• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2022

Background: This study was performed to evaluate periprocedural factors, complications, and repuncture rate of the newly developed puncture needle and compare it with the routinely used puncture needle for ultrasound (US)-guided paracentesis. Methods: We retrospectively identified 137 patients who underwent US-guided paracentesis between July 2018 and March 2019. Among them, 82 patients underwent US-guided paracentesis with a newly developed puncture needle. The other 55 patients underwent US-guided paracentesis with a routinely used puncture needle. The periprocedural factors, complications, and repuncture rate were compared between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test. The repuncture-associated factors were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results: There were no major or minor complications in either group. The rate of repuncture was significantly lower in the group using the newly developed puncture needle compared with the group using the routinely used puncture needle (p=0.01). The duration of the procedure was significantly shorter with the newly developed puncture needle compared with the routinely used puncture needle (p=0.01). In univariate analysis, the thickness of the abdominal wall (p=0.04) and the use of the newly developed puncture needle (p=0.01) were significantly associated with the rate of repuncture. In multivariate analysis, only the use of the newly developed puncture needle was significantly associated with the rate of repuncture. Conclusion: Using this novel puncture needle with a hard plastic sheath and plastic wings, the rate of repuncture and the duration of the procedure were decreased without complications of US-guided paracentesis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.10039-10043
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• 2014

Background: In Pakistan thyroid cancer is responsible for 1.2% cases of all malignant tumors. Ultrasonography (US) is helpful in detecting cancerous thyroid nodules on basis of different features like echogenicity, margins, microcalcifications, size, shape and abnormal neck lymph nodes. We therefore aimed to calculate diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in detection of carcinoma in thyroid nodules taking fine needle aspiration cytology as the reference standard. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was designed to prospectively collect data from December 2010 till December 2012 from the Department of Radiology in Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 100 patients of both genders were enrolled after informed consent via applying non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Patients referred to Radiology department of Aga Khan University to perform thyroid ultrasound followed by fine-needle aspiration cytology of thyroid nodules were included. They were excluded if proven for thyroid malignancy or if their US or FNAC was conducted outside our institution. Results: The subjects comprised 76 (76%) females and 24 males. Mean age was $41.8{\pm}SD$ 12.3 years. Sensitivity and specificity with 95%CI of ultrasound in differentiating malignant thyroid nodule from benign thyroid nodule calculated to be 91.7% (95%CI, 0.72-0.98) and 78.94% (0.68-0.87) respectively. Reported positive predictive value and negative PV were 57.9% (0.41-0.73) and 96.8% (0.88-0.99) and overall accuracy was 82%. Likelihood ratio (LR) positive was computed to be 4.3 and LR negative was 0.1. Conclusions: Ultrasonography has a high diagnostic accuracy in detecting malignancy in thyroid nodules on the basis of features like echogenicity, margins, micro calcifications and shape.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.2
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• pp.74-78
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• 2013

A 61-year-old woman came to the hospital with dyspnea and pleural effusion on chest radiography. She underwent repeated thoracentesis, transbronchial lung biopsy, bronchoalveolar lavage, and thoracoscopic pleural biopsy with talc pleurodesis, but diagnosis of her was uncertain. Positron emission tomography showed multiple lymphadenopathies, so she underwent endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph nodes. Here, we report a case of malignant pleural mesothelioma that was eventually diagnosed by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration. This is an unusual and first case in Korea.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.434-445
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• 2024

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) have increased in prevalence due to the increased usage and advancements in cross-sectional abdominal imaging. Current diagnostic techniques cannot distinguish between PCLs requiring surgery, close surveillance, or expectant management. This has increased the morbidity and healthcare costs from inappropriately aggressive and conservative management strategies. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) allows for microscopic examination and delineation of the surface epithelium of PCLs. Landmark studies have identified characteristics distinguishing various types of PCLs, confirmed the high diagnostic yield of EUS-nCLE (especially for PCLs with an equivocal diagnosis), and shown that EUS-nCLE helps to change management and reduce healthcare costs. Refining procedure technique and reducing procedure length have improved the safety of EUS-nCLE. The utilization of artificial intelligence and its combination with other EUS-based advanced diagnostic techniques would further improve the results of EUS-based PCL diagnosis. A structured training program and device improvements to allow more complete mapping of the pancreas cyst epithelium will be crucial for the widespread adoption of this promising technology.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4689-4692
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• 2013

