• Title/Summary/Keyword: T-test analysis

Search Result 10,833, Processing Time 0.045 seconds

The Impact of Service Level Management(SLM) Process Maturity on Information Systems Success in Total Outsourcing: An Analytical Case Study (토털 아웃소싱 환경 하에서 IT서비스 수준관리(Service Level Management) 프로세스 성숙도가 정보시스템 성공에 미치는 영향에 관한 분석적 사례연구)

  • Cho, Geun Su;An, Joon Mo;Min, Hyoung Jin
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
    • /
    • v.23 no.2
    • /
    • pp.21-39
    • /
    • 2013
  • As the utilization of information technology and the turbulence of technological change increase in organizations, the adoption of IT outsourcing also grows to manage IT resource more effectively and efficiently. In this new way of IT management technique, service level management(SLM) process becomes critical to derive success from the outsourcing in the view of end users in organization. Even though much of the research on service level management or agreement have been done during last decades, the performance of the service level management process have not been evaluated in terms of final objectives of the management efforts or success from the view of end-users. This study explores the relationship between SLM maturity and IT outsourcing success from the users' point of view by a analytical case study in four client organizations under an IT outsourcing vendor, which is a member company of a major Korean conglomerate. For setting up a model for the analysis, previous researches on service level management process maturity and information systems success are reviewed. In particular, information systems success from users' point of view are reviewed based the DeLone and McLean's study, which is argued and accepted as a comprehensively tested model of information systems success currently. The model proposed in this study argues that SLM process maturity influences information systems success, which is evaluated in terms of information quality, systems quality, service quality, and net effect proposed by DeLone and McLean. SLM process maturity can be measured in planning process, implementation process and operation and evaluation process. Instruments for measuring the factors in the proposed constructs of information systems success and SL management process maturity were collected from previous researches and evaluated for securing reliability and validity, utilizing appropriate statistical methods and pilot tests before exploring the case study. Four cases from four different companies under one vendor company were utilized for the analysis. All of the cases had been contracted in SLA(Service Level Agreement) and had implemented ITIL(IT Infrastructure Library), Six Sigma and BSC(Balanced Scored Card) methods since last several years, which means that all the client organizations pursued concerted efforts to acquire quality services from IT outsourcing from the organization and users' point of view. For comparing the differences among the four organizations in IT out-sourcing sucess, T-test and non-parametric analysis have been applied on the data set collected from the organization using survey instruments. The process maturities of planning and implementation phases of SLM are found not to influence on any dimensions of information systems success from users' point of view. It was found that the SLM maturity in the phase of operations and evaluation could influence systems quality only from users' view. This result seems to be quite against the arguments in IT outsourcing practices in the fields, which emphasize usually the importance of planning and implementation processes upfront in IT outsourcing projects. According to after-the-fact observation by an expert in an organization participating in the study, their needs and motivations for outsourcing contracts had been quite familiar already to the vendors as long-term partners under a same conglomerate, so that the maturity in the phases of planning and implementation seems not to be differentiating factors for the success of IT outsourcing. This study will be the foundation for the future research in the area of IT outsourcing management and success, in particular in the service level management. And also, it could guide managers in practice in IT outsourcing management to focus on service level management process in operation and evaluation stage especially for long-term outsourcing contracts under very unique context like Korean IT outsourcing projects. This study has some limitations in generalization because the sample size is small and the context itself is confined in an unique environment. For future exploration, survey based research could be designed and implemented.

