• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.207-218
• /
• 2003

Myocardial perfusion imaging has been increasingly used to provide prognostic data and guidance on the choice of appropriate management of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. The electrocardiogram gated myocardial SPECT program is corning into wide use with an advent of $^{99m}Tc-labeled$ tracers and an improvement of SPECT machines. The gated technique permits measurement of important cardiac prognostic indicators without any further discomforts or radiation burden in patients underwent standard myocardial perfusion SPECT. In addition, gated study significantly improves diagnostic yield by reducing the number of borderline interpretations and could find myocardial stunning and viable myocardium. Gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging allows the automated calculation of end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, ejection fraction, myocardial mass and the assessment of regional wall motion and thickening, and it have dramatically improved assessment of coronary artery disease in routine nuclear practice. This allows the simultaneous assessment of both perfusion and function within the same acquisition, and serves as a cost-effective technique for providing more diagnostic data with fewer diagnostic tests. Because the diagnostic and prognostic power derived from knowledge of left ventricular function can be added to that provided by assessing myocardial perfusion, gated SPECT imaging has rapidly gained widespread acceptance and is now used on a routine clinical basis in a growing number of laboratories, including South Korea. The gated SPECT technique for measurement of left ventricular parameters has been validated against a variety of well established techniques. In this work, overview of gated myocardial perfusion SPECT focus on functional parameters is presented.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.87 no.1
• /
• pp.91-99
• /
• 2024

Background: Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and parapneumonic effusion (PPE) are often difficult to differentiate owing to the overlapping clinical features. Observational studies demonstrate that the ratio of lactate dehydrogenase to adenosine deaminase (LDH/ADA) is lower in TPE compared to PPE, but integrated analysis is warranted. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the LDH/ADA ratio in differentiating TPE and PPE. We explored the PubMed and Scopus databases for studies evaluating the LDH/ADA ratio in differentiating TPE and PPE. Results: From a yield of 110 studies, five were included for systematic review. The cutoff value for the LDH/ADA ratio in TPE ranged from <14.2 to <25. The studies demonstrated high heterogeneity, precluding meta-analysis. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies Tool 2 assessment revealed a high risk of bias in terms of patient selection and index test. Conclusion: LDH/ADA ratio is a potentially useful parameter to differentiate between TPE and PPE. Based on the limited data, we recommend an LDH/ADA ratio cutoff value of <15 in differentiating TPE and PPE. However, more rigorous studies are needed to further validate this recommendation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.11
• /
• pp.1014-1018
• /
• 1995

To confirm diagnosis and to set proper therapeutic strategy, open lung biopsies were done in 57 patients who were suspected for diffuse interstitial lung disease from January 1985 to December 1994. Among them, 35 were male and 22 were female[M:F=l.6: 1 and mean age of the patients is 53.5$\pm$ 2.3[24-81 years. Tissue for histologic studies were obtained from left lung in 33, from right lung in 24according to the distributions of the pathology. Preoperative diagnostic work-up`s were chest X-ray, CT[HRCT scan, sputum study, bronchoscopy[BAL, TBLB and PTNA and all of them were unsuccessful to confirm diagnosis. In comparison of pulmonary function tests between preoperative and postoperative values, there were no significant differences in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC[p 0.05 but in AaDO2[p[0.05 . Postoperative complications including atelectasis, wound infection, pulmonary edema and respiratory insnfficiency, were shown in 5 cases[8.8% , and two of them were died of respiratory failure and sepsis[mortality rate 3.5% . Pathologic diagnosis was confirmed in 53 cases postoperatively but it was undetermined in 4[diagnostic yield rate 93.0% . In comparison between preoperative clinical diagnosis and postoperative pathologic diagnosis, new diagnosis were made in 17 cases[29.8% and preoperative tentative diagnosis were confirmed histologically in 36 cases[63.2% . In 4 cases[7.0% , however, diagnoses were not confirmed after biopsies. Therapeutic plans were reset in 46 cases[80.7% in accordance with the final diagnosis.In conclusion, open lung biopsy is recommended for a specific diagnosis and proper therapeutic plan in diffuse interstitial lung diseases because of its high diagnostic yield Irate and it`s relatively low morbidity and mortality rate in these tompromised patents.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.628-634
• /
• 1999

