• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.54-62
• /
• 2020

Objectives : Acute low back pain syndrome causes pain and poor quality of life. There are various studies of SBV (Sweet bee venom) pharmacopuncture, but few have identified the therapeutic effects for patients unable to walk due to acute back pain. This case series report three cases of acute low back pain syndrome treated with SBV pharmacopuncture combined with Korean Medicine (KM) treatments. Methods : Three acute low back pain syndrome patients with no other acute abnormalities in the imaging were treated by KM treatments including SBV pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine and physical therapy. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated using Numerical rating scale (NRS), Oswestry disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 dimension index (EQ-5D) and EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Results : Patients who were unable to walk due to acute back pain were able to walk. There were significant improvements of NRS, ODI, EQ-5D and EQ-VAS after treatment. The patients experienced an average 90% decrease in low back pain after inpatient KM treatment for about 8 days. NRS decreased by an average of 78.9%, ODI decreased by an average of 49.4%, and EQ-VAS increased by an average of 92.6%. In the case 1, EQ-5D decreased in all categories, but in the case 2, it decreased in all categories except for pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression, but in the case 3, it decreased in all categories except anxiety/depression. There was no serious side effect after treatment of SBV pharmacopuncture. Conclusions : KM treatments including SBV pharmacopuncture may be effective for acute low back pain syndrome patients. However, randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to confirm the clinical effects of these interventions.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.110-117
• /
• 2021

Toxic megacolon is a fatal complication of inflammatory or infectious bowel disease. Prognosis depends on the severity of the disease. In cases of poor prognosis, clinical outcomes range from intestinal resection to death, so early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are very important. However, the prevalence of toxic megacolon in children is very low, and in those without underlying diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, early diagnosis may be delayed. A previously healthy 12-year-old boy presented to our hospital with lower abdomen pain, fever, and hematochezia. Despite antibiotic therapy, the symptoms worsened. On the third day, abdominal computed tomography revealed severe dilatation of the transverse colon, which indicated toxic megacolon. Stool culture was positive for Salmonella enteritidis group D, and rectal endoscopy showed no signs of inflammatory bowel disease. Ceftriaxone and intravenous methylprednisolone were administered, and the patient's condition improved without any complications. We report a case of toxic megacolon as a complication of infectious colitis caused by S. enteritidis group D, which was diagnosed using early imaging and successfully treated without surgical intervention.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.107-119
• /
• 2014

Purpose : To efficiently evaluate phased array coil performance using a software tool box with which we can make visual comparison of the sensitivity of every coil element between the real experiment and EM simulation. Materials and Methods: We have developed a $C^{{+}{+}}$- and MATLAB-based software tool called Phased Array Coil Evaluator (PACE). PACE has the following functions: Building 3D models of the coil elements, importing the FDTD simulation results, and visualizing the coil sensitivity of each coil element on the ordinary Cartesian coordinate and the relative coil position coordinate. To build a 3D model of the phased array coil, we used an electromagnetic 3D tracker in a stylus form. After making the 3D model, we imported the 3D model into the FDTD electromagnetic field simulation tool. Results: An accurate comparison between the coil sensitivity simulation and real experiment on the tool box platform has been made through fine matching of the simulation and real experiment with aids of the 3D tracker. In the simulation and experiment, we used a 36-channel helmet-style phased array coil. At the 3D MRI data acquisition using the spoiled gradient echo sequence, we used the uniform cylindrical phantom that had the same geometry as the one in the FDTD simulation. In the tool box, we can conveniently choose the coil element of interest and we can compare the coil sensitivities element-by-element of the phased array coil. Conclusion: We expect the tool box can be greatly used for developing phased array coils of new geometry or for periodic maintenance of phased array coils in a more accurate and consistent manner.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.360-367
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to perform three-dimensional (3D) assessment of facial soft tissue in patients with skeletal Class III and mandibular asymmetry after orthognathic surgery. Methods: Samples consisted of 3D facial images obtained from five patients with A point-nasion-B point angle less than 2 degrees, and more than 5 mm of menton deviation. All patients had been treated at Gangneung-Wonju National University Dental Hospital from 2009 to 2012. They had undergone orthognathic surgery of Lefort I, and sagittal split osteotomy for correction of skeletal deformity, and orthodontic treatment. Facial scanning was performed before treatment (T1) and post-surgical orthodontic treatment (T2). Linear and angle variables of soft tissue landmarks, antero-posterior facial depth, and facial volume were measured. Results: No significant differences in width of the alar base, mouth width, and nasal canting were observed between T1 and T2. However, lip deviation, menton deviation, alar canting, lip canting, and menton deviation angle were significantly reduced at T2. Antero-posterior facial depth on the axial plane parallel to the left cheilion was significantly reduced on the deviated side and significantly increased on the non-deviated side at T2. Volume of the lower lateral and lower medial parts of the face was reduced on the deviated side, and volume of upper lateral and lower lateral parts on the non-deviated side was significantly increased at T2. Conclusion: After orthognathic surgery, facial asymmetry of soft tissue was improved following skeletal changes, especially the mandibular region. Although the length of the alar base and mouth width did not change, lip and soft tissue menton were displaced to the medial side after treatment. Facial depth also became symmetric after treatment. Facial volume showed a decrease on the lower part of the deviated side and that on lateral parts of the non-deviated side showed an increase after treatment.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.41-47
• /
• 2011

