• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.438-448
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of no-touch radiofrequency ablation (NT-RFA) using twin cooled wet (TCW) electrodes in patients experiencing recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after undergoing locoregional treatments. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-arm study of NT-RFA involving 102 patients, with a total of 112 recurrent HCCs (each ≤ 3 cm). NT-RFA with TCW electrodes was implemented under the guidance of ultrasonography (US)-MR/CT fusion imaging. If NT-RFA application proved technically challenging, conversion to conventional tumor puncture RFA was permitted. The primary metric for evaluation was the mid-term cumulative incidence of local tumor progression (LTP) observed post-RFA. Cumulative LTP rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to explore factors associated with LTP. Considering conversion cases from NT-RFA to conventional RFA, intention-to-treat (ITT; including all patients) and per-protocol (PP; including patients not requiring conversion to conventional RFA alone) analyses were performed. Results: Conversion from NT-RFA to conventional RFA was necessary for 24 (21.4%) out of 112 tumors. Successful treatment was noted in 111 (99.1%) out of them. No major complications were reported among the patients. According to ITT analysis, the estimated cumulative incidences of LTP were 1.9%, 6.0%, and 6.0% at 1, 2, and 3 years post-RFA, respectively. In PP analysis, the cumulative incidence of LTP was 0.0%, 1.3%, and 1.3% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The number of previous locoregional HCC treatments (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.265 per 1 treatment increase; P = 0.004), total bilirubin (aHR, 7.477 per 1 mg/dL increase; P = 0.012), and safety margin ≤ 5 mm (aHR, 9.029; P = 0.016) were independently associated with LTP in ITT analysis. Conclusion: NT-RFA using TCW electrodes is a safe and effective treatment for recurrent HCC, with 6.0% (ITT analysis) and 1.3% (PP analysis) cumulative incidence of LTP at 2 and 3-year follow-ups.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권5호
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• pp.827-836
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• 2021

Objective : Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most common causes of facial pain. Our aim is to investigate the efficacy and borders of percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Methods : Between May 2007 and April 2017, 156 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were treated with radiofrequency thermocoagulation. These 156 patients underwent 209 procedures. In our study, we investigated the early and late results of percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation under guiding fluoroscopic imaging in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain scale was used for grading the early results. In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess long-term outcomes. Of the 156 patients who underwent radiofrequency thermocoagulation for trigeminal neuralgia, 45 had additional disease. Patients with this condition were evaluated with their comorbidities. Early and late results were compared with those without comorbidity. Results : In 193 of 209 interventions BNI pain scale I to III results were obtained. Out of the 193 successful operation 136 patients (65.07%) were discharged as BNI I, 14 (6.70%) as BNI II, 43 (20.58%) as BNI III. Sixteen patients (7.65%) remained uncontrolled (BNI IV and V). While the treatment results of trigeminal neuralgia patients with comorbidity seem more successful in the early period, this difference was not observed in follow-up examinations. Conclusion : Finally, we concluded that percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion is a safe and effective method in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. However, over time, the effectiveness of the treatment decreases. Neverthless, the reapprability of this intervention gives it a distinct advantage.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제53권6호
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• pp.680-687
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• 2010

Patients with congenital heart diseases (CHD) are confronted with early- and late-onset complications, such as conduction disorders, arrhythmias, myocardial dysfunction, altered coronary flow, and ischemia, throughout their lifetime despite successful hemodynamic and/or anatomical correction. Rhythm disturbance is a well-known and increasingly frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CHD. Predisposing factors to rhythm disturbances include underlying cardiac defects, hemodynamic changes as part of the natural history, surgical repair and related scarring, and residual hemodynamic abnormalities. Acquired factors such as aging, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and others may also contribute to arrhythmogenesis in CHD. The first step in evaluating arrhythmias in CHD is to understand the complex anatomy and to find predisposing factors and hemodynamic abnormalities. A practical stepwise approach can lead to diagnosis and prompt appropriate interventions. Electrophysiological assessment and management should be done with integrated care of the underlying heart defects and hemodynamic abnormalities. Catheter ablation and arrhythmia surgery have been increasingly applied, showing increasing success rates with technological advancement despite complicated arrhythmia circuits in complex anatomy and the difficulty of access. Correction of residual hemodynamic abnormalities may be critical in the treatment of arrhythmia in patients with CHD.

