• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2003

Purpose: To correlate the significant MRI findings and histologic features of the Schwannoma of the extremities and to review the clinical characteristic and the result of the surgical enucleation. Materials and Methods: 67 patients with pathologically proven Schwannoma of the extremities, who were surgically treated at our institutes between January 1996 and June 2002, were selected for this study. The clinical records, EMG, MRI and histologic findings were reviewed. Age of the patients ranged from 8 to 75 years with average of 44.7 years. Mean follow-up period was 9.7 months with raging from 3 months to 46 months. Results: On MRI, Schwannoma shows a well-demarcated fusiform mass with a low to intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, which is connected to parent nerve. A target pattern with peripheral hyperintensive rim and central low intensity on T2-weighted images was seen in 6 cases (15%), and fasciculation pattern with inhomogenous intensity in the hyperintensity on T2-weighted images was observed in 24 cases (62%). Various degree of cystic degeneration was discovered in 25 cases (64%). Postoperative complications include tingling sense or radiating pain in 5 patients, paresthesia in 2 patients, nerve palsy in 2 patients, but all of the complications were recovered during followup period. There were no local recurrence or malignant change. Conclusion: MRI demonstrates characteristic findings of Schwannoma, and very useful tool for preoperative diagnosis and planning of surgery. Exact preoperative diagnosis and meticulous enucleation are enough option of treatment.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.241-247
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• 1993

Between July 1988 and December 1992, we treated 45 patients who had deep seated inoperable or residual and/or recurrent intracranial tumors using LINAC based stereotactic radiosurgery at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College. Treated intracranial tumors included pituitary tumors (n=15), acoustic neurinomas (n=8), meningiomas (n=7), gliomas (n=6), craniopharyngiomas (n=4), pinealomas (n=3), hemangioblastomas (n=2), and solitary metastatic tumor from lung cancer (n=1). The dimension of treatment field varied from 0.23 to 42.88 $cm^3\;(mean;\;7.26\;cm^3)$. The maximum tumor doses ranging from 5 to 35.5 Gy (mean; 29.9 Gy) were given, and depended on patients' age, target volume, location of lesion and previous history of irradiation. There were 22 male and 23 female patients. The age was varied from 5 to 74 years of age (a median age; 43 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 35 months (2~55 months). To date, 18 $(39.1\%)$ of 46 intracranial tumors treated with SRS showed absent or decrease of the tumor by serial follow-up CT and/or MRI and 16 $(34.8\%)$ were stationary, e.g. growth arrest. From the view point of the clinical aspects, 34 $(73.9\%)$ of 46 tumors were considered improved status, that is, alive with no evidence of active tumor and 8 $(17.4\%)$ of them were stable, alive with disease but no deterioration as compared with before SRS. Although there showed slight increase of the tumor in size according to follow-up imagings of 4 cases (pituitary tumor 1, acoustic neurinomas 2, pinealoma 1), they still represented clinically stable status. Clinically, two $(4.4\%)$ Patients who were anaplastic astrocytoma (n=1) and metastatic brain tumor (n=1) were worsened following SRS treatment. So far, no serious complications were found after treatment. The minor degree headache which could be relieved by steroid or analgesics and transient focal hair loss were observed in a few cases. There should be meticulous long term follow-up inall cases.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 1998

