• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제65권1호
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• pp.123-129
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• 2022

Objective : Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common pathology in daily neurosurgical practice and incidence increases with age. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic factors and surgical outcome of CSDH in patients aging over 90 years compared with a control group of patients aging under 90 years. Methods : This study reviewed 25 patients with CSDH aged over 90 years of age treated in our department. This group was compared with a younger group of 25 patients aged below their eighties. At admission past medical history was recorded concerning comorbidities (hypertension, dementia, ictus cerebri, diabetes, and heart failure or attack). History of alcohol abuse, anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy, head trauma and seizures were analyzed. Standard neurological examination and Markwalder score at admission, 48 hours after surgery and 1-6 months follow-up, radiologic data including location and CSDH maximum thickness were also evaluated. Results : Their mean age was 92.8 years and the median was 92.4 years (range, 90-100 years). In older group, the Markwalder evaluation at one month documented the complete recovery of 24 patients out of 25 without statistical difference with the younger group. This data was confirmed at 6-month follow-up. One patient died from cardiovascular failure 20 days after surgery. The presence of comorbidities, risk factors (antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulant therapy, history of alcohol abuse, and head trauma), preoperative symptoms, mono or bilateral CSDH, maximum thickness of hematoma, surgical time and recurrence were similar and statistically not significant in both groups. Conclusion : In this study, we demonstrate that surgery for very old patients above 90 years of age affected by CSDH is safe and allows complete recovery. Comparing two groups of patients above and under 90 years old we found that complication rate and recovery were similar in both groups.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.220-234
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• 2022

Purpose: The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) has increased in recent years, and the optimal surgical strategy for AEG remains highly controversial. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (PG-DT) for the treatment of patients with AEG. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with Siewert type II/III AEG between January 2013 and July 2018. Clinicopathological characteristics, survival, surgical outcomes, quality of life (QOL), and nutritional status were compared between the PG-DT and total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis (TG-RY) groups. Results: After propensity score matching, 33 patients in each group were analyzed. There were no statistical differences between the 2 groups in terms of disease-free survival and overall survival. The surgical option was not an independent prognostic factor based on the multivariate analysis. In addition, no differences were found in terms of surgical complications. There were no significant differences in QOL assessed by the Visick grade, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, or endoscopic findings. Furthermore, the long-term nutritional advantage of the PG-DT group was significantly greater than that of the TG-RY group. Conclusions: PG-DT is a safe and effective procedure for patients with local Siewert type II/III AEG, regardless of the TNM stage.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.112-120
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• 2022

Background: The prognostic factors for patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears (RCTs) include tear size, muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration. However, the influence of early coexisting degenerative changes on RCT outcomes is unappreciated. The purpose of this study was to calculate the impact that pre-existing partial glenohumeral cartilaginous changes have on patients undergoing arthroscopic RCT repair. Methods: A study of 54 patients undergoing arthroscopic RCT repair was undertaken. The presence of co-existing patches of glenohumeral degenerative cartilaginous changes and RCT size was recorded at surgery. Pre- and postoperative outcomes were assessed using traditional (Oxford Shoulder Score [OSS], 5-level EuroQol-5D [EQ-5D-5L] questionnaire and EuroQol visual analog scale [EQ-VAS]) and patient-centric re-formatted prisms. Outcomes were assessed as an entire dataset, and sub-group analysis was performed according to the grade of co-existing arthritis and tear size. Results: Significant improvements (p<0.05) in clinical outcomes were recognized when assessed using either the traditional or reformatted prisms (average % improvements in OSS, EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS were 47%, 33% and 43%, respectively; average improvements in pain, function, and psychological well-being were 48%, 33% and, 29%, respectively). Positive gain was noted in all sub-groups of arthritic grading and tear size. Conclusions: Good clinical outcomes can be achieved following RCT repair even in the presence of local partial degenerative cartilage changes and advancing tear size. These benefits are patient-centered but require RCT repairability.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.408-417
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• 2022

