• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.14-24
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• 2016

Since the head and neck region is densely located with organs at risk (OAR), OAR-sparing is an important issue in the treatment of head and neck cancers. This study-in which different treatment plans were performed varying the head tilt angle on brain tumor patients-investigates the optimal head elevation angle for sparing normal organs (e.g. the hippocampus) and further compares the dosimetric characteristics of different types of radiation equipment. we performed 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and tomotherapy on 10 patients with brain tumors in the frontal lobe while varying the head tilt angle of patients to analyze the dosimetric characteristics of different therapy methods. In each treatment plan, 95% of the tumor volume was irradiated with a dose of 40 Gy in 10 fractions. The step and shoot technique with nine beams was used for IMRT, and the same prescription dose was delivered to the tumor volume for the 3D-CRT and tomotherapy plans. The homogeneity index, conformity index, and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) were calculated. At a head elevation angle of $30^{\circ}$, conformity of the isodose curve to the target increased on average by 53%, 8%, and 5.4%. In 3D-CRT, the maximum dose received by the brain stem decreased at $15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, and $40^{\circ}$, compared to that observed at $0^{\circ}$. The NTCP value of the hippocampus observed in each modality was the highest at a head and neck angle of $0^{\circ}$ and the lowest at $30^{\circ}$. This study demonstrates that the elevation of the patients' head tilt angle in radiation therapy improves the target region's homogeneity of dose distribution by increasing the tumor control rate and conformity of the isodose curve to the target. Moreover, the study shows that the elevation of the head tilt angle lowers the NTCP by separating the tumor volume from the normal tissues, which helps spare OARs and reduce the delivered dose to the hippocampus.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.320-327
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• 2011

Purpose: To determine the effect of changing practice guidelines designed to avoid hyperoxia or hypoxia in very low birth weight or very preterm infants. Methods: We analyzed a database of <1,500 g birth weight or <32 weeks of gestation infants who were born and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Chungnam National University Hospital from January 2007 to July 2010. First, we defined the relationship between arterial partial pressure of oxygen ($PaO_2$) and pulse oxygen saturation ($SpO_2$). When we evaluated 96 pairs of $PaO_2$ and $SpO_2$ measurements, oxygen saturation was 90-94% at a $PaO_2$ of 43-79 mmHg on the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, according to pulse oximetry. Based on this observation, a change in practice was instituted in August 2008 with the objective of avoiding hypoxia and hyperoxia in preterm infants with targeting a $SpO_2$ 90-94% (period II). Before the change in practice, high alarms for $SpO_2$ were set at 100% and low alarms at 95% (period I). Results: Sixty-eight infants the met enrollment criteria and 38 (56%) were born during period II, after the change in $SpO_2$ targets. Demographic characteristics, except gender, were similar between the infants born in both periods. After correcting for the effect of confounding factors, the rates for mortality, severe retinopathy of prematurity, and IVH attended to be lower than those for infants in period II. No difference in the rate of patent ductus arteriosus needed to treat was observed. Conclusion: A change in the practice guidelines aimed at avoiding low oxygen saturation and hyperoxia did not increase neonatal complication rates and showed promising results, suggesting decreased mortality and improvements in short term morbidity. It is still unclear what range of oxygen saturation is appropriate for very preterm infants but the more careful saturation targeting guideline should be considered to prevent hypoxemic events and hyperoxia.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.136-139
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• 2008

Purpose: Epidural morphine infusion has been used to control pain in cancer patients whose cancer pain can not be controlled high dose intravenous morphine injection. To study the effectiveness and side effects of epidural morphine for the treatment of cancer pain in terminal patients at Hospice Ward, we evaluated the change in morphine equivalent daily dose for effectiveness and complications of epidural morphine infusion. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 24 terminal cancer patients who were treated with continuous epidural morphine between 2001 and 2004 at Hospice Ward of St. Vincent's Hospital. Results: The median of baseline morphine equivalent daily dose was 615 mg, whereas the median dose of initial epidural morphine was 16 mg. The median of morphine daily equivalent daily dose dropped from 615 mg to 274 mg in one week after epidural morphine infusion therapy (P-value=0.000). The median survival from the time of the first catheter insertion was 35 days. In 6 patients, the catheter was removed due to complications, however the catheter was reinserted in 3 patients. Conclusion: Cancer pain management by epidural morphine infusion is very effective method with low rate of severe complication.

