• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.156-161
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• 2023

Background: We analyzed association between viewing two-dimensional computed tomography (2D CT) images in addition to radiographs with radial head treatment recommendations after accounting for patient and surgeon factors in a survey-based experiment. Methods: One hundred and fifty-four surgeons reviewed 15 patient scenarios with terrible triad fracture dislocations of the elbow. Surgeons were randomized to view either radiographs only or radiographs and 2D CT images. The scenarios randomized patient age, hand dominance, and occupation. For each scenario, surgeons were asked if they would recommend fixation or arthroplasty of the radial head. Multi-level logistic regression analysis identified variables associated with radial head treatment recommendations. Results: Reviewing 2D CT images in addition to radiographs had no statistical association with treatment recommendations. A higher likelihood of recommending prosthetic arthroplasty was associated with older patient age, patient occupation not requiring manual labor, surgeon practice location in the United States, practicing for five years or less, and the subspecialties "trauma" and "shoulder and elbow." Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that in terrible triad injuries, the imaging appearance of radial head fractures has no measurable influence on treatment recommendations. Personal surgeon factors and patient demographic characteristics may have a larger role in surgical decision making. Level of evidence: Level III, therapeutic case-control study.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.45.2-46
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• 2020

Various processes, such as space weathering and granular convection, are occurring on asteroids' surfaces. Estimation of the surface exposure timescale is essential for understanding these processes. The Hayabusa mission target asteroid, (25143) Itokawa (Sq-type) is the only asteroid whose age is estimated from remote sensing observations as well as sample analyses in laboratories. There is, however, an unignorable discrepancy between the timescale derived from these different techniques. The ages estimated based on the solar flare track density and the weathered rim thickness of regolith samples range between 102 and 104 years [1][2]. On the contrary, the ages estimated from the crater size distributions and the spectra cover from 106 to 107 years [3][4]. It is important to notice that there is a common drawback of both age estimation methods. Since the evidence of regolith migration is found on the surface of Itokawa [5], the surficial particles would be rejuvenated by granular convection. At the same time, it is expected that the erasure of craters by regolith migration would affect the crater size distribution. We propose a new technique to estimate surface exposure age, focusing on the bright mottles on the large boulders. Our technique is less prone to the granular convection. These mottles are expected to be formed by impacts of mm to cm-sized interplanetary particles. Together with the well-known flux model of interplanetary dust particles (e.g., Grün, 1985 [6]), we have investigated the timescale to form such mottles before they become dark materials again by the space weathering. In this work, we used three AMICA (Asteroid Multi-band Imaging Camera) v-band images. These images were taken on 2005 November 12 during the close approach to the asteroid. As a result, we found the surface exposure timescales of these boulders are an order of 106 years. In this meeting, we will introduce our data analysis technique and evaluate the consistency among previous research for a better understanding of the evolution of this near-Earth asteroid.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.3-27
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• 2022

Cardiac CT has been proven to provide diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of coronary artery disease for cardiovascular risk stratification and treatment decision-making based on rapid technological development and various research evidence. Coronary CT angiography has emerged as a gateway test for coronary artery disease that can reduce invasive angiography due to its high negative predictive value, but the diagnostic specificity is relatively low. However, coronary CT angiography is likely to overcome its limitations through functional evaluation to identify the hemodynamic significance of coronary artery disease by analyzing myocardial perfusion and fractional flow reserve through cardiac CT. Recently, studies have been actively conducted to incorporate artificial intelligence to make this more objective and reproducible. In this review, functional imaging techniques of cardiac computerized tomography are explored.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.54-76
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• 2024

Facet joint arthrosis is a progressive degenerative disease that is frequently associated with other spinal degenerative disorders such as degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis. Lumbar facet joint arthrosis can induce pain in the proximal lower extremities. However, symptoms and imaging findings of "facet joint syndrome" are not specific as they mimic the pain from herniated discs or nerve root compression. Currently, evidence for therapeutic intra-articular lumbar facet joint injections is still considered low, with a weak recommendation strength. Nevertheless, some studies have reported therapeutic effectiveness of facet joint injections. Moreover, the use of therapeutic facet joint injections in clinical practice has increased. This review article includes opinions based on the authors' experience with facet joint injections. This review primarily aimed to investigate the efficacy of lumbar facet joint injections and consider their associated safety aspects.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.2
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• pp.123-133
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• 2024

