• Title/Summary/Keyword: alternative methods

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THE CURRENT STATUS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING IN THE USA

  • Webster, John G.
    • Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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    • v.1992 no.05
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    • pp.27-47
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    • 1992
  • Engineers have developed new instruments that aid in diagnosis and therapy Ultrasonic imaging has provided a nondamaging method of imaging internal organs. A complex transducer emits ultrasonic waves at many angles and reconstructs a map of internal anatomy and also velocities of blood in vessels. Fast computed tomography permits reconstruction of the 3-dimensional anatomy and perfusion of the heart at 20-Hz rates. Positron emission tomography uses certain isotopes that produce positrons that react with electrons to simultaneously emit two gamma rays in opposite directions. It locates the region of origin by using a ring of discrete scintillation detectors, each in electronic coincidence with an opposing detector. In magnetic resonance imaging, the patient is placed in a very strong magnetic field. The precessing of the hydrogen atoms is perturbed by an interrogating field to yield two-dimensional images of soft tissue having exceptional clarity. As an alternative to radiology image processing, film archiving, and retrieval, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are being implemented. Images from computed radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasound are digitized, transmitted, and stored in computers for retrieval at distributed work stations. In electrical impedance tomography, electrodes are placed around the thorax. 50-kHz current is injected between two electrodes and voltages are measured on all other electrodes. A computer processes the data to yield an image of the resistivity of a 2-dimensional slice of the thorax. During fetal monitoring, a corkscrew electrode is screwed into the fetal scalp to measure the fetal electrocardiogram. Correlations with uterine contractions yield information on the status of the fetus during delivery To measure cardiac output by thermodilution, cold saline is injected into the right atrium. A thermistor in the right pulmonary artery yields temperature measurements, from which we can calculate cardiac output. In impedance cardiography, we measure the changes in electrical impedance as the heart ejects blood into the arteries. Motion artifacts are large, so signal averaging is useful during monitoring. An intraarterial blood gas monitoring system permits monitoring in real time. Light is sent down optical fibers inserted into the radial artery, where it is absorbed by dyes, which reemit the light at a different wavelength. The emitted light travels up optical fibers where an external instrument determines O2, CO2, and pH. Therapeutic devices include the electrosurgical unit. A high-frequency electric arc is drawn between the knife and the tissue. The arc cuts and the heat coagulates, thus preventing blood loss. Hyperthermia has demonstrated antitumor effects in patients in whom all conventional modes of therapy have failed. Methods of raising tumor temperature include focused ultrasound, radio-frequency power through needles, or microwaves. When the heart stops pumping, we use the defibrillator to restore normal pumping. A brief, high-current pulse through the heart synchronizes all cardiac fibers to restore normal rhythm. When the cardiac rhythm is too slow, we implant the cardiac pacemaker. An electrode within the heart stimulates the cardiac muscle to contract at the normal rate. When the cardiac valves are narrowed or leak, we implant an artificial valve. Silicone rubber and Teflon are used for biocompatibility. Artificial hearts powered by pneumatic hoses have been implanted in humans. However, the quality of life gradually degrades, and death ensues. When kidney stones develop, lithotripsy is used. A spark creates a pressure wave, which is focused on the stone and fragments it. The pieces pass out normally. When kidneys fail, the blood is cleansed during hemodialysis. Urea passes through a porous membrane to a dialysate bath to lower its concentration in the blood. The blind are able to read by scanning the Optacon with their fingertips. A camera scans letters and converts them to an array of vibrating pins. The deaf are able to hear using a cochlear implant. A microphone detects sound and divides it into frequency bands. 22 electrodes within the cochlea stimulate the acoustic the acoustic nerve to provide sound patterns. For those who have lost muscle function in the limbs, researchers are implanting electrodes to stimulate the muscle. Sensors in the legs and arms feed back signals to a computer that coordinates the stimulators to provide limb motion. For those with high spinal cord injury, a puff and sip switch can control a computer and permit the disabled person operate the computer and communicate with the outside world.

