• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1132-1141
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate changes in the median nerve, retinaculum, and carpal tunnel on ultrasound after successful endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR). Materials and Methods: This prospective study involved 37 wrists in 35 patients (5 male, 30 female; mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 56.9 ± 6.7 years) with primary carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). An in-house developed scoring system (0-3) was used to gauge the clinical improvement after ECTR. Ultrasound was performed before ECTR, and at 1, 3, and 12 months post-ECTR. Changes in the median nerve, flexor retinaculum, and carpal tunnel morphology on ultrasound after ECTR were analyzed. Ultrasound parameters for different clinical improvement groups were compared. Results: All patients improved clinically after ECTR. The average clinical improvement score ± SD at 12 months post-ECTR was 2.2 ± 0.7. The median nerve cross-sectional area proximal and distal to the tunnel decreased at all time intervals post-ECTR but remained swollen compared to normal values. Serial changes in the median nerve caliber and retinacular bowing after ECTR were more pronounced at the tunnel outlet than at the tunnel inlet. The flexor retinaculum had reformed in 25 (68%) of 37 wrists after 12 months. Conclusion: Postoperative changes in median nerve and retinaculum parameters were most pronounced at the tunnel outlet. Even in patients with clinical improvement after ECTR, nearly all ultrasound parameters remain abnormal at one year post-ECTR. These ultrasound parameters should not necessarily be relied upon to diagnose persistent CTS after ECTR.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.199-209
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to compare therapeutic efficacy and technical outcomes between adjustable electrode (AE) and conventional fixed electrode (FE) for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of benign thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: Between 2013 and 2021, RFA was performed on histologically proven benign thyroid nodules. For the AE method, AE length ≥ 1 cm with higher power and < 1 cm with lower power were utilized for ablating feeding vessels and nodules, especially those near anatomical structures, respectively. The therapeutic efficacy (volume reduction rate [VRR], complication rate, and regrowth rate) and technical outcomes (total energy delivery, ablated volume/energy, RFA time, and ablated volume/time) of FE and AE were compared. Continuous parameters were compared using a two-sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, and categorical parameters were compared using a chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test. Results: A total of 182 nodules (FE: 92 vs. AE: 90) in 173 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 47.0 ± 14.7 years; female, 90.8% [157/173]; median follow-up, 726 days [interquartile range, 441-1075 days]) were analyzed. The therapeutic efficacy was comparable, whereas technical outcomes were more favorable for AE. Both electrodes demonstrated comparable overall median VRR (FE: 92.4% vs. AE: 84.9%, P = 0.240) without immediate major complications. Overall regrowth rates were comparable between the two groups (FE: 2.2% [2/90] vs. AE: 1.1% [1/90], P > 0.99). AE demonstrated a shorter median RFA time (FE: 811 vs. AE: 627 seconds, P = 0.009). Both delivered comparable median energy (FE: 42.8 vs. AE: 29.2 kJ, P = 0.069), but AE demonstrated higher median ablated volume/energy and median ablated volume/time (FE: 0.2 vs. AE: 0.3 cc/kJ, P < 0.001; and FE: 0.7 vs. AE: 1.0 cc/min, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Therapeutic efficacy between FE and AE was comparable. AE demonstrated better technical outcomes than FE in terms of RFA time, ablated volume/energy, and ablated volume/time.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.660-670
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to elaborate the logical configuration of livelihood benefits for the institutionalized recipients under the renewed custom-tailored benefit system of National Basic Livelihood Security System(NBLSS) and to present appropriate level of benefits in terms of coherency of the system. In July 2015, the NBLSS was reformed to adopt a relative level of benefit standard for the general recipients according to certain amount of ratio of standard median income. However, the benefit for the institutionalized recipients was still based on the cost of necessities of absolute poverty level. It is at this juncture that this study suggests livelihood benefits for the institutionalized recipients reflect standard median income to comply with the reform of the NBLSS. To this end, this study firstly derives basic living items for the institutionalized recipients based on the literature review and FGI. Secondly, it calculates the reflection ratio of livelihood benefits utilizing Household Trend Survey's consumption data under 40%. Finally, it applies equivalence scale of households to adjust the under-represented scale for large size institutions. To continue the reflection ratio method, it is necessary to review the consumption trends and the stability of the reflection ratio periodically.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1777-1785
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the accuracy of the Agatston score obtained with the ultra-high-pitch (UHP) acquisition mode using tin-filter spectral shaping (Sn150 kVp) and a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm to reduce the radiation dose. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 114 patients (mean ± standard deviation, 60.3 ± 9.8 years; 74 male) who underwent a standard 120 kVp scan and an additional UHP Sn150 kVp scan for coronary artery calcification scoring (CACS). These two datasets were reconstructed using a standard reconstruction algorithm (120 kVp + Qr36d, protocol A; Sn150 kVp + Qr36d, protocol B). In addition, the Sn150 kVp dataset was reconstructed using a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm (Sn150 kVp + Sa36d, protocol C). The Agatston scores for protocols A and B, as well as protocols A and C, were compared. The agreement between the scores was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland-Altman plot. The radiation doses for the 120 kVp and UHP Sn150 kVp acquisition modes were also compared. Results: No significant difference was observed in the Agatston score for protocols A (median, 63.05; interquartile range [IQR], 0-232.28) and C (median, 60.25; IQR, 0-195.20) (p = 0.060). The mean difference in the Agatston score for protocols A and C was relatively small (-7.82) and with the limits of agreement from -65.20 to 49.56 (ICC = 0.997). The Agatston score for protocol B (median, 34.85; IQR, 0-120.73) was significantly underestimated compared with that for protocol A (p < 0.001). The UHP Sn150 kVp mode facilitated an effective radiation dose reduction by approximately 30% (0.58 vs. 0.82 mSv, p < 0.001) from that associated with the standard 120 kVp mode. Conclusion: The Agatston scores for CACS with the UHP Sn150 kVp mode with a kVp-independent reconstruction algorithm and the standard 120 kVp demonstrated excellent agreement with a small mean difference and narrow agreement limits. The UHP Sn150 kVp mode allowed a significant reduction in the radiation dose.

