• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.356-360
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• 2005

Background : This study examined the clinical utility of using indirect chest radiography during a physical examination of new conscripts for determine the presence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods : Over an eight-month period, this study examined 25386 people who underwent a physical examination after conscription. The abnormal findings on mass miniature radiography were followed-up using direct chest radiography. The positive predictive value of mass miniature radiography and direct chest radiography was compared. The incidence, degree of infiltration and clinical outcome of active pulmonary tuberculosis were also evaluated during a follow-up examination. Results : The positive rate of mass miniature radiography was 1.19% (n=302). Various lesions were identified: Parenchymal lesions (n=109), mediastinal lesions (n=6), cardiovascular lesions (n=45), pleural lesions (n=49), bony lesions (n=90) and miscellaneous lesions (n=7). The incidence of active pulmonary tuberculosis by mass miniature radiography was 0.26% (n=67). The first diagnosis was made in 50 people; active pulmonary tuberculosis (n=42), pneumonia (n=1), a mediastinal mass (n=1), a rib fracture (n=2) and a pneumothorax (n=4). Most cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis were mildly infiltrated and either improved or were cured by the follow-up examination. Conclusion : Although mass miniature radiography in a physical examination after conscription has limitations, but it is a useful means for detecting the presence of early disease, particularly in active pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.79-82
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• 1992

Gestational choriocarcinoma is a highly malignant tumor which arises from the trophoblast of human pregnancy. This tumor develops early pulmonary metastasis and the most common pattern of pulmonary metastasis is discrete multiple nodules. But occasionally solitary pulmonary metastasis occurs. Authors presented three cases of choriocarcinoma presented with different types of solitary pulmonary metastases with review of literatures. We emphasize the importance of careful obstetric history taking and screening of serum gonadotropin level in differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary lesion especially among women who are from areas of high prevalence of trophoblastic neoplasia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.2
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• pp.134-144
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• 2024

Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are radiologic abnormalities found incidentally on chest computed tomography (CT) that can be show a wide range of diseases, from subclinical lung fibrosis to early pulmonary fibrosis including definitive usual interstitial pneumonia. To clear up confusion about ILA, the Fleischner society published a position paper on the definition, clinical symptoms, increased mortality, radiologic progression, and management of ILAs based on several Western cohorts and articles. Recently, studies on long-term outcome, risk factors, and quantification of ILA to address the confusion have been published in Asia. The incidence of ILA was 7% to 10% for Westerners, while the prevalence of ILA was about 4% for Asians. ILA is closely related to various respiratory symptoms or increased rate of treatment-related complication in lung cancer. There is little difference between Westerners and Asians regarding the clinical importance of ILA. Although the role of quantitative CT as a screening tool for ILA requires further validation and standardized imaging protocols, using a threshold of 5% in at least one zone demonstrated 67.6% sensitivity, 93.3% specificity, and 90.5% accuracy, and a 1.8% area threshold showed 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity in South Korea. Based on the position paper released by the Fleischner society, I would like to report how much ILA occurs in the Asian population, what the prognosis is, and review what management strategies should be pursued in the future.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.599-606
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• 2001

Background : Since the advent of AIDS, tuberculosis has become a major public health problem in the western society. Therefore, it is essential that pulmonary tuberculosis be rapidly diagnosed. Light microscopic detection of acid-fast organisms in sputum has traditionally been used for rapidly diagnosing tuberculosis. However positive smears are only observed in about one-half to three-quarters of cases. Studies using PCR for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis disclosed several shortcomings suggesting an inability to distinguish between active and treated or inactive tuberculosis. In this study, the clinical significance of a PCR-based rapid technique for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in peripheral blood was investigated. Materials and Methods : From July 1, 1998 through to August 30, 1999, 59 patients with presumed tuberculosis, who had no previous history of anti-tuberculosis medication use within one year prior to this study were recruited and followed up for more than 3 months. AFB stain and culture in the sputum and/or pleural fluids and biopsies when needed were performed. Blood samples from each of the 59 patients were obtained in order to identify Mycobacterium Tuberculosis DNA by a PCR test. Results : 1) Forty five out of 59 patients had a final diagnosis of tuberculosis ; Twenty eight were confirmed as having active pulmonary tuberculosis by culture or biopsy. Four were clinically diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. The other 13 patients were diagnosed as having tuberculous pleurisy (9) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (4). 2) Fourteen patients showed a positive blood PCR test. The PCR assay correctly identified active tuberculosis in 13 out of 14 patients. The overall sensitivity and specificity of this blood peR assay for diagnosing tuberculosis were 29% and 93%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 93%, the negative predictive value was 29% and the diagnostic accuracy was 44%.3) Six out of 14(43%) patients with blood PCR positive tuberculosis were immunologically compromised hosts. 4) A simple chest radiograph in blood PCR positive tuberculosis patients showed variable and inconsistent findings. Conclusion : A peripheral blood PCR assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is not recommended as a screening method for diagnosing active tuberculosis. However, it was suggested that the blood PCR assay could contribute to an early diagnostic rate due to its high positive predictive value.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.389-400
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• 2002

