• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.210-215
• /
• 2001

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of gadobenate dimeglumine (GdBOPTA) enhanced MR imaging for the detection of liver lesions in patients with primary malignant hepatic neoplasms. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one patients with histologically proven primary malignancy of the liver were evaluated before and after administration of GdBOPTA at dose 0.05 or 0.10 mmol/kg. T1-weighted spin echo (T1W-SE) and gradient echo (T1W-GRE) images were evaluated for lesion number, location, size and confidence by three off-site independent reviewers and the findings were compared to reference standard imaging (intraoperative ultrasound, computed tomography during arterial portography or lipiodol computed tomography). Results were analyzed for significance using a two-sided McNemar's test. Results: More lesions were identified on Gd-BOPTA enhanced images than on unenhanced images and there was no significant difference in lesion detection between either concentration. The largest benefit was in detection of lesions under 1 cm in size (7 to 21, 9 to 15, 16 to 18 for reviewers A, B, C respectively). In 68% of the patients with more than one lesion, Gd-BOPTA increased the number of lesions detected. Conclusion: Liver MR imaging after Gd-BOPTA increases the detection of liver lesions in patients with primary malignant hepatic neoplasm.

• Hip & pelvis
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.32-39
• /
• 2023

Purpose: A staged revision with placement of a temporary antibiotic-loaded cement spacer after removal of the implant is the "gold standard" for treatment of chronic prosthetic joint infection (PJI). It enables local delivery of antibiotics, maintenance of limb-length and mobility, easier reimplantation. However, bacterial colonization of spacers and mechanical complications can also occur. The aim of this study is to evaluate functional results and infection control in two-stage treatment of total hip arthroplasty (THA) PJI with and without a spacer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 64 consecutive patients was conducted: 34 underwent two-stage revision using a cement spacer (group A), 30 underwent two-stage revision without a spacer (group B). At the final follow-up, functional evaluation of patients with a THA in site, without PJI recurrence, was performed using the Harris hip score (HHS). Measurement of limb-length and off-set discrepancies was performed using anteroposterior pelvic X-rays. Results: Most patients in group B were older with more comorbidities preoperatively. Thirty-three patients (97.1%) in group A underwent THA reimplantation versus 22 patients (73.3%) in group B (P<0.001). No significant differences in limb-length and off-set were observed. The results of functional evaluation performed during the final follow-up (mean, 41 months) showed better function in patients in group A (mean HHS, 76.3 vs. 55.9; P<0.001). Conclusion: The use of antibiotic-loaded cement spacer seems superior in terms of functional outcomes and reimplantation rate. Resection arthroplasty might be reserved as a first-stage procedure in patients who are unfit, who might benefit from a definitive procedure.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.287-295
• /
• 2023

Background: Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) is a common mechanism of recurrent elbow instability. While the essential lesion is a deficiency in the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL), there are often associated concomitant bony lesions, such as an Osborne-Cotterill lesions (posterior capitellar fractures) and marginal radial head fractures, that compromise stability. Currently, there is no standard treatment for posterior capitellar deficiency associated with recurrent PLRI. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of five patients with recurrent PLRI of the elbow associated with a posterior capitellar impaction fracture engaging with the radial head during normal range of motion. The patients were treated surgically with LUCL reconstruction or repair and off-label reconstruction of the capitellar joint surface using a small metal prosthesis designed for metatarsal head resurfacing (HemiCAP toe classic). Results: Five patients (three adolescent males, two adult females) were treated between 2007 and 2018. At a median follow-up of 5 years, all patients had complete relief of their symptomatic instability. No patients had pain at rest, but two patients had mild pain (visual analog scale 1-3) during physical activity. Three patients rated their elbow as normal, one as almost normal, and one as greatly improved. On short-term radiographic follow-up there were no signs of implant loosening. None of the patients needed reoperation. Conclusions: Recurrent PLRI of the elbow associated with an engaging posterior capitellar lesion can be treated successfully by LUCL reconstruction and repair and filling of the capitellar defect with a metal prosthesis. This treatment option has excellent clinical results in the short-medium term. Level of evidence: IV.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.22-28
• /
• 2024