We have studied, by a nonisotopic in situ end-labeling(ISEL) technique, frequency of apoptosis in the external granular layer(EGL) of the cerebellum of immature mice by ${\gamma}$-rays irradiation from $^{60}Co$ or diagnostic ultrasound exposure. The total number of normal cells and cells showing morphological features of apoptosis were counted. The frequency of apoptotic cells was expressed as a percentage of the total number of cells in EGL. The extent of changes following 200 cGy(1090 cGy/min) was studied at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 24 hours after exposure. The maximal frequency was found 6~8 hours after exposure. The immature mice that received 18, 36, 54, 108, 198, 396 cGy of ${\gamma}$-rays or diagnostic ultrasound(7.5MHz, 4.2mW, $I_{SPTA}=7.9mW/cm^2$, $I_{SPTA}=114.3W/cm^2$) for 10 or 30 minutes were examined 6 hours after irradiation. Measurements performed after ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation showed a dose-related increase in apoptotic cells in each of the mice studied. The dose-response curves were analyzed by a linear-quadratic model ; frequency of apoptotic cell in the EGL was y = $(0.1349{\pm}0.01175)D$+$(-0.0001522{\pm}0.0000334)D^2$+0.048($r^2$ = 0.981, D = dose in cGy). In the experiment of ultrasound exposure, the frequency of apoptotic cell was $0.106{\pm}0.130$(10 minutes exposure) and $0.167{\pm}0.220$(30 minutes exposure). We estimated the relative dose of the yield from the experiment with ultrasound by substituting the yield from ultrasound exposure into the curve from the ${\gamma}$-irradiation. The relative dose of ultrasound exposure compared with ${\gamma}$-irradiation were 0.432 cGy(10 minutes exposure) and 0.885 cGy(30 minutes exposure). We have found that there is no evidence to indicate that diagnostic ultrasound involves a significant risk.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.217-224
• /
• 2014

Ground-based remote sensing can be used as one of the non-destructive, fast, and real-time diagnostic tools for predicting yield, biomass, and nitrogen stress during growing season. The objectives of this study were: 1) to assess biomass and nitrogen (N) status of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants under N stress using ground-based remote sensors; and 2) to evaluate the feasibility of spectral reflectance indices for estimating an application rate of N and predicting yield of tobacco. Dry weight (DW), N content, and N uptake at the 40th and 50th day after transplanting (DAT) were positively correlated with chlorophyll content and normalized difference vegetation indexes (NDVIs) from all sensors (P<0.01). Especially, Green NDVI (GNDVI) by spectroradiometer and Crop Circle-passive sensors were highly correlated with DW, N content and N uptake. The yield of tobacco was positively correlated with canopy reflectance indices measured at each growth stage (P<0.01). The regression of GNDVI by spectroradiometer on yield showed positively quadratic curve and explained about 90% for the variability of measured yield. The sufficiency index (SI) calculated from data/maximum value of GNDVI at the $40^{th}$ DAT ranged from 0.72 to 1.0 and showed the same positively quadratic regression with N application rate explaining 84% for the variability of N rate. These results suggest that use of reflectance indices measured with ground-based remote sensors may assist in determining application rate of fertilizer N at the critical season and estimating yield in mid-season.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.21 no.12
• /
• pp.1355-1366
• /
• 2020

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value and prognostic relevance of FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients. Materials and Methods: This study included 234 extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients who underwent FDG PET-CT between June 2008 and February 2016. The diagnostic performance of FDG PEG-CT was compared to that of contrast-enhanced multidetector row CT (MDCT) and MRI. Independent prognosticators for poor survival were also assessed. Results: The sensitivity of FDG PET-CT for detecting primary tumor and regional lymph node metastases was lower than that of MDCT or MRI (p < 0.001), whereas the specificity and positive predictive value for detecting regional lymph nodes metastases was significantly better in FDG PET-CT compared to MDCT and MRI (all p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the diagnostic yield of distant metastases detection among three diagnostic imaging techniques. In a multivariate analysis, maximum standardized uptake values (SUV_max) of the primary tumor (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-2.69) and of the metastatic lesions ≥ 5 (adjusted HR, 8.10; 95% CI, 1.96-33.5) were independent contributors to poor overall survival in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients. In a subgroup analysis of 187 patients with periductal infiltrating type of cholangiocarcinoma, an SUV_max of the primary tumor ≥ 5 was associated with an increased risk of regional lymph node (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.60; 95% CI, 0.55-4.63) and distant metastases (adjusted OR, 100.57; 95% CI, 3.94-2567.43) at diagnosis as well as with poor overall survival (adjusted HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.04-3.15). Conclusion: FDG PET-CT showed lower sensitivity for detecting primary tumor and regional lymph node involvement than MDCT and MRI. However, the SUV_max of primary tumors and metastatic lesions derived from FDG PET-CT could have significant implications for predicting prognoses in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.850-853
• /
• 1994

