• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.992-998
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• 2004

Background: The decision of staging of esophageal cancer have great effect on the resectability of the lesion and estimation of the patient's prognosis. Today, CT is one of the most popular modality for staging of esophageal cancer. However, it has some limitations because of false-positive or false-negative findings on cancer staging. The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of CT in preoperative staging of esophageal cancer. Material and Method: We retrospectively analysed the difference of staging of esophageal cancer between CT and histopathological findings for the 114 patients with histologically proven esophageal cancer who underwent operation at the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Chonnam national university hospital, between January 1999 and June 2003. We evaluated the efficacy of chest CT in the staging of esophageal cancer compared to postoperative histopathologic findings by calculating sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and reproducibility of chest CT to detect abnormality. Result: The reproducibilities between chest CT and histopathologic findings were 0.32 (p<0.01) for primary tumor (T), 0.36 (p<0.01) for lymph node invasion (N), and 0.62 (p<0.01) for distant metastasis (M). The reproducibilities between chest CT and histopathologic findings for lymph node invasion (N) and distant metastasis (M) were superior to that of primary tumor (T). The accuracy of primary tumor (T) was 65.8% and 98.2% in group III and IV, which was significantly higher than that of group I and II (78.9% and 62.3%). In general, specificity of chest CT for TNM staging was superior to sensitivity. Conclusion: In conclusion, preoperative CT scanning can provide important information on lymph node invasion and metastasis of lesion than primary tumor invasion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.503-508
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• 2019

In short a binary value according to a change in the tube voltage by using one of VOLUME AXIAL MODE of scanning techniques of chest CT image quality evaluation in order to obtain high image and to present the appropriate tube voltage. CT instruments were GE Revolution (GE Healthcare, Wisconsin USA) model and Phantom used Pediatric Whole Body Phantom PBU-70. The test method was examined in Volume Axial mode using the pediatric protocol used in the Y university hospital of mass-produced material. The tube voltage was set to 70kvp, 80kvp, 100kvp, and mAs was set to smart mA-ODM. The mean SNR difference of the heart was $-4.53{\pm}0.26$ at 70 kvp, $-3.34{\pm}0.18$ at 80 kvp, $-1.87{\pm}0.15$ at 100 kvp, and SNR at 70 kvp was about -2.66 higher than 100 kvp and statistically significant (p<0.05) In the Lung SNR mean difference analysis, $-78.20{\pm}4.16$ at 70 kvp, $-79.10{\pm}4.39$ at 80 kvp, $-77.43{\pm}4.72$ at 100 kvp, and SNR at 70 kvp at about -0.77 higher than 100 kvp were statistically significant. (p<0.05). Lung CNR mean difference was $73.67{\pm}3.95$ at 70 kvp, $75.76{\pm}4.25$ at 80 kvp, $75.57{\pm}4.62$ at 100 kvp and 20.9 CNR at 80 kvp higher than 70 kvp and statistically significant (p<0.05) At 100 kvp of tube voltage, the SNR was close to 1 while maintaining the quality of the heart image when 70 kvp and 80 kvp were compared. However, there is no difference in SNR between 70 kvp and 80 kvp, and 70 kvp can be used to reduce the radiation dose. On the other and, CNR showed an approximate value of 1 at 70 kvp. There is no difference between 80 kvp and 100 kvp. Therefore, 80 kvp can reduce the radiation dose by pediatric chest CT. In addition, it is possible to perform a scan with a short scan time of 0.3 seconds in the volume axial mode test, which is useful for pediatric patients who need to move or relax.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.43-51
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dosimetric effects of couch attenuation and air gaps using 3D phantom for prone breast radiation therapy. Materials and method: A 3D printer(Builder Extreme 1000) and computed tomography (CT) images of a breast cancer patient were used to manufacture the customized breast phantom. Eclipse External Beam Planning 13.6 (Varian Medical Systems Palo Alto, CA, USA) was used to create the treatment plan with a dose of 200 cGy per fraction with 6 MV energy. The Optically Stimulated Luminescence Detector(OSLD) was used to measure the skin dose at four points (Med 1, Med 2, Lat 1, Lat 2) on the 3D phantom and ion-chamber (FC65-G) were used to perform the in-vivo dosimetry at the two points (Anterior, Posterior). The Skin dose and in-vivo dosimetry were measured with reference air gap (3 cm) and increased air gaps (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 cm) from reference distance between the couch and 3D phantom. Results: As a result, measurement for the skin dose at lateral point showed a similar value within ${\pm}4%$ compared to the plan. While the air gap increased, skin dose at medial 1 was reduced. And it was also reduced over 7 % when the air gap was more than 3 cm compared to radiation therapy plan. At medial 2 it was reduced over 4 % as well. The changes of dose from variety of the air gap showed similar value within ${\pm}1%$ at posterior. As the air gap was increased, the dose at anterior was also increased and it was increased by 1 % from the air gap distance more than 3 cm. Conclusion: Dosimetrical measurement using 3D phantom is very useful to evaluate the dosimetric effects of couch attenuation and air gaps for prone breast radiation therapy. And it is possible to reduce the skin dose and increase the accuracy of the radiation dose delivery by appling the optimized air gap.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.787-791
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• 2001

