• Journal of the Korean Physical Society
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• v.73 no.9
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• pp.1377-1384
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• 2018

Accurate measurement of the absorbed dose and the effective dose is required in dental panoramic radiography involving relatively low energy with a rotational X-ray tube system using long exposures. To determine the effectiveness of measuring the irradiation by using passive dosimetry, we compared the entrance skin doses by using a radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter (RPL) and an optically stimulated luminescence detector (OSL) in a phantom model consisting of nine and 31 transverse sections. The parameters of the panoramic device were set to 80 kV, 4 mA, and 12 s in the standard program mode. The X-ray spectrum was applied in the same manner as the panoramic dose by using the SpekCalc Software. The results indicated a mass attenuation coefficient of $0.008226cm^2/g$, and an effective energy of 34 keV. The equivalent dose between the RPL and the OSL was calculated based on a product of the absorbed doses. The density of the aluminum attenuators was $2.699g/cm^3$. During the panoramic examination, tissue absorption doses with regard to the RPL were a surface dose of $75.33{\mu}Gy$ and a depth dose of $71.77{\mu}Gy$, those with regard to the OSL were surface dose of $9.2{\mu}Gy$ a depth dose of $70.39{\mu}Gy$ and a mean dose of $74.79{\mu}Gy$. The effective dose based on the International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 103 tissue weighting factor for the RPL were $0.742{\mu}Sv$, $8.9{\mu}Sv$, $2.96{\mu}Sv$ and those for the OSL were $0.754{\mu}Sv$, $9.05{\mu}Sv$, and $3.018{\mu}Sv$ in the parotid and sublingual glands, orbit, and thyroid gland, respectively. The RPL was more effective than the OSL for measuring the absorbed radiation dose in low-energy systems with a rotational X-ray tube.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze the spatial dose according to the distance by location of medical workers when using a mobile X-ray fluoroscopy device in the operating room through a simulation experiment. The MCNPX program was used for the simulation, and the location of medical workers was set around the operating table, and the spatial dose distribution according to the distance and changes in imaging conditions was evaluated. As a result, The highest score was 2.74×10^-4 mGy, 2.72×10^-4 mGy, and 1.18×10^-4 mGy based on the 10 cm distance from the operating table. Spatial dose depending on the distance 100cm, A point 5.15×10^-5 mGy is decreased 19% of 10cm, D point 5.12×10^-5 mGy, 19 % of 10cm, and G pint, 1.73×10^-5 mGy is reduced by 15% of 10cm. Based on this study, medical-related workers directly or indirectly participating in surgery carry potential risks of radiation exposure during surgery, but there are difficulties in radiation protection due to the nature of their work. Therefore, efforts to reduce exposure suitable for the operating room environment will be required.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.61-65
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• 2020

Background and Objectives The overall incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis (LT) has generally decreased over the recent years, yet there is still a discrete population of patients newly diagnosed with the disease. This study is aimed to examine the patients with LT over the recent 10 years and to investigate the changes in clinical pattern with respect to the past period. Materials and Method A retrospective review has been performed on 20 patients who have been initially diagnosed with LT between 2005 and 2015. Results The age of the patients ranged from 25 years to 95 years with an average age of 45.6 years. Seventeen patients (85%) showed hoarseness, which was the most common clinical symptom. Most affected lesion was the true vocal cord. Laryngoscopic examination showed various clinical manifestations: polypoid 30%, granulomatous 25%, nonspecific 25%, ulcerative 20%. A variety of methods were used for diagnostic confirmation of LT [acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear 45%, AFB culture 40%, polymerase chain reaction 30%, surgical pathology 45%]. Coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis (PT) was detected in 10 patients (50%). Relative to the patients with inactive PT or normal lung status, those with active PT showed higher incidence of laryngeal lesions located in areas other than true vocal cord (p=0.050). Conclusion Based on the analytic results from this study, laryngologists should recognize the changes in the recent clinical patterns of LT and always be ready for clinical suspicion of this disease on such atypical laryngeal findings which can often mimic laryngeal malignancies to provide the pertinent treatment.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.45-52
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• 2018

