• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2009

Background: Tsutsugamushi, leptospirosis and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) are the prevalent diseases among the acute febrile illnesses in Korea. Pulmonary involvement in the patients with these diseases remains poorly recognized in endemic regions, and this is despite reports of recent outbreaks and epidemic episodes. Pulmonary involvement and a higher CRP level as clinical manifestations show a more severe form of infection. The aim of this study is to analyze the correlation of pulmonary involvement and the CRP level in patients with acute febrile illnesses. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 105 patients who were diagnosed with tsutsugamushi, HFRS and leptospirosis from January 2002 to May 2008 in Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital. The radiographic images were retrospectively analyzed by two radiologists. We analyzed the pulmonary complications of the patients with these febrile diseases and we checked the CRP level at admission. Results: The study included 105 patients who were diagnosed with febrile diseases. Of these patients, 32 patients had hantaan, 10 patients had leptospirosis and 63 patients had tsutsugamushi disease. 42 (40%) patients had pulmonary complications, 20 patients had pulmonary edema, 20 patients had pleural effusion and 2 patients had interstitial pneumonitis. The patients with pulmonary involvement showed a more severe form of infection and a higher CRP level than that of those patients without pulmonary involvement (p=0.0073). Conclusion: Pulmonary involvement in patients with acute febrile diseases might be correlated with a higher CRP level. Identification of this factor on admission might provide useful selection criteria for the patients who need early intensive care.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2010

Purpose : To evaluate the geometry of carotid artery by assessing the images of contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) and interrelationships between the geometry of carotid artery and clinical factors. Materials and Methods : 216 consecutive patients who performed supraaortic CE-MRA with fast spoiled gradient-echo imaging were included. Their medical records were reviewed for variable information including risk factors predictive of generalized atherosclerotic disease (age, hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidema, and smoking), sex, body weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). We reviewed the CE-MRA with carotid origin (3 types), carotid artery tortuosity, angle of internal carotid artery bifurcation, the type of aortic arch branching, and the presence of the coiling of carotid artery. Results : Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that significantly contributed clinical backgrounds for carotid origin were the age and the BMI. With an increase of age at 1, the probability that the type of carotid origin become from type 1 to type 2 was 0.9 times (p=0.004) in right carotid artery (RCA), 0.9 times (p = 0.031) in left carotid artery (LCA), 0.9 times that are likely to be type3 from type 2 (p<0.001) in RCA and 0.9 times in LCA (p=0.009). Increase in BMI at 1 increased odds of becoming type 2 as 1.1 times (p = 0.067) in RCA, 1.1 times (p=0.009) in LCA and increased chance of becoming type 3 as 1.2 times (p = 0.001) in RCA, 1.2 times (p=0.003) in LCA. Mean value of right and left carotid tortuosity were $240.9{\pm}69.0^{\circ}$and $154.4{\pm}55.0^{\circ}$, respectively. Conclusion : The BMI, age, sex and presence of HTN affects the geometry of carotid arteries, the site of origin and tortuosity of carotid artery specifically.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.317-326
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• 2013

This study was to compare the cumulative survival rate of implant-supported fixed prostheses and to analyze association between risk factors and cumulative survival rate of implant-supported fixed prostheses. In order to assess the clinical status of implant-supported fixed prostheses, individuals who treated in the Department of Prosthodontics, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, between 2000 to 2007 were examined. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Length of service of implant-supported fixed prostheses was $6.6{\pm}32.0$ years (mean), 11.7 years (median). 2. Age and sex of patient was found to have no statistically significant influence on longevity of implant-supported fixed prostheses (P>.05). 3. Reason of tooth extraction wax found to have statistically significant influence on implant-supported fixed prostheses (P<.05). The longevity of fixed prostheses was low in tooth extraction case due to periodontal disease (median:9.0 years). 4. Location of implant-supported fixed prostheses was found to have statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed prostheses (P<.05). The longevity of fixed prostheses was low in molar region (median:8.8 years). 5. Number of units in implant-supported fixed prostheses was found to have no statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed prostheses (P>.05). 6. Condition of opposing dentition was found to have no statistically significant influence on longevity of implant-supported fixed prostheses (P>.05). 7. Food impaction (40.5%), porcelain fracture (25.8%), screw loosening (23.6%) were frequent complications.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.353-360
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• 2003