Purpose: Treatment options are limited after the failure of first-and second-line treatments in patients with HER2⁺ metastatic gastric cancer (mGC). The present study aimed to explore the efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of apatinib efficacy as a third-line therapy for patients with human epithelial growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2⁺) mGC. Materials and Methods: A total of 59 HER2⁺ mGC patients who received apatinib as third-line therapy were retrospectively enrolled in this two-center, single-arm, cohort study; the clinical response, survival data, and adverse events were retrieved. Results: The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9-6.5), and the median overall survival (OS) was 8.2 months (95% CI, 6.6-9.8) Furthermore, forward stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that a higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score and multiple metastases were independently correlated with decreased PFS and OS (both P<0.05). The main adverse events were leukopenia (45.8%), hypertension (44.1%), thrombocytopenia (39.0%), hand-foot syndrome (37.3%), and elevated transaminase (33.9%). Grade 3 adverse events mainly included hypertension (5.1%) and neutropenia (5.1%); grade 4 adverse events did not occur. Conclusions: Apatinib is efficient and well tolerated in patients with HER2⁺ mGC as a third-line treatment, suggesting that it may be a candidate of choice for these patients.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.10-19
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• 2023

Background: Tendon degeneration contributes to rotator cuff tears; however, its role in postoperative structural integrity is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with postoperative structural integrity after rotator cuff repair, particularly focusing on the histology of tendons harvested intraoperatively. Methods: A total of 56 patients who underwent primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between 2009 and 2011 were analyzed. A 3-mm-diameter sample of supraspinatus tendons was harvested en bloc from each patient after minimal debridement of the torn ends. Tendon degeneration was assessed using seven histological parameters on a semi-quantitative grading scale, and the total degeneration score was calculated. One-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was used to classify the patients based on retear. Results: The total degeneration scores in the healed and retear groups were 13.93±2.03 and 14.08±2.23 (P=0.960), respectively. Arthroscopically measured anteroposterior (AP) tear sizes in the healed and retear groups were 24.30±12.35 mm and 36.42±25.23 mm (P=0.026), respectively. Preoperative visual analog scale pain scores at rest in the healed and retear groups were 3.54±2.37 and 5.16±2.16 (P=0.046), respectively. Retraction sizes in the healed and retear groups were 16.02±7.587 mm and 22.33±13.364 mm (P=0.037), respectively. The odds of retear rose by 4.2% for every 1-mm increase in AP tear size (P=0.032). Conclusions: The postoperative structural integrity of the rotator cuff tendon was not affected by tendon degeneration, whereas the arthroscopically measured AP tear size of the rotator cuff tendon was an independent predictor of retear. Level of evidence: III.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권9호
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• pp.1095-1103
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• 2020

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate whether quantitative dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) parameters offer an incremental risk stratification benefit over the CT ventricular diameter ratio in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) by using propensity score analysis. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 480 patients with acute PE who underwent CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or DECT pulmonary angiography (DE CT-PA). This propensity-matched study population included 240 patients with acute PE each in the CTPA and DECT groups. Altogether, 260 (54.1%) patients were men, and the mean age was 64.9 years (64.9 ± 13.5 years). The primary endpoint was all-cause death within 30 days. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify associations between CT parameters and outcomes and to identify potential predictors. Concordance (C) statistics were used to compare the prognoses between the two groups. Results: In both CTPA and DECT groups, right to left ventricle diameter ratio ≥ 1 was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death within 30 days (hazard ratio: 3.707, p < 0.001 and 5.573, p < 0.001, respectively). However, C-statistics showed no statistically significant difference between the CTPA and DECT groups for predicting death within 30 days (C-statistics: 0.759 vs. 0.819, p = 0.117). Conclusion: Quantitative measurement of lung perfusion defect volume by DECT had no added benefit over CT ventricular diameter ratio for predicting all-cause death within 30 days.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.152-164
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• 2020