• Journal of the Korean Statistical Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.223-229
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• 1997

It is demonstrated that many standard nonparametric test such as the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test, the Fisher-Yates test, the Savage test and the median test are admissible for a two-sample nonparametric testing problem. The admissibility of the Kruskal-Wallis test is demonstrated for a nonparametric one-way layout testing problem.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.62-70
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• 2005

The determination of peripheral nerve conduction velocity is an important part to electrodiagnosis. Its value as neurophysiologic investigative procedure has been known for many years but normal value of median and ulnar motor nerve was poorly reported in Korea. To evaluate of median and ulnar motor nerve terminal latency, amplitude of CMAP(compound muscle action potential), conduction velocity and F-wave latency for obtain clinically useful reference value. 71 normal volunteers(age, 19-65 years; 142 hands) examined who has no history of peripheral neuropathy, diabetic mellitus, chronic renal failure, endocrine disorders, anti-cancer medicine, anti-tubercle medicine, alcoholism, trauma, radiculopathy. Nicolet Viking II was use for detected terminal latency, amplitude of CMAP, conduction velocity and F-wave latency of median and ulnar motor nerve. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. Descriptive analysis was used for obtain mean and standard deviation, independent t-test was used to compare between Rt and Lt side also compare between different in genders. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Median motor nerve terminal latency was right 3.00ms, left 2.99ms and there was no significantly differences between right and left side and genders. 2. Median motor nerve amplitude of CMAP was right 17.26mV, left 1750mV and there was no significantly differences between right and left side and genders. 3. Median motor nerve conduction velocity was right 57.89m/sec, left 58.03m/sec and there was no significantly differences between right and left side and genders. 4. Median motor nerve F-wave latency was right 25.74ms, left 25.59ms and there was significantly differences between genders. 5. Ulnar motor nerve terminal latency was right 2.38ms, left 2.45ms and there was significantly differences between right and left side. 6. Ulnar motor nerve amplitude of CMAP was right 15.99mV, left 16.02mV and there was no significantly differences between right and left side and genders. 7. Ulnar motor nerve conduction velocity was right 60.35m/sec, left 59.73m/sec and there was no significantly differences between right and left side and genders. 8. Ulnar motor nerve F-wave latency was right 25.53ms, left 25.57ms and there was significantly differences between genders.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.750-753
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• 2007

According to the increase of demand for diverse multimedia services, techniques to use images as the tool of information transmission have been rapidly developed. However, impulse noise affecting the reception of image and signal error occurs in the process of digitalization and transmission of images. In order to remove this impulse noise, a nonlinear filter is generally applied and a standard median (SM) filter is representative. However, SM filter degrades the qualify of overall image by error of the edge component. Therefore, in this paper, to restore the corrupted image by impulse noise, a nonlinear spatial filter based on Min-max operation was proposed and was compared with conventional methods through simulations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.676-678
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• 2016

Noise occurs in the process of obtaining, transmission, and processing in image processing systems and these noises lower the resolution of image and cause visual errors. Currently, a representative filter to remove salt and pepper noise is SMF(standard median filter) but it is inadequate in preserving edge as the noise field expands. Therefore, for salt and pepper noise enviroment, the study suggested and algorithm that are places with original pixel when the central pixel is non-noise and process by applying weighted value on areas with less local mask pixel changes when there is noise.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.666-668
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• 2016

Salt and pepper noise generally occurs due to errors in the transmission channel or sensors and it lowers the resolution of the image and causes visual errors. To remove this salt and pepper noise, SMF(standard median filter), which represents simple algorithm and excellent noise removal performance, is widely used. However preservation characteristics in the pitch areas of the image is rather lacking. Therefore to effectively restore images damaged by salt and pepper noise, the study suggested a multiple filter that applies filters differently according to size by applying noise density threshold value of local mask on noise signal, while preserving non-noise signal.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2021.10a
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• pp.118-120
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• 2021

In modern society, with the development of IoT technology, various digital equipment is being distributed in a wide range of fields such as CCTV and exploration robots. Accordingly, the importance of data processing is increasing, and various studies are being conducted to remove noise generated in the process of receiving data in the imaging field. Representative noise includes additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), and existing filters for removing noise include an average filter (AF), an alpha trimmed average filter (A-TAF), and a median filter (MF). However, existing filters have a disadvantage in that they show somewhat insufficient performance in noise removal characteristics in high frequency areas. Therefore, in this paper, in order to effectively remove AWGN existing in the high frequency region, a weight filter according to a distance based on the standard deviation is proposed.