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Evaluation of a Water-based Bolus Device for Radiotherapy to the Extremities in Kaposi's Sarcoma Patients (사지에 발병한 카포시육종의 방사선치료를 위한 물볼루스 기구의 유용성 고찰)

  • Ahn, Seung-Kwon;Kim, Yong-Bae;Lee, Ik-Jae;Song, Tae-Soo;Son, Dong-Min;Jang, Yung-Jae;Cho, Jung-Hee;Kim, Joo-Ho;Kim, Dong-Wook;Cho, Jae-Ho;Suh, Chang-Ok
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.26 no.3
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    • pp.189-194
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    • 2008
  • Purpose: We designed a water-based bolus device for radiation therapy in Kaposi's sarcoma. This study evaluated the usefulness of this new device and compared it with the currently used rice-based bolus. Materials and Methods: We fashioned a polystyrene box and cut a hole in order to insert patient's extremities while the patient was in the supine position. We used a vacuum-vinyl based polymer to reduce water leakage. Next, we eliminated air using a vacuum pump and a vacuum valve to reduce the air gap between the water and extremities in the vacuum-vinyl box. We performed CT scans to evaluate the density difference of the fabricated water-based bolus device when the device in which the rice-based bolus was placed directly, the rice-based bolus with polymer-vinyl packed rice, and the water were all put in. We analyzed the density change with the air gap volume using a planning system. In addition, we measured the homogeneity and dose in the low-extremities phantom, attached to six TLD, and wrapped film exposed in parallel-opposite fields with the LINAC under the same conditions as the set-up of the CT-simulator. Results: The density value of the rice-based bolus with the rice put in directly was 14% lower than that of the water-based bolus. Moreover, the value of the other experiments in the rice-based bolus with the polymer-vinyl packed rice showed an 18% reduction in density. The analysis of the EDR2 film revealed that the water-based bolus shows a more homogeneous dose plan, which was superior by $4{\sim}4.4%$ to the rice-base bolus. The mean TLD readings of the rice-based bolus, with the rice put directly into the polystyrene box had a 3.4% higher density value. Moreover, the density value in the case of the rice-based bolus with polymer-vinyl packed rice had a 4.3% higher reading compared to the water-based bolus. Conclusion: Our custom-made water-based bolus device increases the accuracy of the set-up by confirming the treatment field. It also improves the accuracy of the therapy owing to the reduction of the air gap using a vacuum pump and a vacuum valve. This set-up represents a promising alternative device for delivering a homogenous dose to the target volume.

Jejunal Pouch Interposition (JPI) after Distal Gastrectomy in Patients with Gastric Cancer (위암 환자에서 원위부 위절제 후 공장낭 간치술)

  • Jeon, Hae-Myung;Kim, Wook;Hur, Hoon;Lee, Joon-Hyun;Won, Jong-Man
    • Journal of Gastric Cancer
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    • v.4 no.4
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    • pp.242-251
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    • 2004
  • Purpose: Recently, because of the increasing numbers of early gastric cancer patients and improvements in their survivals, greater attention has been directed towards the quality of life and nutritional status of gastric cancer patients after surgery. However, conventional reconstructions, Billroth- I, -II (B-I and B-II) or Roux-en-Y, have proven to have certain limitations, such as a small reservoir, and a malabsorption for iron, fat, calcium, and carotene. To overcome these limitations, we used a jejunal pouch interposition(JPI) after a distal gastrectomy not only to substitute for the small reservoir but also to maintain a physiologic pathway for ingested foods. Materials and Methods: A total of 196 gastric cancer patients who underwent a distal gastrectomy between March 2001 and February 2004 were divided into 3 groups: JPI group (n=100), B-I group (n=29), and B-II group (n=67). We assessed the patient's nutritional status, gastric emptying time, and gastrofiberscopic findings. Results: The percents of body weight loss at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively in the JPI group ($5.14\%,\;3.01\%,\;2.37\%$) were significantly less than those of the conventional B-I ($8.41\%,\;6.69\%,\;5.90\%$) and B-II groups ($7.50\%,\;7.65\%,\;5.86\%$) (P=0.011, 0.000, 0.013). The laboratory findings showed no significant differences between the 3 groups, except for a higher total protein level in the JPI group after 6 months postoperatively. Especially, stage I and II cancers in the JPI group showed much higher total protein levels after 1 year postoperatively. The gastric emptying times in the $\^{99m}$Tc- semisolid scans at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively were 102.5, 83.1, and 58.1 minutes in the JPI group, 95.5, 92.0, and 58.5 minutes in the B-I group, and 53.9, 69.1, and 50.2 minutes in the B-II group, respectively. Also, the symptomatic gastric stasis detected with a gastrofiberscope during the early postoperative period (6 months) was gradually improved. Conclusion: From a nutritional aspect, a jejunal pouch interposition after a distal gastrectomy could be an alternative reconstruction method, especially in stage I and II gastric cancer patients, in spite of the longer operation time and the probable delayed gastric emptying.