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a costly diagnostic item with a low yield in identifying the tiny proportion of nodules that actually represent malignant disease. Our aim through this study was to obtain an ultrasound (US) score for selecting subcentimeter-sized thyroid nodules requiring FNAB in eastern China. Some 248 patients for a total of 270 thyroid nodules less than 1 cm in diameter underwent FNAB and subsequent surgery from January 2006 to March 2012 at our hospital. The clinicopathological and US data from all the nodules were analyzed retrospectively. An US score was developed on the basis of independent predictive factors for malignancy. Irregular shape, hypoechogenicity, no well-defined margin, presence of calcifications and ratio between antero-posterior and transversal diameters (AP/TR) ${\geq}1$ were independent predictive factors for malignancy on logistic regression analysis. US score were statistically significant, with ${\leq}2$ favoring benignancy with an 80.3% sensitivity and a 72.7% specificity. US score is useful for differentiating between malignant and benign subcentimeter-sized thyroid nodules. We suggest FNAB for nodules when the US score is higher than 2.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2012

Thoracic paravertebral block is performed for the treatment of patients with chronic pain, such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and post-herpetic neuralgia. Thoracic paravertebral block can result in iatrogenic pneumothorax. Because pneumothorax can develop into medical emergencies and needle aspiration or chest tube placement may be needed, early diagnosis is very important. Recently, thoracic ultrasonography has begun to be used to diagnose pneumothorax. In addition, ultrasound-guided aspiration can be an accurate and safe technique for treatment of pneumothorax, as the needle position can be followed in real time. We report a case of iatrogenic pneumothorax following thoracic paravertebral block for the treatment of chronic pain due to CRPS, treated successfully by ultrasound-guided aspiration.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.272-276
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and safety of procedures using ultrasound equipment for acupuncture treatment. Methods: A pilot, prospective randomized, single blinded, crossover clinical study on the accuracy and safety of ultrasound-guided Gyeontonghyeol (BP-LE6) acupuncture treatment was conducted. Patients (n = 13) with shoulder pain were randomly divided into 2 groups. During Visit 1, ultrasound-guided BP-LE6 acupuncture was administered to the experimental group. In the control group, patients received BP-LE6 acupuncture (without checking ultrasound images) by manipulating the ultrasound probe as if administering ultrasound-guided acupuncture. Visit 2 was arranged within 7-14 days and the remaining procedures, other than those administered in Visit 1, were performed. In both the experimental group and control group, the number of needle insertions, and time required for the treatment to result in the patients feeling de-qi was recorded. The numeric rating scale (NRS) score for shoulder pain was recorded before and after the acupuncture treatment. Results: The number of needle insertions was $5.31{\pm}3.50$ times in the experimental group, and $6.62{\pm}3.38$ times in the control group, however, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). The mean time required to perform the procedure was $151.54{\pm}48.59$ seconds in the experimental group and $86.69{\pm}37.17$ seconds in the control group, which was statistically significantly different (p < 0.05). The changes observed in numerical rating scale scores between groups were not statistically significantly different. Conclusion: Although there was no statistically significant difference, administering acupuncture using ultrasound guidance may lead to accurate needling with a reduced number of needle insertion attempts. A large-scale clinical study of better design should be conducted in the future.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 2015