• 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.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2001

Purpose : Lymphadenitis is the most common complication of BCG vaccination and has various clinical course and prognosis, but there are no accurate guidelines for management of BCG lymphadenitis. We performed this study to reveal the clinical course of BCG lymphadenitis and provide guidelines for its management. Methods : From January, 1997, to May, 2000, 73 patients in the 3~24 months were enrolled. We investigated retrospectively the size, site, and number of lymphadenitis, tuberculin skin test induration, used BCG strains, vaccination age, injection site, treatment and clinical course. The effects of various variables on clinical course were evaluated. Results : 1) There were no statistically significant difference between lymphadenitis size and tuberculin test induration diameter, spontaneous resolution rate, and suppuration rate. 2) Later vaccination(${\geq}1$ mo) and supraclavicular lymphadenitis increased suppuration rate. Using domestic BCG product increased surgical treatment rate. 3) According to treatment(observation vs antituberculous medication), medication did not affect the prevention of suppuration and ironically increased the rate of suppuration and surgical treatment. 4) Suppurative lymphadenitis required more surgical treatment than non-supurative one. Conclusions : Clinical course of BCG lymphadenitis is affected by vaccination age, used BCG strains, site of lymphadenitis, antituberculous medication and suppuration, but not affected by size and number of lymphadenitis. For management of BCG lymphadenitis, systemic antituberculous medicaion is not recommended and regular follow up with observation should be the mainstay. But for suppuration, active surgical en bloc resection should be the treatment of choice.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in children and adolescents in Korea and to delineate the effects of varicella vaccine on the incidence of zoster and its complication. Methods : We evaluated the clinical records of 201 patients younger than 20 years admitted for herpes zoster at four hospitals located in Kyung-Gi provine during Jul. 1995 to Jun. 2005. Results : The admitted patients for herpes zoster have increased during the past 10 years. The effects of varicella vaccine on the incidence of herpes zoster remain inconclusive in this study. Only twelve percent of the study patients had underlying diseases. In 34(17%) of 201 patients, complications were confirmed during hospitalization. Of 34 patients, meningitis occurred most frequently. Irrespective of varicella vaccination, occurrence of complications was higher in patients who had experienced varicella previously(=overt varicella infection) than patients who had not(=subclinical varicella infection). In case of no previous varicella history, we found complications to be much lower in those who had received the varicella vaccine than those who had not. Conclusion : We cannot conclude whether the varicella vaccine has an effect on the increasing incidence of zoster. We can conclude that the subclinical varicella infection or vaccination for varicella might lead to a decreased incidence of zoster complications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2002

Purpose : This study was undertaken to analyze the efficacy and sphincter preservation rate of platinum based neoadjuvant chemotherapy Plus radiotherapy versus abdominoperineal resection and Postoperative radiotherapy for anal cancer. Materials and Methods : Data of forty-two patients with anal cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Among thirty-eight patients with epidermoid histology, four patients received radiotherapy, and nineteen patients received abdominoperineal resection and adjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy $(APR+RT{\pm}CT)$, and fifteen patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CRT). The CRT regimen was composed of three cycles of 5-fluorouracil $(1,000\;mg/m^2\;bolus\;on\;D1\~5)$ and cisplatin $(60\;mg/m^2\;bolus\;on\;D1)$ followed by 50.4 Gy to the tumor bed and regional lymphatics over 5.5 weeks. Both inguinal lymphatics were treated with an identical dose schedule. Residual disease was treated with an additional three cycles of identical adjuvant chemotherapy. An identical dose schedule was used for post-operative radiotherapy. Median follow-up period was eighty-five months. Results : Overall five-year survival rates were $80.3\%$, 88.9 and $79.4\%$ for entire patients, $APR+RT{\pm}CT$ group, and the CRT group, respectively. No significant difference was found between the two groups (p=0.49). Anus preservation rate for the CRT group was $86.7\%$. Age (0=0.0164) and performance status (p=0.0007) were found to be significant prognostic factors by univariate analysis. Age (p=0.0426), performance status (p=0.0008), and inguinal lymph node metastasis (e=0.0093) were statistically significant prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. No case of RTOG grade 3 complication or higher was reported. Conclusion : This and other recent studies have shown that combined chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for anal cancer results in a high rate of anal sphincter preservation as well as local control and survival. Furthermore, neoadjuvant use of chemotherapy with a cisplatin based regimen rather than a concurrent regimen may lead to a decrease in complications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2006

