• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권4호
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• pp.592-607
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• 2021

Objective : Few studies exist on primary spinal cord tumors (PSCTs) in pediatric patients. The purpose of this study was to perform descriptive analysis and detailed survival analysis for PSCTs. Methods : Between 1985 and 2017, 126 pediatric patients (male : female, 56 : 70) with PSCTs underwent surgery in a single institution. We retrospectively analyzed data regarding demographics, tumor characteristics, outcomes, and survival statistics. Subgroup analysis was performed for the intramedullary (IM) tumors and extradural (ED) tumors separately. Results : The mean age of the participants was 6.4±5.04 years, and the mean follow-up time was 69.5±46.30 months. The most common compartment was the ED compartment (n=57, 45.2%), followed by the IM (n=43, 34.1%) and intradural extramedullary (IDEM; n=16, 12.7%) compartments. Approximately half of PSCTs were malignant (n=69, 54.8%). The most common pathologies were schwannomas (n=14) and neuroblastomas (n=14). Twenty-two patients (17.5%) died from the disease, with a mean disease duration of 15.8±15.85 months. Thirty-six patients (28.6%) suffered from progression, with a mean period of 22.6±30.81 months. The 10-year overall survival (OS) rates and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 81% and 66%, respectively. Regarding IM tumors, the 10-year OS rates and PFS rates were 79% and 57%, respectively. In ED tumors, the 10-year OS rates and PFS rates were 80% and 81%, respectively. Pathology and the extent of resection showed beneficial effects on OS for total PSCTs, IM tumors, and ED tumors. PFS was affected by both the extent of removal and pathology in total PSCTs and ED tumors; however, pathology was a main determinant of PFS rather than the extent of removal in IM tumors. The degree of improvement in the modified McCormick scale showed a trend towards improvement in patients with IM tumors who achieved gross total removal (p=0.447). Conclusion : Approximately half of PSCTs were malignant, and ED tumors were most common. The most common pathologies were schwannomas and neuroblastomas. Both the pathology and extent of resection had a decisive effect on OS. For IM tumors, pathology was a main determinant of PFS rather than the extent of removal. Radical excision of IM tumors could be a viable option for better survival without an increased risk of worse functional outcomes.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.142-154
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• 2021

Purpose: Screening image-enhanced endoscopy for gastrointestinal malignant lesions has progressed. However, the influence of the color enhancement settings for the laser endoscopic system on the visibility of lesions with higher color contrast than their surrounding mucosa has not been established. Materials and Methods: Forty early gastric cancers were retrospectively evaluated using color enhancement settings C1 and C2 for laser endoscopic systems with blue laser imaging (BLI), BLI-bright, and linked color imaging (LCI). The visibilities of the malignant lesions in the stomach with the C1 and C2 color enhancements were scored by expert and non-expert endoscopists and compared, and the color differences between the malignant lesions and the surrounding mucosa were assessed. Results: Early gastric cancers mainly appeared orange-red on LCI and brown on BLI-bright or BLI. The surrounding mucosae were purple on LCI regardless of the color enhancement but brown or pale green with C1 enhancement and dark green with C2 enhancement on BLI-bright or BLI. The mean visibility scores for BLI-bright, BLI, and LCI with C2 enhancement were significantly higher than those with C1 enhancement. The superiority of the C2 enhancement was not demonstrated in the assessments by non-experts, but it was significant for experts using all modes. The C2 color enhancement produced a significantly greater color difference between the malignant lesions and the surrounding mucosa, especially with the use of BLI-bright (P=0.033) and BLI (P<0.001). C2 enhancement tended to be superior regardless of the morphological type, Helicobacter pylori status, or the extension of intestinal metaplasia around the cancer. Conclusions: Appropriate color enhancement settings improve the visibility of malignant lesions in the stomach and color contrast between the malignant lesions and the surrounding mucosa.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권5호
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• pp.791-798
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• 2021

