• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.168-172
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• 2002

Objectives: This study was done to determine the diagnostic efficacy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA), frozen section biopsy (FSx) and ultrasonography in a palpable thyroid mass. Materials and Methods: During the period from July 1999 to March 2002, the medical records of 98 patients who underwent a thyroidectomy for thyroid mass, at the Department of Surgery, Chonbuk National University Hospital, were reviewed retrospectively. Ninety eight cases were classified according to whether the FNA cytological diagnosis inadequate, benign, suspicious, or malignant and the FSx diagnosis benign or malignant and the ultrasonographic examination was benign, suspicious, or malignant. The diagnostic correlations of ultrasonography, FNA cytology, frozen section, and both FNA cytology and frozen section with definite histologic diagnosis were evaluated. Results: According to the FNA cytological interpretation, 76 cases were diagnosed as benign, 6 cases suspicious, 13 cases malignant, and 3 cases inadequate. The sensitivity and specificity for FNA were 86.3% and 95.9% and for FSx 95.5% and 100% respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of FNA and FSx were 93.5% and 98.9% respectively. Based on a definite histologic diagnosis, the ultrasonographic examination had a sensitivity and a specificity of 77.2% and 78.9%. Conclusion: The results confirm that FNA cytology is a reliable and useful tool in the initial evaluation of a palpable thyroid mass compared to the ultrasonographic examination. Intraoperative FSx is a valuable diagnostic procedure to confirm the cytological diagnosis with undetermined or unsatisfactory cytological diagnosis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.97-101
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• 2004

This study was aimed for ultrasonographic assessment of the tympanic membrane and the tympanic bulla in five healthy Beagle dogs. To improve an ultrasonographic image, the ear canal was filled with warm saline, and an 11 MHz linear probe and a 6.5 MHz convex probe were used. The structures of ear component such as ear canal, ear cartilage and tympanic membrane were easily identified. Especially, tympanic membrane was presented as a reflaction surface which was resulted from the different acoustic impedence between the fluid-filled anechoic ear canal and the gas-filled hyperechoic tympanic cavity in normal dogs. In five left-side ears, the saline was infused into the external ear canal after the tympanic membrane had been ruptured experimentally. Both anechoic fluid-filled ear canal and tympanic cavity were clearly identified. In five right-side ears, the surgically fluid-filled tympanic cavity was imaged as a hypoechoic oval shaped structure. When tympanic cavity and ear canal have been contained with fluid, it was difficult to identify whether the tympanic membrane was ruptured or not. For assessment of the ear structure with ultrasonography, the 11 MHz linear probe was considered as an optimal equipment for a serial assessment of ear canal, tympanic membrane and tympanic bulla whereas the 6.5 MHz convex probe was suitable to assess the tympanic cavity. The results suggest that ultrasonography with saline infusion into the ear canal can be used to find the intactness of the tympanic membrane and to assess the fluid- filld tympanic bulla.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.78-82
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• 2014

Objective : To investigate a diagnostic value of ultrasonography in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients and to evaluate a correlation of sonographic measurements with the degree of electrodiagnostic abnormalities and clinical severity. Methods : Two-hundred-forty-six symptomatic hands in 135 patients and 30 asymptomatic hands in 19 healthy individuals as control group were included. In ultrasonographic study, we measured the cross-sectional area (CSA) and flattening ratio (FR) of the median nerve at the pisiform as well as palmar bowing (PB) of the flexor retinaculum. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonographic measurements were evaluated and ultrasonographic data from the symptomatic and control hands were compared to the grade of electrodiagnostic and clinical severity. Results : The mean CSA was $13.7{\pm}4.2mm^2$ in symptomatic hands and $7.9{\pm}1.3mm^2$ in asymptomatic hands. The mean FR was $4.2{\pm}1.0$ in symptomatic hands and $3.4{\pm}0.4$ in asymptomatic hands. The mean PB was $3.5{\pm}0.5$ mm in symptomatic hands and $2.6{\pm}0.3$ mm in asymptomatic hands. Statistical analysis showed differences of the mean CSA, FR and PB between groups were significant. A cut-off value of $10mm^2$ for the mean CSA was found to be the upper limit for normal value. Both the mean CSA and PB are correlated with the grade of electrophysiological abnormalities and clinical severity, respectively. Conclusion : Ultrasographic measurement of the CSA and PB is helpful to diagnose CTS as a non-invasive and an alternative modality for the evaluation of CTS. In addition, ultrasonography also provides a reliable correlation with the grade of electrodiagnostic abnormalities and clinical severity.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.426-442
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of Zusanli and nonacupoint electroacupuncture stimulation on ultrasonographic gastric emptying and vital signs in eight healthy participants. Gastric emptying and its rate of change were analyzed to search for correlation with physical characteristics such as body mass index (BMI), sternocostal angle, and abdominal wall thickness. Methods: Eight healthy participants with no gastrointestinal disorders were enrolled in this study. Each participant went through three abdominal sonographies for gastric emptying assessment. At the second and third visits, participants received Zusanli and nonacupoint electroacupuncture stimulation in a random order. During the study period, we examined the BMI, sternocostal angle, and abdominal wall thickness of all participants. Vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature) were also examined before and after the electroacupuncture stimulation. Results: Electroacupuncture stimulation at Zusanli significantly improved gastric emptying when compared to nonacupoint stimulation. Gastric emptying showed a positive correlation with BMI, sternocostal angle, and abdominal wall thickness, but this correlation was statistically insignificant. The improvement rate of gastric emptying by Zusanli electroacupuncture stimulation showed a positive correlation with BMI and sternocostal angle and a negative correlation with abdominal wall thickness. However, such results were also statistically insignificant. Among vital signs, only heart rate showed a significant decrease according to Zusanli electroacupuncture stimulation. Conclusions: A significant effect of Zusanli electroacupuncture was confirmed through ultrasonographic gastric emptying in healthy participants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2008

