• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 1991

We reviewed 15 cases of mesothelioma of the pleura, of which three cases were localized benign form and 12 cases were malignant diffuse form. The tumors were distributed equally in both sexes, and occured most commonly in fifth to seventh decades. The history of exposure to asbestos was present in only one case. The chief complaints were mainly chest pain and dyspnea. Associated symptoms were cough, sputum, hemoptysis, weight loss, anorexia, chill. On physical examination, unilateral, decreased breathing sound was main feature. The simple chest radiograph showed masses in all localized mesotheliomas (100%) and in 2 diffuse mesotheliomas (17%). 8 cases of diffuse mesotheliomas (67%) showed unilateral pleural effusions. Pleural effusions were mainly bloody (67%), and almost all were exudates. In all localized mesotheliomas, final diagnosis was made by open thoracotomy. In diffuse mesotheliomas, final diagnosis was made by open thoracotomy in 7 cases, chest wall mass biopsy in 2 cases, thoracoscopic biopsy in 1 case, pleural biopsy in 1 case, and pleural biopsy combined with axillary lymph node biopsy in 1 case. Localized mesotheliomas were treated by simple excision with good prognosis. In diffuse mesotheliomas, surgical treatment (pleuropneumonectomy, pleurectomy), chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, alone or in combination, were used with dismal prognosis. The prognostic factors were not found due to the small number of cases, incomplete follow up, and early drop out.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2003

Background : Lymphangioma of the mediastinum is an uncommon benign tumor of lymphatic origin that is most often seen in children, is very rare in adults and is frequently discovered incidentally on chest x-ray exams. While radiology (CT and MRI) may suggest the diagnosis and allow an assessment of the operative difficulties, the histology of the surgical specimen is required for precise diagnosis. Complete resection is the only treatment; however, in some patients resection was incomplete because of the infiltrating character of these tumors, leading to recurrence. We report three cases of mediastinal lymphangioma with a review of the literature.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.399-403
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• 2005

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by a dimorphous fungus, Coccidioides, which consists of two species, C. immitis and C. posadasii. Although these organisms are genetically distinct and do not exchange DNA, they appear identical phenotypically and the disease or immune response to the organisms is also identical. Coccidioides grows as a mycelium in the soil and is mainly found in Southwestern United States, northwestern Mexico, and Argentina. An infection usually results from inhaling the spores of the fungus in an endemic area. Patients with a localized infection and no risk factors for complications often require only a periodic reassessment to demonstrate the resolution of the self-limited process. However, patients with extensive spread of infection or high risk of complications as a result of immunosuppression or other preexisting factors require a variety of treatment strategies such as antifungal therapy, surgical debridement, or both. Korea is not endemic area of a coccidioidomycosis. We report a case of disseminated coccidioidomycosis involving the lung and skin, which was detected incidentally after sunburn in a 69 year-old Korean male with diabetes mellitus and iatrogenic Cushings syndrome, with a review of the relevant literature.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.2
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• pp.120-124
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• 2015

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP) is a rare primary intrathoracic tumor that arises from mesenchymal tissue underlying the mesothelial layer of the pleura. It usually has an indolent clinical course. The hypoglycemia that accompanies SFTP was first described by Doege and Potter independently in 1930, hence the eponym Doege-Potter syndrome (DPS). The incidence of DPS is reported to be ~4%. In this report, we present a typical case of DPS that was cured through complete surgical resection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.4
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• pp.330-337
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• 2011

Background: The clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been changing. Recently, Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has usually been used for diagnosis, follow-up to treatment and surveillance of NSCLC. We studied the pattern of recurrence and prognosis in patients who underwent complete resection for NSCLC according to histologic subtype. Methods: All patients who underwent complete resection for pathological stage I or II NSCLC between January 2005 and June 2009 were identified and clinical records were reviewed retrospectively, especially the histologic subtype. Results: Recurrences were identified in 50 of 112 patients who had complete resection of an NSCLC. Sites of recurrence were locoregional in 15 (30%), locoregional and distant in 20 (40%), and distant in 15 (30%). Also, sites of recurrence were intra-thoracic in 29 (58%), extrathoracic and intra-thoracic recurrence in 15 (30%), and extrathoracic in 6 (12%). In locoregional recurrence, there was 37% recurrence for non-squamous cell carcinoma (non-SQC) and 25% for squamous cell carcinoma (SQC). In distant recurrence, there was 39% recurrence for non-SQC and 18% for SQC. Locoregional recurrence in the bronchial stump was more common in SQC than non-SQC (14% vs. 45%, p=0.025). Prognosis of recurrence was not influenced by histologic subtype and the recurrence-free survival curve showed that the non-SQC group did not differ from the SQC group according to stage. Conclusion: The prognosis for recurrence does not seem to be influenced by histologic types, but locoregional recurrence in the bronchial stump seems to be more common in SQC than non-SQC in completely resected stage I and II NSCLC.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.4
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• pp.347-351
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• 2011

We report here an unusual case of pericardial tuberculoma that was misdiagnosed as thymic carcinoma on an imaging study. A 48-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of an anterior mediastinal mass. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest displayed cystic masses mimicking thymic carcinoma at the anterior mediastinum. Pericardiotomy and surgical drainage of the cystic masses were done, and pathologic examination of the excised pericardial specimen showed a chronic granulomatous inflammation with necrosis, compatible with tuberculosis. Acid-fast bacilli were also identified in the specimen. After treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs and steroids, the patient showed clinical improvement. Although tuberculous pericarditis usually presents as pericardial effusion or constrictive pericarditis, it can also present as a pericardial mass mimicking thymic carcinoma on CT. Therefore, we suggest that tuberculous pericardial abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mediastinal mass in Korea, with intermediate tuberculosis prevalence.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup2
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• pp.300-308
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• 2001

