• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 2014

Purpose : To determine the incidence of truncated triangle appearance of anterior horn (AH) to body of medial meniscus (MM) and determine its clinical significance. Materials and Methods: IRB approval was obtained, and informed consent waived for this study. The criteria of "pseudoradial tear" was truncated triangle appearance of the tip of AH to body of MM on one or more coronal images with adjacent fluid signal intensity at the blunted tip. Two musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively evaluated 485 knee MR images independently for the presence and number of sections with "pseudoradial tear" of AH to body of MM using proton density-weighted coronal MR images. Inter-and intraobserver agreement was calculated using kappa coefficients. Medical records were reviewed for arthroscopic correlation. Results: A pseudoradial tear in the AH to body of MM was present in 381 (78.6%) patients. Locations were 112 in AH (29.4%), 143 in AH to body (37.5%), and 126 in body (33.1%). Number of consecutive sections of pseudoradial tear were 1 in 100 (26.2%), 2 in 164 (43.0%), 3 in 94 (24.7%), 4 in 21 (5.5%), and 5 in 2 (0.5%). Interobserver agreement was 0.99 for presence and 0.43 for number of sections of pseudoradial tear. Arthroscopies were performed in 96 patients and none of the pseudoradial tears were proven as true radial tears on arthroscopy. Conclusion: Pseudoradial tears are frequently seen in AH to body of MM on coronal MR images and may be another pitfall that a radiologist needs to be aware of and be able to differentiate from true radial tear.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2014

Purpose : To evaluate the prevalence and pattern of perfusion defect (PD) on first-pass stress perfusion MR imaging in relation with the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (APH). Materials and Methods: Cardiac MR imaging with first-pass stress perfusion, cine, and LGE sequence was performed in 26 patients with APH from January 2008 to December 2012. We analyzed a total of 416 segments for LV wall thickness on end-diastolic phase of cine images, and evaluated the number of hypertrophied segment and number of consecutive hypertrophied segment (NCH). We assessed the presence or absence of PD and LGE from all patients. If there was PD, we subdivided the pattern into sporadic (sporadic-PD) or ring (ring-PD). Using univariate logistic method, we obtained the independent predictor for presence of overall PD and ring-PD. Results: PD on stress perfusion MRI was observed in 20 patients (76.9%), 12 of them (60%) showed ring-PD. Maximal LV wall thickness and number of hypertrophied segment were independent predictors for overall PD (all, p < 0.05). NCH with more than 3 segments was an additional independent factor for ring-PD. However, LGE was not statistically related with PD in patients with APH. Conclusion: About three quarters of the patients with APH showed PD, most of them represented as ring-PD. LVH degree or distribution was related with pattern of PD, however, LGE was not related with PD. Therefore, the clinical significance of PD in the patients with APH seems to be different from those with non-APH, and further comparison study between the two groups should be carried out.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.481-487
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• 2010

Purpose: Recently many studies show early exposure during childhood growth to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharides, LPS) and/or early exposure to allergens exhibit important role in development of allergy including bronchial asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of endotoxin and allergen exposure in early life via the airways in the pathogenesis of allergic airways inflammation and airway hyperresposiveness (AHR) in mouse model of asthma. Methods: Less than one week-old Balb/c mice was used. Groups of mice were received either a single intranasal instillation of sterile physiologic saline, 1% ovalbumin (OVA), LPS or $1.0{\mu}g$ LPS in 1% OVA. On 35th day, these animals were sensitized with 1% OVA for 10 consecutive days via the airways. Animals were challenged with ovalbumin for 3 days on 55th days, and airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, and cytokine expression were assessed. Measurements of airway function were obtained in unrestrained animals, using whole-body plethysmography. Airway responsiveness was expressed in terms of % enhanced pause (Penh) increase from baseline to aerosolized methacholine. Lung eosinophilia, serum OVA-IgE and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cytokine levels were also assessed. ANOVA was used to determine the levels of difference between all groups. Comparisons for all pairs were performed by Tukey-Kramer honest significant difference test; $P$ values for significance were set to 0.05. Results: Sensitized and challenged mice with OVA showed significant airway eosinophilia and heightened responsiveness to methacholine. Early life exposure of OVA and/or LPS via the airway prevented both development of AHR as well as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilia. Exposure with OVA or LPS also resulted in suppression of interleukin (IL)-4, 5 production in BAL fluid and OVA specific IgE in blood. Conclusion: These results indicate that antigen and/or LPS exposure in the early life results in inhibition of allergic responses to OVA in this mouse model of astham. Our data show that early life exposure with OVA and/or LPS may have a protective role in the development of allergic airway inflammation and development of allergen-induced airway responses in mouse model of asthma.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.220-228
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• 2007

