• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.190-193
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• 2015

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity lung disease due to bronchial colonization of Aspergillus fumigatus that occurs in susceptible patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. A 10-year-old girl was referred to the Department of Pediatric Pulmonology for persistent consolidations on chest radiography. Pulmonary consolidations were observed in the right upper and left lower lobes and were not resolved with a 4-week prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The patient had a history of atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis but no history of asthma. She had no fever but produced thick and greenish sputum. Her breathing sounds were clear. On laboratory testing, her total blood eosinophil count was $1,412/mm^3$ and total serum IgE level was 2,200 kU/L. Aspergillus was isolated in the sputum culture. The A. fumigatus-specific IgE level was 15.4 kU/L, and the Aspergillus antibody test was also positive. A chest computed tomography scan demonstrated bronchial wall thickening and consolidation without bronchiectasis. An antifungal agent was added but resulted in no improvement of pulmonary consolidations after 3 weeks. Pulmonary function test was normal. Methacholine provocation test was performed, revealing bronchial hyperreactivity ($PC_{20}=5.31mg/mL$). Although the patient had no history of asthma or bronchiectasis, ABPA-seropositivity was suspected. Oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) combined with antifungal therapy was started. Pulmonary consolidations began decreasing after 1 week of treatment and completely resolved after 1 month. This is the first observed and treated case of seropositive ABPA in Korean children without previously documented asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.3
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• pp.257-260
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• 2011

A 65-year-old woman was admitted due to poor oral intake and a dry cough over the previous 3 months. The physical examination was remarkable for bibasilar crackles, and plain chest radiography showed reticulation in both lower lung fields. A pulmonary function test demonstrated a restrictive pattern with a reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. High resolution computed tomography showed reticulation and honey-combing in both peripheral lung zones, which was consistent with usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Her skin showed livedo reticularis. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level were elevated, and hematuria was noted on urinary analysis. A serologic test for auto-antibodies showed seropositivity for Myeloperoxidase-Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA). A kidney biopsy was performed and showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. She was diagnosed as having pulmonary fibrosis with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and treated with high dose steroids. Here we report a case of pulmonary fibrosis coexistent with microscopic polyangiitis.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.41.1-41.20
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• 2022

Objectives: This study compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) using blood clots (BCs), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) through intraoral periapical radiography (IOPAR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Forty-five single-rooted necrotic teeth with periapical pathology were randomly allocated to receive BC, PRP, or PRF as an individual scaffold. Outcomes were evaluated in 35 teeth in 23 patients with a follow-up period of 12-24 months through qualitative IOPAR scoring and quantitative CBCT measurements. Healing of periapical lesions and in immature teeth, changes in the apical foramen diameter (AFD), root wall thickness (RWT), and root length (RL) were assessed. A p value less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: All teeth were asymptomatic except 1 in the PRP group. Periapical lesion healing was seen in all except 2 teeth in the BC group and 3 in the PRP group. Both IOPAR and CBCT revealed no significant differences in bone healing or changes in AFD, RWT, and RL among the 3 groups. A positive pulp sensibility response to the cold test was seen in 2 teeth in the BC group, but none to the electric pulp test. Intracanal calcification (ICC) was evident in more teeth in the BC group than in the PRP and PRF groups, and was also significantly higher in immature teeth. Conclusions: Our results revealed that BC, PRP, and PRF have similar potential as scaffolds in REPs, and ICC may be a concern for long-term outcomes.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the incidence and configuration of the bifid mandibular canal in a Korean population by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 1933 patients (884 male and 1049 female) were evaluated using PSR-9000N and Alphard-Vega 3030 Dental CT units (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan). Image analysis was performed by using OnDemand3D software (CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea). The bifid mandibular canal was identified and classified into four types, namely, the forward canal, buccolingual canal, dental canal, and retromolar canal. Statistical analysis was performed by using the chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Bifid mandibular canals were observed in 198 (10.2%) of 1933 patients. The most frequently observed type of bifid mandibular canal was the retromolar canal (n=104, rate: 52.5%) without any significant difference among the incidence of each age and gender. The mean diameter of the accessory canal was 1.27 mm (range: 0.27-3.29 mm) without any significant difference among the mean diameter of each type of the bifid mandibular canal. The mean length of the bifid mandibular canals was 14.97mm(range: 2.17-38.8 mm) with only a significant difference between the dental canal and the other types. Conclusion: The bifid mandibular canal is not uncommon in Koreans and has a prevalence of 10.2% as indicated in the present study. It is suggested that a CBCT examination be recommended for detecting a bifid canal.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2018

