• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.179-185
• /
• 2001

혈관에 발생하는 동맥 경화증은 그 발생 시기와 진행 정도를 예측하기 힘들어 초기 단계의 진단 및 치료가 어렵다. 이러한 이유로 혈관 질병의 진단은 많은 연구자들의 관심 대상이 되어왔고, 현재까지도 그 진단 장치 및 방법에 관한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. 혈관 벽의 두께 측정은 혈관 질병을 진단할 수 있는 대표적인 지표이다. 그러므로 본 연구는 혈관 벽에서 수신되는 초음파 RF(Radio Frequency) 신호를 wavelet 변환하여 두께를 측정할 수 있는 방법을 제안한다. 시뮬레이션 결과를 토대로 두께가 각각 0.53mm, 1.2mm인 고분자 물질을 가지고 두께측정 실험을 행하였다. 기존의 방법인 주파수 스펙트럼법과 제안한 방법인 wavelet 변환법에 의하여 측정된 평균 두께는 0.53mm인 경우 각각 0.670$\pm$0.168mm(79.10%), 0.448$\pm$0.084mm(84.53%)이고, 1.2mm인 경우 각각 0.962$\pm$0.072mm(80.17%), 1.149$\pm$0.066mm(95.15%)이다. In-vitro 실험을 행하기 위하여 한천, gelatin, SiC 결정을 가지고 두께가 0.85mm인 혈관 유사 시편을 제작하였고, 이 시편으로부터 데이터를 획득하여 이를 제안한 방법으로 두께를 측정하였다. 그 결과 제안한 방법으로 측정된 평균 두께는 0.8008$\pm$0.0154mm(94.22%)이다. 결론적으로 wavelet 변환을 통해서 혈관 벽의 두께를 정밀하게 측정할 수 있는 가능성이 있음을 알 수 있다.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.75-84
• /
• 1994

The need for assessment of ureteric function in the patient with an obviousely dilated ureter has increased particularly with the added spectrum of asymptomatic patients presenting with hydrone-phrosis and hydroureter on antenatal and perinatal ultrasound. To assess the influence of ureteral status on kidney washout during $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA diuretic renography, ureteral images were reviewed in 80 children referred for hydronephrosis. A scintigraphically abnormal ureter was defined as an intense and continuous image of > 10 min during diuretic renography. Out of them, a total of 16 nephroureteral systems in 12 children with scintigraphically abnormal ureter were analyzed. A diuretic washout index using response half time (t1/2) by linear fitting after lasix injection, was determined on renal (Kt1/2) and ureteral (Ut1/2) curves (diuretic renogram vs. diuretic ureterogram). Diuretic ureterogram curve patterns corresponding to normal (type I), obstructive (II) and non-obstructive (III) cases were described. Compared with X-ray data, diuretic renography was highly sensitive (88%) and specific (99%) for detecting any ureteral abnormality. Despite an obstructive Kt1/2 (>20 min), no patient with an abnormal ureter underwent therapy at the ureteropelvic junction because the hydronephrosis regressed after surgery at the lower level. Our data indicate that the abnormal ureter findings during diuretic renography have to be recognized before therapy for children with hydeonephrosis.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.196-202
• /
• 1999

Purpose : When the mature kidney fails to reach its norml location in the renal fossa, the condition is known as ectopic kidney. Presenting symtoms can be various and it generally depend on the associated anomaly. Beside urologic anomalies such as hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux, various anomalous vascular net work, skeletal anomaly or genital anomaly can be observed in this condition. Methods : Sixteen children with ectopic kidney was studied retrospectively to analyse initial presentation, accompanied anomaly and prognosis. Results : 56% of the children were accompanied with other urologic anomalies such as true incontinence and vesicoureteral reflux that required surgical treatment. 31% of children were either diagnosed incidentally during evaluation of other non-urologic disease or during follow-up evaluation of abnormal antenatal renal sonogram. Conclusion : Ectopic kidney can be often misdiagnosed as tumorous condition or as a surgical condition depend on the abnormal location of the kidney. Careful evaluation using abdominal sonogram, DMSA, VCUG and abdominal CT scan should be performed in order to search for associated anomalous condition and for proper management.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.49-55
• /
• 2009