Background: Particulate matter (PM) has been extensively observed due to its negative association with human health. Previous research revealed the possible negative effect of air pollutant exposure on oral health. However, the predictive model between air pollutant exposure and the prevalence of periodontitis has not been observed yet. Therefore, this study aims to propose a predictive model for the number of patients with periodontitis exposed to PM and atmospheric factors in South Korea using deep learning. Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study utilizing secondary data from the Korean Statistical Information Service and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment database for air pollution and the number of patients with periodontitis, respectively. Data from 2015 to 2022 were collected and consolidated every month, organized by region. Following data matching and management, the deep neural networks (DNN) model was applied, and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) value was calculated to ensure the accuracy of the model. Results: As we evaluated the DNN model with MAPE, the multivariate model of air pollution including exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and other atmospheric factors predict approximately 85% of the number of patients with periodontitis. The MAPE value ranged from 12.85 to 17.10 (mean±standard deviation=14.12±1.30), indicating a commendable level of accuracy. Conclusion: In this study, the predictive model for the number of patients with periodontitis is developed based on air pollution, including exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and other atmospheric factors. Additionally, various relevant factors are incorporated into the developed predictive model to elucidate specific causal relationships. It is anticipated that future research will lead to the development of a more accurate model for predicting the number of patients with periodontitis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.119-131
• /
• 2024

There are growing concerns regarding the safety of long-term treatment with opioids of patients with chronic non-cancer pain. In 2017, the Korean Pain Society (KPS) developed guidelines for opioid prescriptions for chronic non-cancer pain to guide physicians to prescribe opioids effectively and safely. Since then, investigations have provided updated data regarding opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain and have focused on initial dosing schedules, reassessment follow-ups, recommended dosage thresholds considering the risk-benefit ratio, dose-reducing schedules for tapering and discontinuation, adverse effects, and inadvertent problems resulting from inappropriate application of the previous guidelines. Herein, we have updated the previous KPS guidelines based on a comprehensive literature review and consensus development following discussions among experts affiliated with the Committee on Hospice and Palliative Care in the KPS. These guidelines may assist physicians in prescribing opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in adult outpatient settings, but should not to be regarded as an inflexible standard. Clinical judgements by the attending physician and patient-centered decisions should always be prioritized.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.155-160
• /
• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: No reports to compare incisional hernia (IH) incidence between laparoscopic and open colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) resections have previously been made. This is the first comparative study. Methods: Single-center retrospective review of patients who underwent CRLM surgery between January 2011 and December 2018. IH relating to liver surgery was confirmed by computed tomography. Patients were divided into laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) and open liver resection (OLR) groups. Data collection included age, sex, presence of diabetes mellitus, steroid intake, history of previous hernia or liver resection, subcutaneous and peri-renal fat thickness, preoperative creatinine and albumin, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, major liver resection, surgical site infection, synchronous presentation, and preoperative chemotherapy. Results: Two hundred and forty-seven patients were included with a mean follow-up period of 41 ± 29 months (mean ± standard deviation). Eighty seven (35%) patients had LLR and 160 patients had OLR. No significant difference in the incidence of IH between LLR and OLR was found at 1 and 3 years, respectively ([10%, 19%] vs. [10%, 19%], p = 0.95). On multivariate analysis, previous hernia history (hazard ratio [HR], 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56-4.86) and subcutaneous fat thickness (HR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.19-4.13) were independent risk factors. Length of hospital stay was shorter in LLR (6 ± 4 days vs. 10 ± 8 days, p < 0.001), in comparison to OLR. Conclusions: In CRLM, no difference in the incidence of IH between LLR and OLR was found. Previous hernia and subcutaneous fat thickness were risk factors. Further studies are needed to assess modifiable risk factors to develop IH in LLR.