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THE EFFECT OF NEW BONE FORMATION OF ONLAY BONE GRAFT USING VARIOUS GRAFT MATERIALS WITH A TITANIUM CAP ON THE RABBIT CALVARIUM (가토의 두개골에서 티타늄 반구를 이용한 다양한 onlay bone graft시 골형성 능력)

  • Park, Young-Jun;Choi, Guen-Ho;Jang, Jung-Rok;Jung, Seung-Gon;Han, Man-Seung;Yu, Min-Gi;Kook, Min-Suk;Park, Hong-Ju;Ryu, Sun-Youl;Oh, Hee-Kyun
    • Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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    • v.31 no.6
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    • pp.469-477
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of various graft materials used with a titanium cap on the ability of new bone formation in the rabbit calvarium. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 sites of artificial bony defects were prepared on the calvaria of sixteen rabbits by using a trephine bur 8 mm in diameter. Each rabbit had two defect sites. 0.2 mm deep grooves were formed on the calvaria of sixteen rabbits by using a trephine bur 8 mm in diameter for the fixation of a titanium cap. The treatments were performed respectively as follows: without any graft for the control group (n=8), autogenous iliac bone graft for experimental group 1 (n=8), alloplastic bone graft ($SynthoGraft^{(R)}$, USA) for experimental group 2 (n=8), and xenogenic bone graft ($NuOss^{(R)}$, USA) for experimental group 3 (n=8). After the treatments, a titanium cap (8 mm in diameter, 4 mm high, and 0.2 mm thick) was fixed into the groove. At the third and sixth postoperative weeks, rabbits in each group were sacrificed for histological analysis. Results: 1. In gross examination, the surgical sites showed no signs of inflammation or wound dehiscence, and semicircular-shaped bone remodeling was shown both in the experimental and control groups. 2. In histological analysis, the control group at the third week showed bone remodeling along the inner surface of the cap and at the contact region of the calvarium without any specific infiltration of inflammation tissue. Also, there was no soft tissue infiltration. Bone remodeling was observed around the grafted bone and along the inner surface of the titanium cap in experimental group 1, 2, and 3. 3. Histologically, all groups at the sixth week showed the increased area of bone remodeling and maturation compared to those at the third week. In experimental group 2, the grafted bone was partially absorbed by multi nucleated giant cells and new bone was formed by osteoblasts. In group 3, however, resorption of the grafted bone was not observed. 4. Autogenous bone at the third and sixth week showed the most powerful ability of new bone formation. The size of newly formed bone was in decreasing order by autogenous, alloplastic, and heterogenous bone graft. There was no statistically significant difference among autogenous, alloplastic, and heterogenous bones(p>0.05). Summary: This result suggests that autogenous bone is the best choice for new bone formation, but when autogenous bone graft is in limited availability, alloplastic and xenogenic bone graft also can be an alternative bone graft material to use with a suitably guided membrane.