Background & Objectives: Frameless fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy(FFSRT) is a modification of stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS) with radiobiologic advantage of fractionation without losing mechanical accuracy of SRS. Local recurrence of head and neck cancer at or near skull base benefit from reirradiation. Main barrier to successful palliation is dose limitation secondary to normal tissue tolerance. We try to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FFSRT as a new modality of reirradaton in these challenging patients. Materials & Methods: Seven patients with recurrent head & neck cancer involving at or near skull base received FFSRT from September 1995 to November 1997. Six patients with nasopharyngeal cancer had received induction chemotherapy and curative radiation therapy. One patient with maxillary sinus cancer had received total maxillectomy and postoperative radiation therapy as a initial treatment. Follow-up ranged from 11 to 32 months with median of 24 months. Three of 7 patients received hyperfractionated radiation therapy(1.1-1.2Gy/fraction, bid, total 19.8-24Gy) just before FFSRT. All patients received FFSRT(3-5Gy/fraction, total 15-30Gy/5-10fractions). Chemotherapy(cis-platin $100mg/m^2$) were given concurrently with FFSRT in four patients. Second course of FFSRT were given in 4 patients with progression or recurrence after initial FFSRT. Because IF(irregularity factor; ratio of surface area of target to the surface area of sphere with same volume as a target) is too big to use conventional stereotactic RT using multiple arc method for protection of radiation damage to critical normal tissue, all patients received FFSRT with conformal method using irregular static ports. Results: Five of 7 patients showed complete remission in follow-up CT &/or MRI. Three of these five patients who developed marginal, in-field, and out-field recurrences, respectively. Another one of complete responders has been dead of G-I bleeding without evidence of local recurrence. One partial responder who showed progressive disease 15 months after initial FFSRT has received additional FFSRT, and then he is well-being with symptomatic improvement. One minmal responder who showed progression of locoregional disease 9 months after $1^{st}$ FFSRT has received 2nd FFSRT, and then he is alive with stable disease. Five of 7 case had showed direct invasion to skull base and had complaint headache and various symptoms of cranial nerve involvement. Four of these five case showed improvement of neurologic symptoms after FFSRT. No significant neurologic complicaltion related to FFSRT was observed during follow-up periods. Tumor volumes were ranged from 3.9 to 50.7 cc and surface area ranged from 16.1 to $114.9cm^2$. IF ranged from 1.21 to 1.74. The average ratio of volume of prescription isodose shell to target volume was 1.02 that indicated the improvement of target coverage and dose distribution with FFSRT with conformal method compared to target coverage with FFSRT with multiple arc method. Conclusion: Our initial experience suggests that FFSRT with conformal method was relatively effective and safe modality in the treatment of recurrent head and neck cancer involving at or near skull base. Treatment benefit included good palliation of symptoms and reasonable radiographic response. However, more experience and additional follow-up are needed to better assess its ultimate role in treating these challenging patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.566-571
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• 2003

Purpose : Leukoencephalopathy(LE) is one of the most serious complications in children with hematologic malignancies during the course of treatment. Early recognition is important to reduce the impact and sequelae from LE. We therefore investigated the clinical features of LE following central nervous system(CNS) prophylaxis in children with hematologic malignancies and evaluated the significance of regular check-ups of brain MRI. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed children with hematologic malignancies who had CNS prophylaxis including intrathecal(IT) methotrexate(MTX) and/or cranial irradiation at the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital from Oct. 1995 to May 2002. Fifteen cases of acute leukemia and one case of lymphoma who experienced LE following CNS prophylaxis were included in the study. Clinical data were analyzed from the medical records and brain MRIs were reviewed by neuroradiologists. Results : The ages ranged from 1 to 13 years(median age=5.2 years), and the male to female ratio was 3 : 1. The time interval from the beginning of chemotherapy to the time of diagnosis of LE ranged from 2 to 17 months. They all had IT MTX two to 15 times and ten underwent cranial irradiation(1,800 rads). At the time of diagnosis, ten of them had neuropsychiatric symptoms including seizures, personality changes, headache, etc. After the change of treatment modality, four cases showed significant improvement on follow-up MRIs, six cases had no significant changes and two had worsening of LE. Four patients died of infection and bone marrow relapse. Conclusion : CNS prophylaxis with IT therapy and cranial irradiation may cause leukoencephalopathy during the course of treatment. As a result, regular brain MRI check-up is recommended for the early detection and reducing the incidence of LE, along with changes in the treatment modality.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1314-1319
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• 2001