The present study proposed a method that dissolves ultrasonographic images into multiple resolutions using wavelet conversion and a boundary detection filter and improves the quality of ultrasonographic images through boundary detection filtering. In order to reduce noises and strengthen edges, the proposed method adjusted selectivity coefficient by area step by step from a low resolution image obtained from wavelet converted images to a high resolution image and performed edge filtering in consideration of direction. Through this method, we generated a selective low pass filtering effect in areas except edges by decreasing the wavelet coefficient for pixels in spot areas, improved continuity by smoothing edges in the tangential direction, and enhanced contrast by thinning in the normal direction. Through an experiment, we compared the filtering method using a non linear anisotropic expansion model and the filtering method using wavelet contraction structure in single resolution.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 1997

This study was performed to make fundamental data of ultrasonographic diagnosis for liver and duodenum disease in native Korean cattle. Ultrasonographic appearance of liver, caudal vena cava, portal vein, gall bladdr and duodenum according to the growth were determined from 6 to 13 months by monthly examinations in 9 native Korean cattle. The caudal vena cava was determined at 11th intercostal space by use of ultrasonography. The portal vein and gallbladder were determined at 10th intercostal space by use oof ultrasonography. The liver were determined at 12, 11 and 10 th intercostal space by use of ultrasonography. The liver, caudal vena cava, portal cein, gallbladder and duodenum were examinde in standing position. Ultrasonograms were obtainde with 3.5 or 5.0-MHz convex and 5.0-MHz sector transducer. The diameter of vena cava at the 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 months old age were 18.4, 20.6, 22.4, 25.1, 26.9, 27.3, 28.5 and 29.4 mm, respectively. The diameter of portal vein at the 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 months old age were 19.5, 20.6, 22.3, 24.5, 26.9, 28.1, 30.7 and 31.5 mm, respectively. The diameter of gall bladder at the 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 months old age were 63.2, 72.2, 75.1, 78.6, 80.5, 82.3, 84.4 and 91.1 mm, respectively. Cranial part of duodenum was identified near gall bladder by moving of hyperechoic ingesta. Descending duodenum paralleled with vertebrae is seen in the right upper flank and was adjacent to the abdominal wall, and was enveloped in the hyperechoic greater omentum, differentiating it from the jejunum and ileum. The diameter of cranial duodenum at the 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 months old age were 23.3, 27.9, 29.9, 32.2, 34.4, 34.5, 35.1 and 36.5 mm, respectively. The diameter of descending duodenum revealed smaller diameter than that of cranial duodenum. Calculi in gallbladder were observed by ultrasonography.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.235-245
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• 1996

Serial ultrasonographic examinations were performed on 9 pregnant Korea Jin-do bitches that were the Korean native breed, from days 15 to 60 pregnancy to determine the time of first detection and ultrasonographic appearance of the fetal and extra-fetal structures of pregnancy. Gestational age was timed from the day of ovulation (Day 0), which was estimated to occur when plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml. Gestational ages at earliest detection of the following fetal and extra-fetal structures were; gestational sac at days 17 to 22; placental layers in the uterine wall at days 20 to 24; zonary placenta at days 25 to 28; yolk sac membrane at days 22 to 24; amnionic membrane at days 27 to 29; embryo initial detection at days 21 to 23; fetal heartbeat at days 21 m 25; bipolar shape embryo at days 25 to 26; fetal movement at days 28 to 31; limb buds at days 31 to 35; anechoic area in head at days 31 to 36; stomach at days 34 to 37; urinary bladder at days 34 to 37; skeleton at days 36 to 38; dorsal sagittal tubular structure in vertebrae at days 36 to 38; lung hyperechoic vs liver at days 37 to 39; liver hypoechoic vs abdomen at days 37 to 40 and kidney at days 43 to 48, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.177-181
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• 1999