Grain-Size Trend Analysis for Identifying Net Sediment Transport Pathways: Potentials and Limitations (퇴적물 이동경로 식별을 위한 입도경향 분석법의 가능성과 한계)

  • Kim, Sung-Hwan;Rhew, Ho-Sahng;Yu, Keun-Bae
    • Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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    • v.42 no.4
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    • pp.469-487
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    • 2007
  • Grain-Size Trend Analysis is the methodology to identify net sediment transport pathways, based on the assumption that the movement of sediment from the source to deposit leaves the identifiable spatial pattern of mean, sorting, and skewness of grain size. It can easily be implemented with low cost, so it has great potentials to contribute to geomorphological research, whereas it can also be used inadequately without recognition of its limitations. This research aims to compare three established methods of grain-size trend analysis to search for the adequate way of application, and also suggest the research tasks needed in improving this methodology 1D pathway method can corporate the field experience into analyzing the pathway, provide the useful information of depositional environments through X-distribution, and identify the long-term trend effectively. However, it has disadvantage of the dependence on subjective interpretation, and a relatively coarse temporal scale. Gao-Collins's 2D transport vector method has the objective procedure, has the capability to visualize the transport pattern in 2D format, and to identify the pattern at a finer temporal scale, whereas characteristic distance and semiquantitative filtering are controversial. Le Roux's alternative 2D transport vector method has two improvement of Gao-Collins's in that it expands the empirical rules, considers the gradient of each parameters as well as the order, and has the ability to identify the pattern at a finer temporal scale, while the basic concepts are arbitrary and complicated. The application of grain sire trend analysis requires the selection of adequate method and the design of proper sampling scheme, based on the field knowledge of researcher, the temporal scale of sediment transport pattern targeted, and information needed. Besides, the relationship between the depth of sample and representative temporal scale should be systematically investigated in improving this methodology.

The effect of copper alloy scaler tip on the surface roughness of dental implant and restorative materials (구리 합금 초음파 스케일러 팁이 치과 임플란트 및 수복 재료 표면에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, Ah-Reum;Chung, Chung-Hoon;Jung, Gyu-Un;Pang, Eun-Kyoung
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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    • v.52 no.3
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    • pp.177-185
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    • 2014
  • Purpose: This study is designed to investigate the various impacts of different types of scaler tips such as cooper alloy base tip and the others on the surface roughness of teeth and implant by the method which is currently in clinical use. Materials and methods: Four different types of disc shaped porcelain, titanium, zirconia, and Type III gold alloy dental materials sized 15 mm diameter, 1.5 mm thickness were used for the experiment. Plastic hand curette (Group PS), cooper alloy new tip (Group IS), and stainless steel tip (Group SS) were used as testing appliances. A total of 64 specimens were used for this study; Four specimens for each material and appliance group. Surface roughness was formed with 15 degree angle in ultrasonic scaler tip and with 45 degree angle in hand curette of instrument tip and the specimen surface with 5 mm long, one horizontal-reciprocating motion per second for 30 seconds by 40 g force. To survey the surface roughness of each specimen, a field emission scanning electron microscope, an atomic force microscope, and a surface profiler were used. (Ra, ${\mu}m$). Results: According to SEM, most increased surface roughness was observed in SS group while IS groups had minimal roughness change. Measurement by atomic force microscope presented that the surface roughness of SS group was significantly greater than those of PS, IS and control groups in the type III gold alloy group (P<.05). IS group showed lesser surface roughness changes compared to SS group in porcelain and gold alloy group (P<.05). According to surface profiler, surface roughness of SS group showed greater than those of PS, IS and control groups and IS group showed lesser than those of SS group in all specimen groups. Type III gold alloy group had large changes on surface roughness than those of porcelain, titanium, zirconia (P<.05). Conclusion: The result of this study showed that newly developed copper alloy scaler tip can cause minimal roughness impacts on the surface of implant and dental materials; therefore this may be a useful alternative for prophylaxis of implant and restored teeth.