Coronary artery aneurysm is a rare disorder. It is defined as abnormal dilatation of coronary artery with diameter exceeding 1.5 times the adjacent normal segments. The incidence of coronary aneurysm is 2.6% in Caucasians and 0.25% in Asians. Over half of the former were associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. However, 70 percents of the latter were nonobstructive coronary artery aneurysms. Coronary artery fistula is a rare disorder. It has been identified in only 0.2% of routine cardiac angiographic studies conducted over a 10-year period. The clinical spectrums are various, asymtomatic, asymptomatic murmur, dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, and congestive heart failure. The right coronary artery (56%) and left coronary artery(36%) are mainly involved in the origin site of congenital coronary artery fistula. The draining site of fistula are right ventricle(39%), right atrium(33%), and pulmonary artery(20%) and so on. This 54 years-old woman had intermittent chest tightness and an abnormal mediastinal shadow on chest roentgenogram and chest C-T examination, which was diagnosed as a mediastinal mass such as teratoma. We performed the operation under left anterolateral thoracotomy for mass excision. However, we knew the mass had the pulsating arterial blood flow through a fine needle puncture of the mass and that it was attached to the left ventricle. We believed the excision of mass on beating heart would be very dangerous. Therefore, we closed the wound without excising the mass. After several days, we performed an echocardiography and coronary angiography, We knew it was cardiac tumor. Incidentally, the patient had a tortuous coronary fistula from the right coronary artery to pulmonary trunk. Using cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate systemic hypothermia, the mass was resected and the fistula was clipped with surgical clips. Pathology of the specimen was a giant coronary arterial aneurysm.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of 3-dimensional (3-D) radiotherapy and the radiographic parameters of 2-dimensional (2-D) radiotherapy such as central lung distance (CLD) and maximal heart distance (MHD). Materials and Methods: We analyzed 110 patients who were treated with postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer. A two-field tangential technique, a three-field technique, and the reverse hockey stick method were used. The radiation dose administered to whole breast or the chest wall was 50.4 Gy, whereas a 45 Gy was administered to the supraclavicular field. The NTCPs of the heart and lung were calculated by the modified Lyman model and the relative seriality model. Results: For all patients, the NTCPs of radiation-induced pneumonitis and cardiac mortality were 0.5% and 0.7%, respectively. The NTCP of radiation-induced pneumonitis was higher in patients treated with the reverse hockey stick method than in those treated by other two techniques (0.0%, 0.0%, 3.1%, p<0.001). The NTCP of radiation-induced pneumonitis increased with CLD. The NTCP of cardiac mortality increased with MHD ($R^2=0.808$). Conclusion: We found a close correlation between the NTCP of 3-D radiotherapy and 2-D radiographic parameters. Our results are useful to reanalyze the previous 2-D based clinical reports about breast radiation therapy complications as a viewpoint of NTCP.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.106-116
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• 2001