Purpose: This study compared the diagnostic accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans obtained with 2 CBCT systems with high- and low-resolution modes for the detection of root perforations in endodontically treated mandibular molars. Materials and Methods: The root canals of 72 mandibular molars were cleaned and shaped. Perforations measuring 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mm in diameter were created at the furcation area of 48 roots, simulating strip perforations, or on the external surfaces of 48 roots, simulating root perforations. Forty-eight roots remained intact(control group). The roots were filled using gutta-percha (Gapadent, Tianjin, China) and AH26 sealer (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). The CBCT scans were obtained using the NewTom 3G (QR srl, Verona, Italy) and Cranex 3D (Soredex, Helsinki, Finland) CBCT systems in high- and low-resolution modes, and were evaluated by 2 observers. The chi-square test was used to assess the nominal variables. Results: In strip perforations, the accuracies of low- and high-resolution modes were 75% and 83% for NewTom 3G and 67% and 69% for Cranex 3D. In root perforations, the accuracies of low- and high-resolution modes were 79% and 83% for NewTom 3G and was 56% and 73% for Cranex 3D. Conclusion: The accuracy of the 2 CBCT systems was different for the detection of strip and root perforations. The Cranex 3D had non-significantly higher accuracy than the NewTom 3G. In both scanners, the high-resolution mode yielded significantly higher accuracy than the low-resolution mode. The diagnostic accuracy of CBCT scans was not affected by the perforation diameter.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.343-354
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• 2022

Objective: To develop and evaluate a deep learning-based artificial intelligence (AI) model for detecting skull fractures on plain radiographs in children. Materials and Methods: This retrospective multi-center study consisted of a development dataset acquired from two hospitals (n = 149 and 264) and an external test set (n = 95) from a third hospital. Datasets included children with head trauma who underwent both skull radiography and cranial computed tomography (CT). The development dataset was split into training, tuning, and internal test sets in a ratio of 7:1:2. The reference standard for skull fracture was cranial CT. Two radiology residents, a pediatric radiologist, and two emergency physicians participated in a two-session observer study on an external test set with and without AI assistance. We obtained the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, and specificity along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The AI model showed an AUROC of 0.922 (95% CI, 0.842-0.969) in the internal test set and 0.870 (95% CI, 0.785-0.930) in the external test set. The model had a sensitivity of 81.1% (95% CI, 64.8%-92.0%) and specificity of 91.3% (95% CI, 79.2%-97.6%) for the internal test set and 78.9% (95% CI, 54.4%-93.9%) and 88.2% (95% CI, 78.7%-94.4%), respectively, for the external test set. With the model's assistance, significant AUROC improvement was observed in radiology residents (pooled results) and emergency physicians (pooled results) with the difference from reading without AI assistance of 0.094 (95% CI, 0.020-0.168; p = 0.012) and 0.069 (95% CI, 0.002-0.136; p = 0.043), respectively, but not in the pediatric radiologist with the difference of 0.008 (95% CI, -0.074-0.090; p = 0.850). Conclusion: A deep learning-based AI model improved the performance of inexperienced radiologists and emergency physicians in diagnosing pediatric skull fractures on plain radiographs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.355-365
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted to better understand the relationship between health effects and exposure to dusts from a briquette fuel complex in Ansim, Daegu, Korea. Methods: The subjects of this study consisted of 2,980 persons over 40 years old who had lived 20 years or more around a briquette fuel complex in Daegu. We conducted a questionnaire survey, and chest radiography was performed. In addition, chest computed tomography(CT) (335 cases) and pulmonary function test(PFT) (658 cases) were done. Pneumoconiosis was diagnosed if one of three radiologists determined(or suspected) pneumoconiosis. We also conducted in-depth interviews for pneumoconiosis cases. We defined the exposed group as subjects residing within a 500 meter radius from the walls of the briquette fuel complex, and the others were defined as the control group. Results: Subjects in the exposed and control groups are respectively 715(24%) and 2,265 cases(76%). Major respiratory symptoms in the exposed group such as sputum, dyspnea, chest tightness and wheezing were significantly higher than in the control group. By chest radiography, 173 cases of pneumoconiosis or suspicious pneumoconiosis were detected. By PFT, 62 cases(29.5%) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) among 210 asymptomatic subjects were detected. Finally, by chest CT we concluded 28 cases to be pneumoconiosis, and eight cases among them proved to be pneumoconiosis by environmental exposure. Conclusions: Through this study, we concluded that health outcomes such as respiratory symptoms, pneumoconiosis, and COPD were caused by continuous exposure to dusts from the briquette fuel complex. Policies to reduce environmental exposure are needed, and cases of environmental disease should be intensively followed up by the government.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.104-109
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• 2014