Purpose : We studied the value of clinical signs, laboratory findings and $^{99m}technetium$ dime-rcaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) scan in predicting the presence of vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in children with first febrile urinary tract infection(UTI). Methods : A retrospective analysis of 84 hospitalized children with first febrile UTI was performed. They underwent DMSA scan and voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) during the acute phase, and were divided into three groups according to the results of the VCUG: absence of VUR, mild(grade I-II) and severe VUR(grade III-V). We studied the relation of VUR to age, gender, fever duration, causative organism, white blood cell count, serum C-reactive protein and result of DMSA scan. Results : Among 84 patients, 6 had mild and 17 had severe VUR. Thirty-eight had abnormal DMSA scan. results Patients with VUR were older than those without VUR(P<0.01). There was a lower probability of infection with Escherichia coli in patients with severe VUR than in those with mild and absent VUR(P<0.01). An abnormal DMSA scan correlated with the presence and severity of VUR(P<0.05). Severe VUR was present in 10.9% of patients with normal DMSA scan. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the DMSA scan in predicting the presence of VUR were 69.6%, 63.9%, 42.1%, and 84.8%, respectively. Conclusion : An abnormal DMSA scan correlated to the presence and severity of VUR, but the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the DMSA scan were low. There-fore, patient with an abnormal DMSA scan requires a VCUG. In order to prevent missing the 10.9% of patients with severe VUR but normal DMSA scans, a VCUG should be performed in patient with normal DMSA scan.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.177-185
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• 1994

Pharmacologic coronary vasodilation in conjunction with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy has become an alternative to dynamic exercise test for the diagnosis and risk stratification of coronary artery disease, especially in patients who are unable to perform adequate exercise. Dipyridamole and adenosine have been used for pharmacologic stress testing with myocardial perfusion imaging. Adenosine is a potent coronary vasodilator with rapid onset of action, short half-life, near maximal coronary vasodilation and less serious side effects. ST segment depression has been reported in about 7-15% of patients with coronary artery disease receiving dipyridamole in conjunction with myocardial perfusion imaging. The exact cause and clinical significance are not known. In order to evaluate the relationship between adenosine-induced ST segment depression during $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and the severity of coronary artery disease, we performed $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI imaging after intravenous Infusion of adenosine In 120 patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Of the 120 patients, 28 also performed coronary angiography. There were 24 patients with ST segment depression during $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI scintigraphy and 96 patients without ST segment depression. Adenosine was infused Intravenously at a dose of 0.14mg/kg per minute lot 6minutes and $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI was injected at 3 minute. We then com-pared the hemodynamic changes, side effects, scintigraphic and angiographic findings. Heart rate increased $90{\pm}19$ beats/minute in the group with ST depression compared with $80{\pm}16$ beats/minute in the group without ST depression(p<0.05). Baseline systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the group with ST depression($152{\pm}27$ mmHg) than in the group without 57 depression($140{\pm}21$mmHg, p<0.05). Double product at baseline($10.90{\pm}2.77$ versus $9.55{\pm}2.34\;beats/minute{\times}mmHg$) and during adenosine infusion($12.72{\pm}3.89$ versus $10.83{\pm}2.98\;beats/minute{\times}mmHg$) were significantly higher in the group with ST depression(p<0.05). The incidence of anginal chest pain was also significantly higher in the group with ST depression(ST versus 29%, p<0.0001). The $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI images were abnormal in 23(96%) patients with ST segment depression and 66(69%) patients without ST segment depression(p<0.05). In patients with ST segment depression, there were more reversible perfusion defects than in patients without ST segment depression(83 versus 55%, p<0.05). The number of abnormal segments were significantly higher in the group with ST depression($3.05{\pm}2.01$ versus $1.51{\pm}1.45$, p<0.005). In patients with ST segment depression, there were more segments of reversible perfusion defects than in patients without segment depression($2.15{\pm}2.11$ versus $0.89{\pm}1.24$, p<0.05). There were no differences in the angiographic severity by vessel(p ; NS). We concluded that ST segment depression during $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with Intravenous adenosine is related to the severity of coronary artery disease.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2012