Background : Although most patients with tuberculous pleurisy respond well to anti-tuberculous drugs, some are known to progress into severe pleural thickening which needs decortication despite adequate anti-tuberculous treatment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the development of severe pleural thickening in patients who finally underwent pleural decortication in tuberculous pleurisy. Patients and Methods : From retrospective medical records review, 121 patients initially diagnosed as tuberculous pleurisy without initial pleural fluid loculation were enrolled between January 1998 and December 2002. They were separated into two groups: 85 patients in group 1 who improved by anti-tuberculous drugs only, and 36 patients in group 2 who had progressed into pleural adhesion and finally underwent pleural decortication despite adequate (more than 6 months) anti-tuberculous treatment. Results : Males were more common in group 2 (M/F=31/5) than in group 1 (M/F=53/32) (p=0.010). Group 2 patients tended to have lower pleural fluid glucose level ($58{\pm}4$ mg/dL) than group 1 ($89{\pm}3$ mg/dL) (p=0.001) and higher pleural fluid adenosine deaminase level ($86{\pm}5$ IU/L) than group 1 ($76{\pm}3$ IU/L), (p=0.038). There were no significant differences in age, symptom duration, pleural fluid amount, or pleural fluid LDH level between groups 1 and 2. Conclusions : There was a relative risk of tuberculous pleurisy progression into severe pleural thickening which needed decortication in the case of male patients, low pleural fluid glucose or high adenosine deaminase level. But further, large-scale, prospective studies should be investigated.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.32 no.5 s.94
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• pp.313-325
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• 2002

Three-dimensional CT imaging is efficient in examining specific structures in the craniofacial area by reproducing actual measurements through minimization of errors from patient movement and image magnification. Due to the rapid development of digital image technology and the expansion of treatment range a need for developing three -dimensional analysis has become urgent. Therefore the purpose of this study was to evaluate the percentage of error and magnification of three-dimensional CT using a dried skull and Vworks $program^{TM}$ (Cybermed Inc., Seoul, Korea) and also to obtain landmarks that are easy to designate and reproduce in three-dimensional images using the Vmorph-proto $program^{TM}$ (Cybermed Inc., Seoul, Korea). The following conclusions were obtained, 1. In the comparison of actual measurements from the dried skull and the three-dimensional image obtained from the Vworks program, the mean error was 0.99mm and the magnification was 1.04%. 2. Clinically useful hard tissue landmarks from three-dimensional images were Supraorbitale, Lateral orbital margin, Infraorbitale, Nasion, ANS, A point, Zygomaticomaxilla, Upper incisor, Lower incisor, B point, pogonion, Menton, PNS, Condylar inner margin, Condylar outer margin, Porion, Condylion, Gonionl, Gonion2, Gonion3, Sigmoid notch and Basion. 3. Clinically useful soft tissue landmarks from three-dimensional images were Endocanthion, Exocanthion, Soft tissue Nasion, Pronasale, Alare lateralis, Upper nostril point, Lower nostril point, Subnasale, Upper lip point, Cheilion, Stomion, Lower lip center, Soft tissue B, Pogonion, Menton and Preaurale. The Vworks program can be considered a clinically efficient tool to produce and measure three-dimensional images. Most of the hard and soft tissue landmarks proposed above are anatomically important points which are also easily reproducible and designated. These landmarks can be beneficial in three-dimensional diagnosis and the prediction of changes before and after surgery.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 2002