Purpose : To evaluate the cause of internal jugular vein (IJV) obstruction on contrast enhanced 3D MR angiography (CE-MRA) using contrast enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT). Materials and Methods : A total number of 30 patients were enrolled, who underwent both head and neck CE-MRA and CE-CT from 2005 to 2008. We defined obstruction group which had IJV obstruction and control group which had no IJV obstruction on CE-MRA. The following parameters were measured from axial images of CE-CT: 1) diameter of IJV; 2) distance between the styloid process and ipsilateral lateral mass of the atlas; 3) maximum area of lateral mass of the atlas. Each parameter was compared between obstruction group and control group. Results : The diameter of IJV and distance between the styloid process and lateral mass of the atlas at IJV obstruction side in obstruction group were $1.6{\pm}1.0\;mm$ and $4.1{\pm}2.1\;mm$ respectively, which resulted in statistical significance (p<0.01). The maximum area of lateral mass of the atlas at IJV obstruction side in obstruction group was $103.4{\pm}25.3\;mm^2$ which is significantly larger than in control group (p<0.05). Conclusion : We found that the cause of IJV obstruction on CE-MRA could be narrow space between the styloid process and the lateral mass of the atlas, which was related with asymmetric larger area of lateral mass of atlas.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.123-129
• /
• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study 띤as to determine the potential role of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in the treatment of primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. The preliminary results on the efficacy and the toxicity of 3D-CRT are reported. Materials and Methods : Seventeen patients were enrolled in this study, which was conducted prospectively from January 1995 to June 1997. The exclusion criteria included the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, liver cirrhosis of Child-Pugh classification C, tumors occupying more than two thirds of the entire liver, and a performance status of more than 3 on the ECOG scale. Two patients were treated with radiotherapy only while the remaining 15 were treated with combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Radiotherapy was given to the field including the tumor plus a 1.5 cm margin using a 3D-CRT technique. The radiation dose ranged from $36\~60\;Gy$ (median; 59.4 Gy). Tumor response was based on a radiological examination such as the CT scan, MR imaging, and hepatic artery angiography at $4\~8$ weeks following the completion of treatment. The acute and subacute toxicities were monitored. Results : An objective response was observed in 11 out of 17 patients, giving a response rate of $64.7\%$. The actuarial survival rate at 2 years was $21.2\%$ from the start of radiotherapy (median survival; 19 months). Six patients developed a distant metastasis consisting of a lung metastasis in 5 patients and bone metastasis in one. The complications related to 30-CRT were gastro-duodenitis $(\geq\;grade\;2)$ in 2 patients. There were no treatment related deaths and radiation induced hepatitis. Conclusion : The preliminary results show that 3D-CRT is a reliable and effective treatment modality for primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma compared to other conventional modalities. Further studies to evaluate the definitive role of the 3D-CRT technique in the treatment of primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma are needed.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.15 no.9
• /
• pp.418-424
• /
• 2015

