• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.136-147
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• 2002

Background : Interstitial lung disease has various manifestations that are differentiated by their pathology, progress and treatment. However, all manifestations eventually progresses to pulmonary fibrosis. Recent studies have shown that apoptosis of pulmonary epithelial cells might be related to pulmonary fibrosis. The correlation of the apoptotic index with the clinical manifestations, pathological findings, HRCT findings and the response to treatment were examined. Materials and Methods : Twenty subjects (14 men, 16 women), who had been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease through an open lung biopsy, were enrolled in this study. The subtypes were one AIP, two NIP, eight BOOP, and seven UIP cases. The apoptotic index was scaled from 0-2 depending on the fraction of positive staining cells by TUNEL method. The clinical severity was assessed by a modification of a previously developed CRP scoring system. The pathologic scores were based on 4 components: fibrosis, cellularity, desquamation, and granulation. In the HRCT study, each lobe was scored by the radiologists on a scale for both fibrosis and ground-glass attenuation. The treatment response was assessed by an increase in more than 10% of the CRP score, and comparing the results 3 months before and after treatment. Results : The apoptotic index showed no correlation with the CRP and HRCT scoring system. The apoptotic index correlated with the pathologic elements including fibrosis, cellularity and the desquamation score (p<0.05). Of the 16 patients who received corticosteroid therapy, 9 patients (56.3%) responded to therapy. There was no correlation between the response to corticosteroid and the apoptotic index. In the case of patients with acute and subacute ILD, the apoptotic index showed a correlation with the cellularity, desquamation, and the total histological score (p<0.05). In the case of patients with chronic ILD, the apoptotic index correlated with the fibrosis and cellularity score (p<0.05). Conclusion : Apoptosis of the pulmonary epithelial cells is implicated in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease particularly on a pathological basis.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.23-31
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• 2012

There are AEC mode and fix mode to exposure when the whole spine antero-posterior radiography is done by using DR equipment. This study compared the utility of fix mode to AEC mode, by evaluating organ dose and effective dose and by examining the quality of radiographic image. GE DEFINIUM 8000 and ART-200X Rando Phantom manufactured by Flukebiometical were used for this study. The Rando phantom was set in front of wall detector of X-rays equipment. AEC mode was set at 80kVp and Fix mode was set at 80kVp, 25mAs, 32mAs, 40mAs, and 50mAs. Whole spine AP image were aquired by combining C, T-L and L-S spine images obtained through 3 exposures. When obtaining C, T-L and L-S spine images, were checked for Air kerma (mGy) value calculated by UNFORS Xi meter attached at the phantom surface of center of radiation field. The effective and organ doses were compared by PCXMC program (PC-Based Monte Carlo Program). The quality of obtained radiographic image was evaluated visually by 3 radiologists using resolution chart. When the effective doses was calculated based on tissue weighting factor of ICRP-103, 1.278mSv was measured by AEC mode, and Fix mode measured 0.405mSv at 25mAs, 0.518mSv at 32mAs, 0.649mSv at 40mAs, and 0.810mSv at 50mAS. In addition, the organ dose measured with esposure at 25mAs by Fix mode was almost equivalent to the organ dose by AEC mode, at the esophagus, thyroid, oral mucosa, salivaly glands located at the cervical spine part, while the organ dose by Fix mode was in general lower than the organ dose by AEC mode at the other organs. When Fix mode at 32mAs, 40mAs, and 50mAs was compared to AEC mode for organ dose in 26 organs, AEC mode had higher measurement in 21 organs but not for than brain, trachea, thyroid, oral mucosa, and salivaly glands which are located at the cervical spine part. The image quality evaluated by resolution test chart was much higher with AEC mode than the quality with Fix mode at all exposure conditions. However, while the image quality of cervical spine exposured at 50mAs by Fix mode was lower than the quality of AEC mode, thoraco-lumbar spine and lumbo-sacral spine were calculated and the quality was similar to AEC mode. Scoliosis occurs mainly at thoraco-lumbar and lumbo-sacral spine, not at cervical spine. Compared to AEC mode, Using the appropriate protocol (80kVp, 50mAs) of fix mode for whole spine AP radiography was thought to be useful because the image quality of the thoraco-lumar and lumbo-sacral spine was similar on AEC mode, Also organ and effective doses can be decreased with Fix mode. Therefore, It is considered that fix mode can be used properly with AEC mode for whole spine AP radiography when considering patient's body posture.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.224-231
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• 2013

