• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.761-771
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• 2023

Objective: To investigate the association among the electrode placement method, electrode type, and local tumor progression (LTP) following percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and to assess the risk factors for LTP. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 211 patients, including 150 males and 61 females, who had undergone ultrasound-guided RFA for a single HCC < 3 cm. Patients were divided into four combination groups of the electrode type and placement method: 1) tumor-puncturing with an internally cooled tip (ICT), 2) tumor-puncturing with an internally cooled wet tip (ICWT), 3) no-touch with ICT, and 4) no-touch with ICWT. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses were performed to evaluate the risk factors for LTP. The major RFA-related complications were assessed. Results: Overall, 83, 34, 80, and 14 patients were included in the ICT, ICWT, no-touch with ICT, and no-touch with ICWT groups, respectively. The cumulative LTP rates differed significantly among the four groups. Compared to tumor puncturing with ICT, tumor puncturing with ICWT was associated with a lower LTP risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0-0.88, P = 0.034). However, the cumulative LTP rate did not differ significantly between tumor-puncturing with ICT and no-touch RFA with ICT (aHR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.03-1.62, P = 0.188) or ICWT (aHR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0-2.28, P = 0.294). An insufficient ablative margin was a risk factor for LTP (aHR = 6.13, 95% CI = 1.41-22.49, P = 0.019). The major complication rates were 1.2%, 0%, 2.5%, and 21.4% in the ICT, ICWT, no-touch with ICT, and no-touch with ICWT groups, respectively. Conclusion: ICWT was associated with a lower LTP rate compared to ICT when performing tumor-puncturing RFA. An insufficient ablation margin was a risk factor for LTP.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.92-107
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients who visited the emergency department due to intoxication and analyzed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on their visits. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using data from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) on patients who visited the emergency department due to intoxication between January 2014 and December 2020. In total, 277,791 patients were included in the study, and their demographic and clinical data were analyzed. A model was created from 2014 to 2019 and applied to 2020 (i.e., during the COVID-19 pandemic) to conduct a time series analysis distinguishing between unexpected accidents and suicide/self-harm among patients who visited the emergency department. Results: The most common reason for visiting the emergency department was unintentional accidents (48.5%), followed by self-harm/suicide attempts (43.8%). Unexpected accident patients and self-harm/suicide patients showed statistically significant differences in terms of sex, age group, hospitalization rate, and mortality rate. The time series analysis showed a decrease in patients with unexpected accidents during the COVID-19 pandemic, but no change in patients with suicide/self-harm. Conclusion: Depending on the intentionality of the intoxication, significant differences were found in the age group, the substance of intoxication, and the mortality rate. Therefore, future analyses of patients with intoxication should be stratified according to intentionality. In addition, the time series analysis of intentional self-harm/suicide did not show a decrease in 2010 in the number of patients, whereas a decrease was found for unintentional accidents.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.242-251
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• 2024

Background: This study compared the outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients aged 50 to 70 years based on the type of prosthetic valve used. Methods: We compared patients who underwent mechanical AVR to those who underwent bioprosthetic AVR at our institution between January 2000 and March 2019. Competing risk analysis and the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method based on propensity score were employed for comparisons. Results: A total of 1,580 patients (984 patients with mechanical AVR; 596 patients with bioprosthetic AVR) were enrolled. There was no significant difference in early mortality between the mechanical AVR and bioprosthetic AVR groups (0.9% vs. 1.7%, p=0.177). After IPTW adjustment, the risk of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the bioprosthetic AVR group than in the mechanical AVR group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.80; p=0.014). Competing risk analysis revealed lower risks of stroke (sub-distributional hazard ratio [sHR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.28-0.67; p<0.001) and anticoagulation-related bleeding (sHR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.23-0.53; p<0.001) in the bioprosthetic AVR group. Conversely, the risk of aortic valve (AV) reintervention was higher in the bioprosthetic AVR group (sHR, 6.14; 95% CI, 3.17-11.93; p<0.001). Conclusion: Among patients aged 50 to 70 years who underwent surgical AVR, those receiving mechanical valves showed better survival than those with bioprosthetic valves. The mechanical AVR group exhibited a higher risk of stroke and anticoagulation-related bleeding, while the bioprosthetic AVR group showed a higher risk of AV reintervention.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.351-359
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• 2024