Background: Hemoptysis is an often alarming presenting symptom and VEGF is a major regulator of both normal and abnormal angiogenesis, including many inflarrunatory diseases. In this report the clinical significance of the serum VEGF level in patients with hemoptysis was investigated. Methods: Thirty-two patients with hemoptysis were evaluated. The estimated amount of hemoptysis, etiology and serum VEGF level was examined at admission and bronchial angiography was performed in 22 patients. In order to objectify the neovascularization status, one point for the presence of the A-V shunt, hypervascularity, vascular tortuosity was designated for a total of 0-3 points. Results: Mean quantity of hemoptysis was $172.4{\pm}270.4ml$. The mean angiographic neovascularization score was $1.23{\pm}0.75$. The serum VEGF level correlated with the quantity of hemoptysis(r=0.524, p=0.002) and with the angiographic neovascularization score(r=0.441, p=0.04). Using the standard diagnostic criterion for massive hemoptysis, the serum VEGF level of patients with massive hemoptysis($642.4{\pm}545.6$ pg/ml, n=13) was found to be higher than that of patients with non-massive hemoptysis($394.6{\pm}225.8$ pg/ml, n=19) (p=0.069). Conclusion: Regardless of the etiology, the serum VEGF may contribute to abnormal neovascularization in patients with hemoptysis. Therefore, it is suggested that serum VEGF measurements may help in predicting a massive hemoptysis.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2003

Purpose : Vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) is known to be the main cause of childhood hypertension and renal failure. Knowing its familial occurrence, we determined the incidence of VUR and renal scar in asymptomatic siblings of Korean patients with primary VUR Methods : A total of 50 siblings from 37 index patients were included. Voiding cystourethro-graphy(VCUG) and renal scintigraphy using $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ were peformed in these siblings from June, 1994 to May, 2001, Index patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of VUR in their siblings, and the clinical factors of the index patients such as age, sex, grade of reflux and renal cortical defect were compared between the groups. Results : Among the 50 siblings, VUR were found in 8(16%) and renal cortical defects were detected in 8(16%) siblings respectively. The incidence of renal cortical defects was 87.5%(7 out of 8) in the VUR(+) siblings. There was a case of VUR(-) cortical defect in one sibling, presumed as a scar from an old VUR. There was no relationship among age, sex, grade of reflux and renal cortical defect of the index patient to the presence of VUR in siblings. Conclusion : This study confirmed a significant incidence of VUR(16%) and renal cortical defects(16%) in the asymptomatic siblings of patients with primary VUR in Korea. It Is resonable to recommend screening studies to the siblings of patients with VUR for the early detection and prevention of probable reflux nephropathy. (J K orean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2003;7:181-188)

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2019

Objectives : Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a life-saving therapy for patients with terminal liver disease. Many studies have focused on recipients rather than donors. The aim of this study was to assess the emotional status and personality characteristics of LDLT donors. Methods : We evaluated 218 subjects (126 male, 92 female) who visited Daegu Catholic University Medical Center from August 2012 to July 2018. A retrospective review of their preoperative psychological evaluation was done. We investigated epidemiological data and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 questionnaire. Subanalysis was done depending on whether subjects actually underwent surgery, relationship with the recipient, and their gender. Results : Mean age of subjects was $32.19{\pm}10.91years$. 187 subjects received LDLT surgery (actual donors) while 31 subjects didn't (potential donors). Donor-recipient relationship included husband-wife, parent-children, brother-sister etc. Subjects had statistical significance on validity scale L, F, K and all clinical scales compared to the control group. Potential donors had significant difference in F(b), F(p), K, S, Pa, AGGR, PSYC, DISC and NEGE scales compared to actual donors. F, D and NEGE scales were found to be predictive for actual donation. Subanalysis on donor-recipient relationship and gender also showed significant difference in certain scales. Conclusions : Under-reporting of psychological problems should be considered when evaluating living-liver donors. Information about the donor's overall psychosocial background, mental status and donation process should also be acquired.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.294-308
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• 2002

