• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of the study is to explain the general guidelines of the WHO standard acupuncture point locations (APLs). Understanding the general guidelines will enable experts to make the clear use of the standard APL for education, research and practice. Methods : In the beginning of development of the standard APL, experts made general guidelines to draw mutual agreements of the three nations (Korea, China, and Japan) on the standard APL. The guidelines include point locating methods, syntax of descriptive sentences, landmarks on body surface, reference acupuncture points, usage of anatomical terminology, and proportional bone measurements. Results : We found that there are some considerable problems in practical use of the APLs due to the strict application of anatomical terms, even on accessory phrases such as region of body in the sentence of each description. Conclusions : We hope that the study helps readers expand the understanding of the newly developed standard APLs resulting from increased application of acupuncture points. Also, it would be a reference to revise the WHO standard APLs in the future.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.350-359
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• 2023

The suboccipital triangle (ST) is a clinically relevant landmark in the posterior aspect of the neck and is used to locate and mobilize the horizontal segment of the third part of the vertebral artery before it enters the cranium. Unfortunately, this space is not always a viable option for vertebral artery exposition, and consequently a novel triangle, the inferior suboccipital triangle (IST) has been defined. This alternative triangle will allow surgeons to locate the artery more proximally, where its course is more predictable. The purpose of this study was to better define the anatomy of both triangles by measuring their borders and calculating their areas. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Pretoria (reference number: 222/2021) and both triangles were subsequently dissected out on both the left and right sides of 33 formalin-fixed human adult cadavers. The borders of each triangle were measured using a digital calliper and the areas were calculated using Herons Formula. The average area of the ST is 969.82±153.15 mm², while the average area of the IST is 307.48±41.31 mm². No statistically significant differences in the findings were observed between the sides of the body, ancestry, or sex of the cadavers. Measurement and analysis of these triangles provided important anatomical information and speak to their clinical relevance as surgical landmarks with which to locate the vertebral artery. Of particular importance here is the IST, which allows for mobilisation of this artery more proximally, should the ST be occluded.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1114-1130
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• 2023

Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is increasingly used to visualize peripheral nerves in vivo. However, the implementation and interpretation of MRN in the brachial and lumbosacral plexi are challenging because of the anatomical complexity and technical limitations. The purpose of this article was to review the clinical context of MRN, describe advanced magnetic resonance (MR) techniques for plexus imaging, and list the general categories of utility of MRN with pertinent imaging examples. The selection and optimization of MR sequences are centered on the homogeneous suppression of fat and blood vessels while enhancing the visibility of the plexus and its branches. Standard 2D fast spin-echo sequences are essential to assess morphology and signal intensity of nerves. Moreover, nerve-selective 3D isotropic images allow improved visualization of nerves and multiplanar reconstruction along their course. Diffusion-weighted and diffusion-tensor images offer microscopic and functional insights into peripheral nerves. The interpretation of MRN in the brachial and lumbosacral plexi should be based on a thorough understanding of their anatomy and pathophysiology. Anatomical landmarks assist in identifying brachial and lumbosacral plexus components of interest. Thus, understanding the varying patterns of nerve abnormalities facilitates the interpretation of aberrant findings.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2019

Purpose: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is widely used for 3-dimensional assessments of cranio-maxillo-facial relationships, especially in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. We have introduced, for reference in CBCT cephalometry, an anatomical mid-sagittal plane (MSP) identified by the nasion, the midpoint between the posterior clinoid processes of the sella turcica, and the basion. The MSP is an updated version of the median plane previously used at our institution for 2D posterior-anterior cephalometry. This study was conducted to test the accuracy of the CBCT measures compared to those obtained using standard posterior-anterior cephalometry. Materials and Methods: Two operators measured the inter-zygomatic distance on 15 CBCT scans using the MSP as a reference plane, and the CBCT measurements were compared with measurements made on patients' posterior-anterior cephalograms. The statistical analysis evaluated the absolute and percentage differences between the 3D and 2D measurements. Results: As demonstrated by the absolute mean difference (roughly 1 mm) and the percentage difference (less than 3%), the MSP showed good accuracy on CBCT compared to the 2D plane, especially for measurements of the left side. However, the CBCT measurements showed a high standard deviation, indicating major variability and low precision. Conclusion: The anatomical MSP can be used as a reliable reference plane for transverse measurements in 3D cephalometry in cases of symmetrical or asymmetrical malocclusion. In patients who suffer from distortions of the skull base, the identification of landmarks might be difficult and the MSP could be unreliable. Becoming familiar with the relevant software could reduce errors and improve reliability.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.161-165
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• 2023

The depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle is a thin, superficial muscle located below the corner of the mouth. It is the target for botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection therapy, aimed at treating drooping mouth corners. Hyperactivity of the DAO muscle can lead to a sad, tired, or angry appearance in some patients. However, it is difficult to inject BoNT into the DAO muscle because its medial border overlaps with the depressor labii inferioris and its lateral border is adjacent to the risorius, zygomaticus major, and platysma muscles. Moreover, a lack of knowledge of the anatomy of the DAO muscle and the properties of BoNT can lead to side effects, such as asymmetrical smiles. Anatomical-based injection sites were provided for the DAO muscle, and the proper injection technique was reviewed. We proposed optimal injection sites based on the external anatomical landmarks of the face. The aim of these guidelines is to standardize the procedure and maximize the effects of BoNT injections while minimizing adverse events, all by reducing the dose unit and injection points.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.293-298
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• 2023