In this study, we proceed if there are any changes in binding ability of receptor-ligand in some degree of SA and in radioactive uptake from the corpus striatum based on small animal experiment in vivo based on the S.A values. By dividing 18F-Fallypride into 3 S.A values(high S.A : 43.29~74 GBq/umol, ordinary S.A : 20.72~29.23 GBq/umol, low S.A : 6.29~8.51 GBq/umol), we injected directly into the veins and performed 90 minutes of dynamic scan using Micro PET. After scanning, we compared and analyzed with Binding Potential (Binding Potential) from the bilateral striatum. high SA and low SA, ordinary SA and low SA showed significant differences. Also, in the image comparison using 18F-Fallypride show high radioactive uptake in the striatum at high SA and ordinary SA, but the radioactive uptake at low SA is lower than other two SA. Since 18F-Fallypride has affinity to dopamine D2/3 pharmacokinetic, the difference of Binding Potentials at decreased level of SA values was not that significant. However, further PET research of the corpus striatum using 18F-Fallypride is necessary because the differences in images and Binding Potentials at 6.5 times smaller SA values compared to high SA value showed were significant.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.23-29
• /
• 2018

Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency (CPS1D) is a rare autosomal recessive urea cycle disorder characterized by hyperammonemia. CPS1D is caused by mutations in the CPS1 gene on chromosome 2q35. Based on the age of onset, there are two phenotypes: the neonatal type and the delayed-onset type. The severity of clinical manifestation depends on the degree of CPS1 residual enzymatic activity, and can result in hyperammonemia and neurological dysfunction. We report a case of CPS1D in a neonate who developed vomiting, decreased consciousness and hyperammonemia at 25th day after birth. She showed excellent response to treatment including hydration, ammonia-lowering drugs and a low-protein diet without hemodialysis. Her growth, development and neurological outcomes were fair at the last follow-up at 17 months of age.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.363-373
• /
• 2024

Objective: To develop and evaluate a deep learning model for automated segmentation and detection of bone metastasis on spinal MRI. Materials and Methods: We included whole spine MRI scans of adult patients with bone metastasis: 662 MRI series from 302 patients (63.5 ± 11.5 years; male:female, 151:151) from three study centers obtained between January 2015 and August 2021 for training and internal testing (random split into 536 and 126 series, respectively) and 49 MRI series from 20 patients (65.9 ± 11.5 years; male:female, 11:9) from another center obtained between January 2018 and August 2020 for external testing. Three sagittal MRI sequences, including non-contrast T1-weighted image (T1), contrast-enhanced T1-weighted Dixon fat-only image (FO), and contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted image (CE), were used. Seven models trained using the 2D and 3D U-Nets were developed with different combinations (T1, FO, CE, T1 + FO, T1 + CE, FO + CE, and T1 + FO + CE). The segmentation performance was evaluated using Dice coefficient, pixel-wise recall, and pixel-wise precision. The detection performance was analyzed using per-lesion sensitivity and a free-response receiver operating characteristic curve. The performance of the model was compared with that of five radiologists using the external test set. Results: The 2D U-Net T1 + CE model exhibited superior segmentation performance in the external test compared to the other models, with a Dice coefficient of 0.699 and pixel-wise recall of 0.653. The T1 + CE model achieved per-lesion sensitivities of 0.828 (497/600) and 0.857 (150/175) for metastases in the internal and external tests, respectively. The radiologists demonstrated a mean per-lesion sensitivity of 0.746 and a mean per-lesion positive predictive value of 0.701 in the external test. Conclusion: The deep learning models proposed for automated segmentation and detection of bone metastases on spinal MRI demonstrated high diagnostic performance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.81 no.2
• /
• pp.310-323
• /
• 2020

To treat congenital heart disease, it is important to understand the anatomical structure correctly. Three-dimensional (3D) printed models of the heart effectively demonstrate the structural features of congenital heart disease. Occasionally, the exact characteristics of complex cardiac malformations are difficult to identify on conventional computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and echocardiography, and the use of 3D printed models can help overcome their limitations. Recently, 3D printed models have been used for congenital heart disease education, preoperative simulation, and decision-making processes. In addition, we will pave the way for the development of this technology in the future and discuss various aspects of its use, such as the development of surgical techniques and training of cardiac surgeons.