• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2013

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of cervicothoracic spine sagittal T2-weighted images (CT SAG T2WIs) included in routine lumbar spine MRI. Materials and Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained and informed consents were waived for this retrospective study. The study group comprised 2,113 patients who underwent lumbar spine MRI from January 2005 to December 2005. CT SAG T2WIs were added in the routine lumbar spine MRIs. Radiologic reports were reviewed retrospectively for pathologic lesions on CT SAG T2WIs by one radiologist. Information of additional cervical or thoracic spine MRI and/or CT for further evaluation of positive findings on CT SAG T2WIs and their treatment were collected by retrospectively reviewing medical records. Results: The CT SAG T2WIs revealed 142 pathologic lesions in 139 (6.58%) of the 2,113 patients. They were easily obtained without positional change in a scan time of less than 2 minutes. Additional cervical or thoracic spine MRI and/or CT for positive findings on CT SAG T2WIs were performed in 13 patients. Seven patients underwent surgical treatment. Conclusion: CT SAG T2WIs included in routine lumbar spine MRI were useful in finding the pathologic lesions in cervicothoracic spine for the patients who assumed to have lesions in lumbar spine.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was aimed to determine the effects of thoracic spine thrust manipulation on muscle activities of the scapular upward rotators and middle deltoid, active range of motion (AROM), shoulder pain, and rounded shoulder posture in young adults with rounded shoulder. Methods: The subjects were 30 young adults (14 males, 16 females) with rounded shoulder. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental (manipulation) and control (placebo) groups of fifteen subjects respectively. The manipulation group received the manipulation (high velocity, low amplitude), which was performed by a physical therapist with the subject in the supine position and with the arms crossed over the chest and hands passed over the shoulders. For the sham group, the same procedure was performed, with the exception that the high-velocity thrust was not applied. Measurements were taken before and after the intervention. Muscle activity of upper and lower trapezius, serratus anterior, middle deltoid was measured using surface electromyography. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used for shoulder pain. Goniometry was used for shoulder abduction active range of motion (AROM). Straight edge was used for supine rounded shoulder posture (RSP) distance. Results: The muscle activity of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius and middle deltoid muscle increased significantly after the intervention (p<.05). However, no significant difference was observed in serratus anterior muscle (p>.05). The VAS was significantly decreased and AROM significantly increased after the intervention (p<.05). The distance of RSP were not significant (p>.05). The control group showed no differences before and after the intervention (p>.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that thoracic spine thrust manipulation can be an effective component of treatment plan to improve pain and function.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.498-507
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thoracic flexibility exercise on sitting balance, static standing balance, gait parameters, and the fall risk of patients with chronic stroke. The participants were randomized into the control (n=12) and thoracic flexibility exercise groups (n=12). Both groups received standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes per session. The subjects in the experimental group performed additional thoracic flexibility exercises 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The trunk impairment scale, static standing balance, gait speed, cadence, and fall risk were assessed for all the participants before and after the intervention. The thoracic flexibility exercise group showed greater improvement than did the control group on the trunk impairment scale (t=-3.57, p=.002), static standing balance (t=5.37, p<.001), gait speed (t=-3.29, p=.003), cadence (t=-2.77, p=.011), and fall risk (t=6.33, p<.001). Furthermore, the thoracic flexibility exercise group significantly improved all the outcomes compared to the baseline values (P<.05). This study showed that the thoracic flexibility exercise improved the functional ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.318-322
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• 2011

Three dogs with severe traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) due to falling wound were admitted to the Veterinary Medical Center, Chonbuk National University for evaluation of severe pelvic limbs paralysis without deep pain, normal defecation and urination. Based on physical examination, neurological assessment and computed tomogram (CT), the diagnosis was made as subluxation and compressed fracture. All the cases were surgically treated with dorsal laminectomy and a spondylosyndesis using pin and bone cements. For 2 weeks, the dogs didn't show any improvement. Consequently, the dogs were treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and Duhuojisheng-tang (DHJST). All the dogs got back the deep pain and presented wagged tail on 14-35 days after starting EA with DHJST. Especially, two of 3 dogs recovered almost normal ambulation and capacities of urination and defecation. But, one dog failed to regain normal ambulation due to inflammation of operative site which is thought to be caused by the bone cement. From these cases, it was thought that the combination of EA and DHJST mightbe one of the suitable therapies in dogs with no neurological improvement.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.61-68
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• 2014

