• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Purpose : To investigate the relationship between breathing pattern disorder and joint position error (JPE) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods : Thirty nine patients with CLBP participated. End-tidal $CO_2$ and respiration rate (RR) were measured using a capnography. Breathing-hold time (BHT) and Nijmegen Questionnaire (NQ) were investigated. Thoracic excursion was measured with a cloth tape measurement technique. Joint position error were measured using a small laser point mounted on a lightweight headband. they were asked to relocate the head, after the neck movement on the horizontal plane. Pearson 's test was used for correlation analysis between respiratory variables and JPE in patients with CLBP. Independent t-test was used to verify the difference between thoracic and diaphragm breathing pattern in patients with CLBP. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results : There was a significant correlation between JPE (LR) and JPE (RR, EX) (r=.639, r=.813) (p<.001) and a low negative correlation with end-tidal $CO_2$ (r=-.357) (p<.05). There was a significant correlation between RR and JPE (EX) (r=.750) (p<.001). There was a low correlation between JPE (EX) and NQ (r=.333) (p<.05). There was a somewhat high negative correlation between NQ and thoracic excursion (r=-.528) (p<.001). There was a somewhat high negative correlation between thoracic excursion and JPE (LR, RR, EX) (r=-.470, r=-.484, r=-.602) (p<.001). There were no significant differences in the RR, BHT, NQ, and thoracic excursion between the thoracic and diaphragmatic breathing (p>.05). There was a significant difference in the JPE (EX), end - tidal $CO_2$, and VAS values between the thoracic and diaphragm breathing (p<.05). Conclusion : There was a correlation between JPE (EX) and NQ in patients with CLBP, and correlation between thoracic excursion and JPE (LR, RR, EX) and NQ. There was a significant difference in the JPE (EX), end-tidal $CO_2$ level, and VAS value in the comparison of thoracic breathing and diaphragm breathing. The results showed that breathing patterns and JPE were related to each other.

• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.281-287
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• 2018

Objectives. Regenerative treatment using stem cells may serve as treatment option for empty nose syndrome (ENS), which is caused by the lack of turbinate tissue and deranged nervous system in the nasal cavity. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the treatment of ENS. Methods. In this prospective observational clinical study, we enrolled 10 ENS patients who volunteered to undergo treatment of ENS through the injection of autologous SVF. Data, including demographic data, pre- and postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25) scores, overall patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications, were prospectively collected. Nasal secretion was assessed using the polyurethane foam absorption method, and the levels of biological markers were analyzed in both ENS group and control group using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SVF extracted from abdominal fat was diluted and injected into both inferior turbinates. Results. Among the 10 initial patients, one was excluded from the study. Subjective satisfaction was rated as "much improved" in two and "no change" in seven. Among the improved patients, the mean preinjection SNOT-25 score was 55.0 and the score at 6 months after injection was 19.5. However, the average SNOT-25 score of nine participants at 6 months after injection (mean${\pm}$standard deviation, $62.4{\pm}35.8$) did not differ significantly from the baseline SNOT-25 score ($70.1{\pm}24.7$, P>0.05, respectively). Among the various inflammatory markers assessed, the levels of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-8, and calcitonin gene-related peptide were significantly higher in ENS patients. Compared with preinjection secretion level, the nasal secretions from SVF-treated patients showed decreased expressions of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-8 after injection. Conclusion. Although SVF treatment appears to decrease the inflammatory cytokine levels in the nasal mucosa, a single SVF injection was not effective in terms of symptom improvement and patient satisfaction. Further trials are needed to identify a more practical and useful regenerative treatment modality for patients with ENS.