  • PDF

An Analysis on the Knowledge Levels, Attitudes, and Factors Affecting the Choices of Those Who Completed the Education of Persons Conducting Clinical Trial Workers (의약품 임상시험 종사자 교육 이수자의 지식 수준, 태도, 교육 선택 요인 분석)

  • Lee, Yoon Jin;Jang, Hye Yun;Lee, Yu-Mi
    • The Journal of KAIRB
    • /
    • v.3 no.2
    • /
    • pp.19-27
    • /
    • 2021
  • Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the knowledge levels, attitudes, and factors affecting the choices on the education of the participants who completed their education of persons conducting clinical trial workers, and to assess the problems of the current education system for clinical trial workers, leading to improvements. Methods: Clinical trial workers (including principal investigators/subinvestigators, members of the Institutional Review Board [IRB], clinical research coordinators) who were affiliated to one of the 4 university hospitals running their own clinical trial center and IRB in Daegu and completed their education of persons conducting clinical trial workers were the subjects of this study. One hundred seven online questionnaires were answered from 2021-04-02 to 2021-04-17. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the acquired data. Independent t-test and 1-way analysis of variance were used to analyze the differences in the knowledge levels and attitudes following the characteristics of the education participants. Results: The baseline characteristics of the 107 participants were as follows: the majority of the participants were female (72.0%), were in their 30s (36.4%), had a nursing major (29.0%), were clinical research coordinators (63.6%), had never experienced a principal investigator (79.4%), had participated 3 or more educations (58.9%), had completed their maintenance course (55.1%), had 5 or more years of clinical trial experiences (34.6%). The fields on which participants had low levels of objective knowledge were "types and preparations on audits of clinical trials," "regulations on clinical trials (Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, Korea Good Clinical Practice)." The difficulties that the participants faced were on "annual educations" and "lack of information regarding the educations." Factors that showed significant differences in objective knowledge were sex (p=0.02), number of educations (p=0.004), the curriculum of 2020 (p=0.001). Age (p=0.004), having experienced a principal investigator (p=0.006), number of educations (p<0.001), the curriculum of 2020 (p<0.001), clinical trial career (p=0.001) were factors that significantly affected subjective knowledge. Attitudes toward the education were positively correlated with objective knowledge (r=0.20, p=0.04) and subjective knowledge (r=0.32, p=0.001). Major sources through which information on educations was acquired were "institutional notices," and major factors affecting the choices on the education were "when the education took place" and "where the education took place." "Within the affiliated institution," "Online classes (recorded)" and "IRB and review processes" were each the most preferred place, mode, and content of the education. Conclusion: Knowledge levels varied largely among participants who completed their education of persons conducting clinical trial workers, depending on their characteristics such as the number of educations. Participants also complained about their lack of information on educations. The quality of education may be improved if clinical trial organizations are designated as education facilities. Education programs must be developed considering the knowledge level and demand of the participants. Furthermore, as offline classes may be impossible due to pandemics such as the coronavirus disease 2019, the development of diverse and sophisticated online classes is looked forward to.

  • PDF

A Study on Hospital Infection Management of Radiological Technologist (방사선사의 병원감염관리에 대한 연구)

  • Jeong, Bong-Jae
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
    • /
    • v.12 no.6
    • /
    • pp.727-735
    • /
    • 2018
  • Targeting the radiological technologists working in Gyoungsangnam province, this study was performed to obtain the fundamental data to improve the competency and right awareness of the hospital infection management, and to educate infection management of radiological technologists by analyzing the status, awareness, and performance of the hospital infection management. During April 1, 2018 to April 31, 2015, after we sent out a total of 400 questionnaires for the survey to radiological technologists working at the clinic located in Gyoungsangnam province, 320 questionnaires suitable for research were analysis by using SPSS 18.0 statistical analysis software. As the hospital infection management factors, 5 items for hospital infection and 60 items of the awareness and performance for the hospital infection management were used. 60 items of the awareness and performance for the hospital infection management were consisted hand hygiene, personal hygiene and clothing, medical equipment and supplies, cleaning and waste, examination and environment. And as the sociodemographic characteristics, the gender, marriage, age, level of education, working organization, working period, and working department were used. Consequentially, the awareness for the hospital infection management($4.19{\pm}.60$) and the performance($4.22{\pm}.52$) were confirmed as high level. Using these results, the hospital infection management level of the radiological technologists working in Gyoungsangnam province was found to be high in arareness and performance of hospital infection management. There was a significant correlation between the degree of awareness and performance of radiological technologists for hospital infection management. Furthermore, in the multiple regression analysis of cognitive factors on performance, it was found that 66.1% explanatory power had a significant positive influence. In order to improve the awareness of hospital infection management of radiological technologist working in various departments, the infection management education and improvement of hospital work environment are necessary. And also, It is important to participate actively in hospital infection management and preventive education and to play a pivotal role in securing expertise in hospital infection management.