Background : The rapid diagnostic tests for tuberculosis are needed to facilitate early treatment of tuberculosis and prevention of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission. The Xeniss Rapid TB kit is a rapid, card-based immunochromatographic test for the detection of antibodies directed against M. tuberculosis antigens including antigen 5(38-kDa antigen). The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Xeniss Rapid TB kit for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis with serums from patients, asymptomatic healthy and close contact controls. Methods : 188 patients with active tuberculosis were tested; 177 with pulmonary tuberculosis(18 with combined pleurisy), and 11 with extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The control groups were composed of 82 close contacts and 57 healthy adults. Study subject were drawn from one national tuberculosis hospital for patients and close contacts, and another private hospital for healthy adults in Masan city, Korea. The Xeniss Rapid TB kit(Xeniss Life Science Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) was evaluated by using serum samples according to the instructions of the manufacturer by an investigator masked to the clinical and microbiological status of the study subjects. Results : The diagnostic sensitivity of the Xeniss Rapid TB kit was 73.9% in patients and specificities were 73.2% and 93.0% in close contact and healthy adults respectively. The positive predictive value in patients was 84.2% and the negative predictive value in controls was 85.8%. Conclusion : This study shows that the Xeniss Rapid TB test is a simple and fast method to diagnose active TB. The results of the sensitivity and specificites suggest that serodiagnosis using this point of care testing(POCT) device would be valuable and advantageous for screening tuberculosis in the clinical field.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2024

Background : Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health issue worldwide, particularly among healthcare workers (HCWs) at high risk of exposure. Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a state where individuals are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis but do not show clinical symptoms. Early detection and treatment of LTBI are crucial to prevent progression to active TB. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of LTBI among Korean Medicine (KM) workers in Seoul, South Korea. Methods : This study analyzed 368 adults aged 19 and over working in Korean medicine institutions in Seoul by September 2023. Participants underwent a tuberculin skin test (TST) and completed a survey collecting demographic information, occupation, work duration, smoking status, BCG vaccination, TB history, and comorbidities. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results : The average age of participants was 43.1 years, with an LTBI prevalence rate of 3.5%. Significant risk factors included age and history of TB, Older age and a history of TB were associated with higher LTBI positivity. Conclusion : The study identified the prevalence and risk factors of LTBI among Korean medicine workers in Seoul. The findings highlight the need for targeted LTBI screening and preventive measures, especially for older workers and those with a history of TB. While the prevalence was lower than in other healthcare settings, the results emphasize the importance of regular LTBI testing and prevention education for KM workers. Future large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings and further understand the relationship between various risk factors and LTBI in KM settings.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.1 s.41
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• pp.49-64
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• 1993

To provide the basic data for assessment of renal dysfunction related to silicosis, urinary N-acetyl-$\beta$-D-giucobarninidase(NAG) activity known as a sensitive markers for early renal damage were measured in 58 silicosis patients, and control subjects of 40 pulmonary tuberculosis Patients and 51 official workers. The results were summarized as fellows. 1. The values of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine in all subjects were within reference limits. But the mean value of urinary NAG activity($7.25{\pm}7.31U/g\;creatinine$) was beyond reference value and more sensitive test than others. 2. The mean value of urinary NAG activity in silicosis group was $11.98{\pm}9.05U/g\;creatinine$ and significantly higher than in tuberculosis and healthy group(p<0.01), but the mean values of NAG activity in tuberculosis and healthy group were not different(p>0.05). 3. The value of NAG activity in tuberculosis had a tendency to be increased according to severity of disease, but that was not significant(p>0.05). The value of NAG activity was increased significantly by use of nephrotoxic antituberculosis drugs(p<0.05). 4. The value of NAG activity in silicosis had a tendecy to be increased according to the size of nodule, use of nephrotoxic antituberculosis drugs and shortness of onset duration, but the increase was not significant(p>0.05). 5. After excluding the users of nephrotoxic antituberculosis drugs, the mean values of NAG activity in healthy control and in tuberculosis control were same as 3.63 U/g creatinine and 3.60 U/g creatinine, respectively. But the mean value of NAG activity in silicosis group was remarkably increased as 10.90 U/g creatinine(p<0.01). As above results, even though there are no abnormal finding in screening renal function test, silicosis can be related with renal dysfunction. And it will be very useful to apply urinary NAG activity in health management of workers exposed to dust.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 1998