Purpose : We aimed to compare the frequency of positive repeat urine cultures 48 hours after antimicrobial treatment between anatomically normal and abnormal urinary tract Infection (UTI) groups to determine the potential clinical usefulness of the tests. Methods : We reviewed medical records of 930 patients under age 14, who had been admitted for UTI at Gyeongsang National University Hospital from January 1, 1998 to August 1, 2008. The eligible patients were divided into two groups the anatomically normal UTI group and the anatomically abnormal UTI group. Statistical analyses were performed with variables consisting of the sex ratio, age distribution and the frequency of positive repeat urine cultures of each group. Results : The sex ratio of the anatomically normal UTI group was M:F=1.9:1, whereas that of the anatomically abnormal UTI group was M:F=3.5:1 (P=0.019). For age distribution, it was found that the mean age of the anatomically normal UTI group was $0.82{\pm}1.83$ years, whereas that of the anatomically abnormal UTI group was $1.18{\pm}2.57$ years (P=0.113). The frequency of positive repeat urine cultures in the anatomically normal UTI group was 3/279 (1.1%), whereas that of the anatomically abnormal UTI group was 1/90 (1.1%) (P=0.675). Conclusion : We conclude that performing a repeat urine culture is not justified in terms of clinical usefulness, and it is unreasonable to use the results as an index of therapeutic success. A follow-up urine culture is unnecessary in patients with both the anatomically normal and abnormal UTI group.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.155-160
• /
• 1997

Purpose : Tethered cord syndrome is characterized by progressive motor and sensory disturbances in lower extremities, foot deformities caused by a pathologic fixation of spinal cord resulting in excessive stretching of the spinal cord. It is also frequently associated with urological symptoms include urinary frequency, incontinence, enuresis, urgency and recurrent urinary tract infection. Because there is few report in the literature about urological manifestations of theterd cord syndrome, we conducted a retrospective study on the patients diagnosed as tethered cord syndrome to delineate the characteristics of urologic manifestations in tethered cord syndrome and to establish the policy to evaluate patients who is suspected of tethered cord syndrome. Method : A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of nine patients who was diagnosed as tethered cord syndrome from November 1991 to July 1996 in Yeungnam University Hospital. Result : 1) The age distribution of nine patients was as follows; 5 patients were under 2 years, 1 case from 2 to 6 years and 3 cases from 6 to 10 years. 2) Of 9 patients 6 had voiding frequency, urinary incontinence, enuresis, urgency and loss of micturation sense. Radiologic urodynamic studies revealed neurogenic bladder in 5 patients, hydronephrosis and hydroureter in 3, vesicoureteral reflux in 3. 3) Of 6 patients with urological abnormal manifestations 4 underwent spinal cord surgery (detethering). In spite of surgical intervention, the urological manifestations improved in only one patient. Conclusion : Urological abnormalities were common in tethered cord syndrome. Abnormal laboratory findings including urodynamic study were found even before the onset of urological symptoms. We have to concern tethered cord syndrome as one of common causes of voiding frequency and enuresis and to evaluate urological abnormalities as thetered cord syndrome is diagnosed.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.6B
• /
• pp.1134-1141
• /
• 1999

In this paper, we implement an optical code division multiple access(OCDMA) system and analyze the performance of the implemented system. In the implemented system, a transmitter encodes input data into optical pulses by using laser diode, and spreads the encoded pulses in an encoder which consists of 4 stage delay lines. The decoder which is the same structure as that of encoder delays and combines the spreaded pulses, and thus recovers the original data. At first, we discuss the auto- and cross-correlations of OCDMA signals under both environments of single user and multi-users, and then verify the simulation results with experimental results. We also evaluate the effect of a number of stages of delay line and code length on the system performance through computer simulations. As experimental results we can see that if the decoder have the same configuration as that of encoder, the peak auto-correlation characteristics can be achieved, and thus we can recover the original data from received data. As simulation results we can see that although bit error rate decreases as code length decreases or the number of stage of delay line increases, it is difficult to implement the system because the pulse width becomes narrow. From the results, we can apply CDMA technologies to optical communication networks.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.178-182
• /
• 1998