Pleural Fluid to Serum Cholinesterase Ratio for the Differential Diagnosis of Transudates and Exsudates (여출액과 삼출액의 감별진단을 위한 흉막액과 혈청에서의 Cholinesterase 비율의 진단적 의의)

  • Cho, Ho;Kim, Hyun-Il;Eum, Min-Sup;Kwon, Han-Jin;Oh, Yong-Leul;Kim, Kwang-Suk;Kim, Hui-Jung
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.48 no.5
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    • pp.781-787
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    • 2000
  • Background : The established by Light et al in 1972 have been used widely for the differential diagnosis of the pleural effusions in transudates and exsudates. However, in recent years, several reports have agreed that these criteria misclassified an important number of effusions. For this reason, different parameters have been proposed for differentiating the transudates from exudates. Nevertheless, all these alternative parameters have not been better than the past criteria of Light et al. In response the usefulness of two parameters for differentiating pleural transudate from exudates were evaluated : pleural fluid cholinesterase level and pleural fluid to serum cholinesterase ratio. Methods : A total of forty-three patients with known causes of the pleural of the pleural effusion by diagnostic thoracentesis were studied. The following criteria for differentiating the pleural effusions in transudates and exsudates were analyzed : Ligt's criteria, the pleural fluid cholesterol level, the pleural fluid to serum cholesterol ratio, the pleural fluid cholinesterase level, and the pleural fluid to serum cholinesterase ratio. Results : The conditions of forty-three patients were diagnosed. Ten were classified as having transudates and thirty-three as exudates. The percentage of effusions misclassified by each parameter was as follows : Light's criteria, 9.3% ; pleural fluid cholesterol 2.3% ; pleural fluid to serum cholesterol, ratio, 2.3% ; pleural fluid cholinesterase, 4.7% ; and pleural fluid to serum chlinesterase ratio, 2.3%. Conclusions : The pleural fluid to serum cholinesterase ratio is one of the accurate criteria for differentiating pleural transudates from exudates. If fur1her studies confirm the results, the cholinesterase ratio could be used as the first step in the evaluation of pleural effusion and, if evaluated together with the other criteria, the differentiation of pleural transudate from exsudates will become more accurate.

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The Reconstruction with Extracorporeal Irradiated Autograft for Osteosarcoma of Extremities (사지 골육종에서 체외 방사선 조사를 이용한 재건술)

  • Kim, Jae-Do;Lee, Gun-Woo;Chung, So-Hak
    • The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: With advances in various treatment modalities, limb salvage surgery has been commonly used in osteosarcoma of extremities. An alternative method for skeletal reconstruction is reimplantation of the tumor bearing bone following extracorporeal irradiation (ECI). We report the long-term results of ECI autograft in aspect of the oncological and functional outcomes, and complications. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 31 osteosarcoma patients who underwent reconstruction with ECI between July 1995 and January 2006. There were 24 males and 7 females with a mean age of 24 (7-74 years) and a mean follow-up of 117 months (17-177 months). Twenty-five cases were reconstructed with ECI autograft, 6 cases with ECI autograft-prosthesis composite. The pathologic subtypes were conventional in 29 cases, periosteal in 1 case, and parosteal in 1 case. The most common location of tumor was distal femur (15 cases) followed by humerus (3), proximal fibula (3) and proximal tibia (3). Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was used for functional evaluation. The overall survival rate, local recurrence, complications were analyzed. Results: The overall survival rate was 80.6% and the disease-free survival rate was 64.5%. Five patients died of distant metastasis. One patient required above-knee amputation due to local recurrence. All of them, twenty-three complications occurred, which included nonunion in 7 cases, deep infection in 5 cases, joint instability in 4 cases, metal failure in 2 cases, Limb-length discrepancy (LLD) in 2 cases, periprosthetic fracture in 1 case, epiphyseal collapse in 1, local recurrence in 1 case. The mean MSTS functional score was 62.5%. Conclusion: Extracorporeal irradiated autograft can be achieved relatively good result in aspect of oncological and functional aspect, but is needed to be additional research about occurring many complications. The reconstruction with ECI after intercalary or fragmentary resection is effective reconstruction in aspect of oncological and functional result, complications.