• Clinical Endoscopy
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.317-328
• /
• 2024

Background/Aims: In this meta-analysis, we studied the safety and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for colorectal dysplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Multiple databases were searched, and studies were retrieved based on pre-specified criteria until October 2022. The outcomes assessed were resection rates, procedural complications, local recurrence, metachronous tumors, and the need for surgery after ESD in IBD. Standard meta-analysis methods were followed using the random-effects model, and I²% was used to assess heterogeneity. Results: Twelve studies comprising 291 dysplastic lesions in 274 patients were included with a median follow-up of 25 months. The pooled en-bloc resection, R0 resection, and curative resection rates were 92.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87.9%-95.4%; I²=0%), 81.5% (95% CI, 72.5%-88%; I²=43%), and 48.9% (95% CI, 32.1%-65.9%; I²=87%), respectively. The local recurrence rate was 3.9% (95% CI, 2%-7.5%; I²=0%). The pooled rates of bleeding and perforation were 7.7% (95% CI, 4.5%-13%; I²=10%) and 5.3% (95% CI, 3.1%-8.9%; I²=0%), respectively. The rates of metachronous recurrence and additional surgery following ESD were 10% (95% CI, 5.2%-18.2%; I²=55%) and 13% (95% CI, 8.5%-19.3%; I²=54%), respectively. Conclusions: ESD is safe and effective for the resection of dysplastic lesions in IBD with an excellent pooled rate of en-bloc and R0 resection.

• Strategy21
• /
• s.38
• /
• pp.112-162
• /
• 2015

This study began to confirm or review the balance of power theory by applying scientific methods through experiential cases. Though there are several kinds of national power, this study supposes military power as a crucial power when it comes to war and peace. This research covered balance and imbalance through comparing relative military power between nations or nations' group. Comparison of relative military power can be achieved by statistically processing the values of which has been converted into the standard variables in same domain, then calculating the values of nation's power which has been synthesized different experiential factors. In addition, the criteria of experiential experiment is highly dedicated to European countries, USA, Japan prior to 1st and 2nd World War, as well as USA, Soviet Union and North East Asia during Cold War era. In addition, the balance of power theory has been redefined to review the action of the state upon the changes of power as mentioned in the theory. To begin with, the redefined theory states that relative level of military power between nations defines the consistency of peace and balance of power. If military power is enough to be on the range of level required to keep the power in equilibrium, peace and balance can be achieved. The opposite would unbalance the military power, causing conflicts. While the relative military level between nations change, nations seek to establish 'nations group' via military cooperation such as alliance, which also shift relative military power between nations group as well. Thus, in order to achieve balance of power, a nation seeks to strengthen its military power(self-help), while pursuing military cooperation(or alliance). This changes relative military power between nations group also. In other words, if there exists balance of power between nations, there is balance of power between nations group as well. In this theory, WWI and II broke out due to the imbalance of military force between nations and nations group, and reviewed that due to the balance of military force during the Cold War, peace was maintained. WWI was resulted from imbalance of military cooperation between two powerful states group and WWII was occurred because of the imbalance among the states. Peace was maintained from cooperation of military power and balance among the states during the Cold War. Imbalance among continental states is more threatening than maritime states and balance of power made by army force and naval force also is feasible. Also the outcomes of two variables are found military power balanced ratio of military power for balance is 67% when variable ratio of balance is 100% and standard value for balance is 0.86. Military power exists in a form of range. The range is what unstabilized the international system causing nations to supplement their military powers. These results made possible the calculation and comparison between state's military power. How balance of power inflicted war and peace has been studied through scientific reviews. Military conflict is highly possible upon already unbalanced military powers of North East Asian countries, if the US draws its power back to America. China and Japan are constantly building up their military force. On the other hand, Korean military force is inferior so in accordance to change of international situation state's survival could be threatened and it is difficult to achieve drastic increase in military force like Germany did. Especially constructing naval force demands lots of time; however but has benefit that naval force can overcome imbalance between continental states and maritime states.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.325-341
• /
• 2011