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a diverse collection of lung disorders sharing similar features, such as inflammation and fibrosis. The diagnosis and management of ILD require a multidisciplinary approach using clinical, radiological, and pathological evaluation. Progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) is a distinct form of progressive and fibrotic disease, occurring in ILD cases other than in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It is defined based on clinical symptoms, lung function, and chest imaging, regardless of the underlying condition. The progression to PPF must be monitored through a combination of pulmonary function tests (forced vital capacity [FVC] and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide), an assessment of symptoms, and computed tomography scans, with regular follow-up. Although the precise mechanisms of PPF remain unclear, there is evidence of shared pathogenetic mechanisms with IPF, contributing to similar disease behavior and worse prognosis compared to non-PPF ILD. Pharmacological treatment of PPF includes immunomodulatory agents to reduce inflammation and the use of antifibrotics to target progressive fibrosis. Nintedanib, a known antifibrotic agent, was found to be effective in slowing IPF progression and reducing the annual rate of decline in FVC among patients with PPF compared to placebos. Nonpharmacological treatment, including pulmonary rehabilitation, supplemental oxygen therapy, and vaccination, also play important roles in the management of PPF, leading to comprehensive care for patients with ILD. Although there is currently no cure for PPF, there are treatments that can help slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2024

Background: Incidental findings are commonly noted in advanced imaging studies. Few data exist regarding the rate of incidental findings on computed tomography (CT) for preoperative shoulder arthroplasty planning. This study aims to identify the incidence of these findings and the rate at which they warrant further work-up to help guide orthopedic surgeons in counseling patients. Methods: A retrospective review was performed to identify patients with available preoperative shoulder CT who subsequently underwent shoulder arthroplasty procedures at a single institution between 2015 and 2021. Data including age, sex, and smoking status were obtained. Radiology reports for CTs were reviewed for incidental findings and categorized based on location, tissue type, and/or body system. The rate of incidental findings and the rate at which further follow-up was recommended by the radiologist were determined. Results: A total of 617 patients was identified. There were 173 incidental findings noted in 146 of these patients (23.7%). Findings ranged from pulmonary (59%), skin/soft tissue (16%), thyroid (13%), vascular (9%), spinal (2%), and abdominal (1%) areas. Of the pulmonary findings, 50% were pulmonary nodules and 47% were granulomatous disease. Overall, the final radiology report recommended further follow-up for 50% of the patients with incidental findings. Conclusions: Incidental findings are relatively common in preoperative CTs obtained for shoulder arthroplasty, occurring in nearly one-quarter of patients. Most of these findings are pulmonary in nature. Overall, half of the patients with incidental findings were recommended for further follow-up. These results establish population data to guide orthopedic surgeons in patient counseling. Level of evidence: III.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4119-4123
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• 2012

Background: Neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy is the accepted approach for women with locally advanced breast cancer. Anthracycline- and taxane-based regimens have been extensively studied in clinical trials and consequently are widely used. In this study aimed to research the complete response (pCR) rates in different regimens for neoadjuvant setting and determine associated clinical and biological factors. Methods: This study included 63 patients diagnosed with breast carcinoma among 95 patients that had been treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2007 and 2010. TNM staging system was used for staging. The histologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was characterized as a pCR when there was no evidence of residual invasive tumor in the breast or axillary lymph nodes. Biologic subclassification using estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2 were performed. Luminal A was defined as ER+, PR+, HER2-; Luminal B tumor was defined as ER+, PR-, HER2-; ER+, PR-, HER2+; ER-, PR+, HER2-; ER+, PR+, HER2+; HER2 like tumor ER-, PR+, HER2+; and triple negative tumor ER, PR, HER2 negative. Results: Patients median age was 54.14 (min-max: 30-75). Thirty-two patients (50.8%) were premenapousal and 31 (49.2%) were postmenapousal. Staging was performed postoperatively based on the pathology report and appropriated imaging modalities The TNM (tumor, lymph node, metastasis) system was used for clinical and pathological staging. Fifty-seven (90.5%) were invasive ductal carcinomas, 6 (9.5%) were other subtypes. Thirty nine (61.9%) were grade II and 24 (38.1%) were grade III. Seven (11.1%) patients were stage II and 56 (88.9) patients were stage III. The patients were classified for ER, PR receptor and HER2 positivity. Seventeen patients had complete response to chemotherapy. Forty patients (63.5%) were treated with dose dense regimen (cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 and doxorubicine 60 mg/m every two weeks than paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every two weeks with filgrastim support) 40 patients (48%) were treated anthracycline and taxane containing regimens. Thirteen patients (76%) from 17 patients with pCR were treated with the dose dense regimen but without statistical significance (p=0.06). pCR was higher in HER2(-), ER(-), grade III, premenopausal patients. Conclusion: pCR rate was higher in the group that treated with dose dense regimen, which should thus be the selected regimen in neoadjuvant setting. Some other factors can predict pCR in Turkish patients, like grade, menopausal status, triple negativity, percentage of ER positivity, and HER2 expression.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.501-510
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• 2014