Comparison of C-reactive Protein between Capillary and Venous Blood in Children (소아에 있어서 C-반응성 단백의 모세혈 및 정맥혈 검사의 비교평가)

  • Jin, Ji Hoon;Jung, Soo Ho;Hong, Young Jin;Son, Byong Kwan;Kim, Soon Ki
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.101-107
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    • 2010
  • Purpose : In evaluation of patients, laboratory results are crucial in determination of a treatment plan. Obtaining venous blood from infants and children is a difficult procedure. Substitution of a capillary blood sample for a venous blood sample has been suggested. However, there are few studies showing mutual correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) results in capillary and venous blood. This study was designed to determine whether the result of the capillary sample is the same as the result of the venous blood sample. Methods : After informed consent, a pair of venous and fingertip capillary blood samples were simultaneously collected from 100 children. The LC-178CRPTM was used for analysis of capillary blood and the Hitachi 7180 automatic hematology analyzer was used for analysis of venous blood. We compared CRP of both venous and capillary blood samples. Results were analyzed by crosstabulation analysis, simple regression analysis and the Bland Altman Plot method. Results : A close correlation (90.63%) was observed between capillary and venous blood analyzed by crosstabulation analysis. CRP results were similar between the two groups and showed a high coefficient correlation ($\beta$=1.3434, $R^2$=0.9888, P<0.0001) when analyzed by a simple regression model. The average value in venous blood was also higher compared to capillary blood. According to Bland Altman Plot analysis, lab results were measured at a 95% confidence interval. Conclusion : CRP results from capillary blood showed close correlation with venous blood sampling. At present, venous blood sampling is the preferred method. However, due to difficulty in venous blood sampling, capillary sampling could be considered as an alternative technique for use with children.

Preoperative Detection of Hepatic Metastases from the colorectal Cancers: Comparison of Dual-phase CT scan, Mn-DPDP enhanced MRI, and combination of CT and MRI (대장암의 간 전이 진단: 이중시기 CT, Mn-DPDP 조영증강 MRI, 그리고 CT-MRI 종합 판독의 비교)

  • Shin, Kyung-Min;Kim, Jong-Yeol;Choi, Gyu-Seok;Kim, Hye-Jeong;Lee, Jong-Min;Chang, Yong-Min;Kim, Yong-Seon;Kang, Duk-Sik;Ryeom, Hun-Kyu
    • Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.109-116
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    • 2005
  • Purpose : To determine the usefulness of additional Mn-DPDP MRI for preoperative evaluation of the patients with colorectal cancers by comparison of dual-phase CT scan, Mn-DPDP enhanced MRI and combination of CT and MRI. Materials and Methods : Fifty-three colorectal cancer patients with 92 metastatic nodules underwent dualphase (arterial and portal) helical CT scan and Mn-DPDP MRI prior to surgery. The indication of MRI was presence or suspected of having metastatic lesions at CT scan and/or increased serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels (10 ng/mL or more). The diagnosis was established by the combination of findings at surgery, intraoperative ultrasonography, and histopathologic examination. Two radiologists interpreted CT, MRI, and combination of CT-MRI at discrete sessions and evaluated each lesion for location, size, and intrinsic characteristics. The lesions were divided into three groups according to their diameter; 1cm<, 1-2 cm, and >2 cm. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the alternative-free response receiver operating characteristic method. Detection and false positive rate were also evaluated. Results : In the lesions smaller than 1 cm, detection rate of combined CT-MRI was superior to CT or MRI alone (82%, p=0.036). The mean accuracy (Az values) of combined CT and MRI was significantly higher than that of CT in the lesions smaller than 2 cm (1 cm<, p=0.034; 1-2 cm, p=0.045). However, there was no significant difference between MRI and combined CT-MRI. The false positive rate of CT was higher than those of combined CT-MR in the lesions smaller than 1 cm (28%, p=0.023). Conclusion : Additional MRI using Mn-DPDP besides routine CT scan was helpful in differentiating the hepatic lesions (<2 cm) and could improve detection of the small hepatic metastases (<1 cm) from colorectal carcinoma.

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