• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.427-431
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• 2018

We report a case of a patient with necrotizing fasciitis followed by liver abscess. A 51-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a 5-day history of fever and chills with painful swelling of the right thigh. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed fluid collection with numerous dark signal intensities considered as air-bubbles between the posteromedial and posterolateral groups of the right thigh, resulting in presumptive diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. At the time of admission, an ultrasonograph of the abdomen showed increased parenchymal echogenicity of both kidneys and no liver abscess. Ten days after fasciotomy, an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed intrahepatic abscess. Sonography-guided percutaneous drainage was performed. Both cultures of pus specimens from the liver abscess and right thigh yielded Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae). The patient was treated with fasciotomy several times and parenteral antibiotics, after which he began to improve. After 5 weeks, liver abscess size was reduced, and after 10 weeks, liver abscess disappeared. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of K. pneumoniae-necrotizing fasciitis followed by liver abscess.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1289-1299
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• 2021

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of arterial subtraction images for predicting the viability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after locoregional therapy (LRT) using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System treatment response (LR-TR) algorithm. Materials and Methods: This study included 90 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 57 ± 9 years) who underwent liver transplantation or resection after LRT and had 73 viable and 32 nonviable HCCs. All patients underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI before surgery. Two radiologists assessed the presence of LR-TR features, including arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) and LR-TR categories (viable, nonviable, or equivocal), using ordinary arterial-phase and arterial subtraction images. The reference standard for tumor viability was surgical pathology. The sensitivity of APHE for diagnosing viable HCC was compared between ordinary arterial-phase and arterial subtraction images. The sensitivity and specificity of the LR-TR algorithm for diagnosing viable HCC was compared between the use of ordinary arterial-phase and the use of arterial subtraction images. Subgroup analysis was performed on lesions treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) only. Results: The sensitivity of APHE for viable HCCs was higher for arterial subtraction images than ordinary arterial-phase images (71.2% vs. 47.9%; p < 0.001). LR-TR viable category with the use of arterial subtraction images compared with ordinary arterial-phase images showed a significant increase in sensitivity (76.7% [56/73] vs. 63.0% [46/73]; p = 0.002) without significant decrease in specificity (90.6% [29/32] vs. 93.8% [30/32]; p > 0.999). In a subgroup of 63 lesions treated with TACE only, the use of arterial subtraction images showed a significant increase in sensitivity (81.4% [35/43] vs. 67.4% [29/43]; p = 0.031) without significant decrease in specificity (85.0% [17/20] vs. 90.0% [18/20]; p > 0.999). Conclusion: Use of arterial subtraction images compared with ordinary arterial-phase images improved the sensitivity while maintaining specificity for diagnosing viable HCC after LRT using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and the LR-TR algorithm.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.9-25
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• 2004

Along with a development of medical technology, a variety of tests, such as laboratory tests, x-ray and endoscopies are being used in health screening tests. As the tests determine the quality of health screening, test items of major health screening program in Korea. Most, of the health screening programmes focused upon detection of risk factors and diagnosis of life-style related diseases(diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, overweight, drinking, smoking, cerebrovascular diseases, osteoporosis), cancers(stomach, cervix, lung, breast, liver, colon, prostate, ovary, pancreas, thyroid, esophagus), infections diseases(hepatitis, tuberculosis, sexually-transmitted diseases, parasites), chronic obstructive respiratory diseases, chronic renal diseases(bacteriuria, hematuria, proteinuria), anemia, glaucoma, hearing loss, Alzheimer disease, stress and earlypsychiatric diseases. The health screening tests were basic physical examination, basic laboratory tests( CBC, urinalysis, liver function tests, lipid tests, glucose, HbA1c, uric acid, electrolytes, serological tests(HBsAg, HBs-Ab, HCV-Ab, HIV-Ab, VDRL) EKG, x-ray(chest PA, CT) endoscopy(gastroscopy, colonoscopy), sonography (abdomen, thyroid, pelvis, breast), cytology(cervix), bone density, tumor markers(NMP22, alpha-FP, CEA, CA-19-9, CA125, PSA and eye tests. Advanced technologies, like CT, PET, MRI, MRI/Angio, molecular testing were widly used in hospital based health screening programmes. In summary, a variety of tests were untilized in health screening in Korea. Those tests were utilized by stages or according to sex and age in most of health screening programmes, however a few programs used tests excessvely disregarding health screening subjects.

• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
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• 2015.10a
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• pp.1446-1447
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• 2015

In this paper, we developed the quantification software for evaluating the voxel-based cellular heterogeneity of gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the liver. Our software is clinically applied to accurately quantify and interpret the alterations of liver functions in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.190-203
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• 2023

Objective: We aimed to assess and validate the radiologic and clinical factors that were associated with recurrence and survival after curative surgery for heterogeneous targetoid primary liver malignancies in patients with chronic liver disease and to develop scoring systems for risk stratification. Materials and Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 197 consecutive patients with chronic liver disease who had a single targetoid primary liver malignancy (142 hepatocellular carcinomas, 37 cholangiocarcinomas, 17 combined hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinomas, and one neuroendocrine carcinoma) identified on preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and subsequently surgically removed between 2010 and 2017. Of these, 120 patients constituted the development cohort, and 77 patients from separate institution served as an external validation cohort. Factors associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were identified using a Cox proportional hazards analysis, and risk scores were developed. The discriminatory power of the risk scores in the external validation cohort was evaluated using the Harrell C-index. The Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate RFS and OS for the different risk-score groups. Results: In RFS model 1, which eliminated features exclusively accessible on the hepatobiliary phase (HBP), tumor size of 2-5 cm or > 5 cm, and thin-rim arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) were included. In RFS model 2, tumors with a size of > 5 cm, tumor in vein (TIV), and HBP hypointense nodules without APHE were included. The OS model included a tumor size of > 5 cm, thin-rim APHE, TIV, and tumor vascular involvement other than TIV. The risk scores of the models showed good discriminatory performance in the external validation set (C-index, 0.62-0.76). The scoring system categorized the patients into three risk groups: favorable, intermediate, and poor, each with a distinct survival outcome (all log-rank p < 0.05). Conclusion: Risk scores based on rim arterial enhancement pattern, tumor size, HBP findings, and radiologic vascular invasion status may help predict postoperative RFS and OS in patients with targetoid primary liver malignancies.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2014

Purpose: Integrated PET/MRI has been developed recently has become a lot of help to the point oncologic, neological, cardiological nuclear medicine. By using this PET/MRI, a ${\mu}-map$ is created some special MRI sequence which may be divided parts of the body for attenuation correction. However, because an MRI contrast agent is necessary in order to obtain an more MRI information, we will evaluate to see an effect of SUV on PET image that corrected attenuation by MRI with contrast agent. Materials and Methods: As PET/MRI machine, Biograph mMR (Siemens, Germany) was used. For phantom test, 1mCi $^{18}F-FDG$ was injected in cylinderical uniformity phantom, and then acquire PET data about 10 minutes with VIBE-DIXON, UTE MRI sequence image for attenuation correction. T1 weighted contrast media, 4 cc DOTAREM (GUERBET, FRANCE) was injected in a same phatnom, and then PET data, MRI data were acquired by same methodes. Using this PET, non-contrast MRI and contrast MRI, it was reconstructed attenuation correction PET image, in which we evanuated the difference of SUVs. Additionally, for let a high desity of contrast media, 500 cc 2 plastic bottles were used. We injected $^{18}F-FDG$ with 5 cc DOTAREM in first bottle. At second bottle, only $^{18}F-FDG$ was injected. and then we evaluated a SUVs reconstructed by same methods. For clinical patient study, rectal caner-pancreas cancer patients were selected. we evaluated SUVs of PET image corrected attenuastion by contrast weighted MRI and non-contrast MRI. Results: For a phantom study, although VIBE DIXON MRI signal with contrast media is 433% higher than non-contrast media MRI, the signals intensity of ${\mu}-map$, attenuation corrected PET are same together. In case of high contrast media density, image distortion is appeared on ${\mu}-map$ and PET images. For clinical a patient study, VIBE DIXON MRI signal on lesion portion is increased in 495% by using DOTAREM. But there are no significant differences at ${\mu}-map$, non AC PET, AC-PET image whether using contrast media or not. In case of whole body PET/MRI study, %diff between contras and non contrast MRAC at lung, liver, renal cortex, femoral head, myocardium, bladder, muscle are -4.32%, -2.48%, -8.05%, -3.14%, 2.30%, 1.53%, 6.49% at each other. Conclusion: In integrated PET/MRI, a segmentation ${\mu}-map$ method is used for correcting attenuation of PET signal. although MRI signal for attenuation correciton change by using contrast media, ${\mu}-map$ will not change, and then MRAC PET signal will not change too. Therefore, MRI contrast media dose not affect for attenuation correction PET. As well, not only When we make a flow of PET/MRI protocol, order of PET and MRI sequence dose not matter, but It's possible to compare PET images before and after contrast agent injection.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.197-202
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• 2020