Purpose: To compare long-term disease-free survival (DFS) between patients receiving tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil (S-1) or capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) for gastric cancer (GC). Materials and Methods: This retrospective multicenter observational study enrolled 983 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with consecutive AC with S-1 or CAPOX for stage II or III GC at 27 hospitals in Korea between February 2012 and December 2013. We conducted propensity score matching to reduce selection bias. Long-term oncologic outcomes, including DFS rate over 5 years (over-5yr DFS), were analyzed postoperatively. Results: The median and longest follow-up period were 59.0 and 87.6 months, respectively. DFS rate did not differ between patients who received S-1 and CAPOX for pathologic stage II (P=0.677) and stage III (P=0.899) GC. Moreover, hazard ratio (HR) for recurrence did not differ significantly between S-1 and CAPOX (reference) in stage II (HR, 1.846; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.693-4.919; P=0.220) and stage III (HR, 0.942; 95% CI, 0.664-1.337; P=0.738) GC. After adjustment for significance in multivariate analysis, pT (4 vs. 1) (HR, 11.667; 95% CI, 1.595-85.351; P=0.016), pN stage (0 vs. 3) (HR, 2.788; 95% CI, 1.502-5.174; P=0.001), and completion of planned chemotherapy (HR, 2.213; 95% CI, 1.618-3.028; P<0.001) were determined as independent prognostic factors for DFS. Conclusions: S-1 and CAPOX AC regimens did not show significant difference in over-5yr DFS after curative gastrectomy in patients with stage II or III GC. The pT, pN stage, and completion of planned chemotherapy were prognostic factors for GC recurrence.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.11-20
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• 2006

목적: 국소적으로 진행된, 절제 불가능한 췌장암 치료에 있어 고식적 방사선 치료와 비교하여 Cyberknife(CK)를 이용한 정위 방사선 치료의 생존율 및 급성 독성에 대해 분석하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 2003년 4월부터 2004년 4월까지의, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 활동도 3 이하이며 CT 및 PET/CT로 평가하여 원격 전이 없는 국소 진행된 췌장암 환자 19명을 대상으로 하였다 대상 환자는 점차 방사선량을 증가시키는 방법으로 33 Gy, 36 Gy, 39 Gy를 3분할로 각각 6명, 4명, 9명에서 CK를 이용한 정위 방사선 치료를 시행하였으며, 생존율 및 Radiation Therapeutic Oncology Group (RTOG) acute radiation morbidity criteria에 의한 위장관 독성을 분석하였다 또한 나이, 성별, ECOG 수행 점수, 항암 치료, 우회로 조성술(bypass surgery) 여부, 방사선량, CAl9-9, 계획용 표적 체적(planning target volume, PTV), CT상 주위 장기 및 혈관 침범 여부 등을 Log Rank test를 이용하여 예후 인자를 평가하였다. 결과: 본 연구에서 중앙 생존 기간은 11개월, 1년 생존율은 36.8%였다. 추적 조사 기간 중(범위 $3{\sim}20$개월, 중앙값 10개월) 유의한 위장관 급성 독성은 관찰되지 않았다 단일 인자 분석에서 계획용 표적 체적만이 유의한 예후 인자로 80cc 이하인 경우가 80cc 이상인 경우보다 생존율이 높았으며(p-value < 0.05), 나이, 성별, ECOG 수행 점수, 항암 치료, 우회로 조성술, CAl9-9 수치, 주위 장기 및 혈관 침범 여부 등에서는 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 다인자 분석에서는 65세 이하인 경우와 PTV 80 co 이하인 경우에서 생존율이 높았다. 결론: 고식적 방사선 치료, 고선량 입체조형 방사선 치료(high dose conformal radiation therapy), 수술 중 방사선 치료(intraoperative radiation therapy) 또는 세기 조절 방사선 치료(Intensity modulated radiation therapy, IMRT)를 이용한 최근의 결과와 비교하여 CK를 이용한 정위 방사선 치료는 생존율 측면에서 비슷하거나 나은 결과를 보였다. 또한 심각한 부작용은 관찰되지 않았으며 짧은 기간의 치료로 환자에게 편의를 제공할 수 있어 결과적으로 삶의 질을 향상시킬 수 있을 것이다. 따라서, 이 새로운 치료 방법은 국소 진행된, 절제 불가능한 췌장암 환자에서 심각한 부작용 없는 효과적인 치료가 될 것으로 생각된다. 또한 계획용 표적 체적은 CK 치료의 유용한 예후 인자로 사용될 것이다.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.289-300
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• 2001