The Effects of the Computer Aided Innovation Capabilities on the R&D Capabilities: Focusing on the SMEs of Korea (Computer Aided Innovation 역량이 연구개발역량에 미치는 효과: 국내 중소기업을 대상으로)

  • Shim, Jae Eok;Byeon, Moo Jang;Moon, Hyo Gon;Oh, Jay In
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
    • /
    • v.23 no.3
    • /
    • pp.25-53
    • /
    • 2013
  • This study analyzes the effect of Computer Aided Innovation (CAI) to improve R&D Capabilities empirically. Survey was distributed by e-mail and Google Docs, targeting CTO of 235 SMEs. 142 surveys were returned back (rate of return 60.4%) from companies. Survey results from 119 companies (83.8%) which are effective samples except no-response, insincere response, estimated value, etc. were used for statistics analysis. Companies with less than 50billion KRW sales of entire researched companies occupy 76.5% in terms of sample traits. Companies with less than 300 employees occupy 83.2%. In terms of the type of company business Partners (called 'partners with big companies' hereunder) who work with big companies for business occupy 68.1%. SMEs based on their own business (called 'independent small companies') appear to occupy 31.9%. The present status of holding IT system according to traits of company business was classified into partners with big companies versus independent SMEs. The present status of ERP is 18.5% to 34.5%. QMS is 11.8% to 9.2%. And PLM (Product Life-cycle Management) is 6.7% to 2.5%. The holding of 3D CAD is 47.1% to 21%. IT system-holding and its application of independent SMEs seemed very vulnerable, compared with partner companies of big companies. This study is comprised of IT infra and IT Utilization as CAI capacity factors which are independent variables. factors of R&D capabilities which are independent variables are organization capability, process capability, HR capability, technology-accumulating capability, and internal/external collaboration capability. The highest average value of variables was 4.24 in organization capability 2. The lowest average value was 3.01 in IT infra which makes users access to data and information in other areas and use them with ease when required during new product development. It seems that the inferior environment of IT infra of general SMEs is reflected in CAI itself. In order to review the validity used to measure variables, Factors have been analyzed. 7 factors which have over 1.0 pure value of their dependent and independent variables were extracted. These factors appear to explain 71.167% in total of total variances. From the result of factor analysis about measurable variables in this study, reliability of each item was checked by Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. All measurable factors at least over 0.611 seemed to acquire reliability. Next, correlation has been done to explain certain phenomenon by correlation analysis between variables. As R&D capabilities factors which are arranged as dependent variables, organization capability, process capability, HR capability, technology-accumulating capability, and internal/external collaboration capability turned out that they acquire significant correlation at 99% reliability level in all variables of IT infra and IT Utilization which are independent variables. In addition, correlation coefficient between each factor is less than 0.8, which proves that the validity of this study judgement has been acquired. The pair with the highest coefficient had 0.628 for IT utilization and technology-accumulating capability. Regression model which can estimate independent variables was used in this study under the hypothesis that there is linear relation between independent variables and dependent variables so as to identify CAI capability's impact factors on R&D. The total explanations of IT infra among CAI capability for independent variables such as organization capability, process capability, human resources capability, technology-accumulating capability, and collaboration capability are 10.3%, 7%, 11.9%, 30.9%, and 10.5% respectively. IT Utilization exposes comprehensively low explanatory capability with 12.4%, 5.9%, 11.1%, 38.9%, and 13.4% for organization capability, process capability, human resources capability, technology-accumulating capability, and collaboration capability respectively. However, both factors of independent variables expose very high explanatory capability relatively for technology-accumulating capability among independent variable. Regression formula which is comprised of independent variables and dependent variables are all significant (P<0.005). The suitability of regression model seems high. When the results of test for dependent variables and independent variables are estimated, the hypothesis of 10 different factors appeared all significant in regression analysis model coefficient (P<0.01) which is estimated to affect in the hypothesis. As a result of liner regression analysis between two independent variables drawn by influence factor analysis for R&D capability and R&D capability. IT infra and IT Utilization which are CAI capability factors has positive correlation to organization capability, process capability, human resources capability, technology-accumulating capability, and collaboration capability with inside and outside which are dependent variables, R&D capability factors. It was identified as a significant factor which affects R&D capability. However, considering adjustable variables, a big gap is found, compared to entire company. First of all, in case of partner companies with big companies, in IT infra as CAI capability, organization capability, process capability, human resources capability, and technology capability out of R&D capacities seems to have positive correlation. However, collaboration capability appeared insignificance. IT utilization which is a CAI capability factor seemed to have positive relation to organization capability, process capability, human resources capability, and internal/external collaboration capability just as those of entire companies. Next, by analyzing independent types of SMEs as an adjustable variable, very different results were found from those of entire companies or partner companies with big companies. First of all, all factors in IT infra except technology-accumulating capability were rejected. IT utilization was rejected except technology-accumulating capability and collaboration capability. Comprehending the above adjustable variables, the following results were drawn in this study. First, in case of big companies or partner companies with big companies, IT infra and IT utilization affect improving R&D Capabilities positively. It was because most of big companies encourage innovation by using IT utilization and IT infra building over certain level to their partner companies. Second, in all companies, IT infra and IT utilization as CAI capability affect improving technology-accumulating capability positively at least as R&D capability factor. The most of factor explanation is low at around 10%. However, technology-accumulating capability is rather high around 25.6% to 38.4%. It was found that CAI capability contributes to technology-accumulating capability highly. Companies shouldn't consider IT infra and IT utilization as a simple product developing tool in R&D section. However, they have to consider to use them as a management innovating strategy tool which proceeds entire-company management innovation centered in new product development. Not only the improvement of technology-accumulating capability in department of R&D. Centered in new product development, it has to be used as original management innovative strategy which proceeds entire company management innovation. It suggests that it can be a method to improve technology-accumulating capability in R&D section and Dynamic capability to acquire sustainable competitive advantage.