Objectives : Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma (SGR) has been used in traditional medicine for treating diseases related to inflammation and cancer. However, the protective effect of SGR has not been reported in the study of acute pancreatitis (AP). Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the protective effects of SGR water extract on cerulein-induced AP. Methods : AP was induced by intraperitoneal injection of supramaximal concentrations of stable cholecystokinin analogue cerulein ($50{\mu}g/kg$) 6 times at intervals of one hour in mice. SGR water extract (0.01, 0.05, or 0.1 g/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally 1 h prior to the first injection of cerulein. The mice were sacrificed at 6 h after the final injection of cerulein. Pancreas and lung were rapidly removed for histochemical examination and myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to examine mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin(IL)-6, $IL-1{\beta}$ and Tumor necrosis $factor(TNF)-{\alpha}$. Results : Administration of SGR water extract significantly inhibited pancreatic weight to body weight ratio. In addition, SGR treatment inhibited the histological damages and increase of MPO activity in both pancreas and lung during AP. Also, mRNA levels of IL-6 but not $IL-1{\beta}$and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were inhibited by SGR water extract against AP. Conclusion : Our results revealed that pre-treatment of SGR water extract reduces the severity of cerulein-induced AP. Therefore, this study suggest that SGR could be used as a drug or agent to prevent AP.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.295-301
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• 2023

In addition to protocol adjustments during CT examinations, the height of the CT table can also affect image quality. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the change in image quality depending on the height of the table in brain CT, which accounts for a large proportion of CT examinations, by measuring signal to contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and noise power spectrum (NPS) using the head phantom and evaluating them. The head phantom images were acquired using Philips Brilliance iCT 256. When the image was acquired, the table height was adjusted to 815, 865, 915, 965, 1015, and 1030 mm, respectively, and each scan was performed 3 times for each height. The CNR result showed the highest value at 965 mm, which is the height adjacent to the center of the head phantom. NPS showed the lowest NPS at 915 mm, the center of the head phantom in the low frequency region. From these results, it can be seen that the height of the table in CT examination is closely related to the image quality, and it can be seen the characteristics of image quality according to CT table through quantitative evaluation methods such as CNR and NPS.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2024

A 3-year-old spayed female Russian blue cat was presented for dyspnea, nasal discharge, and stertorous breathing. Plain thoracic radiography revealed no specific findings. Computed tomography (CT) was performed to differentiate upper airway tract disorders. It revealed the presence of an iso-attenuating mass measuring 10.0 × 7.9 × 15.6 mm, with mild homogeneous contrast enhancement occupying the rostral nasopharynx. The mass was surgically debulked via a longitudinal incision in the soft palate. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry analysis of the surgically excised mass revealed CD3-/CD79a+ B cell lymphoma with an incomplete margin. The patient underwent hypofractionated radiation therapy, receiving a total of 36 Gray (Gy) in 6 Gy fractions over a six-week period. A follow-up CT examination was performed after 27 months of irradiation and the patient was confirmed to have achieved a complete response. There were no complications related to irradiation. The patient was alive for 40 months without recurrence. This study suggests that hypofractionated radiation therapy combined with surgical debulking could be considered as a treatment option for feline nasopharyngeal lymphoma.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.178-182
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• 2024

A 10-year-old spayed female Poodle was referred for blindness. On ophthalmic examination, loss of bilateral ocular pupil light reflex, visual loss, and right retinal detachment were confirmed at a local hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was performed to identify the optic nerve, optic chiasm, and brain disease. A sessile mass centered on the region of the optic chiasm was identified. The mass had iso- to hypointense on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and T2-weighted images and mildly hypointense on T1-weighted images compared to the gray matter, with strong contrast enhancement. Peripheral edema was also identified. Computed tomography (CT) brain perfusion was performed to obtain additional hemodynamic information about the patient using a multislice CT. CT perfusion showed that the cerebral blood volume in the left temporal lobe region (13.4 ± 1.6 mL/100 g) was decreased relative to the contralateral region (19.9 ± 0.3 mL/100 g). The patient showed decreased appetite and consciousness one week after the CT scan with clinical symptoms worsened. The patient had seizure, tetraparesis, and loss of consciousness. It was euthanized one month later at the request of the owner. This report suggests that CT brain perfusion can provide additional hemodynamic information such as insufficient brain perfusion in sellar region tumor which can help assess potential complications and prognosis and plan treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.5
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• pp.1083-1095
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• 2020