Objectives: To present the case of a 76-year-old man diagnosed with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) treated exclusively with traditional Korean medicine (TKM). Methods: The patient was treated with the revised Sasammaekmundong-tang (rSMT), acupuncture, and pharmacopuncture from September 2013 to May 2014 in our outpatient clinic. We prescribed rSMT three times a day for 4 months. Acupuncture and pharmacopuncture were performed twice a week for 9 months. To evaluate therapeutic efficacy, we recorded the patient's chief complaints at each visit, and pulmonary function test was performed at intervals of three months. Chest radiography and chest computed tomography were performed before and after treatment, respectively. Results: During the course of the treatment, dyspnea, cough, sputum, and overall pulmonary function improved. Conclusions: We suggest that traditional Korean medicine (TKM) for IIPs patients might be effective in the control of the main symptoms of IIPs and in the recovery of respiratory function.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.147-151
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• 2009

In general, the discrete confidence judgments that use five-step assessment method have been used to assess the medical images by ROC. TPF or FPF can be computed easily with this independent reading test. However, during experiments, it happens frequently that adequate distribution for observers is required to smoothly estimate the ROC curve. In addition, data becomes invalid for distribution of the created categories. To solve such problems or to apply the ROC interpretation to data that is not obtained from the experimental observation, the continuous confidence judgements (CCJ) has been proposed, which implements ROC interpretation using continuously-distributed experimental results without category classification has been used. As the use of CCJ to assess medical images was barely reported in Korea, we applied it to the assessment of chest digital images in this study. The results showed that a smooth ROC curve was obtained conveniently by the commercialized program and the characteristic value was measured easily. Therefore, it is recommended that this method can be applied to the assessment of digital medical images.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.528-533
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• 2012

Objective : In the pediatric population the skull has not yet undergone ossification and it is assumed that the diagnostic rate of skull fractures by simple X-rays are lower than that of adults. It has been recently proposed that the diagnostic rates of skull fractures by 3-dimensional computer tomography (3D-CT) are higher than simple X-rays. The authors therefore attempted to compare the diagnostic rates of pediatric skull fractures by simple X-rays and 3D-CTs with respect to the type of fracture. Methods : One-hundred patients aged less than 12 years who visited the Emergency Center for cranial injury were subject to simple X-rays and 3D-CTs. The type and location of the fractures were compared and Kappa statistical analysis and the t-test were conducted. Results : Among the 100 pediatric patients, 65 were male and 35 were female. The mean age was $50{\pm}45$ months. 63 patients had simple skull fractures and 22 had complex fractures, and the types of fractures were linear fractures in 74, diastatic fractures 15, depressed fractures in 10, penetrating fracture in 1, and greenstick fractures in 3 patients. Statistical difference was observed for the predictive value of simple skull fractures' diagnostic rate depending on the method for diagnosis. A significant difference of the Kappa value was noted in the diagnosis of depressed skull fractures and diastatic skull fractures. Conclusion : In the majority of pediatric skull fractures, 3D-CT showed superior diagnosis rates compared to simple skull X-rays and therefore 3D-CT is recommended whenever skull fractures are suspected. This is especially true for depressed skull fractures and diastatic skull fractures.