• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1210-1219
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• 2001

Introduction : The purpose of this study was to analyze the safety, pullout strength and radiographic characteristics of unicortical and bicortical screws of cervical facet within cadaveric specimens and evaluate the influence of level of training on the positioning of these screws. Methods : Twenty-one cadavers, mean 78.9 years of age, underwent bilateral placement of 3.5mm AO lateral mass screw from C3-C6(n=168) using a slight variation of the Magerl technique. Intraoperative imaging was not used. The right side(unicortical) utilized only 14mm screws(effective length of 11mm) while on the left side to determine the length of the screw after the ventral cortex had been drilled. Three spine surgeons(attending, fellow, chief resident) with varying levels of spine training performed the procedure on seven cadavers each. All spines were harvested and lateral radiographs were taken. Individual cervical vertebrae were carefully dissected and then axial radiographs were taken. The screws were evaluated clinically and radiographically for their safety. Screws were graded clinically for their safety with respect to the spinal cord, facet joint, nerve root and vertebral artery. The grades consisted of the following categories : "satisfactory", "at risk" and "direct injury". Each screw was also graded according to its zone placement. Screw position was quantified by measuring a sagittal angle from the lateral radiograph and an axial angle from the axial radiograph. Pull-out force was determined for all screws using a material testing machine. Results : Dissection revealed that fifteen screws on the left side actually had only unicortical and not bicortical purchase as intended. The majority of screws(92.8%) were satisfactory in terms of safety. There were no injuries to the spinal cord. On the right side(unicortical), 98.9% of the screws were "satisfactory" and on the left side(bicortical) 68.1% were "satisfactory". There was a 5.8% incidence of direct arterial injury and a 17.4% incidence of direct nerve root injury with the bicortical screws. There were no "direct injuries" with the unicortical screws for the nerve root or vertebral artery. The unicortical screws had a 21.4% incidence of direct injury of the facet joint, while the bicortical screws had a 21.7% incidence. The majority of "direct injury" of bicortical screws were placed by the surgeon with the least experience. The performance of the resident surgeon was significantly different from the attending or fellow(p<0.05) in terms of safety of the nerve root and vertebral artery. The attending's performance was significantly better than the resident or fellow(p<0.05) in terms of safety of the facet joint. There was no relationship between the safety of a screw and its zone placement. The axial deviation angle measured $23.5{\pm}6.6$ degrees and $19.8{\pm}7.9$ degrees for the unicortical and bicortical screws, respectively. The resident surgeon had a significantly lower angle than the attending or fellow(p<0.05). The sagittal angle measured $66.3{\pm}7.0$ degrees and $62.3{\pm}7.9$ degrees for the unicortical and bicortical screws, respectively. The attending had a significantly lower sagittal angle than the fellow or resident(p<0.05). Thirty-three screws that entered the facet joint were tested for pull-out strength but excluded from the data because they were not lateral mass screws per-se and had deviated substantially from the intended final trajectory. The mean pull-out force for all screws was $542.9{\pm}296.6N$. There was no statistically significant difference between the pull-out force for unicortical($519.9{\pm}286.9N$) and bicortical($565.2{\pm}306N$) screws. There was no significant difference in pull-out strengths with respect to zone placement. Conclusion : It is our belief that the risk associated with bicortical purchase mandates formal spine training if it is to be done safely and accurately. Unicortical screws are safer regardless of level of training. It is apparent that 14mm lateral mass screws placed in a supero-lateral trajectory in the adult cervical spine provide an equivalent strength with a much lower risk of injury than the longer bicortical screws placed in a similar orientation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.295-302
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• 2011

To n the field of nuclear medicine, with regard to checking regular patients, from the moment they register up to the doctor's diagnosis, the person in charge of the checks can find errors in the diagnosis, reexamine, reanalyze the results or save images to PACS. Through this process, the results obtained from the readings are delayed due to checks and additional tests which occur in hospitals, causing patient satisfaction and affected reliability. Accordingly, the purpose is to include visual inspection of the results to minimize error, improve efficiency and increase patient satisfaction. Nuclear medicine and imaging tests from examines at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, from March 2008 to December 2008, were analyzed for errors. The first stage, from January 2009 to December 2009, established procedures and know-how. The second stage from January 2010 until June 2010 conducted Pre-and Post-filtering assessment, and the third stage from July 2010 until October 2010 consisted of cross-checks and attaching stickers and comparing error cases. Of 92 errors, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd stage had 32 cases, and there were 46 cases after the 4th stage, with the overall errors reduced by 74.3% from 94.6%. In the field of general nuclear medicine, where various kinds of checks are performed according to the patient's needs, analysis, image composition, differing images in PACS, etc, all have the potential for mistakes to be made. In order to decrease error rates, the image can continuously Cross-Check and Confirm diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.403-409
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• 2016