Purpose : The conventional Whitaker test assesses the renal pelvic pressure response to a constant infusion rate of 10 mL/min in adult and 5 mL/min in children. We evaluated whether the infusion rate,5 mL/min is appropriate during Whitaker test in children. Materials and Methods : The study included 3 children with unilateral hydronephrosis, whose diuretic renography results were equivocal to define the presence of urinary obstruction. The kidneys were perfused at increasing flow rates from lmL/min. Results : There were intrapelvic pressure increases $26\;cmH_2O$ at 3 mL/min, $50\;cmH_2O$ at 2 mL/min and $80\;cmH_2O$ at 3 mL/min infusion rate, respectively. There was no need to increase the infusion rate over 4 mL/min to get a positive Whitaker test. Conclusion : Our experience with Whitaker test at variable low flow rates (1-5 mL/min) confirmed its usefulness in differentiating obstructive from nonobstructive uropathy. We recommend the increasing infusion rate from 1 mL/min during Whitaker test in children.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.292-295
• /
• 2013

A 9-year-old, male, Doberman pinscher dog with 5-month history of intermittent hematuria, vomiting and glucosuria was referred to local animal hospital. Abdominal ultrasonography showed an irregular and hyperechoic mass in the renal medulla of the enlarged left kidney. Grossly atrophied renal cortex and medulla and marked hydronephrosis were observed on the cut surface of kidney. A single, numerous papillary projected, pedunculated mass 4~5.5 cm in diameter was occupied in renal pelvis, and extended from pelvis to the inlet of ureter. Histopathologically, the mass had numerous papillary structures with arboriform pattern. These papillae were consisted of fibro-vascular stalks that were lined by multiple layers of neoplastic urothelium (transitional epithelium) with marked cellular atypia. Immnohistochemical (IHC) staining demonstrated that the neoplastic cells showed strong positive reactions for cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK 19, CK clone MNF116 and CK high molecular weight, but negative signals for CK 8 low molecular weight. Based on the gross findings, histopathology and CKs profile using IHC staining, this mass was diagnosed as renal pelvis transitional cell carcinoma in a dog.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.195-202
• /
• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to determine if there are prognostic factors leading to permanent parenchymal damages to kidney in children after acute pyelonephritis. Methods : This study was conducted in 160 pediatric patients with acute pyelonephritis admitted to Ajou University Hospital from 2000 to 2005, whose renal cortical defects were confirmed by $^{99m}Tc$-dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (DMSA scan). Along with the follow-up DMSA scan after 6 months, they were classified into two groups; recovered group (106) and scarred group (54). The clinical characteristics of each group were compared. Results : Among the total of 160 patients, 106 (66.3%) showed recovery of the initial defect (the recovered group), while 54 (33.8%) showed permanent defects on the followup DMSA scan (scarred group). Recovery rate was poor for patients of 1 year and older, or patients with the duration of fever and pyuria longer than 7 days. The recovery rate was poor in the patients with history of frequent febrile episodes and abnormal results of imaging studies, such as voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), ultrasonography. Conclusion : The recovery rate of children with renal defects on DMSA scan with acute pyelonephritis was lower when the patient is older than 1 year, when the duration of fever and pyuria exceeded 7 days, and when the patients had the histories of frequent febrile episodes and had urinary tract abnormalities on imaging studies. These findings suggest that there may be under- or mis-diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis by pediatrician.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.81-85
• /
• 1985

Management of the small lower ureteral stone has been attempted by either transurethral manipulation or expectant therapy. To date, however, the choice of proper method has depended mostly on clinician's preference, and the effectiveness of the transurethral stone manipulation has remained controversial Herem we evaluated the effectiveness of the transurethral stone manipulation, using with the Dormia dislodger, in 37 patients with lower ureteral stone less than 10mm in greatest diameter. The results are summarized as follows. 1. The overall success rate was 68% (25 of 37 patients); Immediate delivery of the stone was observed in 16 of 37 patients. In another 5 patients the stone was removed at the time when the indwelled ureteral catheter was taken out. In the remaining 4 patients the stone passed spontaneously within a week following the procedure. 2. Higher success rate was observed in smaller stone; 79% in less than 4 mm, 58% in 4-6 mm, and 33% in 6-10mm in it's greatest diameter, respectively. 3. The morbidity rate was 8.1% (3 of 37 patients); In one patient a broken basket was retained In the ureter, which was removed at the time of ureterolithotomy. In another patient a ureteral stricture requiring periodic dilation was complicated. And In the other patient persistent hematuria was observed, which was relieved by conservative management. These results suggest that transurethral manipulation might have to be initially applied to unremittingly painful patients with small lower ureteral stone.