A Study on the Food Habits and Attitudes of Cerebrovascular Accident Patients in Daegu S Medical Center (대구 S병원 뇌졸중 환자의 생활 습관 및 식습관에 관한 조사 연구)

  • Lee, Seung-A;Jeon, Seon-Min;Kim, Hye-Jin;Do, Gyeong-Min;Jung, You-Mi;Choi, Myoung-Sook
    • Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
    • /
    • v.18 no.4
    • /
    • pp.436-445
    • /
    • 2008
  • Stroke is a serious disease despite recent improvements in the medical treatments available. Thirty-six stroke patients were interviewed as case and 36 non-stroke patients were interviewed as controls between February 2005 and August 2005 at Daegu S Medical Center. Information regarding the subjects' food habits was collected using the recall method from 5 years before the onset of stroke. Using interview techniques, we investigated how dietary habits and attitude influence nutrient intake. These results were analyzed by the $X^2$, Student's t-test and Chi-square test using the SPSS 12.0 program. This case-control study was performed to demonstrate the relationships among general quality factors (BMI, WHR, and family history of stroke) and lifestyle factors (smoking, exercise and alcohol drinking). The results were as follows. Analysis of the percentage of nutrient intake in terms of meal pattern showed that WHR was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group. Hypertension and diabetes were the most common preceding diseases associated with the risk of stroke. The frequencies of smoking, alcohol consumption (p<0.001) and exercise (p<0.05) were higher in the cases than in the controls. Thus, the findings of this study are consistent with those of previous studies and suggest that people should be advised to control hypertension, smoking, alcohol drinking and obesity in order to prevent the occurrence of stroke as these factors are major risk factors for stroke.

