• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2022

Background: The current guidelines for the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis (APN) recommend that APN be diagnosed based on the clinical features and the presence of pyuria. However, we observed that some of the patients who are diagnosed with APN do not have characteristic clinical features or pyuria at the initial examination. We performed this study to investigate the characteristics of APN without pyuria. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 391 patients diagnosed with APN based on clinical and radiologic findings, between 2015 and 2019. The clinical features, laboratory results, and computed tomography (CT) findings were compared between patients with normal white blood cell (WBC) counts and those with abnormal WBC counts (WBC of 0-5/high power field [HPF] vs. >5/HPF) in urine. Results: More than 50% of patients with APN had no typical urinary tract symptoms and one-third of them had no costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness. Eighty-eight patients (22.5%) had normal WBC counts (0-5/HPF) on urine microscopy. There was a negative correlation between pyuria (WBC of >5/HPF) and previous antibiotic use (odds ratio, 0.249; 95% confidence interval, 0.140-0.441; p<0.001), and the probability of pyuria was reduced by 75.1% in patients who took antibiotics before visiting the emergency room. Conclusion: The diagnosis of APN should not be overlooked even if there are no typical clinical features, or urine microscopic examination is normal. If a patient has already taken antibiotics at the time of diagnosis, imaging studies such as CT should be performed more actively, regardless of the urinalysis results.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.60-66
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• 2023

Gentamicin-loaded bone cement used in total joint arthroplasty is indispensable, as it provides stability by directly binding the surfaces of implants and bones. Depending on multiple factors, including the material of the bone cement used, common complications, such as aseptic loosening, osteolysis, and infection can occur postoperatively. In clinical practice, Doujet bone cement is easy to handle (pre-packed all-in-one system), and has shown low failure rates and non-inferior results compared with similar available products. We conducted a retrospective comparative study to analyze the clinical and radiological results of each bone cement group to establish the safety and usefulness of Doujet bone cement. From July 2020 to July 2022, we enrolled 198 patients in this study after an average follow-up period of 37 months (range, 6-48 months). In 99 patents, Doujet^® bone cement (Injecta, Gunpo, Korea) was used for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), while Refobacin^® bone cement (Biomet, Warsaw, IN, USA) was used in 99 patients. The average range of motion (ROM) of the knee increased by 2.4° (from 127.0° preoperatively to 129.4° postoperatively) in the Doujet group, and by 0.1° (from 128.7° to 128.8°) in the Refobacin group (P=0.701). The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index scores decreased from 44.1 to 7.8 in the Doujet group, and from 44.2 to 6.3 in the Refobacin group (P=0.162). Complications, such as osteolysis or post-operative wound infection, did not occur in more than two cases in both groups. The WOMAC and ROM of the knee in both groups had no clinical differences. Both Doujet and Refobacin similarly showed low complication rates after TKA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.565-572
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• 2023

This study was conducted to analyze the status radiological imaging examinations assessment in Korea medical institutions conducted in the public sector and suggest a direction for improvement. Among the assessment of medical institutions, the main assessment related to radiographic imaging examinations are the certification evaluation of medical institutions and the adequacy assessment of radiographic imaging examinations. The certification evaluation of medical institutions evaluates the image inspection operation process, provision of accurate results, and compliance with safety management procedures. In the assessment of adequacy of radiographic imaging examinations, structural indicators related to manpower and equipment, patient evaluation implementation rate, and exposure reduction programs were included. However, for safer and higher-quality radiological imaging examinations, it is necessary to increase the participation rate of medical institutions in certification evaluations. In addition, it is necessary to improve the manpower indicator, and incentive payments can be considered to induce quality improvement of medical institutions in the future. Integrated management of radiation exposure at the national level should also be carried out simultaneously.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2024

Most knee axial radiographs, known as sunrise and skyline view, were performed with the patient in the prone position. The authors tried to address some of the shortcomings of conventional radiography by developing a new radiography method, K-RAD. According to previous research, the K-RAD method showed a wider patellar-femoral joint space than conventional radiography and provided a clear patellar hemi-lateral image with a constant gap between the femoral trochlear groove and tibial tuberosity. The authors worked with an orthopedic specialist to perform radiography using the K-RAD method rather than using existing methods, and as a result, the two knees were aligned correctly and a clear image of the patellar-femoral joint space was created. The authors propose the K-RAD method for knee axial radiography because the K-RAD method provides a sense of stability to the patient and provides images with high diagnostic value.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 2024

While simultaneous bilateral partial nephrectomy with a conventional multiport robot has been consistently reported since the 2010s, the introduction of the DaVinci SP system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) could provide a novel way to perform surgery on bilateral kidneys while innovatively reducing the number of incisions. In our first report worldwide, the patient with bilateral small renal mass (2.0 cm for the left and 1.5 cm for the right side) and preoperative normal renal function was placed in the lateral decubitus position on an inverted bed. After tilting the bed to be as horizontal as possible, a 4-cm incision was made in the lower part of the umbilicus for the floating trocar technique. The partial nephrectomy was performed reliably as with the conventional transperitoneal approach, and then the patient could be repositioned to the contralateral side for the same procedure, maintaining all trocars. Total operation time (skin to skin), total console time, and the left- and right-side warm ischemic times were 260, 164, 27, and 23 minutes, respectively, without applying the early declamping technique. The estimated blood loss was 200 mL. The serum creatinine right after the operation, on the first day, 3 days, and 90 days after surgery were 0.92, 0.77, 0.79, and 0.81 mg/dL, respectively. For 90 days after the procedure, no complications or radiologic recurrence were observed. Further clinical studies will reveal the advantages of using the DaVinci SP device for this procedure over traditional multiport surgery, maximizing the benefit of a single port-based approach.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.399-407
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• 2021