Objective: The clinical significance of mass screening for thyroid carcinoma remains unclear. This study was carried out to clarify the value of mass screening for thyroid carcinoma. Materials and Methods: From December 1997 through July 1998, a total of 1,401 subjects who were enrolled to receive breast screening or follow-up examination for breast cancer were included in this study. Thyroid glands were examined by 10 MHz ultrasonography by one experienced radiologist. The patients with thyroid nodules were classified into 2 groups according to their potential risk of malignancy by ultrasonographic findings(high-risk : hypoechogenicity, microcalcification, irregular margin, taller than wider shape). High-risk patients were advised to undergo fine-needle aspiration biopsy and thyroidectomy. The characteristics of the thyroid cancers detected by ultrasonographic mass screening were compared by those of clinical thyroid cancer excluding male patients during the same period. Results: Thyroid nodules were detected in 353(25.2%) of the subjects and 259(73.4%) were listed in the low-risk group and 94(26.6%) in high-risk group. Among 94 patients in the high-risk group, 43 underwent thyroidectomy and 37 turned out to have thyroid carcinomas. Thus, the detection rates for carcinoma were 2.6% of all subject, 10.5% of the detected nodules, 36.4% of the high risk women and 86.0% of the operated cases. The tumor size was significantly smaller in the mass-screening group than in the clinical cancer group(p<0.05). However, there was no statistical differences between two groups in the prevalences of neck node involvement and extracapsular invasion and the patients distributions by AMES score, MACIS score and TNM stage. Conclusion: Ultrasonogrpahic mass screening may be useful for the early detection of thyroid carcinoma in women who are scheduled to have breast examination.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.9
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• pp.362-367
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the effect of lifestyle intervention on NAFLD. Methods: The clinical data of 86 children diagnosed with NAFLD were reviewed retrospectively. Forty-six patients belonged to the elevated ALT group and 40 to the normal ALT group. The clinical parameters of patients with NAFLD were also compared based on the status of ALT levels after lifestyle intervention. Results: Patients with elevated ALT had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) scores than those with normal ALT (P<0.05). Of all the patients with elevated ALT, 89% exhibited moderate or severe degree of fatty change in the liver on ultrasonographic examination, whereas most patients with normal ALT exhibited mild or moderate degree changes. Liver biopsy was performed in 15 children with elevated ALT and all showed mild histological changes. Of all patients with elevated ALT, 49% achieved normal ALT levels after lifestyle intervention. Those with more severe histological changes tended to have continuously increasing ALT levels. There was no correlation between the normalization of posttreatment ALT level and BMI, as well as ultrasonographic findings at diagnosis. Conclusion: ALT elevation in NAFLD is highly associated with higher BMI scores and more severe degree of fatty changes on ultrasonographic examination. Lifestyle intervention can significantly improve ALT in children with NAFLD. The degree of histologic changes appears to be a predictor of the treatment response to NAFLD.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 1998

To investigate the estrual changes of ovaries, appropriate time of mating, diagnosis of early pregnancy after mating, and diagnosis of twin fetuses, ultrasonography was performed in 61 thorough-bred mares (5-12 years old) which had been raised in Chrju island. The followings are the results obtained: 1. The average size of a follicle of mares was $3.2{\times} 3.8cm$ at the beginning of estrus and $4.2{\times} 3.5 cm$ from the middle of estrus to ovulations respectively, and the average size of a follicle and a corpus luteum was $1.8{\times} 1.4 cm and 3.1{\times}2.3 cm$ in the middle of diestrus, respectively. 2. In the result of pregnancy according to mating time after ultrasonographic examination of follicle size, the mares having a follicle of 4.6-5.0 cm (diameter) were mated on the day of ultrasonographic examination or the next day rind all were conceived (3 mares) and another mares having a follicle of 4.1- 4.5cm (diameter) on the 1st or 2nd day after examination and all were conceived (4 mares). 3. By ultrasonographyi early pregnancy in the mares was diagnosed from 12 days of pregnancy and the equine fetus was directly detectable from 23 days of pregnancy, whereas the heartbeat of a fetus was detectable from 28 days of pregnancy. 4. Diagnosis of earl pregnancy of twin was possible from 16 days of pregnancy. These result indicated that ultrasonography is applicable in mares to diagnose the estrual changes of ovaries and the time of ovulation or mating, and to diagnose early pregnancy from 12 days of pregnancy and early pregnancy of twin fetuses.