Objective : The period of mechanical ventilator (MV)-dependent respiratory failure after cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) varies from patient to patient. This study aimed to identify predictors of MV at hospital discharge (MVDC) due to prolonged respiratory failure among patients with MV after CSCI. Methods : Two hundred forty-three patients with CSCI were admitted to our institution between May 2006 and April 2018. Their medical records and radiographic data were retrospectively reviewed. Level and completeness of injury were defined according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standards. Respiratory failure was defined as the requirement for definitive airway and assistance of MV. We also evaluated magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of the cervical spine. These characteristics included : maximum canal compromise (MCC); intramedullary hematoma or cord transection; and integrity of the disco-ligamentous complex for assessment of the Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification (SLIC) scoring. The inclusion criteria were patients with CSCI who underwent decompression surgery within 48 hours after trauma with respiratory failure during hospital stay. Patients with Glasgow coma scale 12 or lower, major fatal trauma of vital organs, or stroke caused by vertebral artery injury were excluded from the study. Results : Out of 243 patients with CSCI, 30 required MV during their hospital stay, and 27 met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 48.1% (13/27) of patients had MVDC with greater than 30 days MV or death caused by aspiration pneumonia. In total, 51.9% (14/27) of patients could be weaned from MV during 30 days or less of hospital stay (MV days : MVDC 38.23±20.79 vs. MV weaning, 13.57±8.40; p<0.001). Vital signs at hospital arrival, smoking, the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, Associated injury with Injury Severity Score, SLIC score, and length of cord edema did not differ between the MVDC and MV weaning groups. The ASIA impairment scale, level of injury within C3 to C6, and MCC significantly affected MVDC. The MCC significantly correlated with MVDC, and the optimal cutoff value was 51.40%, with 76.9% sensitivity and 78.6% specificity. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, MCC >51.4% was a significant risk factor for MVDC (odds ratio, 7.574; p=0.039). Conclusion : As a method of predicting which patients would be able to undergo weaning from MV early, the MCC is a valid factor. If the MCC exceeds 51.4%, prognosis of respiratory function becomes poor and the probability of MVDC is increased.

• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.281-287
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• 2018

Objectives. Regenerative treatment using stem cells may serve as treatment option for empty nose syndrome (ENS), which is caused by the lack of turbinate tissue and deranged nervous system in the nasal cavity. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the treatment of ENS. Methods. In this prospective observational clinical study, we enrolled 10 ENS patients who volunteered to undergo treatment of ENS through the injection of autologous SVF. Data, including demographic data, pre- and postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25) scores, overall patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications, were prospectively collected. Nasal secretion was assessed using the polyurethane foam absorption method, and the levels of biological markers were analyzed in both ENS group and control group using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SVF extracted from abdominal fat was diluted and injected into both inferior turbinates. Results. Among the 10 initial patients, one was excluded from the study. Subjective satisfaction was rated as "much improved" in two and "no change" in seven. Among the improved patients, the mean preinjection SNOT-25 score was 55.0 and the score at 6 months after injection was 19.5. However, the average SNOT-25 score of nine participants at 6 months after injection (mean${\pm}$standard deviation, $62.4{\pm}35.8$) did not differ significantly from the baseline SNOT-25 score ($70.1{\pm}24.7$, P>0.05, respectively). Among the various inflammatory markers assessed, the levels of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-8, and calcitonin gene-related peptide were significantly higher in ENS patients. Compared with preinjection secretion level, the nasal secretions from SVF-treated patients showed decreased expressions of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-8 after injection. Conclusion. Although SVF treatment appears to decrease the inflammatory cytokine levels in the nasal mucosa, a single SVF injection was not effective in terms of symptom improvement and patient satisfaction. Further trials are needed to identify a more practical and useful regenerative treatment modality for patients with ENS.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제79권6호
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• pp.340-347
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• 2018

목적: 가도세틱산-조영증강 MRI에서 간세포암 피막 발견에 대한 영상차감기법의 진단적 가치를 알아보고자 하였다. 대상과 방법: 2015년 5월부터 2017년 2월까지 가도세틱산-조영증강 MRI를 시행 받고 수술을 시행한 hepatocellular carcinoma (이하 HCC) 고위험군 108명을 대상으로 하였다. 차감영상의 질 및 간문맥기와 이행기의 일반영상과 차감영상에서 피막 여부에 대해 평가하였고, 차감영상에서의 피막 여부가 Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System에 따른 간세포암 진단에 미치는 영향을 평가하였다. 결과: 수술 전 경동맥화학색전술을 시행 받았거나 차감영상의 질이 불만족스러운 34명의 환자를 제외한 74명의 환자에서 82개의 간 병변(간세포암 73개, 그 외 악성종양 5개, 양성종양 4개)에 대해 분석하였다. 피막의 발견에 대한 차감영상의 민감도, 정확도, 그리고 곡선하면적은 일반영상과 비교하여 통계적으로 유의하게 높았고(각 95.4%, 89.0%, 0.80; p < 0.001), 특이도는 동일하였다(64.7%). HCC의 진단에 대해서도 차감영상이 일반영상과 비교하여 민감도, 정확도, 그리고 곡선하면적이 통계적으로 유의하게 높았으며(각 82.2%, 79.3%, 0.69; p = 0.011), 특이도는 동일하였다(55.6%). 결론: 가도세틱산-조영증강 MRI에서 간문맥기 또는 이행기로부터의 차감영상은 간세포암 피막의 발견에 도움이 된다.