• 대한기계학회논문집B
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• 제31권10호
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• pp.832-839
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• 2007

The geometry and dimensions of an expansion chamber are decisive factors in thermal puffer plasma chamber designs. Because they together dominate the temperature and speed at which the cooling gas from the chamber flows back through a flow channel to the arcing zone for the successful interruption of fault currents. In this study, we calculated the flow and mass transfer driven by arc plasma, and investigated the effects of a flow guide installed inside a thermal puffer plasma chamber. It is found that the existing cold gas of the chamber mixes with hot gases entrained from the arcing zone and is subjected to compression due to pressure build-up in the chamber. The pressure build-up with the flow guide is larger than that without due to a vortex which rotates clockwise around the chamber center. By the reverse pressure gradient, the mixing gas of the chamber flows back out for cooling down the residual plasma near current zero. In the case with the flow guide, the temperature just before current zero is lower than that without, and the Cu concentration with high electrical conductivity is also less than that without the flow guide.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.22-29
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• 2000

목적: 방사성옥소 치료를 받은 갑상선암 환자의 수술 후 첫 진단 스캔과 치료 후 스캔을 비교하고 치료 후 스캔에서 더 많은 병소를 보이는 경우(불일치군)와 같은 경우(일치군) 사이에 임상경과에 차이가 있는 지를 알아보았다. 대상 및 방법: 방사성옥소 치료를 받은 분화된 갑상선암 환자 143명의 수술 후 첫 진단 스캔과 치료 후 스캔을 비교하였다. 진단 스캔은 방사성옥소 185 MBq를, 치료후 스캔은 $3.7{\sim}9.3$ GBq를 투여한 후 얻었다. 추적 진단 스캔에서 비정상 섭취가 없으며 혈청 갑상선글로불린치가 정상이면 잔여 갑상선조직이 제거된 것으로 판정하였다. 결과: 두 스캔사이에 차이를 보인 경우는 143명 중 25명(17.5%)으로, 진단 스캔보다 치료 후 스캔에서 더 많은 병소를 보인 경우가 22명(15.4%), 기절효과를 보인 경우가 3명(2.1%)이었다. 원격전이가 확인된 환자 14명 중 9명(64.3%)은 치료 후 스캔에서만 병소를 확인할 수 있었다. 기절 효과를 보인 3명 중 1명은 아치사손상에 의한 것으로 생각되나, 나머지 2명에서는 다음 진단 스캔에서도 보이지 않아 진단 스캔 용량에 의한 제거의 가능성을 보였다. 관해는 75명(58.1%)의 환자에서 이루어졌다. 잔여 갑상선의 제거율, 평균 방사성옥소 축적 용량은 불일치군과 일치군 사이에서 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결론: 185 MBq의 단일 용량의 방사성옥소를 이용하여 진단 스캔을 얻었을 때, 진단 스캔과 치료 후 스캔이 다른 경우는 17.5%에서 관찰되었으며, 특히 원격전이가 확인된 환자의 64.3%는 치료 후 스캔에서만 병소가 확인되었다. 진단 스캔과 치료 후 스캔 사이에 차이를 보인 환자군과 일치한 환자군에서 잔여 갑상선 제거율 및 방사성옥소 평균 축적용량은 유의한 차이가 없었다. 기절효과를 보인 병소는 추적검사에서 모두 제거되어 방사성옥소를 섭취할 능력의 일시적 장해뿐 아니라 진단용량에 의한 치료효과도 있었던 것으로 생각된다.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.183-188
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• 2005