• 한국음향학회지
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.108-113
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• 2022

소음상황에서의 어음 이해 능력은 효과적인 의사소통을 위한 중요한 기술이다. 이러한 능력을 평가하는 방법으로 Hearing In Noise Test(HINT) 도구가 제안되어 사용되고 있다. 하지만 국내에서 이 유용한 도구가 초기의 기대와 달리 임상에서 적극적으로 활용되지 못하고 있다. 연령이 높아질수록 정상 청력을 가지고 있을지라도 양이에서 들어오는 신호들을 처리하는데 어려움을 겪게 되고, 특히 배경 소음이 있는 상황에서 듣기는 더욱 어려워진다. 하지만, 어음이해에 상당한 문제점을 갖고 있는 노인 인구들을 임상적으로 평가하는 도구들이 많지 않다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 검사법이 근거하고 있는 기전에 있는 인지적 특성과 임상에서의 문제점을 분 석하여 개선점을 제안하고자 한다. 기본 임상 사례로 정상 청력을 가진 20대와 70대의 대표적 HINT점수를 비교하고, 소음이 어떤 조건에서 제시되는가에 따른 문장 인지 특징을 조명하였다. 대상자의 HINT score는 Quiet(Q), Noise Front(NF), Noise Right(NR), Noise Left(NF)조건에서 분석되었다. 여러 임상적 관점에서 유용한 점은 배경 소음이 있을 때 노인의 경우 청년보다 더 많은 신호대잡음비를 필요함을 나타내는 정량적 변수를 보여주고, 양이차폐감소차이(Binaural Masking Level Difference, BMLD)효과도 보여주고 있다는 점이다. 효과적 임상적 적용에는 세부 연령대별 비교 가능한 표준 자료가 극히 부족한 실정이다. 이러한 유용성 확인과 함께 임상 관련 개선점을 제시하였다.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.501-509
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• 2022

Background Acute facial nerve iatrogenic or traumatic injury warrants rapid management with the goal of reestablishing nerve continuity within 72 hours. However, reconstructive efforts should be performed up to 12 months from the time of injury since facial musculature may still be viable and thus facial tone and function may be salvaged. Methods Data of all patients who underwent facial nerve repair following iatrogenic or traumatic injury were retrospectively collected and assessed. Paralysis etiology, demographics, operative data, postoperative course, and outcome were examined. Results Twenty patients underwent facial nerve repair during the years 2004 to 2019. Data were available for 16 of them. Iatrogenic injury was the common category (n = 13, 81%) with parotidectomy due to primary parotid gland malignancy being the common surgery (n = 7, 44%). Nerve repair was most commonly performed during the first 72 hours of injury (n = 12, 75%) and most of the patients underwent nerve graft repair (n = 15, 94%). Outcome was available for 12 patients, all of which remained with some degree of facial paresis. Six patients suffered from complete facial paralysis (50%) and three underwent secondary facial reanimation (25%). There were no major operative or postoperative complications. Conclusion Iatrogenic and traumatic facial nerve injuries are common etiologies of acquired facial paralysis. In such cases, immediate repair should be performed. For patients presenting with facial paralysis following previous surgery or trauma, nerve repair should be considered up to at least 6 months of injury. Longstanding paralysis is best treated with standard facial reanimation procedures.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.62-78
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aims to assess the impact of acupotomy on migraine through an examination of clinical studies conducted since 2015. Methods : We conducted a comprehensive search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs) related to acupotomy treatment for migraine, utilizing five Korean online databases (OASIS, Science ON, DBPIA, KISS, RISS), as well as four foreign online databases (CNKI, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library). We identified a total of 10 relevant studies for analysis. Participants characteristics, treatment points, combination treatments, treatment cycles or frequencies, evaluation indices, efficacy, and adverse events were analyzed. The risk of bias in the 10 RCTs was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0). Results : A total of 931 participants were included in 10 studies. In the intervention group, the average duration of migraine morbidity ranged from 15.5±4.5 months to 15.9±4.2 years. Six studies based their diagnoses on the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD), while five studies relied on Chinese diagnostic criteria. All studies specified the treatment area as the region exhibiting tenderness or induration on the head and neck. Treatment cycles ranged from a minimum of 2 days to a maximum of 1 week, with the number of days per treatment course varied from 5 days to 4 weeks. The diameter of acupuncture needles used varied between 0.3 mm and 1 mm. Of the eight studies specifying needle length, the shortest was 20 mm, and the longest was 40 mm. A total of eight evaluation indices were employed, with total efficacy rate (TER) and visual analogue scale (VAS) being the most frequently used. Statistically, all intervention groups showed more significant results compared to the control groups. Adverse events were reported in only two studies within the intervention group. Overall, the risk of bias assessment for the selected RCTs ranged from 'some concerns' to 'high risk of bias.' Conclusions : This study showed that acupotomy treatments for migraine were effective.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.751-758
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• 2021