Objectives : Anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion has become a well-accepted surgical treatment of degenerative cervical diseases. Implatable cages have a stabilizing effect without plates and no need for autogenous bone graft. The authors evaluates the effect of implatable titanium cage(RABEA) on the clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods : 34 patients with symptomatic cervical degenerative diseases due to one level disc pathology were underwent anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion with titanium cages(RABEA) which were not filled with cancallous bone grafts from January 1999 to May 2001. Patients with osteoporosis and older than 65 years were not included. Among them, 15 patients could be followed-up for at least 1 year. The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts and radiographic data. Mean follow-up period was $1.3{\pm}0.2years$. Results : Clinical results according to the Odom's criteria was exellent and good in 14(93%) patients. One patient with fair result showed complete loss of the disc space height due to settlement of the cage. Preoperatively, the mean height of the disc space(${\pm}$standard deviation) was $3.42{\pm}1.10mm$(range 2.0-5.5mm), and at 1 day postoperatively it was $7.88{\pm}0.90mm$(range 6.50-9.0). The mean height of the disc space after 1 year was $6.50{\pm}1.38mm$(range 3.0-8.0). The restoration of the height was statistically significant(p<0.05). The mean height after 1 year was $82.7{\pm}15.9%$ of the height at 1 day postoperatively. Preoperatively the mean value of the cervical lodortic angle was $21.8{\pm}11.8^{\circ}$ and 1 year postopertively, it was $24.5{\pm}8.3^{\circ}$, which was statistically not significant. All patients showed no abnormal movements on flexion and extension lateral film after 6 months. Conclusion : Implantable titanium cages appear safe and effective in selected patients, and their use helps to avoid complications associated with bone graft harvest. Subsidence of the cage seems to be a potential risk factor for recurrence of the symptoms. For long-term results, a longer follow-up is required.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2021

Toxic megacolon is a fatal complication of inflammatory or infectious bowel disease. Prognosis depends on the severity of the disease. In cases of poor prognosis, clinical outcomes range from intestinal resection to death, so early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are very important. However, the prevalence of toxic megacolon in children is very low, and in those without underlying diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, early diagnosis may be delayed. A previously healthy 12-year-old boy presented to our hospital with lower abdomen pain, fever, and hematochezia. Despite antibiotic therapy, the symptoms worsened. On the third day, abdominal computed tomography revealed severe dilatation of the transverse colon, which indicated toxic megacolon. Stool culture was positive for Salmonella enteritidis group D, and rectal endoscopy showed no signs of inflammatory bowel disease. Ceftriaxone and intravenous methylprednisolone were administered, and the patient's condition improved without any complications. We report a case of toxic megacolon as a complication of infectious colitis caused by S. enteritidis group D, which was diagnosed using early imaging and successfully treated without surgical intervention.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.86 no.3
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• pp.203-215
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• 2023

Background: Surgical resection is the standard treatment for early-stage lung cancer. Since postoperative lung function is related to mortality, predicted postoperative lung function is used to determine the treatment modality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive performance of linear regression and machine learning models. Methods: We extracted data from the Clinical Data Warehouse and developed three sets: set I, the linear regression model; set II, machine learning models omitting the missing data: and set III, machine learning models imputing the missing data. Six machine learning models, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), Ridge regression, ElasticNet, Random Forest, eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and the light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) were implemented. The forced expiratory volume in 1 second measured 6 months after surgery was defined as the outcome. Five-fold cross-validation was performed for hyperparameter tuning of the machine learning models. The dataset was split into training and test datasets at a 70:30 ratio. Implementation was done after dataset splitting in set III. Predictive performance was evaluated by R² and mean squared error (MSE) in the three sets. Results: A total of 1,487 patients were included in sets I and III and 896 patients were included in set II. In set I, the R² value was 0.27 and in set II, LightGBM was the best model with the highest R² value of 0.5 and the lowest MSE of 154.95. In set III, LightGBM was the best model with the highest R² value of 0.56 and the lowest MSE of 174.07. Conclusion: The LightGBM model showed the best performance in predicting postoperative lung function.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.4109-4115
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• 2014

Background: Accurate assessment of disease progression requires proper understanding of natural disease process which is often hidden and unobservable. For this purpose, disease status should be clearly detected. But in most diseases it is not possible to detect such status. This study, therefore, aims to present a model which both investigates the unobservable disease process and considers the error probability in diagnosis of disease states. Materials and Methods: Data from 330 patients with gastric cancer undergoing surgery at the Iran Cancer Institute from 1995 to 1999 were analyzed. Moreover, to estimate and assess the effect of demographic, diagnostic and clinical factors as well as medical and post-surgical variables on transition rates and the probability of misdiagnosis of relapse, a hidden Markov multi-state model was employed. Results: Classification errors of patients in alive state without a relapse ($e_{21}$) and with a relapse ($e_{12}$) were 0.22 (95% CI: 0.04-0.63) and 0.02 (95% CI: 0.00-0.09), respectively. Only variables of age and number of renewed treatments affected misdiagnosis of relapse. In addition, patient age and distant metastasis were among factors affecting the occurrence of relapse (state1${\rightarrow}$state2) while the number of renewed treatments and the type and extent of surgery had a significant effect on death hazard without relapse (state2${\rightarrow}$state3)and death hazard with relapse (state2${\rightarrow}$state3). Conclusions: A hidden Markov multi-state model provides the possibility of estimating classification error between different states of disease. Moreover, based on this model, factors affecting the probability of this error can be identified and researchers can be helped with understanding the mechanisms of classification error.