• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.10039-10043
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• 2014

Background: In Pakistan thyroid cancer is responsible for 1.2% cases of all malignant tumors. Ultrasonography (US) is helpful in detecting cancerous thyroid nodules on basis of different features like echogenicity, margins, microcalcifications, size, shape and abnormal neck lymph nodes. We therefore aimed to calculate diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in detection of carcinoma in thyroid nodules taking fine needle aspiration cytology as the reference standard. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was designed to prospectively collect data from December 2010 till December 2012 from the Department of Radiology in Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 100 patients of both genders were enrolled after informed consent via applying non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Patients referred to Radiology department of Aga Khan University to perform thyroid ultrasound followed by fine-needle aspiration cytology of thyroid nodules were included. They were excluded if proven for thyroid malignancy or if their US or FNAC was conducted outside our institution. Results: The subjects comprised 76 (76%) females and 24 males. Mean age was $41.8{\pm}SD$ 12.3 years. Sensitivity and specificity with 95%CI of ultrasound in differentiating malignant thyroid nodule from benign thyroid nodule calculated to be 91.7% (95%CI, 0.72-0.98) and 78.94% (0.68-0.87) respectively. Reported positive predictive value and negative PV were 57.9% (0.41-0.73) and 96.8% (0.88-0.99) and overall accuracy was 82%. Likelihood ratio (LR) positive was computed to be 4.3 and LR negative was 0.1. Conclusions: Ultrasonography has a high diagnostic accuracy in detecting malignancy in thyroid nodules on the basis of features like echogenicity, margins, micro calcifications and shape.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.344-346
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• 2004

A 69-year-old woman was presented with progressed dysphagia, gastric soreness and weight loss during 2 months. She was performed abdomen x-ray, EGDS and abdomen CT. Abdomen x-ray demonstrated punctuate calcification on LUQ. EGDS showed an ulceroinfiltrative mass with bleeding on cardia to antrum of stomach. And CT showed diffuse gastric wall thickness with multiple calcifications. Biopsy of the stomach and esophagus during EGDS examination revealed an adenocarcinoma, with signet ring cell type, infiltrating the wall of the stomach and the distal esophagus. Then acne scan was performed a few days later. It revealed intense uptake in LUQ, corresponding to the calcium containing neoplasm seen on the abdomen x-ray, EGDS and abdomen CT. And there was no evidence of any metastatic lesion and thyroid uptake on the bone scan. There are many reports about accumulation of the tracer in extraosseous lesion, but only a few literatures were reported about gastric calcification in stomach cancer. More over, no reports showed CT images. We are performed many diagnostic examinations and found well correlation between them. The reason of gastric calcification is considered with calcium deposition within extracellular space due to hemorrhage or necrosis. Other possibility offered to explain gastric calcification have been increased blood flow and/or increased neovascularity with capillary leaks of tracer, and specific enzymatic (phosphatases) receptor binding of tracer. So, it was happened ion exchange between intracellular calcium and phosphate groups of tracer.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.417-422
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• 1993

Diagnosis of malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary is usually difficult because many ovarian neoplasms have similar clinical and radiologic manifestations. We reviewed retrospectively 12 cases of ovarian malignant germ cell tumor and evaluated with respect to size, mass characteristics on computed tomography for differential diagnosis. Endodermal sinus tumors were mainly cystic mass with some solid component and septations. Immature teratomas showed typical manifestations, such as fatty tissue, calcifications, cysts, and irregular shaped soft tissue densities. Dysgerminoma was mainly solid mass without cystic component, and mixed germ cell tumor showed nonspecific manifestations. All cases were relatively large in size, and young in age. In conclusion, CT findings of malignant germ cell tumors are helpful in differential disgnosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4689-4692
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• 2013

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a costly diagnostic item with a low yield in identifying the tiny proportion of nodules that actually represent malignant disease. Our aim through this study was to obtain an ultrasound (US) score for selecting subcentimeter-sized thyroid nodules requiring FNAB in eastern China. Some 248 patients for a total of 270 thyroid nodules less than 1 cm in diameter underwent FNAB and subsequent surgery from January 2006 to March 2012 at our hospital. The clinicopathological and US data from all the nodules were analyzed retrospectively. An US score was developed on the basis of independent predictive factors for malignancy. Irregular shape, hypoechogenicity, no well-defined margin, presence of calcifications and ratio between antero-posterior and transversal diameters (AP/TR) ${\geq}1$ were independent predictive factors for malignancy on logistic regression analysis. US score were statistically significant, with ${\leq}2$ favoring benignancy with an 80.3% sensitivity and a 72.7% specificity. US score is useful for differentiating between malignant and benign subcentimeter-sized thyroid nodules. We suggest FNAB for nodules when the US score is higher than 2.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.10
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• 2020

Objectives: This study investigated the indirect effect of calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), as 2 calcium silicate-based hydraulic cements, on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) through different dentin thicknesses. Materials and Methods: Two-chamber setups were designed to simulate indirect pulp capping (IPC). Human molars were sectioned to obtain 0.1-, 0.3-, and 0.5-mm-thick dentin discs, which were placed between the 2 chambers to simulate an IPC procedure. Then, MTA and CEM were applied on one side of the discs, while hDPSCs were cultured on the other side. After 2 weeks of incubation, the cells were removed, and cell proliferation, morphology, and attachment to the discs were evaluated under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDXA) spectroscopy was performed for elemental analysis. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was assessed quantitatively. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: SEM micrographs revealed elongated cells, collagen fibers, and calcified nucleations in all samples. EDXA verified that the calcified nucleations consisted of calcium phosphate. The largest calcifications were seen in the 0.1-mm-thick dentin subgroups. There was no significant difference in ALP activity across the CEM subgroups; however, ALP activity was significantly lower in the 0.1-mm-thick dentin subgroup than in the other MTA subgroups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The employed capping biomaterials exerted biological activity on hDPSCs, as shown by cell proliferation, morphology, and attachment and calcific precipitations, through 0.1- to 0.5-mm-thick layers of dentin. In IPC, the bioactivity of these endodontic biomaterials is probably beneficial.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 1989