Purpose: To determine treatment policy for early stage endometrial carcinoma, we analyzed the results of postoperative radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: From Oct. 1994 to Aug. 2002, 42 patients with FIGO stage I endometrial carcinoma received postoperative radiotherapy. All patients received curative surgery and pelvic lymph node dissection was done in 25 patients. Based on the FIGO staging system, 3 were at stage IA, 21 were at stage IB and 18 were at stage IC. Histologically, there were 14 grade 1, 16 grade 2, and 12 grade 3. Nineteen patients received intracavitary brachytherapy and 23 patients did whole pelvic radiotherapy. The median period of follow-up was 41 months (22 to 100 months). Results: Five-year overall survival, disease-free survival, local control, and regional control rates of all patients were 85.0%, 87.9%, 100%, and 97.5%, respectively. All failures were distant metastases in 5 patients and two patients had simultaneous regional recurrences. There was no intrapelvic failure in patients who received intracavitary radiotherapy. Grade 3 chronic complications were found in 1 patient (4.3%), who received whole pelvic radiotherapy. Conclusion: We achieved high rates of loco-regional control and survival by curative surgery and post-operative radiotherapy. However, we need to select the type of radiotherapy based on the risk factors for recurrence to reduce the treatment-related complication.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.455-459
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• 2012

Nine dogs presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Konkuk University and Woosung Animal Hospital with a history of pelvic limb lameness. On physical examination, 9 dogs all showed a consistent weight bearing lameness and mild muscle atrophy. There was cranial drawer sign with pain in 9 dogs. Mediolateral radiographic projection revealed cranial subluxation of the tibial tuberosity in a tibial compression view. The right and left stifle joints were affected in 7 dogs and 2 dogs respectively. TightRope cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) technique for treatment of CCL deficiency was performed. Polyester and nylon were used to stabilize the stifle in 3 dogs and 6 dogs respectively. Suture sizes were 0.8 mm (n = 2), 0.9 mm (n = 4), 1.1 mm (n = 2), and $1.1mm{\times}2$ strands (n = 1) in diameter. Mean (${\pm}SD$) surgical duration was $48.3{\pm}8.5$ minutes (range 35 to 60 minutes). Preoperative and postoperative mean (${\pm}SD$) cranial drawer signs were $8.6{\pm}1.6$ mm (rage 7 to 12 mm) and $1.2{\pm}1.0$ mm (rage 0 to 3 mm) respectively. Immediate postoperative radiographs of the affected limb revealed no evidence of cranial subluxation of the tibial tuberosity in a tibial compression view of 9 dogs. Normal limb function was regained in 8 dogs within 8 weeks postoperatively. A consistent weight bearing lameness resolved in all dogs after TightRope CCL technique, but reoccurred in one dog (case No. 6) 2 weeks after surgery. Cranial subluxation of the tibial tuberosity was identified in a tibial compression test. During the second surgery, breakage of surgical button was identified and a tibial wedge osteotomy was performed. Based on surgical time, complication, stifle stability, and functional recovery, the present study indicated that TightRope CCL technique is effective treatment for the dogs with CCL deficiency.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2014

Arterial thromboembolism (ATE) is a common and fatal complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats. Therefore in this study, we evaluated the hypercoagulability (using plasma concentration of D-dimer) in HCM cats with different stage of heart failure and left atrial enlargement and also investigated the any correlation with echocardiographic indices (including left free wall thickness at diastole, interventricular septal thickness at diastole, LA to Ao ratio, heart failure stage, existence of systolic anterior motion of mitral valve). The median plasma D-dimer concentration in this study population was $0.51{\pm}0.70$ (range 0 to 2.50) ug/mL in the control group, $1.47{\pm}1.29$ (range 0.3 to 5.79) ug/mL in the HCM group, $1.48{\pm}1.65$ (range 0.3 to 5.79) ug/mL in the ISACHC I group, $1.62{\pm}0.4$ (range 1.31 to 2.07) ug/mL in the ISACHC II group, $1.36{\pm}0.91$ (range 0.3 to 2.31) ug/mL in the ISACHC III group, $1.90{\pm}1.60$ (range 0.3 to 5.79) ug/mL in the cat with LA dilation, $1.72{\pm}0.72$ (range 0.6 to 2.31) ug/mL in cats with SEC-T, $1.19{\pm}0.70$ (range 0.3 to 2.31) ug/mL in the cats with SAM, and $1.63{\pm}0.80$ (range 0.6 to 2.31) ug/mL in the cats with ATE. Our study found the median and mean concentration of plasma D-dimer was higher in cat with HCM, ATE, SECT and SAM and clearly provides evidence of hypercoagulability in cats with HCM, although the severity was not correlated to the dilation of LA and the presence of heart failure. This is the first study evaluating the hypercoagulability in cats with HCM in Korea.