• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.363-373
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• 2024

Objective: To develop and evaluate a deep learning model for automated segmentation and detection of bone metastasis on spinal MRI. Materials and Methods: We included whole spine MRI scans of adult patients with bone metastasis: 662 MRI series from 302 patients (63.5 ± 11.5 years; male:female, 151:151) from three study centers obtained between January 2015 and August 2021 for training and internal testing (random split into 536 and 126 series, respectively) and 49 MRI series from 20 patients (65.9 ± 11.5 years; male:female, 11:9) from another center obtained between January 2018 and August 2020 for external testing. Three sagittal MRI sequences, including non-contrast T1-weighted image (T1), contrast-enhanced T1-weighted Dixon fat-only image (FO), and contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted image (CE), were used. Seven models trained using the 2D and 3D U-Nets were developed with different combinations (T1, FO, CE, T1 + FO, T1 + CE, FO + CE, and T1 + FO + CE). The segmentation performance was evaluated using Dice coefficient, pixel-wise recall, and pixel-wise precision. The detection performance was analyzed using per-lesion sensitivity and a free-response receiver operating characteristic curve. The performance of the model was compared with that of five radiologists using the external test set. Results: The 2D U-Net T1 + CE model exhibited superior segmentation performance in the external test compared to the other models, with a Dice coefficient of 0.699 and pixel-wise recall of 0.653. The T1 + CE model achieved per-lesion sensitivities of 0.828 (497/600) and 0.857 (150/175) for metastases in the internal and external tests, respectively. The radiologists demonstrated a mean per-lesion sensitivity of 0.746 and a mean per-lesion positive predictive value of 0.701 in the external test. Conclusion: The deep learning models proposed for automated segmentation and detection of bone metastases on spinal MRI demonstrated high diagnostic performance.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.468-471
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• 2011

Mesenchymal chondrosarcomas are rare malignant tumors of the bone and soft tissue. Spinal mesenchymal chondrosarcomas are even rarer and, to the best of our knowledge those that are concomitantly located in the intradural and extradural regions, have never been reported. We report a case of a 25-year-old man with back pain and bilateral progressive weakness of the lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a markedly enhanced dumbbell-shaped mass at the T7 level. The lesion was intradurally located at the left side of the spinal cord, and extended extradurally to the extraforminal space through the T7-8 intervertebral foramen. The tumor was completely excised through a posterior approach. Microscopic examination and immunohistochemical studies confirmed mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. Postoperative radiation therapy and chemotherapy were also performed to prevent local recurrence and metastasis. The patient has been symptom-free for two years after surgery. Herein, we reviewed and discussed the clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of primary intraspinal mesenchymal chondrosarcomas in the literature.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.148-152
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• 2015

The goal of cancer treatment is generally pain reduction and function recovery. However, drug therapy does not treat pain adequately in approximately 43% of patients, and the latter may have to undergo a nerve block or neurolysis. In the case reported here, a 42-year-old female patient with lung cancer (adenocarcinoma) developed paraplegia after receiving T8-10 and $11^{th}$ intercostal nerve neurolysis and T9-10 interlaminar epidural steroid injections. An MRI results revealed extensive swelling of the spinal cord between the T4 spinal cord and conus medullaris, and T5, 7-11, and L1 bone metastasis. Although steroid therapy was administered, the paraplegia did not improve.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.329-334
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• 2015

Objective : To comparatively investigate the expression of several integrins in specimens of human bone metastases and degenerative bone tissue. Methods : Degenerative cancellous tissue was obtained from a sample of human degenerative spine. Thirteen human specimens were obtained from metastatic spine tumors, whose primary cancer was colon cancer (n=3), hepatocellular cancer (n=3), lung cancer (n=4), and breast cancer (n=3). The expression of vimentin and integrins ${\alpha}v$, ${\beta}1$, and ${\beta}3$ was assessed in metastatic and degenerative specimens by immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results : Immunohistochemical staining showed that vimentin and integrin ${\alpha}v$ was broadly expressed in all tissues examined. By contrast, integrin ${\beta}1$ was weakly expressed only in 38.4% (5/13) of tissues. Integrin ${\beta}3$ was consistently negative in all cases examined. qRT-PCR analysis showed that vimentin gene expression was higher in all metastatic specimens, as compared to degenerative bone. The gene expression of integrin ${\alpha}v$ in breast specimen was significantly higher than others (p=0.045). The gene expression of integrin ${\beta}1$ was also higher in all metastatic specimens than in degenerative bone tissue. The gene expression of integrin ${\beta}3$ was variable. Conclusion : Spinal metastatic tumors have mesenchymal characteristics such as increased expression of vimentin. The increased expression of integrin ${\alpha}v$ and ${\beta}1$ in spine metastatic tumors suggests that adhesive molecules such as integrin may have implications for the prevention of spine metastasis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.431-435
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• 2014