Background: Major pulmonary resection after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation therapy (nCCRT) is associated with a substantial risk of postoperative complications. This study investigated postoperative complications and associated risk factors to facilitate the selection of suitable surgical candidates following nCCRT in stage IIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with clinical stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC who underwent surgical resection following nCCRT between 1997 and 2013. Perioperative characteristics and clinical factors associated with morbidity and mortality were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results: A total of 574 patients underwent major lung resection after induction CCRT. Thirty-day and 90-day postoperative mortality occurred in 8 patients (1.4%) and 41 patients (7.1%), respectively. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (n=6, 4.5%) was the primary cause of in-hospital mortality. Morbidity occurred in 199 patients (34.7%). Multivariable analysis identified significant predictors of morbidity, including patient age exceeding 70 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; p=0.04), low body mass index (OR, 2.6; p=0.02), and pneumonectomy (OR, 1.8; p=0.03). Patient age over 70 years (OR, 1.8; p=0.02) and pneumonectomy (OR, 3.26; p<0.01) were independent predictors of mortality in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion: In conclusion, the surgical outcomes following nCCRT are less favorable for individuals aged over 70 years or those undergoing pneumonectomy. Special attention is warranted for these patients due to their heightened risks of respiratory complications. In high-risk patients, such as elderly patients with decreased lung function, alternative treatment options like definitive CCRT should be considered instead of surgical resection.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Radiofrequency treatment of the gastroesophageal junction using the Stretta procedure for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is observed to improve the symptoms and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) dependence and reduce the need for anti-reflux operations. As one of the largest studies in Europe, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of Stretta in patients with medically refractory GERD. Methods: A tertiary UK center evaluated all patients with refractory GERD who underwent Stretta between 2014 and 2022. Patients and primary care professionals were contacted to obtain information regarding the initiation of PPI and reintervention after Stretta. Results: Of the 195 patients (median age, 55 years; 116 women [59.5%]) who underwent Stretta, PPI-free period (PFP) data were available for 144 (73.8%) patients. Overall, 66 patients (45.8%) did not receive PPI after a median follow-up of 55 months. Six patients (3.1%) underwent further interventions. The median PFP after Stretta was 41 months. There was a significant negative correlation between PFP and age (p=0.007), with no differences between sexes (p=0.96). Patients younger than 55 years of age had a longer PFP than their older counterparts (p=0.005). Younger males had a significantly longer PFP than older males (p=0.021). However, this was not observed in the female cohort (p=0.09) or between the younger men and women (p=0.66). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Stretta is a safe and feasible option for treating refractory GERD, especially in younger patients. It prevents further anti-reflux interventions in most patients and increases the lead-time to surgery in patients with refractory GERD.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2014

Purpose: As well as patient survival, the restoration of postoperative function such as ambulation is important in limb salvage operations for treatment of malignant bone tumors involving the proximal femur. The authors analyzed clinical outcomes of limb salvage operations using tumor prostheses for metastatic or primary malignant bone tumors in the proximal femur. Materials and Methods: From February 2005 to January 2014, 20 cases (19 patients) with malignant bone tumor involving the proximal femur with pain or complicated pathologic fracture were treated with segmental resection and limb salvage operations with tumor prostheses. Mean age was 63.1 years (range 35-86). Fourteen patients were male and six ones were female. The mean follow-up period was 20 months (1-94 months). There were 15 cases of metastatic bone tumor, 4 cases of osteosarcoma, and 1 case of multiple myeloma. The primary tumors of the metastatic bone tumors included 4 lung cancers, 3 hepatocellular carcinomas, and 3 renal cell carcinomas. Other primary tumors were breast cancer, thyroid cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and malignant spindle cell tumor, each in 1 case. Modular tumor prostheses were used in all cases; (Kotz's$^{(R)}$ Modular Tumor prosthesis (Howmedica, Rutherford, New Jersey) in 3 cases, MUTARS$^{(R)}$ proximal femur system (Implantcast, Munster, Germany) in 17 cases). Perioperative pain was assessed with Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Postoperative functional outcome was assessed with Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) grading system. Results: Out of 20 cases (19 patients), 11 cases (10 patients) survived at the last follow-up. Average postoperative survival of the 9 deceased patients was 10.1 months (1-38 months). VAS score improved from pre-operative average of 8.40 (5-10) to 1.35 (0-3) after operation. Average postoperative MSTS function score was 19.65 (65.50%, 7-28). The associated complications were 2 local recurrences, 3 hematomas, 3 infections, 2 scrotal swellings, and 1 dislocation. There was no case of periprosthetic fracture or loosening. Conclusion: Limb salvage operation with tumor prosthesis is an appropriate treatment for early pain reduction and functional restoration in malignant bone tumors in the proximal femur with pain an/or complicated pathologic fractures.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2000