Objective: Preoperative differentiation between inverted papilloma (IP) and its malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma (IP-SCC) is critical for patient management. We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of conventional imaging features and histogram parameters obtained from whole tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values to predict IP-SCC in patients with IP, using decision tree analysis. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed data generated from the records of 180 consecutive patients with histopathologically diagnosed IP or IP-SCC who underwent head and neck magnetic resonance imaging, including diffusion-weighted imaging and 62 patients were included in the study. To obtain whole tumor ADC values, the region of interest was placed to cover the entire volume of the tumor. Classification and regression tree analyses were performed to determine the most significant predictors of IP-SCC among multiple covariates. The final tree was selected by cross-validation pruning based on minimal error. Results: Of 62 patients with IP, 21 (34%) had IP-SCC. The decision tree analysis revealed that the loss of convoluted cerebriform pattern and the 20th percentile cutoff of ADC were the most significant predictors of IP-SCC. With these decision trees, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and C-statistics were 86% (18 out of 21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 65-95%), 100% (41 out of 41; 95% CI, 91-100%), 95% (59 out of 61; 95% CI, 87-98%), and 0.966 (95% CI, 0.912-1.000), respectively. Conclusion: Decision tree analysis using conventional imaging features and histogram analysis of whole volume ADC could predict IP-SCC in patients with IP with high diagnostic accuracy.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.384-394
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the image quality of novel dark-blood computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging combined with deep learning reconstruction (DLR) compared to delayed-phase CTA images with hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), to visualize the cervical artery wall in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Materials and Methods: This prospective study continuously recruited 53 patients with TAK (mean age: 33.8 ± 10.2 years; 49 females) between January and July 2022 who underwent head-neck CTA scans. The arterial- and delayed-phase images were reconstructed using HIR and DLR. Subtracted images of the arterial-phase from the delayed-phase were then added to the original delayed-phase using a denoising filter to generate the final-dark-blood images. Qualitative image quality scores and quantitative parameters were obtained and compared among the three groups of images: Delayed-HIR, Dark-blood-HIR, and Dark-blood-DLR. Results: Compared to Delayed-HIR, Dark-blood-HIR images demonstrated higher qualitative scores in terms of vascular wall visualization and diagnostic confidence index (all P < 0.001). These qualitative scores further improved after applying DLR (Dark-blood-DLR compared to Dark-blood-HIR, all P < 0.001). Dark-blood DLR also showed higher scores for overall image noise than Dark-blood-HIR (P < 0.001). In the quantitative analysis, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values between the vessel wall and lumen for the bilateral common carotid arteries and brachiocephalic trunk were significantly higher on Dark-blood-HIR images than on Delayed-HIR images (all P < 0.05). The CNR values were significantly higher for Dark-blood-DLR than for Dark-blood-HIR in all cervical arteries (all P < 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with Delayed-HIR CTA, the dark-blood method combined with DLR improved CTA image quality and enhanced visualization of the cervical artery wall in patients with TAK.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제82권4호
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• pp.1005-1010
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• 2021