• 대한치과보철학회지
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• 제59권1호
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• pp.79-87
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• 2021

구강 스캐너를 이용한 디지털 인상과 CAD-CAM (Computer-aided design-computeraided manufacturing) 기술은 점차 발전하고 있다. 전통적인 인상 채득, 작업모형의 제작, 왁스 납형 제작 및 주조의 복잡한 과정이 단축되었으며 환자의 방문 횟수도 줄일 수 있게 되었다. 구강 스캐너 기술의 발전으로 디지털 인상의 정밀도와 정확성이 향상되었으며, 그 적응증은 보다 광범위한 부위의 고정성 치과보철물의 수복으로 점차 확대되어지고 있다. 본 증례 보고에서는 광범위한 부위의 고정성 임플란트 보철물의 수복을 위하여, 컴퓨터로 계획하고 가이드 수술용 템플레이트로 완전히 가이드된 수술을 하고, 즉시/조기 임플란트 보철물을 장착하였으며, 임시 보철물에서 최종 보철물로 전환하는 과정에서 구강스캐너의 지대주중첩 알고리즘을 활용하였다. 임플란트 수술 당일 획득한 구강스캔으로 맞춤형 지대주를 포함한 임시 보철물을 제작하여 활용하였으며, 최종 보철물은 임시 보철물에서의 맞춤형 지대주를 낀 채로 구강스캔하여 제작되었다. 이 과정에서 임시 보철물 장착 전에 미리 스캔해서 라이브러리화한 맞춤형 지대주 데이터를 구강스캐너 소프트웨어 '지대주 자동중첩 기능'으로 최종 디지털 인상에 자동적으로 매칭하였고, 치은연하마진인 부분도 지대주를 탈거하지 않고, 치은압배사 없이 정밀하게 획득할 수 있었다. 구강스캐너와 소프트웨어의 다양한 기술을 응용하여 임플란트 치료 과정을 디지털 워크플로우로 변화시킴으로써, 환자 불편감 및 치료 시간을 단축하였으며, 환자와 술자에게 모두 이롭고 예지성 있는 치료가 가능하였다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권4호
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• pp.644-664
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• 2021

Objective : Since the enactment of the Special Act on Korean Medical Residents, neurosurgeons working at training hospitals have been performing the duties of residents, in addition to their existing patient care responsibilities, which include surgery, education, and research. This study explores the relationships between work intensity, work-life balance, and burnout experienced by Korean neurosurgeons. Methods : The participants (n=451) were neurosurgeons working at training hospitals throughout Republic of Korea. Data on socio-demographic characteristics (including objective and subjective work environment), work intensity, work-life balance, and burnout were gathered using self-report questionnaires completed between March 1 and December 20, 2019. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlations, and multiple regression analysis. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for the analyses. Results : The work intensity, work-life balance, and burnout levels of neurosurgeons were 3.95, 3.57 (on a scale from 1 to 5) and 4.60 (on a scale from 1 to 7); and 280 (62.1%) of 451 neurosurgeons were found to be experiencing burnout. By controlling for the socio-demographic characteristics, the effects of work intensity and work-life balance on burnout were analyzed. Work intensity (B=0.314), work-life balance-family and leisure (B=0.216), work-life balance-growth (B=0.147), job stress (B=0.133), and satisfaction with human relationships (B=-0.069) were shown to be significant (all p<0.05), and they were found to affect burnout in the abovementioned order. The overall explanatory power was 58.3% (p<0.05), and the explanatory power with the addition of independent variables such as work intensity and work-life balance was 14.5% (p<0.05). Conclusion : This study showed that Korean neurosurgeons working at training hospitals experienced a high level of work intensity and job stress, and low work-life balance. Additionally, nearly half of the neurosurgeons were found to experience burnout related to factors such as work intensity, work-life balance, job stress, and satisfaction with human relationships. In particular, these factors seem to have deteriorated further after the implementation of the Special Act on Korean Medical Residents. These very high levels of burnout among Korean neurosurgeons who care for patients with both brain and spinal diseases may have a very important impact on patients' health. Therefore, it is recommended that the Korean Neurosurgical Society and the Korean government make efforts to improve the factors that affect burnout among Korean neurosurgeons.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.891-902
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• 2021