Volcanic eruptions alone may lead to serious natural disasters, but the associated release of water from a caldera lake may be equally damaging. There is both historical and geological evidence of the past eruptions of Mt. Baekdusan, and the volcano, which has not erupted for over 100 years, has recently shown signs of reawakening. Action is required if we are to limit the social, political, cultural, and economic damage of any future eruption. This study aims to identify the area that would be inundated following a volcanic flood from the Cheon-Ji caldera lake that lies within Mt. Baekdusan. A scenario-based numerical analysis was performed to generate a flood hydrograph, and the parameters required were selected following a consideration of historical records from other volcanoes. The amount of water at the outer rim as a function of time was used as an upper boundary condition for the downstream routing process for a period of 10 days. Data from the USGS were used to generate a DEM with a resolution of 100 m, and remotely sensed satellite data from the moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) were used to show land cover and use. The simulation was generated using the software FLO-2D and was superposed on the remotely sensed map. The results show that the inundation area would cover about 80% of the urban area near Erdaobaihezhen assuming a 10 m/hr collapse rate, and 98% of the area would be flooded assuming a 100 m/hr collapse rate.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.562-574
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• 2021

MRI has the advantages of having excellent soft-tissue contrast and providing functional information without any harmful ionizing radiation. Although previous technical limitations restricted the use of chest MRI, recent technological advances and expansion of insurance coverage are increasing the demand for chest MRI. Recognizing the need for guidelines on appropriate use of chest MRI in Korean clinical settings, the Korean Society of Radiology has composed a development committee, working committee, and advisory committee to develop Korean chest MRI justification guidelines. Five key questions were selected and recommendations have been made with the evidence-based clinical imaging guideline adaptation methodology. Recommendations are as follows. Chest MRI can be considered in the following circumstances: for patients with incidentally found anterior mediastinal masses to exclude non-neoplastic conditions, for pneumoconiosis patients with lung masses to differentiate progressive massive fibrosis from lung cancer, and when invasion of the chest wall, vertebrae, diaphragm, or major vessels by malignant pleural mesothelioma or non-small cell lung cancer is suspected. Chest MRI without contrast enhancement or with minimal dose low-risk contrast media can be considered for pregnant women with suspected pulmonary embolism. Lastly, chest MRI is recommended for patients with pancoast tumors planned for radical surgery.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-50
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• 2020

Although surgery was the standard treatment for early gastrointestinal cancers, endoscopic resection is now a standard treatment for early gastrointestinal cancers without regional lymph node metastasis. High-definition white light endoscopy, chromoendoscopy, and image-enhanced endoscopy such as narrow band imaging are performed to assess the edge and depth of early gastrointestinal cancers for delineation of resection boundaries and prediction of the possibility of lymph node metastasis before the decision of endoscopic resection. Endoscopic mucosal resection and/or endoscopic submucosal dissection can be performed to remove early gastrointestinal cancers completely by en bloc fashion. Histopathological evaluation should be carefully made to investigate the presence of risk factors for lymph node metastasis such as depth of cancer invasion and lymphovascular invasion. Additional treatment such as radical surgery with regional lymphadenectomy should be considered if the endoscopically resected specimen shows risk factors for lymph node metastasis. This is the first Korean clinical practice guideline for endoscopic resection of early gastrointestinal cancer. This guideline was developed by using mainly de novo methods and encompasses endoscopic management of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, early gastric cancer, and early colorectal cancer. This guideline will be revised as new data on early gastrointestinal cancer are collected.