Defect on the temporal area caused by, surgical ablation of a tumor or an infection should be reconstructed immediately to prevent potentially life-threatening complications such as meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The defect on the temporal area usually presents as a typical 'cone-shape'. Successful reconstruction requires sufficient volume of well-vascularized soft tissue to cover the exposed bone and dura. From 1994 through 2003, the authors applied rectus abdominis free flap for the reconstruction of the temporal defect from 1994 through 2003. There were 10 patients with a mean age of 52.1 years. Of these 10 patients, external auditory canal cancer was present in four patients, temporal bone cancer in two, parotid gland cancer in one and three patients were reconstructed after debridement of infection(destructive chronic otitis media). All the free flaps survived, and flap-related complications did not occur. Compared to a local flap, the rectus abdominis free flap can provide sufficient volume of well-vascularized tissue to cover the large defect and can be well-tolerated during an adjuvant radiation therapy. The long and flat muscle can be easily molded to fit in to the 'cone-shape' temporal defect without dead space. It is also preferred because of the low donor site morbidity, a large skin island and an excellent vascular pedicle. Two-team approach without position change is possible. In conclusion, the authors think that rectus abdominis free flap should be considered as one of the most useful method for the reconstruction of a cone-shaped temporal defect.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.8-13
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• 2011

Purpose: A palatal defect following maxillectomy can cause multiple problems like the rhinolalia, leakage of foods into the nasal cavity, and hypernasality. Use of a prosthetic is the preferred method for obturating a palate defect, but for rehabilitating palatal function, prosthetics have many shortcomings. In a small defect, local flap is a useful method, however, the size of flap which can be elevated is limited. In 12 cases of palatomaxillary defect, we used various microvascular free flaps in reconstructing the palate and obtained good functional results. Method: Between 1990 and 2004, 12 patients underwent free flap operation after head and neck cancer ablation, and were reviewed retrospectively. Among the 12 free flaps, 6 were latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, 3 rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps, and 3 radial forearm flaps. Result: All microvascular flap surgery was successful. Mean follow up time was 8 months and after the follow up time all patients reported satisfactory speech and swallowing. Wound dehiscence was observed in 4 cases, ptosis was in 1 case and fistula was in 1 case, however, rhinolalia, leakage of food, or swallowing difficultly was not reported in the 12 cases. Conclusion: We used various microvascular flaps for palatomaxillary reconstruction. For 3-dimensional flap needs, we used the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to obtain enough volume for filling the defect. Two-dimensional flaps were designed with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, rectus abdominis flap and radial forearm flap. For cases with palatal defect only, we used the radial forearm flap. In palatomaxillary reconstruction, we can choose various free flap techniques according to the number of skin paddles and flap volume needed.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.138-142
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• 2015

L-thyroxine (LT4) withdrawal prior to radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation therapy is a commonly used method for successful treatment of patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). However, a prolonged period of hypothyroidism induced by LT4 withdrawal is sometimes associated with impaired quality of life and cardiopulmonary dysfunction in PTC patients. Furthermore, LT4 withdrawal may have a trophic effect on residual cancer by means of increased thyrotropin. We report on 2 cases of metastatic PTC patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) whose disease showed rapid worsening after LT4 withdrawal and RAI therapy. The first case is a 65-year-old woman who had PTC with multiple distant metastases and MPE. During LT4 withdrawal for RAI therapy, MPE showed rapid worsening, and the patient required repetitive therapeutic thoracentesis. The second case is a 49-year-old woman with PTC who underwent 3 additional operations for cancer recurrence in the neck lymph nodes and 6 times of RAI treatments. While preparing for the $7^{th}$ RAI treatment by withdrawing LT4, she developed MPE which became progressively aggravated after RAI therapy. Both patients experienced increased pleural effusion during the LT4 withdrawal period and a rise in the thyroglobulin level was observed after RAI therapy. MPE was not controlled with therapeutic thoracentesis and pleurodesis. Eventually, both patients died of rapid disease progression after RAI therapy. In summary, LT4 withdrawal may have an adverse effect on metastatic PTC patients, particularly those with MPE.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.465-472
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• 2023