MRI scan is a useful method in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal excellent contrast of the organization. Depending on the patient's musculoskeletal examinations state the type of aids provided the aid is used there is also challenging as well as the costs do not vary. This study was produced by the use of 3D printing technology, an MRI aids. Aids in the production process, then through 3D modeling and then convert stl files using (3D MAX.2014, Fusion360) slicing programs (Cubicreater 2.1ver., Cura 15.4ver) converted to G-code printed on the FDM scheme (Cubicon Style, output was MICRO MAKE). Output is, but in the FDM to evaluate the SNR on the MRI images were compared to the test is the case before use, and then to produce a Water Phantom case of a PLA, ABS, a TPU thickness 3mm, using aids before, It was evaluated in a clinical image after qualitatively. Obtaining an image of SNR Warter Phantom appeared to have been evaluated as T1 NON $123.778{\pm}28.492$, PLA $123.522{\pm}28.373$, ABS $124.461{\pm}25.716$, TPU $124.843{\pm}27.272$. T2 NON $127.421{\pm}26.949$, was rated as PLA $124.501{\pm}27.768$, ABS $128.663{\pm}26.549$, TPU $130.171{\pm}25.998$. The results did not show statistically significant differences. The use of assistive devices before and after images Clinical evaluation method palliative $3.20{\pm}0.88$, $3.95{\pm}0.76$ after using the aids used to aid improved the quality of the image. Production of the auxiliary mechanism using a future 3D printing is expected are thought to be used clinically, it can be an aid making safe and comfortable than the inspection of the patient is an alternative to improve the problems of the aids used in the conventional do.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.154-161
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• 2012

Digital Radiography (DR) has rapidly developed in megavoltage X-ray imaging (MVI). Thus, a very simple and general quality assurance (QA) method is required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the modulation transfer function (MTF), the noise power spectrum (NPS) and the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) for MVI using general QA method and computed radiography (CR) device. We used tungsten edge block with $19{\times}10{\times}1cm^3$ thickness and 6MV energy. For detector, CR-IP (image plate), CR-IP-lead, the CR-IP-back (lanex TM fast back screen), CR-IP-front (lanex TM fast front screen) were used and pre-sampling MTF was calculated. The MTF of CR-IP-front showed the highest value with 1.10 lp/mm although the CR-IP showed the only 0.70 lp/mm. The best NPS was observed in CR-IP front screen. According to the increase in spatial frequency, our results showed that DQE was approximately 1.0 cycles/mm. The present study demonstrates that the QA method with our home-made edge block can be used to evaluate MTF, NPS and DQE for MVI.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2008

Purpose : This study was aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with acute interstitial pneumonia who had presented similar clinical patterns from March to June, 2006 and to describe our experience of treatment and to identify risk factors associated with prognosis. Methods : The clinical characteristics, radiologic and histopathologic findings and response to steroids of 15 patients (non-survival group [n=7] and survival group [control, n=8]) with acute interstitial pneumonia were investigated through the review of medical records. Results : The mean age of the patients was 26 (range: 3-48) months. Cough, cyanosis and fever were frequent symptoms. The most frequent radiologic findings on admission were pneumomediastium and extensive ground glass opacity. Surgical lung biopsy was performed on 8/15 (53.3%) patients and diffuse alveolar damage was found. Mechanical ventilation was applied for 9/15 (60.0%) patients for 40 (range: 1-99) days. Five patients in survival group received steroid treatment and 7 patients in non-survivial group (P=0.20). One patient in survival group received steroid pulse treatment and 4 patients in non-survival group (P=0.12). Seven patients died all of respiratory failure. The survival rate was 53.4%. Conclusion : The patients with acute interstitial pneumonia which occurred on spring 2006 showed high mortality because of rapidly and extensively progressing pulmonary fibrosis and air leakage. Therefore, we should consider surgical lung biopsy and steroid application earlier. We should recognize this acute interstitial pneumonia occurring on spring in domestics and need to investigate the cause and treatment in large scale.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 2008

Background: Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAM) is a rare congenital developmental anomaly of the lower respiratory tract. Most cases are diagnosed within the first 2 years of life, so adult presentation of CCAM is rare. We describe here six adult cases of CCAM and the patients underwent surgical resection, and all these patients were seen during a five and a half year period. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical, radiological and histological characteristics of adult patients with CCAM. Methods: Through medical records analysis, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics, the chest pictures (X-ray and CT) and the histological characteristics. Results: Four patients were women and the mean age at diagnosis was 23.5 years (range: 18~39 years). The major clinical presentations were lower respiratory tract infection, hemoptysis and pneumothorax. According to the chest CT scan, 5 patients had multiseptated cystic lesions with air fluid levels and one patient had multiple cavitary lesions with air fluid levels, and these lesions were surrounded by poorly defined opacities at the right upper lobe. All the patients were treated with surgical resection. 5 patients underwent open lobectomy and one patient underwent VATS lobectomy. On the pathological examination, 3 were found to be CCAM type I and 3 patients were CCAM type II, according to Stocker's classification. There was no associated malignancy on the histological studies of the surgical specimens. Conclusion: As CCAM can cause various respiratory complications and malignant changes, and the risks associated with surgery are extremely low, those patients who are suspected of having or who are diagnosed with CCAM should go through surgical treatment for making the correct diagnosis and administering appropriate treatment.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2007