This research was study the accuracy of three-dimensional stereotactic breast biopsy, using a core Needle Biopsy and to assess the accuracy of Stereotactic biopsy and Sono guided biopsy. Using Stereotactic QC phantom to measure the accuracy of the 3D sterotactic machine. CT Scan and equipment obtained in the measured X, Y, Z and compares the accuracy of the length. Using Agar power phantom compare the accuracy of the 3D sterotactic machine and 2D ultrasound machine. Z axis measured by the equipment to compare the accuracy and reliability. Check the accuracy by using visual inspection and Specimen Medical application phantom. The accuracy of the 3D sterotactic machine measured by Stereotactic QC phantom was 100%. Accuracy as compared to CT, all of X, Y, Z axis is p > 0.05. The accuracy of the two devices was 100% as measured by Agar powder phantom. There was no difference between t he t wo d evices as C T and p > 0.05. 3D sterotactic machine of the ICC was 0.954, 2D ultrasound machine was 0.785. 2D ultrasound machine was different according to the inspector. Medical application phantom experiments in 3D sterotactic machine could not find the Sliced boneless ham. 2D ultrasound machine has not been able to find a small chalk powder group. The reproducibility of the three-dimensional stereotactic breast biopsy was better than effect of Sono guided biopsy.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 2003

Therapeutic ultrasound is commonly applied for deep heating in physical therapy setting. However, it is difficult to determine the exact application dosage and to confirm the immediate heating effect. Microwave Radio-Thermometer (MRT) can measure the temperature by the electromagnetic energy in the microwave region of the object that emits above absolute zero temperature. MRT was used for early diagnosis of breast cancer since it was not harmful, non-invasive, and non-ionizing to the human body. The purposes of this study were to investigate how accurately 1.1 GHz RTM (RES Ltd. Russia) measures the change of average temperature in the tissue, and to determine the depth of temperature change measurement. Therapeutic ultrasound was applied (continuous wave for 5 minutes, 1 MHz, intensity of 1.5 $W/cm^2$ [in vitro] and 1.0 $W/cm^2$ [in vivo]) in four different conditions: (1) 30 cases of in vitro specimen of pork, (2) 30 cases of in vitro specimen of pork ankle joint, (3) 10 cases of in vivo canine thigh, and (4) 30 cases of in vivo human body. Intraclass Correlation Coeffients (ICC[3,1]) between average needle probe thermometer below surface and MRT temperature was revealed as followed: (1) Before ultrasound application ICCs ranges above .8 in specimen of pork (15 mm underneath the skin) and above .82 in specimen of pork ankle joint (10~30 mm underneath the skin). (2) After ultrasound application ICCs ranges above .7 in both specimens of pork and pork ankle joint. (3) Before ultrasound application ICCs ranges above .8 in canine thigh (20 mm underneath the skin). (4) After ultrasound application ICCs ranges above .82 in canine thigh. The temperature of the human body increased significantly with the mean of $15^{\circ}C$ in muscle tissue and with the mean of $3.5^{\circ}C$ in joint (p<.00). It was revealed that the average depth of temperature measurement of the tissue by MRT was in between 10 and 35 mm, and determined that the proper temperature measurement band was $36.5{\sim}37.0^{\circ}C$.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.98-105
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• 2023

Background: Ultrasound-guided first sacral transforaminal epidural steroid injection (S1 TFESI) is a useful and easily applicable alternative to fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT) in lumbosacral radiculopathy. When a needle approach is used, poor visualization of the needle tip reduces the accuracy of the procedure, increasing its difficulty. This study aimed to improve ultrasound-guided S1 TFESI by evaluating radiological S1 posterior foramen data obtained using three-dimensional CT (3D-CT). Methods: Axial 3D-CT images of the pelvis were retrospectively analyzed. The radiological measurements obtained from the images included 1st posterior sacral foramen depth (S1D, mm), 1st posterior sacral foramen width (S1W, mm), the angle of the 1st posterior sacral foramen (S1A, °), and 1st posterior sacral foramen distance (S1ds, mm). The relationship between the demographic factors and measured values were then analyzed. Results: A total of 632 patients (287 male and 345 female) were examined. The mean S1D values for males and females were 11.9 ± 1.9 mm and 10.6 ± 1.8 mm, respectively (P < 0.001); the mean S1A 28.2 ± 4.8° and 30.1 ± 4.9°, respectively (P < 0.001); and the mean S1ds, 24.1 ± 2.9 mm and 22.9 ± 2.6 mm, respectively (P < 0.001); however, the mean S1W values were not significantly different. Height was the only significant predictor of S1D (β = 0.318, P = 0.004). Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided S1 TFESI performance and safety may be improved with adjustment of needle insertion depth congruent with the patient's height.