of the ATP7A gene. Prenatal diagnosis in families at risk is critical in order to choose preventiv e options including an early treatment with copper-histidine therapy or therapeutic termination. Most mutations of the ATP7A gene were frame-shift mutations and prenatal diagnosis has been successfully carried out.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2017

The author investigated interventional radiology patient doses in several other countries, assessed accuracy of DAP meters embedded in intervention equipments in domestic country, conducted measurement of patient doses for 13 major interventional procedures with use of Dose Area Product(DAP) meters from 23 hospitals in Korea, and referred to 8,415 cases of domestic data related to interventional procedures by radiation exposure after evaluation the actual effectives of dose reduction variables through phantom test. Finally, dose reference level for major interventional procedures was suggested. In this study, guidelines for patient doses were $237.7Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in TACE, $17.3Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in AVF, $114.1Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in LE PTA & STENT, $188.5Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in TFCA, $383.5Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in Aneurysm Coil, $64.6Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in PTBD, $64.6Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in Biliary Stent, $22.4Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in PCN, $4.3Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in Hickman, $2.8Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in Chemo-port, $4.4Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in Perm-Cather, $17.1Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in PCD, and $357.9Gy{\cdot}cm^2$ in Vis, EMB. Dose referenece level acquired in this study is considered to be able to use as minimal guidelines for reducing patient dose in the interventional radiology procedures. For the changes and advances of materials and development of equipments and procedures in the interventional radiology procedures, further studies and monitorings are needed on dose reference level Korean DAP dose conversion factor for the domestic procedures.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.226-239
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• 2023

Purpose To compare the sensitivities of T2-weighted image (T2WI) and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in detecting cerebral arteriovenous fistula (AVF), cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF), and to qualitatively evaluate single-echo SWI (s-SWI) and multi-echo SWI (m-SWI) in characterizing vascular lesions. Materials and Methods From January 2016 to December 2021, cerebral angiography-proven lesions were recruited. The sensitivities of T2WI and SWI in detecting vascular lesions were compared using McNemar's test. Qualitative evaluations of s-SWI and m-SWI were categorized to be of poor, average, or good quality and compared using Fisher's exact test. Results A total of 24 patients (mean age: 61 years, 12 female, and 12 male) were enrolled. Twenty patients underwent s-SWI or m-SWI, and four patients underwent both. AVF, AVM, and CCF were diagnosed in 10, 11, and 3 patients, respectively. SWI demonstrated higher sensitivity compared to that of T2WI (82.1% vs. 53.6%, p = 0.013). m-SWI showed better image quality compared to that of s-SWI (good quality, 83.3% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.009). Conclusion SWI demonstrated a higher sensitivity for detecting cerebral arteriovenous shunts compared to that of T2WI. m-SWI exhibited better image quality compared to that of s-SWI in characterizing vascular lesions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2012

Purpose: This study mainly focuses on the patients treated with chemically stable radiopharmaceutical product $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO (d,l-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime) which yielded reduced image quality due to a decreased brain extraction rate. $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO will be examined further to determine whether this product may be accounted as a factor for this cause. Material and Methods: From January 2010 until December 2010, out of 272 patients who were all subjected to $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO brain blood flow SPECT scans resulting from Cerebral Infarction; 23 patients(ages $55.3{\pm}9$, 21 males, 3 females) with decreased tissue extraction rate were examined in detail. The radiopharmaceutical product $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO was used on patients with normal brain tissue exchange rate as well as those with reduced rate in order to prove its' chemical stability. The patients' age, sex, blood pressure, existence of diabetes, drug use, current health status, known side effects from CT/MRI, examination of the patients' past SPECT before/after images were accounted to determine the factors and correlations affecting the rate of blood tissue extractions. Result: After multiple linear regression analysis, there were no unusual correlations between the 6 factors excluding sex, and before/after examination images. Male subjects showed reduced brain tissue extraction rate than the females ($p$ > 0.05) 91.3% male, 8.7% female. Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Test was used on the before/after images which yielded a value of 0.06, which did not indicate a significant amount of difference on the 2 tests ($p$ > 0.05). As a result, the before/after images indicated similar brain tissue extraction rates, and there were variations depending on the individual patient. Conclusion: The effects of the chemically stable radiopharmaceutical product $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO depended on the patient's personal characteristics and status, therefore was considered to be a factor in reducing brain tissue extraction rate. The related articles of $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO cerebral blood flow SPECT speculates a cerebrovascular disease and factors resulting from portal veins, and it was not possible to pin point the exact cause of decreasing brain tissue extraction rate. However, the $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO cerebral blood flow SPECT scan proved to be extremely useful in tracking and inspecting brain diseases, as well as offering accurate results from patients suffering from reduced brain tissue extraction rates.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.5 s.262
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• pp.354-358
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• 2006

Background: Pulsatile pumps for extracorporeal circulation have been known to be better for tissue perfusion than non-pulsatile pumps but be detrimental to blood corpuscles. This study is intended to examine the risks and benefits of $T-PLS^{TM}$ through the comparison of clinical effects of $T-PLS^{TM}$ (pulsatile pump) and $Bio-pump^{TM}$ (non-pulsatile pump) used for coronary bypass surgery. Material and Method: The comparison was made on 40 patients who had coronary bypass using $T-PLS^{TM}\;and\;Bio-pump^{TM}$ (20 patients for each) from April 2003 to June 2005. All of the surgeries were operated on pump beating coronary artery bypass graft using cardiopulmonary extra-corporeal circulation. Risk factors before surgery and the condition during surgery and the results were compared. Result: There was no significant difference in age, gender ratio, and risk factors before surgery such as history of diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary infarction, and renal failure between the two groups. Surgery duration, hours of heart-lung machine operation, used shunt and grafted coronary branch were little different between the two groups. The two groups had a similar level of systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure and mean arterial pressure, but pulse pressure was measured higher in the group with $T-PLS^{TM}\;(46{\pm}15\;mmHg\;in\;T-PLS^{TM}\;vs\;35{\pm}13\;mmHg\;in\;Bio-pump^{TM},\;p<0.05)$. The $T-PLS^{TM}$-operated patients tended to produce more urine volume during surgery, but the difference was not statistically significant $(9.7{\pm}3.9\;cc/min\;in\;T-PLS^{TM}\;vs\;8.9{\pm}3.6\;cc/min\;in\;Bio-pump^{TM},\;p=0.20)$. There was no significant difference in mean duration of respirator usage and 24-hour blood loss after surgery between the two groups. Plasma free Hb was measured lower in the group with $T-PLS^{TM}\;(24.5{\pm}21.7\;mg/dL\;in\;T-PLS^{TM}\;versus\;46.8{\pm}23.0mg/dL\;in\;Bio-pump^{TM},\;p<0.05)$. There was no significant difference in coronary infarction, arrhythmia, renal failure and morbidity rate of cerebrovascular disease. There was a case of death after surgery (death rate of 5%) in the group tested with $T-PLS^{TM}$, but the death rate was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Coronary bypass was operated with $T-PLS^{TM}$ (Pulsatile flow pump) using a heart-lung machine. There was no unexpected event caused by mechanical error during surgery, and the clinical process of the surgery was the same as the surgery for which $Bio-pump^{TM}$ was used. In addition, $T-PLS^{TM}$ used surgery was found to be less detrimental to blood corpuscles than the pulsatile flow has been known to be. Authors of this study could confirm the safety of $T-PLS^{TM}$.