In the present study, we aimed to examine the effects of Schroth exercise(three-dimensional convergence exercise) on pulmonary function(vital capacity, and chest expansion), Cobb's angle, scoliometer angle, and erector spinae muscle activity. We examined 40 students with idiopathic scoliosis(Cobb's angle $10^{\circ}$). They were divided into the Schroth and conventional exercise groups, with 20 people in each group. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 18.0 with a paired t-test(pre-post difference) and an independent t-test(between-group differnence). the result of were as follows; 1) After 8 weeks of Schroth exercise, significant improvements were observed in Cobb's angle, rib hump, vital capacity, chest expansion, and right thoracic longissimus muscle activity. 2) After 8 weeks of conventional exercise, a significant improvement was observed only in chest expansion. These findings indicate that the Schroth exercise program improved the Cobb's angle, rib hump, pulmonary function, and sEMG results. Therefore, this study demonstrates the usefulness of the Schroth exercise program for idiopathic scoliosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.573-579
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• 2023

This study compares dose difference between the presence or absence of grid in Chest PA radiography using auto exposure control and compares image quality among presence, absence or virtual grid, and proposes a new clinically useful grid combination for chest radiography. The human body phantom was placed Chest PA position and the dosimeter was placed at T6. The same irradiation conditions and field size were applied. 30 images were obtained in the state in which grid was applied and in the state in which grid was not applied, and an additional 30 images in which the virtual grid was applied to the image without the grid were obtained. Radiation dose was presented to entrance surface dose. The image quality was analyzed by comparing the signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratio. ESD decreased by 48% when the grid was not used, compared to when the grid was used. SNR and CNR increased by 32% and 30% compared to grid use when grid was not used, respectively. In the case of using the virtual grid, it increased by 18% and 16% respectively, compared to the case of using the grid. As a result of this study, it is believed that when using a virtual grid instead of a grid, the quality of the image can be maintained while reducing the patient dose.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was conducted to search for the type of technical error in DEXA(dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and the effect of error to measurement of BMD. Materials and Methods: The changes of BMD($g/cm^2$, T-score) by patients information(Age, Weight, Height, Manopause age) input error and Confirming ROI error were investigated. Using spine phantom, we canned 10 times by age(5, 10), weight(10, 20 kg), height(5, 10 cm), manopause age(5, 10) increase & decrease respectively. Scanning region(L-spine, femur, Forearm) of 10 patients was calculated by changing ROI respectively. Analysis of difference for mean(precision 1%) were carried out. Results: The error of patient information(Age, Weight, Height, Manopause age) was not changed differently. In confirming ROI, the BMD and T-score of L-spine involving T-12 was decreased to $0.063\;g/cm^2$, 0.3 and involving L-5 increased to $0.077\;g/cm^2$, 0.5. In narrowing 1 cm of vertical line of ROI, the BMD and T-score decreased to $0.006\;g/cm^2$, 0.1 and in 2 cm, $0.021\;g/cm^2$, 0.15, each. In hip ROI, Upper and left shift(0.5 cm) of line was not influenced BMD and T-score. In 0.5 cm lower shift(lesser trochanter below), the BMD and T-score increased $0.031\;g/cm^2$, 0.3 and in 1 cm $0.094\;g/cm^2$, 0.65, each. In forearm ROI, the BMD and T-score decreased $0.042\;g/cm^2$, 0.9 involving 1 cm lower wrist. And expanding 1 cm of vertical line, the BMD and T-score decreased $0.008\;g/cm^2$, 0.1 and in 2 cm, $0.021\;g/cm^2$, 0.3, each. The L-spine, hip, forearm ROI error was changed differently. Conclusion: There are so many kinds of technical error in BMD processing. Errors according to age, weight, height, manopause age did not influent to $BMD(g/cm^2)$ and T-score. There are mean differences BMD and T-score in confirming ROI. For the precision exam, in L-spine processing, L1-4 have to confirmed without shift of ROI vertical line. In hip processing, the ROI have to included greater trochanter, femur head and lesser trochanter. In forearm processing, the ROI have to included wrist, radius and ulnar.