Purpose: We compared the first postoperative diagnostic and post-therapy scans of patients who received therapeutic doses of I-131, to investigate the difference in clinical outcomes between patients with concordant findings of diagnostic and post-therapy scans and patients with discrepant (more lesions in post-therapy scan) findings. Materials and Methods: The first postoperative diagnostic and post-therapy radioiodine scans of one hundred forty three patients with well differentiated thyroid carcinoma were reviewed. Diagnostic scans were obtained following ingestion of 185 MBq of I-131 and post-therapy scans were obtained after therapeutic dose of $3.7{\sim}9.3$ GBq of I-131. Successful ablation was defined as no radioiodine uptake on diagnostic radioiodine scan and normal range of serum thyroglobulin level (<10 ng/ml) during serum TSH elevation. Results: Discrepant scan findings were noted in 25 (17.5%) patients. Twenty-two patients (15.4%) showed more lesions in post-therapy scan and 3 patients (2.1%) showed stunning effect. Nine (64.3%) of 14 patients with distant metastasis revealed metastatic lesion(s) only on post-therapy scan. Stunning effect was considered as sublethal damage in 1 patient and treatment by a diagnostic dose in 2 patients. Ablation was achieved in 52.4% (75/143) of all patients. Ablation rate and mean cumulative radioiodine dose were not different statistically between concordant and discrepant groups. Conclusion: There were 17.5% difference between diagnostic and post-therapy scan findings when using 185 MBq of I-131 as a diagnostic dose. However, 64.3% of distant metastases were revealed only on post-therapy scan. Ablation rate and mean cumulative radioiodine dose were not different statistically between concordant and discrepant groups. The stunning effect was considered as not only sublethal damage but also treatment by a small diagnostic dose of radioiodine.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.27-36
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• 2007

A recent study showed that MTBE can be degraded by Fenton's Reagent (FR). The treatment of MTBE with FR, however, has a definite limitation of extremely low pH requirement (optimum pH $3{\sim}4$) that makes the process impracticable under neutral pH condition on which the ferrous ion precipitate forming salt with hydroxyl anion, which result in the diminishment of the Fenton reaction and incompatible with biological treatment. Consequently, this process using only FR is not suitable for in-situ remediation of MTBE. In order to overcome this limitation, modified Fenton process using NTA, oxalate, and acetate as chelating reagents was introduced into this study. Modified Fenton reaction, available at near neutral pH, has been researched for the purpose of obtaining high performance of oxidation efficiency with stabilized ferrous or ferric ion by chelating agent. In the MTBE degradation experiment with modified Fenton reaction, it was observed that this reaction was influenced by some factors such as concentrations of ferric ion, hydrogen peroxide, and each chelating agent and pH. Six potential chelators including oxalate, succinate, acetate, citrate, NTA, and EDTA were tested to identify an appropriate chelator. Among them, oxalate, acetate, and NTA were selected based on their remediation efficiency and biodegradability of each chelator. Using NTA, the best result was obtained, showing more than 99.9% of MTBE degradation after 30 min at pH 7; the initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide, NTA, and ferric ion were 1470 mM, 6 mM, and 2 mM, respectively. Under the same experimental condition, the removal of MTBE using oxalate and acetate were 91.3% and 75.8%, respectively. Optimum concentration of iron ion were 3 mM using oxalate which showed the greatest removal efficiency. In case of acetate, $[MTBE]_0$ decreased gradually when concentration of iron ion increased above 5 mM. In this research, it was showed that modified Fenton reaction is proper for in-situ remediation of MTBE with great efficiency and the application of chelatimg agents, such as NTA, was able to make the ferric ion stable even at near neutral pH. In consequence, the outcomes of this study clearly showed that the modified Fenton process successfully coped with the limitation of the low pH requirement. Furthermore, the introduction of low molecular weight organic acids makes the process more available since these compounds have distinguishable biodegradability and it may be able to use natural iron mineral as catalyst for in situ remediation, so as to produce hydroxyl radical without the additional injection of ferric ion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.787-792
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• 2004

