• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.281-287
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• 2018

Objectives. Regenerative treatment using stem cells may serve as treatment option for empty nose syndrome (ENS), which is caused by the lack of turbinate tissue and deranged nervous system in the nasal cavity. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the treatment of ENS. Methods. In this prospective observational clinical study, we enrolled 10 ENS patients who volunteered to undergo treatment of ENS through the injection of autologous SVF. Data, including demographic data, pre- and postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25) scores, overall patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications, were prospectively collected. Nasal secretion was assessed using the polyurethane foam absorption method, and the levels of biological markers were analyzed in both ENS group and control group using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SVF extracted from abdominal fat was diluted and injected into both inferior turbinates. Results. Among the 10 initial patients, one was excluded from the study. Subjective satisfaction was rated as "much improved" in two and "no change" in seven. Among the improved patients, the mean preinjection SNOT-25 score was 55.0 and the score at 6 months after injection was 19.5. However, the average SNOT-25 score of nine participants at 6 months after injection (mean${\pm}$standard deviation, $62.4{\pm}35.8$) did not differ significantly from the baseline SNOT-25 score ($70.1{\pm}24.7$, P>0.05, respectively). Among the various inflammatory markers assessed, the levels of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-8, and calcitonin gene-related peptide were significantly higher in ENS patients. Compared with preinjection secretion level, the nasal secretions from SVF-treated patients showed decreased expressions of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-8 after injection. Conclusion. Although SVF treatment appears to decrease the inflammatory cytokine levels in the nasal mucosa, a single SVF injection was not effective in terms of symptom improvement and patient satisfaction. Further trials are needed to identify a more practical and useful regenerative treatment modality for patients with ENS.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.761-769
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• 2022

고유전 재료를 사용한 패드는 임상 MRI 연구에서 RF 펄스의 필드 감도와 균질성을 국부적으로 개선하기 위해 다양한 응용 분야에서 사용되었다. 본 연구에서는 실제 임상 영상의 적용과 관련된 실질적인 문제를 고려하여 패드를 개선하는 것을 목표로 하였다. 감쇠된 B1 필드 강도를 증가시키기 위한 고유전율 패드를 제작하고 7T MRI에서 테스트했다. Sim4Life 시뮬레이션 및 실험 결과는 B1 근거리장에서 더 강하고 상대적으로 균일함을 보여준다. 민감도가 낮은 영역으로 알려진 전체 소뇌의 영상 품질을 향상시키기 위해 패드의 기계적 변화를 줄이는 가이드를 만들었다. 또한 착용감을 향상시키기 위해 패드를 상하로 나누어 디자인하였다. 안면 패드는 비강 내 비갑개와 같은 부위에서 전반적인 신호 증가 효과를 보였다. 전두엽, 눈 등의 영역에서 신호 증가가 예상됐지만 효과가 미미하거나 영상 프로토콜에서 효과를 보기 어려웠다. 결론적으로, 본 논문은 그 효과를 유지하면서 개선된 비강 신호를 갖는 소뇌 최적화 패드를 보여주었다.