The mentalis muscle is a paired muscle originating from the alveolar bone of the mandible. This muscle is the main target muscle for botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection therapy, which aims to treat cobblestone chin caused by mentalis hyperactivity. However, a lack of knowledge on the anatomy of the mentalis muscle and the properties of BoNT can lead to side effects, such as mouth closure insufficiency and smile asymmetry due to ptosis of the lower lip after BoNT injection procedures. Therefore, we have reviewed the anatomical properties associated with BoNT injection into the mentalis muscle. An up-to-date understanding of the localization of the BoNT injection point according to mandibular anatomy leads to better injection localization into the mentalis muscle. Optimal injection sites have been provided for the mentalis muscle and a proper injection technique has been described. We have suggested optimal injection sites based on the external anatomical landmarks of the mandible. The aim of these guidelines is to maximize the effects of BoNT therapy by minimizing the deleterious effects, which can be very useful in clinical settings.

• Journal of the Korea Computer Graphics Society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.55-65
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• 2022

Recently, deep learning-based automated systems for identifying and detecting landmarks have been proposed. In order to train such a deep learning-based model without overfitting, a large amount of image and labeling data is required. Conventionally, an experienced reader manually identifies and labels landmarks in a patient's image. However, such measurement is not only expensive, but also has poor reproducibility, so the need for an automated labeling method has been raised. In addition, in the X-ray image, since various human tissues on the path through which the photons pass are displayed, it is difficult to identify the landmark compared to a general natural image or a 3D image modality image. In this study, we propose a geometric data augmentation technique that enables the generation of a large amount of labeling data in X-ray images. In addition, the optimal attention mechanism for landmark detection was presented through the implementation and application of various attention techniques to improve the detection performance of 16 major landmarks in the skull. Finally, among the major cranial landmarks, markers that ensure stable detection are derived, and these markers are expected to have high clinical application potential.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.101-111
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• 2017

The number of imaging data sets has significantly increased during radiation treatment after introducing a diverse range of advanced techniques into the field of radiation oncology. As a consequence, there have been many studies proposing meaningful applications of imaging data set use. These applications commonly require a method to align the data sets at a reference. Deformable image registration (DIR) is a process which satisfies this requirement by locally registering image data sets into a reference image set. DIR identifies the spatial correspondence in order to minimize the differences between two or among multiple sets of images. This article describes clinical applications, validation, and algorithms of DIR techniques. Applications of DIR in radiation treatment include dose accumulation, mathematical modeling, automatic segmentation, and functional imaging. Validation methods discussed are based on anatomical landmarks, physical phantoms, digital phantoms, and per application purpose. DIR algorithms are also briefly reviewed with respect to two algorithmic components: similarity index and deformation models.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2011

Purpose: Exact knowledge of the location and dimension of the pulp chamber help to maintain the pulp healthy during operative procedure and also reduces the risk of perforation of pulp chamber during root canal treatment. This in-vivo study was carried out to measure critical morphology of pulp chamber of mandibular molar using intra-oral periapical radiograph. Materials and Methods: Mandibular molar teeth of 56 patients were evaluated. The mandibular molar teeth whose pulp chamber was not violated by caries, restoration, fracture crown and those having closed apex were included in the study. The intraoral periapical radiographs were taken with paralleling angle technique using radio-opaque grid with 1 mm space. This grid was placed directly on the film. Results: In 94% of the mandibular first molars specimens the pulp chamber ceiling was at the level of the cemento-enamel junction. The measurements showing the lowest percentage variance were buccal cusp to furcation (approximately 11%) and buccal cusp to pulp chamber ceiling (approximately 15%). The distance from the cusp tip to pulp chamber ceiling height was approximately 6.0 mm, the distance from the pulpal floor to the furcation was approximately 3.0 mm, and the average height of a pulp chamber was 1.5 to 2.0 mm. Conclusion: The exact knowledge of distances of pulp chamber from various anatomical landmarks helps in proper assessment of root canals and ultimately avoids the failure of root canal treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2012

Introduction: The location of parotid gland tumors in the superficial or deep lobes can affect the time and difficulty of operations. Therefore, accurate preoperative evaluation of the tumor location is important for surgical outcomes. Materials and Methods: A total of 16 patients with parotid gland tumors and who underwent a parotidectomy between April 2003 and March 2011 were retrospectively reviewed in terms of demographic background, tumor location, surgical treatment, and treatment outcomes. Tumor location was estimated by four landmarks on contrast enhanced computerized tomography scans, which were Conn's arc, the facial nerve (FN) line, the Utrecht line, and the retromandibular vein. Tumor location was confirmed by relative position depending on the facial nerve during surgery. It was assumed positive since the tumor lies in the superficial lobe of the parotid gland, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and efficiency of each landmark were evaluated. Results: Our result revealed that the facial nerve line had a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 71.4%, and efficiency of 87.5%. Some would be more efficient preoperative evaluation methods of the relationship of parotid gland tumors to the facial nerve than others. Conclusion: In our study, the FN line was found to be the most reliable analysis method.