Background: Lung cancer continues to increase worldwide. Also, the proportion of female patients incease and adenocarcinoma is the predominant histological type among lung cancer in many western countries. So, we studied these current trends of lung cancer by clinical approach of recent patients from our department Method: We conducted a retrospective analysis on 212 subjects who were diagnosed with lung cancer at the department of chest medicine in National Medical Center between January 1990 and July 1996. The contents of analysis were patient's profile, clinical manifestation, smoking habits, accuracy of diagnostic methods, histological cell type, staging and treatment, etc. Results: The results were as follows. 1) The ratio of male to female was 5.2 : 1. The peak incidence of age was 7th decade(35.4%). 2) Chief complaints were cough, dyspnea and chest pain, etc. The most common duration of symptoms before the first admission was less than 3 months(57.7%). On the other side, duration more than 1 year represented 6.5%. The early diagnosed patients has been increased from the 1980s. 3) Smokers among the total patients were 77.2%. The proportion of smokers in sqamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were 88.4%, 85.7% and 55.7%, respectively. Smoking history and histological cell type were correlated in squamous and small cell carcinoma. 4) Squamous cell carcinoma is still the predominant histological type (44.8%), but, adenocarcinoma increased more than the previous study(30.7%). The other histological types were small cell carcinoma(17.0%) and large cell carcinoma(3.8%) in order of their proportions. 5) The accuracy of diagnostic methods were as follows: sputum cytology 75.3%, bronchoscopic biopsy 65.7%, lymph node aspiration cytology 95.8%, percutaneous lung aspiration cytology 94.6% and open lung biopsy 100%. The general accuracies of diagnostic methods were improved than previous studies. 6) Performance status scales on admission were relatively good. After diagnosis, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were undertaken in 69.3% of the patients, and only 7.5% of the patients were operated. Conclusion: In our study, squamous cell carcinoma is still the predominant histological cell type, but, adenocarcinoma continues to increase. Because adenocarcinoma is less correlated with smoking habits, further evaluation of other carcinogens than smoking is requested. Screening and early diagnosis of lung cancer is important for good performance status scales in spite of advanced stages. But, we think that the prevention, for example, stop smokings is more important as because of no perfect treatment for lung cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.889-898
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• 1997

Pulmonary Embolism can develop in variable conditions, and presents with nonspecific symptoms and signs. If diagnosis is delayed, it can be resulted in catastrophic results. Therefore, early diagnosis and adequate treatment is crucial in Pulmonary Embolism. Lung Perfusion Scan is useful screening test. Negative result can exclude pulmonary embolism. But, perfusion defects don't always mean pulmonary embolism. To find the better methods of interpretation of lung perfusion scan and To evaluate the clinical course and outcomes of the patients, in whom pulmonary embolism was suspected by lung perfusion scan, we reviewed the clinical records of 49 cases suspected by lung perfusion scan at Seoul National University Hospital during the period of January, 1995 to July, 1996. The results are as follows. First impression of cases in which PE was present at time of admission were pulmonary embolism (63%), heart diseases (26%), and pneumonia (11%) in orders. Underlying diseases of cases in which PE developed during admission were malignancy (36.5%), ICH (22.7%), sepsis (13.7%), and SLE (9.1%) in orders. The predisposing factors were operation (20%), cancer (16%), immobility (16%), connective tissue disease (16%), heart dis. (10%), old age (10%), and preg/pelvic dis. (8%) The results, of lung perfusion scan were HPPE 40 cases(26.8 %), IPPE 21 cases(14.1%), LPPE 88 cases (59.1%), and cases(%) of treatment in these cases were HPPE 34 cases(85%), IPPE 9 cases(42.9%), LPPE 0 case(0.0%). Treatments were heparin and warfarin (69.5%), heparin alone (8.2%), warfarin alone (2.0%), embolectomy (4.1%), thrombolytics (2.0%), IVC filter (2.0%), and no treatment (12.2%) In 34 cases (69.4%), follow up could be done, and 5 cases were recurred (10.2%). The causes of recurrence was incomplete anticoagulant therapy (3 cases) and recurrence of predisposing factor (2 cases). Expired case due to pulmonary embolism was one who was expired just before trial of thrombolytic therapy. Conclusion : Efforts should be made to shorten the interval from onset of Sx to Dx, ie, high index of suspision.