Purpose: We describe clinical, radiographic, MRI and pathologic findings as well as final outcome after simple curettage and bone graft of cystic fibrous dysplasia (FD) in the long bone, which has been rarely documented in the literature. Materials and Methods: Clinical records, radiographs, MRI and histologic slides of 11 patients with cystic FD in the long bone were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Six patients complained pain for several months, 4 patients presented pain after trivial injury event, and 1 patient suffered pathologic fracture. The mode of involvement was monostotic in 10 patients and polyostotic in l patient. The femur was affected in 7 patients, the humerus in 3, and the radius in 1. Radiography showed prominent, expansive lysis associated with ground-glass density of FD. MRI revealed 2 different signals of FD and cyst. Microscopic examination revealed classic findings of FD and non-specific cystic degeneration. The final outcome was satisfactory in every patient. Local recurrence was not observed. Conclusion: Cystic FD in the long bone seems not as rare as the scarcity of reported cases would indicate. MRI features provide a basis for differential diagnosis between benign cystic change and malignant transformation. Cystic FD would be an indication for surgery and simple curettage with allo-chip-bone graft is effective.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2009

Purpose: Early detection of recurrence is an important factor for long term survival of patients with colorectal cancer. Measurement of serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9, CT and PET/CT has been commonly used in the postoperative surveillance of colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic ability of PET/CT, tumor marker and CT for recurrence in colorectal cancer patients after treatment. Materials and Methods: F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging was performed in 189 colorectal cancer patients who underwent curative surgical resection and/or chemotherapy. Measurement of serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9 and CT imaging were performed within 2 months of PET/CT examination. Final diagnosis of recurrence was made by biopsy, radiologic studies or clinical follow-up for 6 months after each study. Results: Overall sensitivity, specificity of PET/CT was 94.7%, 91.1%, while those of serum CEA were 44.7% and 97.3%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 94.2%, 90.4% for PET/CT and better than those of combined CEA and CA 19-9 measurement(52.1%, 88.5%) in 174 patients measured available both CEA and CA 19-9 data. In 115 patients with both tumor markers and CT images available, PET/CT showed similar sensitivity but higher specificity(92.9%, 91.3%) compared to combination of tumor markers and CT images(92.9%, 74.1%). Conclusion: PET/CT was superior for detection of recurred colorectal cancer patients compared with both CEA, CA 19-9, and even with combination of both tumor markers and CT. Therefore PET/CT could be used as a routine surveillance examination to detect recurrence or metastasis of colorectal cancer.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2005

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation among descriptions regarding one's stool, Bristol stool form scale and colon transit time (CTT) in children with gastrointestinal symptoms, along with the clinical significance of Bristol stool form scale. Methods: 489 patients treated in the pediatric department of Severance hospital with gastrointestinal symptoms between May 2002 to May 2004 were included. We analyzed their age, sex, verbal descriptions of stool, Bristol stool form types, and CTT measured by Metcalf's method. Results: 116 children were under 5 years of age, 202 children between 5.1~10, and 171 children 10 years of age or older. Their mean age was $8.2{\pm}3.9years$. Stools were described as loose in 65 children (13.3%), normal in 221 (45.2%), hard in 188 (38.4%), and mixed (loose+hard) in 15 (3.1%). According to Bristol stool form scale, 57 children(11.7%) were classified as type 1, 66 (13.5%) as type 2, 203 (41.5%) as type 3, 109 (22.3%) as type 4, 36 (7.4%) as type 5, 18 (3.7%) as type 6, and 1 (0.2%) as type 7. Their mean CTT was checked $35.9{\pm}19.5hours$. Though no significant relationship was observed between age and CTT (p=0.4), a significant relationship was noted among patient's stool description, Bristol stool form scale and CTT (p<0.001). However, concordance between stool description and Bristol stool form was relatively low in the loose stool group (29%) and normal stool group (37%) while high in the hard stool group (87%). Conclusion: Bristol stool form scale could be used in the estimation of CTT in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2005

Purpose : We recently perform the latest radiotheraphy (3D conformal, IMRT,etc.) with the development of 3D CT planning technology. However, in case patients with breast cancer, it is difficult to acquire the CT image with the limitation of CT hole size and tilting of breast immobilization device. The Ewha Breast Device(EBD) was constructed to improve the problem in the treatment of patients with breast cancer and we are intend to introduce the procedure of the EBD construction in this study and compare the EBD with conventional breast device in the view point of usefulness. Materials and Methods : We have constructed the EBD with acryl, analyze the skull size with CT data, consider the skin folder in SCL field and evaluated the EBD usefulness from the view point of set-up reproducibility, dose distribution, skin reaction in comparison with conventional breast device. Results : In the case of patients set-up error analysis, the EBD is superior to conventional device in portal film repetition($\%$) check (80pt.), equal to that in simulation & CT image coincidence check(5pt.). There is no difference between the two systems in dose distribution and skin reaction in SCL field is better the EBD than conventional device. Conclusions : The construction of the EBD enable us to perform the latest radiotheraphy in breast treatments, relieve the pains in simulation, and reduce, the skin reaction. In the future, we expect that modification of the EBD is useful in treating for patients with breast cancer.