본 증례는 좌안의 통증과 시력저하를 호소한 83세 남자 환자에게서 진단된 면역글로불린 G4 (immunoglobulin G4; 이하 IgG4) 관련 질환의 CT와 MRI 소견에 대한 보고이다. 이는 CT에서 주변의 골미란을 동반한 날개입천장 오목의 등밀도 연부조직 종괴로 관찰되었으며 이병변은 자기공명영상 T2 강조영상에서 등신호에서 저신호강도를 보이며 비균질한 조영증강을 보였다. 환자는 벌집굴 절제술과 조직검사를 시행하였고 조직학적 검사상 IgG4 관련 질환으로 진단되었다. 환자는 기저질환으로 당뇨병이 있었고, 이런 면역저하 환자군에서 흔하게 보이는 침습적 진균성 부비동염과의 영상학적 감별이 어려운 경우였다. 저자들은 침습적 진균성 부비동염과 유사한 영상 소견을 보였던 IgG4 관련 질환의 증례를 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하고자 한다.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제82권4호
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• pp.914-922
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• 2021

목적 이 연구는 갑상선 미세유두암을 고주파 절제술로 치료한 후 10년 이상 경과 관찰한 환자들의 결과를 통해 효과와 안전성을 평가하고자 했다. 대상과 방법 2006년 11월부터 2009년 12월까지 갑상선 미세유두암을 고주파 절제술로 치료받은 환자 5명을 대상으로 하였다. 이 환자들은 모두 조직검사를 통해 갑상선 미세유두암으로 진단을 받았고, 병변은 갑상선 내에 국한되어 있었으며, 전이의 증거가 없었고, 수술이나 전신마취가 의학적으로 부적합하거나 수술을 거부한 환자들이었다. 고주파 절제술은 고주파 발생기와 냉각기를 사용하여 한 명의 영상의학과 의사가 시행하였다. 우리는 시술과 연관된 부작용, 소작된 종양의 변화, 재발 여부, 국소 또는 림프절 전이 등에 대해 초음파 영상 소견과 의무 기록을 토대로 분석하였다. 결과 평균 경과 관찰기간은 130.6개월(범위, 121~159개월) 이었다. 세 명의 환자는 한 번의 고주파 절제술을, 두 명의 환자는 두 번의 시술을 받았다. 다섯 명의 환자 모두 시술과 연관된 부작용은 보이지 않았다. 다섯 개 중 세 개의 종양은 시술 후 완전히 사라졌으며 두 개의 종양은 최소한의 흔적으로 남아 평균 16.8개월의 경과 관찰기간 동안 큰 변화가 없었다. 가장 최근의 경과관찰에서 다섯 명의 환자 모두 국소 전이나 림프절 전이는 보이지 않았고 갑상선 글로불린(thyroglobulin)의 수치도 정상 범위였다. 결론 고주파 절제술은 수술에 부적합하거나 수술을 거부하는 저위험 갑상선 미세유두암 환자들에 대해서 효과적이고 안전한 치료법이 될 수 있다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.41.1-41.11
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• 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The viral genome encodes twelve genes for viral replication and infection. The third open reading frame is the spike (S) gene that encodes for the spike glycoprotein interacting with specific cell surface receptor - angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) - on the host cell membrane. Most recent studies identified a single point mutation in S gene. A single point mutation in S gene leading to an amino acid substitution at codon 614 from an aspartic acid 614 into glycine (D614G) resulted in greater infectivity compared to the wild type SARS-CoV2. We were interested in investigating the mutation region of S gene of SARS-CoV2 from Korean COVID-19 patients. New mutation sites were found in the critical receptor binding domain (RBD) of S gene, which is adjacent to the aforementioned D614G mutation residue. This specific sequence data demonstrated the active progression of SARS-CoV2 by mutations in the RBD of S gene. The sequence information of new mutations is critical to the development of recombinant SARS-CoV2 spike antigens, which may be required to improve and advance the strategy against a wide range of possible SARS-CoV2 mutations.