Even though there well developments in various treatment techniques for acute limb ischemia, this disease is both life threatening and limb threatening. We investigated early and mid-term results of operation for acute limb ischemia with symptoms, the combined diseases, location of occlusion, complication in our patients. Material and Method: A retrospective review was conducted in 54 patients (43 men, 11 women, mean age 67.2 years) presenting with acute limb ischemia due to arterial thrombosis or embolism between Jan. 1996 and Dec. 2003, initially underwent thromboembolectomy. Result: In 33 patients (61.1%) the timeinterval from the onset of symptom to admission was within 24 hours. Causes of acute limb ischemia were embolic occlusion (27.8%), native arterial thrombosis (66.7%), and bypass graft thrombosis (5.6%). The distribution of arterial occlusion location was at 8 aortoiliac (14.8%) and 43 distal to femoral (79.6%) and brachial (5.6%). Clinical categories were grade I in 64.8%, IIa in 24.1%, IIb in 7.4%, and III in 3.7%, All the patients were received embolectomy. Underlying diseases were heart disease (72.2%), hypertension (33.3%), cerebrovascular accident (16.7%) and diabetes (18.5%). History of smoking was noted in 96,3% of the cases. Mortality rate was 5.6％ and overall amputation rate was 9.3% (5/54). The 1-year limb salvage rate was 93.62%. Postoperative complications were 1 wound infection, 1 G1 bleeding, 3 acute renal failure, and 1 compartment syndromes. The functional outcomes of the salvaged limb according to the recommended scale for gauging changes in clinical status, revised version in 1997 were +3 in 68.5%, +2 in 9.3%, +1 in 7.4%, -1 in 5.6%, -2 in 3.7%, and -3 in 5.6%. Conclusion: This study revealed 5.6% mortality and the amputation rate was 9.3%. We have retrospectively shown good results from early diagnosis & early operation. To improve outcome, early diagnosis and understand the underlying diseases, prompt treatment and operation would be appreciated.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.791-797
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• 2009

Purpose : We aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations of and antibiotic resistance in culture-proven childhood salmonellosis. Methods : Clinical manifestations and laboratory data of and antibiotic use in subjects with culture-proven childhood salmonellosis, who were treated at the Chonbuk National University Hospital between September 1998 and August 2008, were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with underlying diseases or concomitant illnesses were excluded. Results : We assessed a total of 72 patients. There were 68 stool culture-positive cases, 7 blood culture-positive cases, and 3 both stool culture- and blood culture-positive cases. Salmonella group D was the most frequent pathogen in stool (63.9%) and blood (71.4%) cultures. Salmonella typhi was isolated in 1 case. Of the 72 patients, 45 (62.5%) were male children, of which 29 (40.3%) were aged <3 years. The patients most commonly presented with diarrhea (90.2%) and fever (83.3%). Leukocytosis (leukocyte count, >$15,000/{\mu}L$) and leukopenia (leukocyte count, <$4,000/{\mu}L$) were detected in 8.3% and 5.6% of the patients, respectively. Elevated serum C-reactive protein concentration (>5 mg/dL) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (>20 mm/h) were observed in 88.9% and 58.3% of the patients, respectively. Fifty-two (85.2%) of 61 patients who had undergone antibiotic treatment received a third-generation cephalosporin as definitive antibiotic therapy. Multidrug resistance rate was 40.0 % in the first 5 years of the study and 71.4% in the last 5 years. No fatalities occurred in this series. Conclusion : Children with culture-proven salmonellosis showed relatively benign clinical outcomes. Appropriate antibiotic treatment of <2 weeks is probably adequate for those without a suppurative focus of infection. The incidence of antibiotic resistant isolates was recently seen to increase.