Extrauterine adenomyoma of the liver is extremely rare. Only a few cases have been reported, and these reports have focused mainly on histopathology. Herein, we report the specific imaging findings of extrauterine adenomyoma of the liver in a 43-year-old woman with epigastric pain, which was initially diagnosed as a hepatic adenoma. CT and MRI revealed a solid and cystic mass with hemorrhagic foci and weak persistent enhancement, located in the subcapsular region of the right hepatic lobe.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.57-61
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• 2012

Purpose : The whole body bone scan on nuclear medicine is a widely accepted examination and procedure. However, unusual nonosseous uptake can be observed, which reflects a rare interaction between the radiopharmacceutical and the patient. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) contrast and $^{99m}Tc$-DPD(Dicarboxpropane diphosphonate) on whole body bone scan. Materials and Methods : We analyzed the 982 patients who were examined by $^{99m}Tc$-DPD on whole body bone scan in nuclear medicine department of pusan national university hospital from january to december 2010. All these 982 patients had MRI contrast administration prior to whole body bone scan. We analyzed laboratory test. Results : 46 patients(men 39, women 7) showed diffuse hepatic uptake on whole body bone scan. These uptakes were disappeared on the follow-up whole body bone scan. There were no significant difference of CBC test, liver function tests and renal function tests. Conclusion : The study might be an indirect evidence that diffuse hepatic and splenic uptake of 99mTc-DPD on whole body bone scan after intravenous administration of Gadolinium(Gd) MRI contrast. To perform a precise examination, Gd-contrast agent should be removed from the body before performing a whole body bone scan.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.5
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• pp.1218-1230
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• 2021

Purpose To compare the per-patient diagnostic performance of simulated abbreviated MRI (AMRI) to that of conventional MRI (CMRI) with full-sequence dynamic gadoxetic acid (GA) enhancement for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening in high-risk patients. Materials and Methods A total of 201 consecutive patients at high-risk for HCC, who underwent 3T liver MRI, were included in this retrospective study. The AMRI protocol comprised T2-weighted imaging, hepatobiliary phase imaging after GA injection, and diffusion-weighted imaging. For each patient, two AMRI and CMRI image sets were independently reviewed by two radiologists. Inter-reader agreement was assessed using Cohen's kappa value. A composite reference standard was used to determine the diagnostic performance of each image set for each reader. Results A total of 93 HCCs were detected in 79 patients. The inter-reader agreement was almost perfect for both image sets (κ = 0.839, 0.948). In AMRI, the per-patient sensitivity and negative predictive values (NPV) were 94.9% and 96.4%, respectively. In CMRI, the per-patient sensitivity and NPV were 96.2% and 97.5%, respectively. Conclusion AMRI, using only three sequences, had a comparable diagnostic performance to CMRI in screening early-stage HCC. AMRI could be an alternative HCC screening tool for high-risk HCC patients.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.389-401
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to determine a factor for predicting suboptimal image quality of the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with extrahepatic bile duct (EHD) cancer before MRI examination. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 259 patients (mean age ± standard deviation: 68.0 ± 8.3 years; 162 male and 97 female) with EHD cancer who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI between 2011 and 2017. Patients were divided into a primary analysis set (n = 184) and a validation set (n = 75) based on the diagnosis date of January 2014. Two reviewers assigned the functional liver imaging score (FLIS) to reflect the HBP image quality. The FLIS consists of the sum of three HBP features, each scored on a 0-2 scale: liver parenchymal enhancement, biliary excretion, and signal intensity of the portal vein. Patients were classified into low-FLIS (0-3) or high-FLIS (4-6) groups. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine a predictor of low FLIS using serum biochemical and imaging parameters of cholestasis severity. The optimal cutoff value for predicting low FLIS was obtained using receiver operating characteristic analysis, and validation was performed. Results: Of the 259 patients, 140 (54.0%) and 119 (46.0%) were classified into the low-FLIS and high-FLIS groups, respectively. In the primary analysis set, total bilirubin was an independent factor associated with low FLIS (adjusted odds ratio per 1-mg/dL increase, 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-1.98). The optimal cutoff value of total bilirubin for predicting low FLIS was 2.1 mg/dL with a sensitivity of 95.1% (95% CI: 88.9-98.4) and a specificity of 89.0% (95% CI: 80.2-94.9). In the validation set, the total bilirubin cutoff showed a sensitivity of 92.1% (95% CI: 78.6-98.3) and a specificity of 83.8% (95% CI: 68.0-93.8). Conclusion: Serum total bilirubin before acquisition of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI may help predict suboptimal HBP image quality in patients with EHD cancer.