Objects : Because of the nonspecific nature of symptoms in tuberculous spondylitis, a delay in the diagnosis can result in progressive neurologic deficits. The authors evaluate the clinical and the radiological results of the 10 cases of surgically treated tuberculous spondylitis. Clinical materials & Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 10 patients with tuberculous spondylitis who were treated between February 1996 and March 2000. Six patients were female, and four were male. Mean age was 43 years old, and mean follow-up period was 20.5 months. All patients were treated with 12 months of antituberculous medication postoperatively, and were followed by complete blood count, ESR, spine X-ray and MRI. Results : The lumbar spine was involved in 5 patients, the thoracic in 4, and the thoracolumbar in one. The infected vertebral bodies were 2.8 in average. The associated lesions were pulmonary tuberculosis in 3 cases, and renal tuberculosis in one. Five patients were treated by anterior debridement and fusion with bone graft using anterior instrumentation, 2 with anterior debridement and fusion with bone graft(Hong Kong procedure only), 1 with Hong Kong procedure with posterior spinal instrumentation, and 2 were managed with posterior debridement and posterior spinal instrumentation. All patients improved after operation, and the average kyphotic angle decreased postoperatively. Postoperatively, one patient had a fistula at the operative site. Conclusion : The debridement and minimal level fusion of motion segment with instrument fixation is one of surgical option for tuberculous spondyltis to preserve the spine motion segment as much as possible. Spine instability and kyphosis were prevented by anterior and posterior spinal instrumentation. But, large number of cases and longer period follow-up study in future will be needed to confirm the long term results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.236-241
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• 2011

Purpose: To report the usefulness of dynamic ultrasonography in subluxation of the long head of the biceps tendon, which is difficult to detect with static imaging such as plain radiography, static sonography, MRI and in a subtle physical examination. Materials and Methods: Two male patients suffered from subluxation of the long head of the biceps. This difficult diagnosis? was managed by surgery (biceps soft tissue tenodesis) with the aid of dynamic ultrasonography. At final follow up, we evaluated patients' symptoms and functional outcomes using KSS, UCLA and ASES scores. Results: We diagnosed and treated subluxation of the long head of the biceps easily using dynamic ultrasonography. At the final follow up, both patients' symptoms and functional outcomes were improved. There were no significant complications. Conclusion: Dynamic ultrasonography is a useful method in the difficult and subtle diagnosis of subluxation of the long head of the biceps.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7569-7576
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this article is to present preliminary results of simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: Fifty-eight patients who underwent simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy for NPC in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University between September 2004 and December 2009 were eligible. Acute and late toxicities were scored weekly according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute and late radiation morbidity scoring schemes. An especial focus was on evidence of post-radiation brain injury. Also quality of life was analysed according to the EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) recommendations. Discrete variables were compared by ${\chi}^2$ test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rates and generate survival curves. Results: A total of 58 patients with a mean follow-up time of 36 months completed clinical trials.Fifty-seven patients (98.3) achieved complete remission in the primary sites and cervical lymph nodes, with only one patient (1.7%) showing partial remission.The most frequently observed acute toxicities during the concurrent chemoradiotherapy were mucositis and leucopenia. Four patients (6.9%) had RTOG grade 3 mucositis, whereas four patients (6.9%) had grade 3 leucopenia. No patient had grade 4 acute toxicity. Three (5.17%) of the patients exhibited injury to the brain on routine MRI examination, with a median observation of 32 months (range, 25-42months). All of them were RTOG grade 0. The 3-year overall, regional-free and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 85%, 94% and 91%, respectively. Conclusion: Simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy is feasible in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The results showed excellent local control and overall survival, with no significant increase the incidence of radiation brain injury or the extent of damage. A larger population of patients and a longer follow-up period are needed to evaluate ultimate tumor control and late toxicity.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.81-89
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• 2013

The purposes of this study was to describe the clinical correlation of mass size and gestational age, prognostic factors in sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) at a tertiary pediatric surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center (AMC), Seoul, Korea. Fifty five patients admitted to the AMC with a SCT between May 1989 and April 2013 were included in this retrospective review. Mean follow up was 861 days. Mean maternal age at delivery was $30{\pm}2.7$ year, mean gestational age (GA) was $36.9{\pm}3.6$ wks, and preterm delivery was 21.8%. Birth body weight was $3182{\pm}644$ g and male vs. female ratio was 1:2.05. We can't find significant difference between Caesarean section and maternal age at delivery (p =0.817). But, caesarean section was favored by gestational age (p = 0.002), larger tumor size (p =0.029) or higher tumor weight fraction rate to birth body weight (p =0.024). Type I was 13, II 21, III 17, and IV 3 according to Altman et al. classification. The tumor component was predominantly cystic(> 50%) in 73.1 %. And the majority histological classification of tumors were mature teratoma (70.3%). The motality rate was 5.5%. Three patients expired because of postpartum bleeding, post-op bleeding related complication such as DIC. SCT recurred in four patients. The interval between first and second operation was $206.2{\pm}111.0$ d (range 53~325 d). In two patients, serum AFP levels were elevated at a regular checkup without any symptom, and subsequent imaging studies revealed SCT. The most common cause of death was bleeding and bleeding related complication. So Caesarean section and active peripartum and perioperative management will be needed for huge solid SCT. In the case of Yolk sac tumor or huge immature teratoma, possibility of recurrence have to be always considered, so follow up by serial AFP and MRI is important for SCT management.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 2006