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein that synthesizes telomere repeats. It has been reported that activation of telomerase was associtated with immortalization, proliferative activity and carcinogenesis. Recently, telomerase activity has been extensively studied in many kinds of malignant tumors for clinical diagnostic and/or prognostic utilities. In neuroblastoma, breast carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, close relationship has been reported between high telomerase activity and lymph node metastasis, tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical implication of telomerase activity assay as an adjunctive factor in decision-making on neck node management, speedy pre-operative judging on histologic malignancy grading. Thus we performed semi-quantitative assay of telomerase activity using Telomerase PCR ELISA $kit^{(R)}$(Boeringer Manheim, Germany) and evaluated correlation between telomerase activity and tumor size, neck node metastasis, Anneroth malignancy score and influence of pre-operative chemotherapy on its activity in 27 cases of oral squamous cell carcinomas and 18 cases of normal oral epithelium. Also, correlation between telomerase activities and PCNA indices was evaluated. The results were obtained as follows: 1. The telomerase activities were detected in 24 specimens out of 27 oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens (88.9%) and in 5 specimens out of 18 normal oral epithelium specimens (27.8%). The mean value of telomerase activities was $0.9793{\pm}0.3428$ in 24 oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens and $0.4855{\pm}0.1117$ in 5 normal oral epithelium specimens. The positivity rate and mean value of telomerase activities in oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens were significantly higher than those of normal oral epithelium specimens (p<0.05). 2. There was no significant correlation between total Anneroth malignancy score and telomerase activity (p>0.05), but points of mitosis index and depth of invasion were significantly correlated with telomerase activities (p<0.05). 3. The positive immunohistochemical staining for PCNA(proliferating cell nuclear antigen) was observed in 26 specimens out of 27 oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens and mean value of PCNA indices of 26 specimens was $53.67{\pm}26.46$. PCNA indices were significantly correlated with telomerase activities (p<0.05). 4. The mean value of telomerase activities was significantly higher in pathologic T3/T4 group than in T1/T2 group (p<0.01). There was no significant difference of mean value of telomerase activities between pathologic neck node positive group and negative group (p> 0.05). Pre-operative chemotherapy significantly lowered the telomerase activities (p<0.05). The above results suggested telomerase activity could be used as diagnostic marker and adjunctive parameter for judging on histologic malignancy in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.929-933
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• 2012

This study was done to examine the prognosis according to onset and duration of treatment in acute ischemic cerebral infarction patients. We analysed NIHSS(National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) score of acute ischemic cerebral infarction patients who visited department of Internal Korean Medicine, one medical center in Busan from January to December 2009. We divided patients into two groups by the initial time of treatment. Group A is admitted within 7 days, Group B is admitted from 7 to 14 days. We used NIHSS for functional recovery after 3 weeks later from admission day, and analyzed prognostic factor by analysis of covariance. All patients showed statistically significant improvement after 1week, 2weeks, 3weeks from admission, and between 1st week and 2nd week. However, there was no significant difference between 2nd week and 3rd week. NIHSS recovery score after 3weeks were analysed according to the timing of treatment. There was a statistically significant difference between two groups. The percentage of aggravated patients showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. This study suggests that earlier admission care has an effect on functional recovery of patients with acute ischemic cerebral infarction. Further research on the large scale and long-term follow up is required.