  • PDF

Comparison of the retention of the full veneer casted gold crowns with varying convergence angle, crown length and dental cements (수렴각과 치관 길이를 달리한 금속 다이상에서 치과용 시멘트 합착 후 전부주조관의 유지력 비교)

  • Yun, Jung-Ho;Cho, Jin-Hyung;Kim, Jee-Hwan;Lee, Keun-Woo
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
    • /
    • v.51 no.2
    • /
    • pp.99-106
    • /
    • 2013
  • Purpose: The aim of this research was to establish the effect and variation in differing convergence angle and length of abutment on the retention of full veneer casted gold crown. Materials and methods: Two different length,5 mm and 10 mm in height with convergence angles of 5, 10, 15 and 25 degrees crowns were fabricated. Cementation was done using cements; zinc phosphate cement (Fleck's zinc phosphate cement), resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitremer) and resin cement (Panavia 21). These were tested for tensile force at the point of separation by using Instron Universal Testing Machine. Statistical analysis was done by SAS 6.04 package. Results: In all cements the mean retention decreased with significant difference on increase of convergence angle (P<.05). Increase in every 5 degree-convergence angel the retention rate decreased with resin-modified glass ionomer cement of 15.9% and resin cement of 14.8%. With zinc phosphate cement, there was largest decreasing rate of mean retention of 25.5% between convergence angles from 5 degree to 10 degree. When the crown length increased from 5 mm to 10 mm, the retention increased with the significant difference in the same convergence angle and in all types of cement used (P<.05). Conclusion: The retention was strongly dependent on geometric factors of abutment. Much care is required in choosing cements for an optimal retention in abutments with different convergence angles and crown lengths.

Association between Spiritual Well-Being and Pain, Anxiety and Depression in Terminal Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study (말기암환자의 영적 안녕과 통증, 불안 및 우울과의 연관성: 예비 연구)

  • Lee, Yong Joo;Kim, Chul-Min;Linton, John A.;Lee, Duk Chul;Suh, Sang-Yeon;Seo, Ah-Ram;Ahn, Hong-Yup
    • Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
    • /
    • v.16 no.3
    • /
    • pp.175-182
    • /
    • 2013
  • Purpose: Spirituality is an important domain and is related with physical and psychological symptoms in terminal cancer patient. The aim of this study is to examine how patients' spirituality is associated with their physical and psychological symptoms as it has been explored by few studies. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 50 patients in the palliative ward of a tertiary hospital were interviewed. Spiritual well-being, depression, anxiety and pain is measured by Functional Assessment of Chronic-Illness Therapy-Spirituality (FACIT-Sp), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and the Korean version of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-K). The correlations between patients' spiritual well-being and anxiety, depression and pain were analysed. The association between spiritual well-being and age, gender, palliative performance scale (PPS), religion, mean pain intensity, anxiety, depression were assessed by univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Results: Spiritual well-being was negatively correlated with the mean pain intensity (r=-0.283, P<0.05), anxiety (r=-0.613, P<0.05) and depression (r=-0.526, P<0.05). In multivariate regression analysis, spiritual well-being showed negative association with anxiety (OR=-1.03, 95% CI=-1.657~-0.403, P=0.002) and positive association with the existence of religion (OR=9.193, 95% CI=4.158~14.229, P<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, patients' anxiety and existence of religion were significantly associated with spiritual well-being after adjusting age, gender, PPS, mean pain intensity, depression. Prospective studies are warranted.