Background : The cell-mediated immune response plays an important role in tuberculosis. After being activated by mycobacterial antigens, T lymphocytes express a high affinity receptor (IL-2R) for interleukin-2 (IL-2) on their own surface and release a soluble fraction of the IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) from the cell membrane into the circulation. Neopterin is a metabolite of guanosine-triphosphate, which is produced by stimulated macrophages under the influence of IFN-$\gamma$ with a T lymphocyte origin. Therefore, the utility of sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and the neopterin levels as immunologic indices of the cell-mediated immune response and severity of disease in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was assessed. Methods : The serum sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin levels were measured in 39 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 6 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis prior to treatment and 10 healthy subjects. The serum and pleural sIL-2R, neopterin and ADA levels were measured in 22 patients with tuberculous pleurisy. The patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were divided into a mild, moderate and severe group according to the severity by ATS guidelines. To compare the results from these patients with those of the pretreatment levels, the sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin levels were measured in 36 of the 39 patients(1 patient, expired; 2 patients were referred to a sanitarium) with pulmonary tuberculosis after 2 months of treatment. Results : 1) the serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels were elevated in patients with tuberculosis when compared to those of healthy subjects (p>0.05). The neopterin concentration in the serum was significantly lower in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis($2967{\pm}2132.8$ pg/ml) than in healthy controls($4949{\pm}1242.1$ pg/ml)(p<0.05). 2) In the pulmonary tuberculosis group, the serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels were higher in patients with severe disease than those in patients with mild and moderate disease. However, the neopterin levels declined as the pulmonary tuberculosis became more severe (p<0.01). 3) The mean serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels declined from $1071{\pm}1139.4$ U/ml to $1023{\pm}1920.9$ U/ml(p>0.05), $41{\pm}52.8$ pg/ml to $22{\pm}23.9$ gm/ml(p<0.05), respectively, after 2 month of treatment. The mean serum neopterin levels increased from $3158{\pm}2272.6$ pg/ml to $3737{\pm}2307.5$ pg/ml(p>0.05) after a 2 month of treatment. These findings were remarkable in the severe group of pulmonary tuberculosis with a clinical correlation. 4) In the patients with tuberculous pleurisy, the serum sIL-2R and ADA were significantly higher than those in the pleural fluid, However, the neopterin levels in the sera and pleural effusion were similar. Conclusion : On the basis of this study, sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin measurements may not only provide an insight into the present state of the cell-mediated immune response, but also serve as parameters monitoring of the prognosis of the disease, particularly in patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, an assay of the pleural sIL-2R levels might signal a stimulated local immunity including T cell activation in the tuberculous pleural effusion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.407-412
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• 2017

This study investigates the correlations between the total prostate volume (TPV), using the prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) as the blood test results and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), and the prostate transition zone volume (PTZV), as well as variables such as age; the findings can be used as clinical indicators. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 68 healthy men in their 30s who underwent TRUS and PSA and PSAD blood tests from June 2007 to April 2016, with no history of treatment in their prostate. Siemens Acuson sequoia 512 and the probe Siemens EC-10C5 Endocavitary were used as the ultrasound equipment. For statistical analysis, SPSS 18.0 was used to calculate the standard deviation and mean of each variable; Pearson's correlation analysis was also performed. The descriptive statistics of the variables were $24.27{\pm}6.60$ for TPV, $6.99{\pm}6.60$ for PTZV, $2.12{\pm}2.76$ for PSA, and $0.281{\pm}0.1$ for PSAD. The coefficients of correlations between PTZV and variables were 0.831 for PSAD, 0.707 for TPV, 0.398 for age, and 0.118 for PSA. While PSA and age were positively correlated, PSAD and TPV were highly correlated. Therefore, PTZV of men in their 30s without underlying diseases can be predicted using PSAD and TPV.