Background : Pulmonary thromboembolism is relatively frequent and potentially fatal. However, it is commonly misdiagnosed. The incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism is not decreasing despite advances in diagnosis and effective prophylatic measures. Its potential for significant sequela necessitates a prompt diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, there are many difficulties and problems regarding accurate diagnosis. There is a low prevalence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism in Korea and only few reports on this subject are available. Method : The clinical features of 36 patients, who were diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism at the Korea University medical center, were reviewed. Results : 1) There was no significant difference in prevalence between men an women, and the mean age was 50.9 years in men 59.2 years in women. 2) The frequent causes of pulmonary thromboembolism were malignancies (22.2%), surgery (22.2%), and heart disease(8.2%). Specific causes were not identified in 33.3%. 3) The most common symptom was dyspnea(72.2%), and the most common sign was tachypnea(61.1%). 4) The EKG findings were normal in 28.6%, an S1Q3T3 pulmonale pattern in 25.7%, ST or QRS changes in others. 5) The chest X-ray findings indicated pulmonary infiltration in 37.5%, cardiomegaly in 15.6%, pleural effusion in 12.5%, and normal in 27.8%. The perfusion lung scan showed a high probability in 66.7%, and intermediate or low probability in 33.3%. 6) The pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) in the high probability groups was 57.9mmHg with a higher mortality rate(35%). Conclusion : Pulmonary thromboembolism is not uncommon in Korea and its clinical features do not differ greatly from thase reported in the literature. When pulmonary thromboemblism of unknown causes are diagnosed, a search for an occult malignancy is recommended. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are achieved when thromboemblism is suspected.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate dosimetry results of three different techniques for whole breast irradiation after conservative surgery of large pendulous breast patient. Materials and Methods: Planning computed tomography (CT) scans for three techniques were performed on a GE Hi-speed advantage CT scanner in the supine (SP), supine with breast supporting Device (SD) and prone position on a custom prone mattress (PP). Computed tomography images were acquired at 5 mm thickness. The clinical target volumes (CTV), ipsilateral lung and heart were delineated to evaluate the dose statistic, and all techniques were planned with the tangential photon beams (Pinnacle$^3$, Philips Medical System, USA). The prescribed dose was 50 Gy delivered in 25 fractions. To evaluate the dose coverage for CTV, we analysed percent volume of CTV receiving minimum of 95%, 100%, 105%, and 110% of prescription dose ($V_{95}$, $V_{100}$, $V_{105}$, and $V_{110}$) and minimal dose covering 95% ($D_{95}$) of CTV. The dosimetric comparison for heart and ipsilateral lung was analysed using the minimal dose covering 5% of each organs ($D_5$) and the volume that received >18 Gy for the heart and >20 Gy for the ipsilateral lung. Results: Target volume coverage ($V_{95}$ and $V_{100}$) was not significantly different for all technique. The V105 was lower for PP (1.2% vs. 4.4% for SP, 11.1% for SD). Minimal dose covering 95% ($D_{95}$) of target was 47.5 Gy, 47.7 Gy and 48 Gy for SP, SD and PP. The volume of ipsilateral lung received >20 Gy was 21.7%, 11.6% and 4.9% for SP, SD and PP. The volume of heart received >18 Gy was 17.0%, 16.1% and 9.8% for SP, SD and PP. Conclusion: Prone positioning of patient for large pendulous breast irradiation enables improving dose uniformity with minimal heart and lung doses.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.439-443
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• 2003

A lower laryngeal and upper tracheal stenosis that is of idiopathic origin is occasionally seen. It is called an idiopathic tracheal stenosis. These circumferential fibrous stenosis is rare and they are most often located in the subglottic larynx and extend to varying distances predominantly in young women. Because of the unknown nature of the disease process and uncertainty about its future progression, patients were approached conservatively. Recently, surgical resection and reconstruction have been increasingly performed, as favorable results were obtained. Three female patients with dyspnea were admitted. For two patients, they were diagnosed this conditions as bronchial asthma by mistake. All patients were performed computed tomography and bronchoscopy. For two patients with subglottic stenosis, subglottic resection was performed by cervical collar incision, and for the other one patient with distal tracheal stenosis, tracheal resection was performed by right posterolateral thoracotomy. A diagnosis of idipathic tracheal stenosis was confirmed by postoperatively pathologic finding. For one case, because of anastomosis site infection and restenosis, a whole tracheal exposure was performed by cervical collar incision and median sternotomy. And reoperation was peformed successfully.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.781-784
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• 2010

A 74-year-old woman presented at our hospital with hemoptysis. Three months ago, she had endovascular stent-grafting done by a general surgeon for a saccular thoracic aneurysm that was found accidentally following an episode of fever and chills. Despite a lasting fever after the procedure, she was discharged without further treatment and follow-up. She was subsequently admitted to the hospital for evaluation and several exams were performed. Chest CT scans and an esophagoscopy identified an aorto-esophageal fistula at the level of the aorta that was covered by a previous stent-graft. After extensive administration of antibiotics, surgery was done - esophagectomy, cervical esophago-gastrostomy and replacement of the thoracic aorta. She was later discharged uneventfully.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.9 s.254
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• pp.622-626
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• 2005

Background: Non-invasive interventional therapy has been performed for main bronchial obstruction by endobronchial tuberculosis because of the risk of main bronchial reconstruction regardless of the pulmonary function. But, effects of the inteeventional therapy are attacked by arguments. This study was aimed at interpreting the risk and effectiveness of bronchoplasty for benign bronchial stenosis over the last ten years in our hospital by reviewing the results based on clinical progression. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and out-patient medical records including 2f consecutive patients who underwent main bronchial reconstruction for obstruction by endobronchial tuberculosis. All of them had past medical history of anti-tuberculosis medication. They were preoperatively evaluated by bronchoscopy and chest computed tomography. Result: There were no incidences of postoperative mortality and signifcant morbidity. There were 2 cases of retained secretions but these problems were resolved by therapeutic bronchoscopy or intubation. All of the patients are still alive without obstructive airway problem. Conclusion: Bronchoplasty should be considered as one of the primary treatment modalities, if it is anatomically feasible.