Purpose : To evaluate the potential effects of background parenchymal enhancement of MR imaging in diagnosed breast cancer patients on the rate of additional biopsy and resultant cancer yield. Materials and Methods: 322 patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer and had undergone breast MR imaging were included in this study. Two radiologists reviewed the MRI for degree of background parenchymal enhancement and additional suspicious lesions described as BI-RADS category 4 or 5 on radiologic reports. Biopsy was done for these lesions, pathology reports were reviewed to calculate the cancer yield. Results: Background parenchymal enhancement of MR imaging in a total of 322 patients were classified as minimal degree 47.5%, mild degree 28.9%, moderate degree 12.4% and marked degree 11.2%. Among these 332 patients, MR imaging of 70 patients showed additional suspicious malignant lesions described as BI-RADS category 4 or 5, and consequently, 66 patients underwent biopsy. Biopsy rates in those with minimal or mild background parenchymal enhancement and those with moderate and marked background parenchymal enhancement were 19.9% and 22.3% (p-value 0.77) respectively. Cancer yields in those with minimal or mild background parenchymal enhancement and those with moderate and marked background parenchymal enhancement were 6.5% and 5.2% (p value 0.88) respectively. Both these results did not show stastically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The degree of background parenchymal enhancement in MR imaging of breast cancer patients did not significantly impact additional biopsy rates or cancer yields.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.232-238
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• 2013