Open lung biopsy was performed in thirty patients for the diagnosis and staging evaluation of interstitial lung disease during the period from January 1987 until December 1992. The age of the patients ranged from 14 to 71 years [mean 48 years], and the patients consisted of 14 males and 16 females. Preoperative FEV1`s were from 0.80 liter to 3.88 liters [mean 1.66]. Other non-invasive diagnostic studies such as PCNA, bronchoalveolar lavage, TBLB, and gallium scan were also done in addition to X-ray and high-resolution chest CT. Tweaty-eight were correctly diagnosed and 2 cases were not [diagnostic yield rate 93.3%]. Among the 28 cases,pathologic diagnosis influenced further treatment regimens and prognostic expectations in 23 cases [82.1%]. The diagnostic non-invasive studies other than open lung biopsy yielded a correct diagnosis without staging only in 5 cases. There was no mortality and only one complication, ARDS ; however, the patient recovered after 5 days ventilator support. Open lung biopsy, which is the gold standard for the diagnosis and staging evaluation of interstitial lung disease can be done safely and has value in clinical decision making. Also knowledge of the involvement of the lesion is important for proper selection of the biopsy site.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.58 no.11
• /
• pp.407-414
• /
• 2015

Early-onset epileptic encephalopathies are one of the most severe early onset epilepsies that can lead to progressive psychomotor impairment. These syndromes result from identifiable primary causes, such as structural, neurodegenerative, metabolic, or genetic defects, and an increasing number of novel genetic causes continue to be uncovered. A typical diagnostic approach includes documentation of anamnesis, determination of seizure semiology, electroencephalography, and neuroimaging. If primary biochemical investigations exclude precipitating conditions, a trial with the administration of a vitaminic compound (pyridoxine, pyridoxal-5-phosphate, or folinic acid) can then be initiated regardless of presumptive seizure causes. Patients with unclear etiologies should be considered for a further workup, which should include an evaluation for inherited metabolic defects and genetic analyses. Targeted next-generation sequencing panels showed a high diagnostic yield in patients with epileptic encephalopathy. Mutations associated with the emergence of epileptic encephalopathies can be identified in a targeted fashion by sequencing the most likely candidate genes. Next-generation sequencing technologies offer hope to a large number of patients with cryptogenic encephalopathies and will eventually lead to new therapeutic strategies and more favorable long-term outcomes.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.9-13
• /
• 2011

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), which enables visualization of lesions beyond the bronchus, broadens the fields of bronchoscopy. Two types of ultrasound, radial and linear, are used for bronchoscopy. Radial EBUS is performed by inserting an ultrasound mini-probe through the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope. Evaluation of the depth of invasion of early endobronchial lung cancers using radial EBUS is useful in deciding endobronchial treatment. A central tumor limited to within the cartilaginous layer is a good indication for endobronchial photodynamic therapy. EBUS-guide sheath (GS) technique is a sampling method assisted by localization of peripheral lesions using EBUS. The diagnostic yield of EBUS-GS method is higher than that of conventional transbronchial biopsy. High diagnostic values of EBSU-GS method are reported even in small (${\leq}2cm$) peripheral tumors. Linear EBUS is used for endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). EBUS-TBNA has high diagnostic yields in mediastinal staging of lung cancer even in patients having radiologically early stage lung cancers with normal CT or PET findings in the mediastinum. EBUS is a valuable method in evaluating early endobronchial tumors and peripheral small lung cancers and as well as in mediastinal staging.

• Clinical Endoscopy
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.434-445
• /
• 2024

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) have increased in prevalence due to the increased usage and advancements in cross-sectional abdominal imaging. Current diagnostic techniques cannot distinguish between PCLs requiring surgery, close surveillance, or expectant management. This has increased the morbidity and healthcare costs from inappropriately aggressive and conservative management strategies. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) allows for microscopic examination and delineation of the surface epithelium of PCLs. Landmark studies have identified characteristics distinguishing various types of PCLs, confirmed the high diagnostic yield of EUS-nCLE (especially for PCLs with an equivocal diagnosis), and shown that EUS-nCLE helps to change management and reduce healthcare costs. Refining procedure technique and reducing procedure length have improved the safety of EUS-nCLE. The utilization of artificial intelligence and its combination with other EUS-based advanced diagnostic techniques would further improve the results of EUS-based PCL diagnosis. A structured training program and device improvements to allow more complete mapping of the pancreas cyst epithelium will be crucial for the widespread adoption of this promising technology.