본 연구는 자가간호프로그램이 요추간판제거술 환자의 운동이행 자기효능감, 자가간호지식, 자가간호이행에 미치는 효과를 확인하기 위한 실험연구이다. 대상자는 D광역시 소재 일개 척추전문병원 입원환자 중 미세현미경 요추간판제거술을 받은 환자로 실험군 26명, 대조군 27명이다. 수집된 자료는 SPSS 25프로그램을 이용하여 평균, 백분율, 표준편차, t-test, χ²-test, t-test, repeated measures ANOVA로 분석하였다. 연구결과 자가간호프로그램 중재를 받은 실험군은 제공받지 않은 대조군에 비해 시간이 경과함에 따라 보조기 관리지식(p=.001)과 일상생활관리지식점수(p=.005)가 더 높아 지지되었다. 또한 자가간호프로그램을 제공받은 실험군은 제공받지 않는 대조군보다 보조기 관리이행도(p=.011), 일상생활 이행도(p=.007), 유해생활 습관관리 이행도(p=.011)가 높아 지지되었다. 따라서 자가간호프로그램은 요추간판제거술 환자의 수술 전후 적용을 통해 운동이행 자기효능감, 자가간호지식 및 자가간호이행도를 향상시켜 보다 빠른 회복을 도울 수 있는 프로그램이라고 할 수 있다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.106-113
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• 2021

Background: We aimed to investigate the analgesic efficacy of an erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) with a tissue expander. Methods: Adult women undergoing IBR with a tissue expander after mastectomy were randomly assigned to either intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) alone (group P) or IV-PCA plus ESPB (group E). The primary outcome was the total amount of opioid consumption during 24 hours postoperatively between the two groups. Secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction, pain score at rest and on shoulder movement using numerical rating scale, incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and a short form of the brief pain inventory (BPI-SF) at 3 and 6 months after surgery between the groups. Results: Fifty eight patients completed the study. At 24 hours postoperatively, total opioid consumption was significantly less in group E than in group P (285.0 ± 92.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 250.1 to 320.0 vs. 223.2 ± 83.4, 95% CI: 191.5 to 254.9, P = 0.005). Intraoperative and cumulative PCA fentanyl consumption at 3, 6, 9, and 24 hours were also less in group E than in group P (P = 0.004, P = 0.048, P = 0.020, P = 0.036, and P < 0.001, respectively). Patient satisfaction was higher in group E (6.9 ± 1.8 vs. 7.8 ± 1.4, P = 0.042). The incidences of PONV was similar. Conclusions: The ESPB decreased postoperative opioid consumption and increased patient satisfaction without significant complications after IBR with a tissue expander after mastectomy.

• 대한치과의료관리학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Dental settings have unique characteristics that warrant specific infection control considerations, including (1) prioritizing the most critical dental services and provide care in a way that minimizes harm to patients due to delayed care, or harm to personnel from potential exposure to persons infected with the COVID-19 disease, and (2) proactively communicate to both personnel and patients the need for them to stay at home if sick. For health care, an interim infection prevention and control recommendation (COVID-19) is recommended for patients suspected of having coronavirus or those whose status has been confirmed. SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19, is thought to be spread primarily between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet) through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Airborne transmission from person-to-person over long distances is unlikely. However, COVID-19 is a new disease, and there remain uncertainties about its mode of spreads and the severity of illness it causes. The virus has been shown to persist in aerosols for several hours, and on some surfaces for days under laboratory conditions. COVID-19 may also be spread by people who are asymptomatic. The practice of dentistry involves the use of rotary dental and surgical instruments, such as handpieces or ultrasonic scalers, and air-water syringes. These instruments create a visible spray that can contain particle droplets of water, saliva, blood, microorganisms, and other debris. While KF 94 masks protect the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose from droplet spatter, they do not provide complete protection against the inhalation of airborne infectious agents. If the patient is afebrile (temperature <100.4°F)* and otherwise without symptoms consistent with COVID-19, then dental care may be provided using appropriate engineering and administrative controls, work practices, and infection control considerations. It is necessary to provide supplies for respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, including alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) with 60%~95% alcohol, tissues, and no-touch receptacles for disposal, at healthcare facility entrances, waiting rooms, and patient check-ins. There is also the need to install physical barriers (e.g., glass or plastic windows) in reception areas to limit close contact between triage personnel and potentially infectious patients. Ideally, dental treatment should be provided in individual rooms whenever possible, with a spacing of at least 6 feet between the patient chairs. Further, the use of easy-to-clean floor-to-ceiling barriers will enhance the effectiveness of portable HEPA air filtration systems. Before and after all patient contact, contact with potentially infectious material, and before putting on and after removing personal protective equipment, including gloves, hand hygiene after removal is particularly important to remove any pathogens that may have been transferred to the bare hands during the removal process. ABHR with 60~95% alcohol is to be used, or hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 s.