Purpose: The association of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, deletions and copy number with progressive changes in patients with some glomerular disease and end-stage renal disease have been reported. In this study, we performed mtDNA mutation analysis in children with IgA nephropathy to investigate its role in progressive clinical course. Methods: Seven children with IgA nephropathy were involved in this study. MtDNA isolated from platelet was amplified by PCR and sequenced entirely. Results: The mean age at renal biopsy was $11.5{\pm}2.2$ year and the mean age at latest evaluation was $17.9{\pm}3.2$ year. The mean follow-up period were $7.8{\pm}3.1$ years. Patients was divided into 2 groups according to the amount of proteinuria at presenting manifestation. Group 2 patients were nephrotic syndrome. Renal function reveals within normal range in all patients. In group 2 patients, the mean serum albumin level was significantly lower than those of group 1 ($3.7{\pm}0.6g/dL$ vs. $4.7{\pm}0.2g/dL$, P=0.0241) and the mean total cholesterol level was significantly higher than those of group 1 ($222.7{\pm}35.7mg/dL$ vs. $148.3{\pm}29.1mg/dL$, P=0.0283). In Group 2 patients, total amount of protein of 24 hour collected urine also significantly higher than those of group 1 ($1,466.0{\pm}742.5mg$ vs. $122.5{\pm}48.1mg$, P=0.0135). Pr/Cr ratio in random urine sample was also higher in group 2 than those of group 1 but the statistical significance was not noted ($1.8{\pm}1.6$ vs. $0.2{\pm}0.2$, P=0.0961). Deletion of mtDNA nt 8272-8281 were observed in two patients, one patient in each groups, respectively. This is noncoding lesion. No patients demonstrated the mtDNA mutations. Conclusions: We have identified a deletion of mtDNA nt 8272-8281 in two children with IgA nephropathy. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of mitochondrial function in the progressive change of IgA nephropathy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.230-237
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• 1999

Purpose : To elucidate the effects of pentoxifylline and diltiazem on the late response of the salivary glands of the rat after irradiation. Materials and Methods : Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups : (a) irradiation alone (b) irradiation with pentixifylline (PTX) (c) irradiation with diltiazem (DTZ) (d) irradiation with both PTX and DTZ. Irradiation was given in a single fraction of 16 Gy using 4 MV photon energy through an anterior port encompassing the left side of the salivary gland leaving the right side of salivary gland as a control. PTX, 20 mg/kg and/or DTZ, 50 mg/kg were infused intraperitoneally before irradiation, Two rats from each group were sacrificed on the 10th week and the rest was sacrificed on the 16th week after irradiation. Histopathologic examinations were undertaken for each section and the proportion of vacuolated cells out of the total number of cells under light microscopic fields was calculated. The statistical significance in the difference of the proportion of the vacuolated cells among the experimental groups was evaluated by a $x^2$-test. Results : Irradiated salivary glands of the 10th week group revealed markedly increased number of vacuolated cells compared to those of unirradiated control. The proportion of vacuolated cells was significantly reduced in both the PTX group (p value=0.001) and the combined PTX and DTX group compared to those of irradiation alone group. The DTZ alone group did not reveal the significant reduction of vacuolated cells compared to those of irradiation alone group (p value, >0.05). The 16th week groups revealed similar findings to those of the 10th week group, but the degree of chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates and interstitial fibrosis was increased and the number of acinar cells was reduced compared to those of the 10th week group. Conclusions : PTX significantly reduced the late radiation response of salivary glands, but DTZ did not reduce the same degree as PTX did. Taking the positive results of this study into consideration, it seems reasonable to apply PTX into the clinical trial for the head and neck irradiation to reduce the late radiation sequelae of salivary glands in the near future. At the same time the further experiment to clarify the subcellar mechni는 involved in PTX should be preceded.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.118-124
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• 2007