A Study of the Relationship of Nurses' Personality Type and Job Satisfaction Level, according to the Career (근무경력별 간호사의 성격유형과 직무만족도와의 관련성(MBTI이용))

  • Park Young Sook;Park Kyung Min;Park Jeong Sook;Koh Hyo Jung;Kwon Young Sook;Kim Myung Ae;Kim Chung Nam;Park Cheong Ja;Shin Yeong Hee;Lee Kyung Hee;Lee Byung Sook
    • Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
    • /
    • v.15 no.2
    • /
    • pp.301-313
    • /
    • 2001
  • This study was to explore the relationship between nurses' personality type and their job satisfaction level. The subjects of the study were the 364 nurses who were serving at the general surgical department, psychiatric department, pediatric department and emergency room. The hospitals for which they were working were four university hospitals in Daegu and Busan, and six other university hospitals in Seoul were selected as sample hospitals. For data collection, questionnaires were self-reported to the subjects, under their agreement, from May to June, 2000. The following two instruments were used in the study: One was MBTI Test whose Korean version designed and verified to reliability and validity by Kim Jung Taek and Shim Hae Sook(1990): the other was the Nursing Job Satisfaction Instrument, 'The Index of Work Satisfaction' developed by Slavitt, et al.., (1978). The data were analyzed by frequency, t-test, one-way variance analysis, scheffe's post hoc contrast, and Pearson correlation coefficient with SPSS Win 10.0 program. The results this study were as follows ; 1. As a result of testing nurse's personality type by function at each career, it's found that the most personality type was expressed by the ST-type$(37.3\%)$ at 1-5 years, the SF-type$(29.4\%)$ at 6-10 years, the ST-type$(43.3\%)$ at more than 11 years. 2. As a result of testing the disparity in job satisfaction according to career, it appeared that the 6-10 years group showed higher job satisfaction, followed by the 6-10 years$(119.6\%),\;1-5 years(118.6\%)\;and\;more\;than\; 11 years(117.7\%)$ groups. 3. As a result of testing job satisfaction level according to nurse's personality type by function at each career, it's found that the most job satisfaction was expressed by the SF-type(F=8.50, p=0.00l) at 1-5 years. the ST-type(F=30.61, p=0.001) at 6-10 years. the SF-type(F=4.98, p=0.003) at more than 11 years groups. 4. As a result of testing a significant correlation between nurse's personality type by function and job satisfaction level. the SF(r=0.279, p=0.001) and ST(r=0.222, p=0.001) types showed significant positive correlation. and the NF(r=-0.201, p=0.001) and NT(r=-0.402, p=0.001) types revealed significant negative correlation. The nursing management is likely to be done more effectively, if managers in charge of nursing administration carefully reflect nurses' personal opinions in posting and personnel management, keeping in mind that there is a specific personality type that serves to raise job satisfaction at a specific career.

  • PDF

Clinical Characteristics of Paradoxical Response to Chemotherapy in Pulmonary Tuberculosis (항결핵제 사용 중 폐병변의 일시적 악화를 보인 환자의 임상상)