Purpose : We investigated the possible added value of magnetic resonance imaging (MR) in staging of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) compared to computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 20 patients (M;F = 14:6; mean age, 53.5 yrs) who diagnosed as MPM by histology and underwent CT and MR at initial evaluation from Jan 1997 to Dec 2012. Two radiologists performed clinical staging by using CT alone or MR alone in consensus. In patients underwent surgery (n = 13), we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of CT and MR in terms of staging compared to surgical staging. In all patients, we compared clinical staging of CT only and CT with MR. Results: The diagnostic accuracy for T staging of CT only was 23.1% (3/13) and that of combined CT and MR was 38.5% (5/13), respectively. Among 13 patients underwent surgery, surgical stage was higher than combined CT and MR stage in 5 patients, but lower in 3 patients. CT only and combined CT and MR agreed in 85.0% (17/ 20). In cases of disagree (15.0%, 3/20), combined CT and MR showed higher stage than CT only. Conclusion: Combined CT and MR increases the diagnostic accuracy in staging of MPM compared to CT only and is important in determining the appropriate treatment in patients being considered for surgery.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the clinical significance IV-contrasted helical abdomen computed tomography (CT) as a diagnostic screening tool to evaluate hollow viscus injury in blunt abdominal trauma patients. Methods: This is a retrospective study encompassing 108 patients, presenting to Korea University Medical Center (KUMC) Emergency Department (ED) from January 2007 to December 2007, with an initial CT finding suggestive of intra-abdominal injury. An initial non-enhanced abdomen CT was taken, followed by an enhanced CT with intravenous contrast. Patients' demographic data, as well as the mechanisms of injury, were inquired upon and obtained, initial diagnosis, as dictated by specialized radiologists, were added to post-operational (post-OP) findings and to additional CT findings acquired during their hospital stays, and all were combined to arrive at final diagnosis. Initial CT findings were further compared with the final diagnosis, yielding values for sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, as well as positive and negative predictive values. Patients were further divided into two groups, namely, those that underwent operational intervention and those that did not. The initial CT findings of each group were subsequently compared and analyzed. Results: Initial CT scans revealed abnormal findings in a total of 212 cases - solid organ injuries being the most common finding, as was observed in 97 cases. Free fluid accumulation was evident in another 69 cases. Based on the CT findings, 77 cases (71.3%) were initially diagnosed as having a solid organ injury, 20 cases (18.5%) as having a combined (solid organ + hollow viscus) injury, and 11 cases (10.2%), as having an isolated hollow viscus injury. The final diagnosis however, were somewhat different, with only 67 cases (62.0%) attributed to solid organ injury, 31 cases (28.7%) to combined injury (solid + hollow), and 10 cases (9.3%) to hollow viscus injury. The sensitivity (CI 95%) of the initial helical CT in diagnosing hollow viscus injury was 75.6%, and its specificity was 100%. The accuracy in diagnosing hollow viscus injury was also meaningfully lower compared to that in diagnosis of solid organ injury. Among patients initially diagnosed with solid organ injuries, 10 patients (2 from follow-up CT and 8 from post-OP finding) turned out to have combined injuries. A total of 38 patients underwent an operation, and the proportion of initial CT findings suggesting free air, mesenteric hematoma or bowel wall thickening turned out to be significantly higher in the operation group. Conclusion: Abdominal CT was a meaningful screening test for hollow viscus injury, but the sensitivity of abdominal CT was significantly lower in detecting hollow viscus injury as compared to solid organ injury. This calls for special consideration and careful observation by the ED physicians when dealing with cases of blunt abdominal trauma.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.495-501
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences and reproducibility of Hounsfield unit (HU) value and volume measurements on different computed tomography (CT) scanner types and different collimations by using a gelatin phantom. The phantom consisting of five synthetic simulated calculus spanning diameters from 3.0 mm to 12.0 mm with 100 HU was scanned using a two-channel multi-detector row CT (MDCT) scanner, a four-channel MDCT scanner, and two 64-channel MDCT scanners. For all different scanner types, the thinnest possible collimation and the second thinnest collimation was used. The HU values and volumes of the synthetic simulated calculus were independently measured three times with minimum intervals of 2 weeks and by three experienced veterinary radiologists. ANOVA and Scheff$\acute{e}$ test for the multiple comparison were performed for statistical comparison of the HU values and volumes of the synthetic simulated calculus according to different CT scanner types and different collimations. The reproducibility of the HU value and volume measurements was determined by calculating Cohen's k. The reproducibility of HU value and volume measurements was very good. HU value varied between different CT scanner types, among different beam collimations. However, there was not statistically significant difference. The percent error (PE) decreased as the collimation thickness decreased, but the decrease was statistically insignificant. In addition, no statistically significant difference in the PEs of the different CT scanner types was found. It can be concluded that the CT scanner type insignificantly affects HU value and the volumetric measurement, but that a thinner collimation tends to be more useful for accurate volumetric measurement.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2015

Purpose Whole body bone scan, which makes up a largest percentage of nuclear medicine tests, has high sensitivity and resolution about bone lesion like osteomyelitis, fracture and the early detection of primary cancer. However, any standard for valuation has not yet been created except minimum factor. Therefore, in this study, we will analysis the method which show a quantitative evaluation index in whole body bone scan. Materials and Methods This study is conducted among 30 call patients, who visited the hospital from April to September 2014 with no special point of view about bone lesion, using GE INFINIA equipment. Enumerated data is measured mainly with patient's whole body count and lumbar vertabrae, and the things which include CNR (Contrast to Noise ratio), SNR (Signal to Noise ratio) are calculated according to the mean value signal and standard deviation of each lumbar vertabrae. In addition, the numerical value with the abdominal thickness is compared to each value by the change of scan speed and tissue equivalent material throughout the phantom examination, and compared with 1hours deleyed value. Completely, on the scale of ten, 2 reading doctors and 5 skilled radiologists with 5-years experience analysis the correlation between visual analysis with blind test and quantitative calculation. Results The whole body count and interest region count of patients have no significant correlation with visual analysis value throughout the blind test(P<0.05). There is definite correlation among CNR and SNR. In phantom examination, Value of the change was caused by the thickness of the abdomen and the scan speed. And The poor value of the image in the subject as a delay test patient could be confirmed that the increase tendency. Conclusion Now, a standard for valuation has not been created in whole body bone scan except minimum factor. In this study, we can verify the significant correlation with blind test using CNR and SNR and also assure that the scan speed is a important factor to influence the imagine quality from the value. It is possible to be some limit depending on the physiology function and fluid intake of patient even if we progress the evaluation in same condition include same injection amount, same scan speed and so on. However, that we prove the significant evaluation index by presenting quantitative calculation objectively could be considered academic value.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.573-579
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is predicted easily the entrance surface dose (ESD) in chest digital radiography. We used two detector type such as flat-panel detector (FP) and IP (Imaging plate detector). ESD was measured at each exposure condition combined tube voltage with tube current using dosimeter, after attaching on human phantom, it was repeated 3 times. Phantom images were evaluated independently by three chest radiologists after blinding image. Dose-area product (DAP) or exposure index (EI) was checked by Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) header on phantom images. Statistical analysis was performed by the linear regression using SPSS ver. 19.0. ESD was significant difference between FP and IP($85.7{\mu}Gy$ vs. $124.6{\mu}Gy$, p=0.017). ESD was positively correlated with image quality in FP as well as IP. In FP, adjusted R square was 0.978 (97.8%) and linear regression model was $ESD=0.407+68.810{\times}DAP$. DAP was 4.781 by calculating the $DAP=0.021+0.014{\times}340{\mu}Gy$. In IP, adjusted R square was 0.645 (64.5%) and linear regression model was $ESD=-63.339+0.188{\times}EI$. EI was 1748.97 by calculating the $EI=565.431+3.481{\times}340{\mu}Gy$. In chest digital radiography, the ESD can be easily predicted by the DICOM header information.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2018