A fifty-year-old female non-smoker with no other specific medical history visited our institute. She complained of axial back pain with no other neurological deficit. Chest X-ray, chest computed tomography (CT) scan, CT-guided needle aspiration biopsy, whole-body positron emission tomography, spine CT and spine magnetic resonance image findings suggested NSCLC with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, multiple brain metastases, and two isolated metastases to the T3 and L3 vertebral bodies. She underwent chemotherapy with gefitinib ($Iressa^{TM}$) for NSCLC and gamma knife surgery for multiple brain metastases. We performed a two-staged, total en bloc spondylectomy of the T3 and L3 vertebral bodies based on several good prognostic characteristics, such as the lack of metastases to the appendicular bone, good preoperative performance status, and being an excellent responder (Asian, never-smoker and adenocarcinoma histology) to EGFR inhibitors. Improved axial back pain after the surgery enabled her to walk with the aid of a thoracolumbosacral orthosis brace on the third postoperative day. Her Karnofsky performance status score (KPS) was 90 at the time of discharge and has been maintained to date 3 years after surgery. In selected NSCLC patients with good prognostic characteristics, we suggest that locally curative treatment such as total en bloc spondylectomy or radiosurgery should be emphasized to achieve longer term survival for the selected cases.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.133-147
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• 2014

Purpose. Radiation therapy for oncologic emergencies is an important modality in the management of cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to review the roles of RT in oncologic emergencies based on literature review. Methods. The oncologic emergencies requiring rapid treatment include superior vena cava syndrome, spinal cord compression, brain metastasis, and bone metastasis. We reviewed the literatures on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of oncologic emergencies. Results. In this literature review, radiation therapy among treatment modalities for oncologic emergencies has been shown to be fast and very effective treatment modality for oncologic emergencies. Conclusions. Based on this review, we conclude that the literature provides support for the role of radiation therapy in the situation of oncologic emergencies. As the number of cancer patients increase, the prevalence of oncologic emergencies will increase. In the future, the development of RT techniques will provide the improvement of not only patient's quality of life but also the survival.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.107-111
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• 2009

Meningiomas are usually benign neoplasms in which extracranial metastases occur very rarely. We report a case of multiple extracranial metastases of an atypical meningioma following a local recurrence. A 68-year-old man presented with left-side motor weakness and dysarthria for two weeks. A computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intraventricular tumor. We performed a total mass removal, and the histopathologic findings were consistent with benign meningioma. Eight months later, the meningioma recurred. We performed a reoperation and whole brain radiation therapy postoperatively. The histopathologic findings showed atypical meningioma. Six months later, CT and MRI revealed metastases to multiple vertebrae, lung, ribs and perirenal soft tissue so a decompressive laminectomy with mass removal was performed. The histopathologic findings of the spinal tumors showed atypical meningioma. The results from perirenal biopsies were consistent with metastatic meningioma. In conclusion, extracranial metastasis as well as local recurrence must be considered in atypical or anaplastic meningioma. There must be regular follow-ups. Finally, an evaluation of the chest, abdomen and bone is necessary, especially when related symptoms or signs develop.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.75 no.4
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• pp.165-169
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• 2013

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare disease entity reported to arise in various organs. It is thought to be a neoplastic or reactive inflammatory condition, controversially. The treatment of choice for myofibroblastic tumor is surgery, and recurrence is known to be rare. The optimal treatment method is not well-known for patients ineligible for surgery. We report a 47-year-old patient with aggressive recurrent IMT of the lungs. The patient had been admitted for an evaluation of back-pain two years after a complete resection of pulmonary IMT. Radiation therapy was performed for multiple bone recurrences, and the symptoms were improved. However the patient presented again with aggravated back-pain six months later. High-dose steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were administered, but the disease progressed aggressively, resulting in spinal cord compression and metastasis to intra-abdominal organs. This is a very rare case of aggressively recurrent pulmonary IMT with multi-organ metastasis.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.183-189
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• 1999

Ewing's sarcoma is an uncommon malignant neoplasm of the long bone and it has a poor prognosis due to its early metastasis and aggressive local spread. It is mostly found before the age of 30 and it is rare in extraskeletal sites. Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma has been reported to occur in various sites including the larynx, scalp, nasal fossa, neck, chest wall, lung, pelvis, perineum, arm, finger, leg and toe, but it is extremely rare as a primary epidural tumor of the spine. We experienced a case of extraosseous epidural Ewing's sarcoma arising in the lumbar spinal canal at L3-L5 level in a 9-year-old boy. Following total laminectomy from L3 to L5 with a lumbar vertebrae and mass excision, he received chemotherapy with complete remission.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2009

The aim of palliative radiotherapy (RT) is to control cancer-related local symptoms with minimal radiation reaction. About one third of all radiation treatments are given with palliative intent. Indications for RT in symptom palliation are as follows: Pain from bone metastasis, pressure symptom from brain and spinal cord, obstruction of bronchus, esophagus, superior vena cava and malignant cancer bleeding from bronchus, urinary tract, uterine cervix and rectum. In hospice palliative care, RT is very effective for symptom palliation and improvement of quality of life without influence on survival.