  • Kim, Soo-Hee;Chung, Hyo-Young;Lee, Ghie-Dong;Shin, Min-Ghie;Jung, Tae-Sik;Jin, Byung-Cheol;Kim, Hyun-Jung;You, Jin-Jong;Lee, Jong-Deog;Hwang, Young-Sil
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
    • /
    • v.53 no.1
    • /
    • pp.27-35
    • /
    • 2002
  • Background : The paradoxical response refers to an enlargement of old lesions or unexpected new ones during apparently adequate antituberculous therapy. This response has been reported in cases of intracranial tuberculoma, tuberculous lymphadenopathy, tuberculous pleurisy and pulmonary tuberculosis. However, there are few reports on its frequency and clinical characteristics. Materials and Methods : This study enrolled 205 patients who were treated with first line antituberculous agents for more than 6 months. We retrospectively studied 155 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 57 patients with pleural tuberculosis (7 patients had both) from July 1998 to March 2000. The patients were divided into the paradoxical response group and the non-paradoxical group. The clinical characteristics of the paradoxical response group and the non-paradoxical group. The clinical characteristics of the paradoxical group were investigated. Statistical analysis was done with an independent sample T-test and Chi-squared test. Results : 29 of the 205 patients(14.1%) had paradoxical response. Among the 29 patients, there were 19 pulmonary tuberculosis, 8 tuberculous pleurisy(2 patients had both). Paradoxical response appeared 32 days (mean 35 days in pulmonary tuberculosis, mean 25 days in tuberculous pleurisy) after the beginning of chemotherapy. The duration to regress less than half of initial chest lesion was 114 days in pulmonary tuberculosis and 124 days in tuberculous pleurisy, respectively. Most common clinical manifestation of paradoxical response patients was coughing in both pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous pleurisy. Male sex, high blood WBC count and high level of pleural fluid LDH were related with paradoxical response. Conclusion : These findings suggest that presponse usually appears 1 month and disappears within 4 months after the beginning of anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. Paradoxical response was relatively correlated with male sex, high blood WBC count and high level of pleural fluid LDH.

Patterns of FDG Uptake in Stomach on F-18 FDG Positron Emission Tomography: Correlation with Endoscopic Findings (F-18 FDG Positron Emission Tomography에서 보이는 위(stomach) 섭취 양상의 임상적 의의: 위 내시경 소견과 비교 평가)

  • Chae, Min-Jeong;Cheon, Gi-Jeong;Lee, Sang-Woo;Byun, Byung-Hyun;Kim, Sung-Eun;Kim, Yu-Chul;Choi, Chang-Woon;Lim, Sang-Moo
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
    • /
    • v.39 no.6
    • /
    • pp.456-463
    • /
    • 2005
  • Purpose: we often find variable degrees of FDG uptake and patterns in stomach, which can make difficult to distinguish physiologic uptake from pathologic uptake on FDG PET. The purpose of this study was to find out the significant findings of stomach on FDG PET. Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight patients who underwent both FDG PET and endoscopy within one week from Jun. 2003, to Aug. 2004 were included in this study. We reviewed 38 patients (18 for medical check up, 15 for work up of other malignancies, and 5 for the evaluation of stomach lesion). Their mean age was 56 years old (range:$32{\sim}79$), men and women were 28 and 10, respectively. Two nuclear physicians evaluated five parameters on FDG PET findings of stomach with a consensus: 1) visual grades 2) maximum SUV (max.SUV) 3) focal 4) diffuse and S) asymmetric patterns. We correlated the lesions of FDG PET findings of stomach with those of endoscopy. We considered more than equivocal findings on FDG PET as positive. Results: The six of 38 patients were proven as malignant lesions by endoscopic biopsy and others were inflammatory lesions (ulcer in 3, chronic atrophic gastritis in 12, uncommon forms of gastritis in 5), non-inflammatory lesions (n=3), and normal stomach (n=9). By the visual analysis, malignant lesions had higher FDG uptake than the others. The max.SUV of malignant lesions was $7.95{\pm}4.83$ which was significantly higher than the other benign lesions ($2.9{\pm}0.69$ in ulcer, $3.08{\pm}1.2$ in chronic atrophic gastritis, $3.2{\pm}1.49$ in uncommon forms of gastritis (p=0.044)). In the appearance of stomach on FDG PET, malignant lesions were shown focal (5 of 6) and benign inflammatory lesions were shown diffuse (9 of 20) and asymmetric (14 of 20). Benign lesions and normal stomach were shown variable degrees of uptake and patterns. Some cases of benign inflammatory lesions such as ulcer and gastritis were shown focal and mimicked cancerous lesion (4 of 15). Conclusion: Gastric malignant lesions had higher FDG uptake and focal pattern. However, benign inflammatory lesions had moderate degrees of uptake and diffuse and asymmetric patterns rather than focal. It is difficult to differentiate between benign lesions including normal.