Objectives : This research has investigated the reality of the education of the claim and the degree of the education for the claimed of the dentistry recuperation organization in the Daejeon and Chuncheong are for the improvement of the problem in the medical expenses. Methods : It use as a basic data for the vitalizations of the education and performed the survey in the dentistry recuperation organization in the Daejeon and ChungCheong Nam BukDo which are registered in the evaluating organization for judging the health insurance in the present May 2010, and concluded just like the below. Results : 1. The education of the claim in the requirer in the dentistry recuperation organization, and the education of the claim was especially lacking when the dentist was studying in the university, and the dental hygienist had the similar educational experience in the school and the clinic (p<0.05) 2. Most of the requirer in the dental recuperation organization was hoping to get the education related to the claim work, but the dentist and the nurse's aid was relatively low (p<0.05) 3. For fixing the error of the claim, the participation and the extension of the judging standard of the insurance was the highest among the university subordinate dental hospital/dental hospital, but the health center was relatively low (p<0.05). 4. The dentist feels the economic burden in employing the special employee because the raising of the special judging people, compared to others, but the staffs such as the dental hygienist preferred it as one of ways to fix the error of the claim of the dental insurance (p<0.05) 5. Both dentists and the dental hygienist said proper time to teach the insurance was all needed in the school, and the clinic, but other workers relatively believed it should be held in the clinic (p<0.05). 6. The important factors to decide the participation of the lecture was in order of the contents of the lecture, the place of the lecture, the amount for the lecture, the superintendent of the lecture, whether it has gone through the educational score, and whether it has passed the conserving educational score was relatively less important in the university subordinate dentist/dentist, but the medical center was very effective as 4.50 (p<0.05) 7. Health Insurance Review and assessment service was very high as the managing department for supplying the lecture and the information, 70.5%, and the next was the Korean Dental Association/ Korean dental hygiene association, but dentists were preferring the association to manage in than the Health Insurance Review and assessment service to manage (p<0.05) 8. In preferring lecture for the inquiring the insurance, periodontal surgery was the highest as 4.51, the diagnosis standard for injection was high in the university subordinate hospital/dentists, and the more the year of the insurance inquiry, the less the doctor who was hoping for the lecture about the basic treatment. Conclusions : Taken together, it is decided that the inquiry education about the medical expense in the dentist, so the consistent and systematic education should be held to the related people, and from this, it is thought to reduce the problem of the inquiry of the medical expenses by fostering the knowledge and supplying the information which are related to the inquiry of the dentists.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 1990

This paper is a review of our experience with radical resection for cancer of the oral cavity with particular emphasis upon the value of myocutaneous(i.e., musculocutanous) flaps employed in the surgical reconstruction in patient survival. During the past 15 years, 98 patients underwent resection of cancer arising in the oral cavity and oropharynx. Of these, 14 had composite resections in which the mandible was not sectioned, and 4 underwent en bloc resections without neck dissections in the face of post-radiation recurrence. When these excluded, 84 patients who underwent COMMANDO procedures with or without myocutaneous flaps were suitable for analysis of recurrence and survival according to the various surgical technics employed. 1) According to the surgical technic, there were 24 standard COMMANDO procedures in whom no regional or myocutanous flap was used; 12 patients who underwent reconstruction employing a forehead flap; 19 patients in whom a posterior cervical 'nape' flap was employed; 27 patients who underwent myocutaneous or osteo-myocutaneous flap repair; and two patients who had double flap repair. 2) The uncorrected two-year disease free survival was 41% for standard COMMANDOs, 17% for forehead flap COMMANDOs; 35% for nape flap COMMANDOs; and 35% for myocutaneous flap COMMANDO procedures. 3) The two-year disease-free survival by Stage was 100% in Stage I, 45% in Stage II, 41% in Stage III, and 18% in Stage IV. 4) When myocutanous flaps cases were compared with Group I, comprised of matched historical controls including both Standard COMMANDOs and those who had undergone regional flap repairs(that is, forehead and nape flap COMMANDOs)there was no difference, both groups showing a 40% 2-year disease-free survival. 5) When musculocutanous flap cases were compared with Goup II, which was composed of matched historical controis limited to patients who had undergone regional flap repairs(that is, forehead and nape flap cases only)there was no difference, both groups showing a 27% 2-year desease-free survival. 6) When musculocutanous flap cases were compared with Group III, composed of patients who had undergone classic COMMANDO procedures without any sort of flap repair, there was a striking difference; the patients undergoing MC flap repair showed 50% 2-year disease-free survival, whereas the classic COMMANDO cases showed a 25% survival free of disease. 7) Locoregional recurrence was also evaluated in the four categories; for standard COMMANDO cases it was 25%, for nape flap cases 26% ; for forehead flap cases, 33%, and for the musculocutaneous flap cases, the lowest recurrence rate, 22%. These results are of particular significance in view of the fact that the proportion of advanced cases(Stage III and IV)in each category was 67% of standard cases, 79% of nape flap patients, 100% of forehead flap cases, and 96% of musculocutaneous flap cases.