Purpose: Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears are many techniques that have been developed to improve the initial postoperative strength of the repair. There was a doubt that current arthroscopic cuff repairs using a single row of suture anchors reproduce insufficient area of the anatomic cuff insertion, and concerns about failure of fixation often lead surgeons to limit early motion. Newer technique of double-row repair in arthroscopic treatment may provide initial stronger fixation and more contact with bone at the repair site than single-row repair did. We studied the comparison between clinical outcomes of arthroscopic single- and double-row repair in cuff tears at 1year postoperatively. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 40 shoulders with single-row repair and 38 shoulders with double-row repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears between May 2002 and October 2004. Out of total 78 shoulders, 42 (54%) were male patients and 36 (46%) were female patients and the mean age at surgery was 56 years. All patients were diagnosed by physical examination and MRI. At 1year' follow-up after operation, we evaluated with the ASES and the Constant scoring system, and measured muscle power of abduction, internal and external rotation of the affected shoulder then compared with each other. Results: Mean ASES scores and Constant scores in double-row repair group improved more than single-row repair group significantly at 1year postoperatively. Muscle power of abduction and internal rotation, especially abduction power, improved more significantly in double-row repair group than in single-row repair. Conclusion: Arthroscopic double-row repair for the full thickness rotator cuff tear may be a superior technique, which showed better clinical outcomes and restoration of muscle power compared with single-row repair at relatively short period of postoperative follow-up. Restoration of footprint close to normal anatomy by double-row repair seems to play an important role in the recovery of muscle strength.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2011

Purpose: Microfracture has been used as a first-line treatment to repair articular cartilage defects. In this study, a new technique using an extracelluar matrix biomembrane to cover the cartilage lesions after microfracture was evaluated in terms of cartilage repairability and clinical outcome compared with conventional microfracture technique in a prospective randomized trial. Materials and Methods: A total of 53 patients (59 cases) without osteoarthritis who had focal full thickness articular cartilage lesions were randomly assigned in two group. Seventeen patients (17 cases) underwent conventional microfracture procedure (control group) and thirty-six patients (42 cases) received microfracture and placing biomembrane cover (ArtiFilm$^{TM}$) concomitantly (experimental group). Clinical assessment was done through 6 months postoperatively using the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee IKDC questionnaire, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at 6 months after the operation in all patients. Results: In clinical outcomes, the significant difference was observed between both groups in IKDC, but not in VAS for pain and for satisfaction (final outcomes of IKDC, p=0.001; VAS for pain, p=0.074; VAS for satisfaction, p=0.194). The MRI showed good to complete defect fill (67 to 100%) in 33 patients (78.6%) of experimental group and 4 patients (23.5%) of control group, respectively. In control group, 9 of 17 patients (52.9%) showed poor defect fill (less than 33%), whereas 5 (11.9%) in experimental group (p=0.001). Assessment of peripheral integration revealed no gap formation in 35 patients (83.3%) in experimental group and 6 patients (35.3%) in control group (p=0.001). No serious complications or adverse effects related to the biomembrane were found. Conclusion: Good short-term follow-up clinical results were obtained in the group whose cartilage defects in the knee joint were covered with biomembrane after the microfracture, with the MRI findings confirming the excellent regeneration of the defective cartilage area. This suggests that the surgery to cover the defective area with biomembrane (ArtiFilm$^{TM}$) after the microfracture procedure is a safe, more effective treatment to induce cartilage regeneration.