Background: Percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) has been widely utilized in the management of trigeminal neuralgia. Despite using image guidance, accurate needle positioning into the target area still remains a critical element for achieving a successful outcome. This study was performed to precisely clarify the anatomical information required to ensure that the electrode tip is placed on the sensory component of the mandibular nerve (MN) at the foramen ovale (FO) level. Methods: The study used 50 hemi-half heads from 26 South Korean adult cadavers. Results: The cross-sectioned anterior and posterior divisions of the MN at the FO level could be distinguished based on an irregular boundary and color difference. The anterior division was clearly brighter than the posterior one. The anterior division of the MN at the FO level was located at the whole anterior (38.0%), anteromedial (6.0%), anterior center (8.0%), and anterolateral (22.0%) parts. The posterior division was often located at the whole posterior or posterolateral parts of the MN at the FO level. The anterior divisions covered the whole MN except for the medial half of the posterolateral part in the overwrapped images of the cross-sectional areas of the MN at the FO level. The cross-sectional areas of the anterior divisions were similar in males and females, whereas those of the posterior divisions were significantly larger in males (P = 0.004). Conclusions: The obtained anatomical information is expected to help physicians reduce unwanted side effects after percutaneous RFTC within the FO for the MN.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.467-473
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• 2004

배경: 심방세동의 수술적 치료 방법인 미로술식에 있어 고주파에너지를 이용한 절제술은 전통적인 절개 및 봉합술 (cut and saw) 또는 냉동절제술(cyroablation)에 비해 술 후 동율동의로의 전환율이 낮은 것으로 알려져 있다. 이는 절제술 시 심방벽 (atrial wall)과 도자 간의 접촉이 원활하지 않아 심방의 전층에 걸쳐 고주파 에너지가 전달되지 않기 때문인 것으로 생각된다. 이에 고주파 절제시 심방과 도자간의 접촉을 원활하게 하기 위한 기구를 개발하였으며 동물실험을 통하여 그 임상적인 효과를 관찰하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 60 kg 내외의 돼지 10 마리를 대상으로 하였다. 우심방이 첨부로부터 3∼4 cm 하방의 심방외벽에 고주파에너지를 가하여 우심방이가 우심방에서 완전히 분리되도록 원형의 병변 (circumferential lesions)을 만들었다. 이때 실험군(n=5)에서는 새로 고안한 기구를 이용하여 도자를 심방벽에 완전히 밀착시킨 후 고주파 에너지를 가하였으며, 대조군(n=5)에서는 이러한 기구의 사용 없이 통상적인 방법으로 에너지를 가하였다. 고주파절제술이 끝난 후 우심방이 첨부에 인공심장박동 전극을 설치하고 심박동을 유발하여 고주파 절제부위 이하로 심박동이 전달되는지를 관찰하여 절제술의 성공 여부를 판단하였다. 또한 심방조직에 대해 조직학적 검사를 시행하여 심외막, 심근, 그리고 심내막층에 고주파에너지에 의한 열손상의 생성 유무를 관찰하였다. 결과: 실험군에서 5예, 대조군에서 3예 등 총 8예에서 심박동의 전달 차단 (conduction block)이 관찰되었으며 조직학적 검사 소견상 심내막(endocardium)에서 탄성섬유(elastic fiber)의 소실과 급성 염증세포의 축적 등 급성 열손상의 소견이 관찰되었다. 한편 심박동의 전달 차단이 관찰되지 않았던 대조군의 2예에서는 심내막이 정상으로 나타났다. 또한 기관 및 식도에 대한 조직학적 검사에서 열손상에 의한 병변은 관찰되지않았다. 결론: 고주파에너지에 의한 절제술 시 심방의 전층에 병변을 만들기 위해서는 심장과 도자간의 접촉이 가장 중요한 인자로 생각된다. 본 연구에서 새로 개발한 기구는 고주파에너지를 이용한 도자절제술 시 심장과 도자 간의 확고한 접촉을 유도하여 심방 전층에 병변을 만드는 데 매우 효과적이었으며 이러한 기구의 사용은 향후 고주파에너지를 이용한 미로술식의 성적향상에 도움이 될 것으로 사료된다.