Purpose In case of nuclear medical hepatobiliary scan, To quantitatively evaluate contractility of a gallbladder, gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF%) is calculated from anterior images using fatty meal. However, when a gallbladder and other organs overlap on an anterior image, the gallbladder ejection fraction is not accurately evaluated. In order to reduce this error, the objective of our study was to figure out whether there is a significant difference in GBEF% calculated from the anterior and right lateral images. Materials and Methods After intravenous injection of 99mTc-Mebrofenin 370 MBq to randomly 50 patients who visited our hospital, we started to examine nuclear hepatobiliary scan. Using skylight(Philips, United States), we acquired anterior and right lateral image at 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90minutes after injection. Using images at 60 and 90 minutes, gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF%) was calculated from the anterior and right lateral images using JETstream workspace. For drawing more accurate ROI, CT images were referenced and 4 radiologists calculated the GBEF% in the same image and calculated the average value. We assessed whether there was a significant difference in GBEF% calculated from the anterior and right lateral images using SPSS program(Statistical Package for the Social Science, SPSS Ver.18 Inc. USA). Results About randomly 50 patients, the average value of the GBEF% calculated from the anterior image was 63.212 and the average value of the GBEF% calculated from the right lateral image was 62.666. GBEF% decreased 0.433% on the right lateral image compared with anterior image. Result of paired sample t-test, p value is over 0.05. So, there was no significant difference in GBEF% calculated from the anterior and right lateral images. Conclusion In the case that a gallbladder and other organs are not separated on an anteior image, Right lateral image would be better to acquire more accurate GBEF% than using anterior image.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.79 no.5
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• pp.254-258
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• 2018

Purpose: Establishment of an appropriate protocol for breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the study of image quality standards to enhance the effectiveness of medical image information exchange, which is part of the construction and activation of clinical information exchange for healthcare informatization. Materials and Methods: The recommended protocols of breast and MRI scans were reviewed and the questionnaire was prepared by a responsible researcher. Then, a panel of 9 breast dedicated radiologists was set up in Korea. The expert panel conducted a total of three Delphi agreements to draw up a consensus on the breast MRI protocol. Results: The agreed breast MRI recommendation protocol is a 1.5 Tesla or higher device that acquires images with prone position using a breast dedicated coil and includes T2-weighted and pre-contrast T1-weighted images. Contrast enhancement images are acquired at least two times, and include 60-120 seconds between images and after 4 minutes. The contrast enhancement T1-weighted image should be less than 3 mm in thickness, less than 120 seconds in temporal resolution, and less than $1.5mm^2$ in-plane pixel resolution. Conclusion: The Delphi agreement of the domestic breast imaging specialist group has established the recommendation protocol of the effective breast MRI.