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) is a syndrome resulting from brain ischemia lasting less than 24 hours. The mechanisms of TIAs may be similar to those of cerebral embolism and thrombosis, and thus TIAs may be followed by cerebral infarction. Despite the availability of CT scanning, the diagnosis and management of TIAs continue to be difficult. Recently SPECT has been advocated as a diagnostic imaging modality. We performed Tc-99m-HMPAO regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) SPECT in 24 patients with the clinical diagnosis of TIAs to assess its ability to detect early changes of rCBF, and determine the diagnostic value. Ten men and fourteen women with an average of 51 years (range; 27-74 years) were included. All but 8 patients had normal brain CT prior to SPECT. The two patients had moderate degree of brain atrophy and the 6 patients nonspecific calcifications. Eighteen of the 24 patients had abnormal Tc-99m-HMPAO rCBF SPECT. Fifteen had unilateral involvement and the other three had bilateral involvements. Seventy-five percents of the defects were found in the left cerebral hemisphere. According to the distribution of the lesions (total number: 34 lesions), fourteen were in the parietal, eight in the temporal, and the remainders were elsewhere. Tc-99m-HMPAO rCBF SPECT is sensitive in detecting rCBF abnormalities in patients with TIAs, and represent the most accurate diagnostic tool available in the diagnosis of TIAs.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.669-672
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• 2002

Nasal obstruction is a cause of respiratory distress in newborns. The congenital nasal airway obstructive abnormalities are classified into three forms according to the location: posterior choanal atresia, nasal cavity stenosis and congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis(CNPAS). CNPAS is located at the anterior part of the nasal fossa. CT is the study of choice to make the diagnosis of CNPAS and rule out other causes of nasal obstruction. Though conservative management of CNPAS is recommended, in cases of severe CNPAS surgical treatment should be considered. Calcification of cartilage in the larynx, trachea and bronchi is extremely rare in children. Such calcifications are generally discovered in young children with congenital stridor. The clinical course is favorable. No case with CNPAS and tracheal calcification is reported in newborn. We report a one-day-old girl with CNPAS and tracheal calcification who presented with respiratory difficulty immediately after birth.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the diagnostic performance of panoramic and occlusal radiographs in detecting submandibular sialoliths. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients (20 cases and 20 controls) were included in this retrospective study. Cases were defined as subjects with a submandibular sialolith confirmed by computed tomography (CT), whereas controls did not have any submandibular calcifications. Three observers with different expertise levels assessed panoramic and occlusal radiographs of all subjects for the presence of sialoliths. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were assessed using the kappa test. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values, and the diagnostic odds ratio of panoramic and occlusal radiographs in screening for submandibular sialoliths were calculated for each observer. Results: The sensitivity and specificity values for occlusal and panoramic radiographs all ranged from 80% to 100%. The lowest values of sensitivity and specificity observed among the observers were 82.6% and 80%, respectively (P=0.001). Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were higher for occlusal radiographs than for panoramic radiographs, although panoramic radiographs demonstrated a higher overall accuracy. Conclusion: Both panoramic and occlusal radiographic techniques displayed satisfactory diagnostic performance and should be considered before using a CT scan to detect submandibular sialoliths.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.429-434
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• 2009

Basal cell nevus syndrome is a rare inherited disorder characterized by mulitple cutaneous basal cell carcinoma, pits of the palms and soles, cysts of the jaws, skeletal abnormalities and ectopic calcifications. Currently there are new lines of investigation based on biomolecular studies, which aim at identifying the molecules responsible for these cysts and thus early allowing an early diagnosis of these patients. We report a case of a 9-year-old boy with the various manifestation of basal cell nevus syndrome, which are multiple odontogenic keratocysts, pits of the soles, bifid ribs, ectopic calcification, macrocephaly, and hypertelorism, etc. Total five odontogenic keratocysts were found. For the reduction of the size of the odon-togenic keratocysts, following preoperative marsupialization, there were surgically enucleated. And the impacted upper right lateral incisor and canine are tracted orthodontically.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.311-319
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• 2005

In order to examine the effects of advanced periodontitis on the dental pulps, 38 extracted human teeth were examined histologically. The 38 teeth had a positive or negative state in the electric pulp test(EPT). In addition, almost of the 38 teeth had a deep pocket and severe mobility, and floating state. A medical and dental history was elicited. The extracted teeth fixed in 10% neutral formalin solution. The general tissue processing method was followed. The tissue block including the teeth was prepared for optical microscopy using hematoxillin-eosin staining. Among the 38 periodontally involved teeth, the dental pulps were respectively intact in 12(31%), and a pulp stone(or linear calcifications) was found in 18 teeeth(47%). In addition, 17 teeth(44%) had pulps exhibiting inflammatory reactions with varying intensities, such as hyperemia, pulp abscess, pulp necrosis. Among the 38 periodontally involved teeth, 37 teeth tested a positive to the EPT, and 7 teeth tested negative. The EPT positive 37 teeth had various histological features such as 7 normal pulp(18%), 17 pulp stone(44%), 1 hyperemia (2%), 9 pulpitis(23%), 5 root resorption(13%), 3 pulp abscess(7%), and 3 pulp necrosis(7%), In conclusion, it is suggested that in the EPT positive teeth, advanced periodontally involved teeth can cause inflammation of the dental pulp.