Since 2019, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of urogenital disorders have been covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Korea. Patients with urogenital malignancies were already insured by NHI for ultrasound and MRI. With the expansion of NHI coverage, patients with suspected prostate or gynecologic cancer, uterine fibroids before myomectomy and some other benign disease such as congenital anomaly can receive benefits of NHI. In consideration of these changes, radiologists and other clinicians should be aware of the indications and standard images of each examination and the required reporting forms. Clinical application based upon thorough understanding of the NHI guidelines will aid in improving the standard care of patients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.170-178
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• 2014

Purpose: Delirium is a common and serious neuropsychiatric complication among terminally ill cancer patients. We investigated risk factors related to the development of delirium among hospice care patients. Methods: Between May 2011 and September 2012, we included patients who were mentally alert and had no psychiatric disease or drug addiction at the hospice ward of two local hospitals. Among them, participants who had been diagnosed with delirium by two doctors according to the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-4th edition) criteria were grouped as Delirium Group. We analyzed results of psychometric and other laboratory tests performed at the time of patient's admission - psychometric tests included cognitive function (mini-mental status examination, MMSE), depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI), anxiety, and insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index, ISI). Logistic regression analysis was used to compare delirium and the related factors. Cox's proportional hazard model was performed using significant factors of logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 96 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 41 (42.7%) developed delirium. According to the logistic regression analysis, primary cancer site, cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24), depression ($BDI{\geq}16$), and insomnia ($ISI{\geq}15$) were significant factors related to delirium. Among the four factors, depression (OR 5.130; 95% CI, 2.009~13.097) and cognitive impairment (OR 5.130; 95% CI, 2.009~13.097) were found significant using Cox's proportional hazard model. Conclusion: The development of delirium was significantly related to depression and cognitive impairment among patients receiving hospice care. It is necessary to carefully monitor depression and cognitive function in hospice care.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.504-509
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• 2005

Background : Endobronchial tumors cause life-threatening dyspnea and can lower the quality of life due to central airway obstruction. In those cases with an intraluminal tumor, various bronchoscopic techniques are available for tumor debulking. The therapeutic effect of bronchoscopic electrocautery for palliation in patients with a symptomatic tumor obstruction was studied. Method : Nineteen patients with bronchogenic carcinomas (n=15) and metastatic tumors affecting the bronchi (n=4), between March 2002 and March 2005, were enrolled in this study. Electrocautery was performed under local anesthesia using an electroprobe and diathermic snare. Using flexible bronchoscopy, a follow-up bronchoscopic examination was performed 3-4 days later. Symptom improvement was evaluated by $FEV_1$, FVC and dyspnea score (Modified Borg Category Scale (0~10)), both before and after the electrocautery. Results : The success rate of electrocautery on the follow up examination was 84%. Patients with endoluminal airway lesions had a mean overall decrease in the size of the obstruction to $47.8{\pm}15.7%$. The mean Improvement in the dyspnea score immediately after the endobronchial tumor debulking was $2.78{\pm}1.42$. The average improvements in the $FEV_1$ and FVC after electrocautery were $0.32{\pm}0.19L$ and $0.5{\pm}0.22L$, respectively. There were 2 cases of complications related with electrocautery (one each of pneumothorax and pneumonia). Conclusion : Electrocautery using an electroprobe and diathermic snare was an effective and safe palliative treatment for a symptomatic endoluminal airway obstruction in lung cancer.