[ $\underline{Purpose}$ ]: This study was to evaluate the survival and pattern of failure after radiation therapy of sino-nasal cancer using partial attenuation filer and wedged beams and to help radiotherapy planning of sino-nasal cancer. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: Between February 1992 and March 2003, 17 patients with sino-nasal cancers underwent radiation therapy using partial attenuation filter at Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung university. There were 9 male and 8 female patients. Patients' age ranged from 40 to 75 years (median 59 years). There were 10 patients of maxillary sinus cancer, 7 patiens of nasal cancer. The histologic type was squamous cell carcinoma in 11, adenoid cystic carcinoma in 4 and olfactory neuroblastoma in 2. The distribution of clinical stage by the AJCC system was 3 for stage II, 7 for III and 6 for IV. The five patients were treated with radiation alone and 12 patients were treated with surgery and postoperative radiation therapy. The range of total radiation dose delivered to the primary tumor was from 44 to 76 Gy (median 60 Gy). The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 173 months with median of 78 months. $\underline{Results}$: The overall 2 year survival rate and disease free survival rate was 76.4%. The 5 year and 10 year survival rate were 76.4% and 45.6% and the 5 year and 10 year disease free survival rate was 70.6%. The 5 year disease free survival rate by treatment modality was 91.6% for postoperative radiation group and 20% for radiation alone group, statistical significance was found by treatment modality (p=0.006). There were no differences in survival by pathology and stage. There were local failure in 5 patients (29%) but no distant failure and no severe complication required surgical intervention. $\underline{Conclusion}$: Radiation therapy of sino-nasal cancer using partial attenuation filter was safe and effective. Combined modality with conservative surgery and radiation therapy was more advisable to achieve loco-regional control in sino-nasal cancer. Also we considered high precision radiation therapy with dose escalation and development of multi-modality treatment to improve local control and survival rate in advanced sino-nasal cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.161-167
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• 1998

Purpose: Segmental parenchymal excretion delay on Tc-99m DISIDA scan is caused by intrahepatic bile duct obstruction. However, the diagnostic value for intrahepatic bile duct obstruction is unknown. We conducted this study to assess the positive predictive value of segmental excretion delay for the diagnosis of intrahepatic bile duct obstruction, and additional benefit over other noninvasive radiologic studies. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 43 patients (48 scans) who showed segmental parenchymal excretion delay on Tc-99m DISIDA scan. The results of abdominal CT or ultrasonography, which was done within 1 month of Tc-99m DISIDA scan, were compared with scintigraphic findings. Results: The etiology of segmental parenchymal excretion delay was determined by ERC or PTC in 31 scans, and follow-up studies in 13 scans. No causes were identified in 4 scans. The positive predictive value of segmental parenchymal excretion delay for intrahepatic bile ductobstruction was 92% (44/48). On the other hand, 13% (5/38) of CT and 28% (5/18) of ultrasonography were normal. In 18% (7138) of CT and 17% (3/18) of ultrasonography, only intraheipatic bile duct dilatation was noted without any diagnostic findings of intrahepatic bile duct obstruction. Conclusion: Segmental parenchymal excretion delay on Tc-99m DISIDA scan had a high positive predictive value for the diagnosis of intrahepatic bile duct obstruction. Tc-99m DISIDA scan may be useful for the diagnosis of intrahepatic bile duct obstruction, especially in patients with nondiagnostic CT or ultrasonography. The diagnostic usefulness need to be confirmed by further prospective studies.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.317-325
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• 1994

The accuracy of dipyridamole stress/rest $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI myocardial imaging for detection of ischemia depends on reproducible image interpretation. To evaluate the reproducibility of visual assessment, agreement in interpretation among two independent observers, blind-ed to clinical data, was evaluated in SPECT images of 131 patients (94 males, 38 females; mean age $58{\pm}7yr$) with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent both dipyridamole stress/rest $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI myocardial SPECT and coronary angiography. The left ventricle was divided into twenty-nine segments in stress and rest SPECT images and each segment was visually graded according to a five-point scale (segmental score : 0=normal, 1=equivocal, 2=mild decrease, 3=severe decrease and 4=absent uptake). Overall concordance of segmental scoring between the two observers was 80%. The Pear-son's correlation coefficient (r) of the segmental scores for stress and rest images were 0.67 and 0.65, respectively, while the difference in score between the two images showed a correlation of 0.45 (all p<0.001). Agreement between two observers in final SPECT diagnosis as absence or presence of disease was 93%. The degree of agreement in segmental scoring showed no difference between patients with or without agreement as to the presence of disease. Therefore it appeared that cases with inconcordant diagnosis between the 2 observers were mainly due to a difference in individual threshold for interpretating the significance of a particular decreased uptake area rather than to a difference in perceiving the degree of the hypoactivity Thus, establishment of individual optimum thresholds in visual interpretation of myocardial SPECT may be helpful to improve reproducibility and accuracy of scan diagnosis.