This study discussed the validity and necessity of compulsory recording of radiographic examination performed by radiological technologist on patients in medical institutions related to radiation exposure. Also, this study provided reasonable evidence of radiographic examination related medical records can contribute to the improvement of public health. Based on overseas cases of implementing a radiographic examination record system, the essential items to be included in medical record are the exposure date, exposure time, exposure method, exposure conditions that is tube voltage, tube current. Name and license number of the radiological technologist who performed the examination should be include in medical record. It is expected that the medical record of the total amount of radiation exposure per year would be in giving the maximum benefit with the minimum exposure to the medical radiation examination of the patient. In addition, interventional radiography medical record should also include exposure time, type and dose of the contrast medium.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.513-523
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to discuss the required items and feasibility of medical records of radiological examinations performed by radiological technologists at medical institutions. An online survey was conducted to a total of 10,000 radiation-related workers, of which 1,026 (10.3%) responded. As a research method, self-made questionnaires were used. The online survey was conducted from September 10 to September 20, 2021 for the survey period. For response data, a Chi-square test was performed according to demographic characteristics using SPSS 27.0 version (IBM Inc., Chicago, Ill, USA), and it was judged to be significant when the P value was less than 0.05. The reliability of the questionnaire response was found to be Chronbach α=0.933. More than 90% of the medical records related to radiological examinations are necessary, and they answered that a curriculum, remuneration curriculum, and legal system for medical records should be prepared. More than 90% of the respondents agreed with the proposal of the Radiological Technologist Independent Act for legal preparation, and most of the information required for medical records is currently recorded in DICOM images. According to the demographic characteristics, the medical record requirement for radiological examination, curriculum, continuing education, and legislation were found to be higher with higher education and higher with longer working experience. In addition, most of the radiology departments showed a high demand for medical records, so most of them responded positively to the medical records requirements for radiological examinations. This study analyzed the medical record requirements for radiological examinations, and as shown in the results, medical record requirements for radiological examinations was found that most radiological technologists felt need for the new law and supported it. In addition, if the information recorded in the DICOM image is used, it is considered that medical records could be easily prepared without additional work by the radiological technologists.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2009

To find out proper photographing conditions in the chest DR imaging, the evaluation of images using the C-D phantom was carried out on relationship of identification capability, graininess, and exposure ratio. The conclusions were obtained as follows. 1. The patient's entrance skin Exposure (ESE) was decreased as tube voltage was increased. 2. According to the tube voltage change, the C-D phantom's identification capability of the exposure conditions was most visible at 110 kVp. 3. The identification capability according to the exposure ratio (mAs) change was most visible at 90 kVp for 0.5 times of low exposure ratio and at 110 kVp for 1.5 times. Therefore, it is known that the images were able to be better identified at a high exposure than a low exposure. 4. The graininess according to the exposure ratio at tube voltage of 110 kVp resulted in the best thing at 1.5 times of ratio when the exposure ratio was 1.5 times increased and the tube voltage was changed, the graininess showed the best result at 110 kVp. Therefore, the patient's exposure dose was low when kVp was increased and the adequate kVp was found to be 110. The image was better identified when exposure ratio was 1.5 times compared to 1.0 times. The graininess was also good when the exposure ratio became 1.5 times. The tube voltage was good at 110 kVp. However, once the exposure ratio is increased, the amount of radiation dose that the patients received get increased, so that the exposure condition has to be thoroughly considered.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.545-554
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• 2021

According to the changes of the medical environment of the times, it is necessary to discuss the issues of the doctor's medical guidance and to conduct continuous research so that alternatives can be prepared systematically. Furthermore, in order to enhance the professionalism of radiological technologists and to develop the medical technician system, the new Radiological Technologist Independent Act has been established, which contains the overall contents of the scope of work, professional qualifications, and specialized education of radiological technologists, and provides quality medical services to patients through professional procedures and treatment. In order to increase the level of medical care, the purpose, definition, mission, role, and scope of work specified in the Medical Act, Medical Service Technologists, etc. Act, the Enforcement Decree, and the Enforcement Rules were variously analyzed and new directions were presented. First, the definition of a medical technician should use a generic term so that the factors of conflict and prejudice could be resolved. Second, change the doctor's guide to doctor's prescription; and then legislate the authority to sign and write medical records after examination by radiological technologists, thereby prohibiting unlicensed technicians that seriously endanger patient safety. Third, an accurate definition of radiological technologists' roles should be established; not only selection and management of radiological technologists' work but also procedures and treatment for each radiology field should be specified to suit the current medical system. Fourth, a professional radiological technologists' qualification system and a specialized education system should be established in order to secure human resources that could provide patients trust in procedures and treatment based on professional knowledge and experience in the field of radiology. Fifth, the Education and Evaluation Institute should be operated in Korea education system to educate the professional knowledge and competency for students. In addition, it is necessary to in-depth analysis of foreign cases could be applied to the medical system and education system in Korea; it could strive to nurture systematic human resources.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.503-512
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to check the extent to which "instruction of physician or dentist" defined in the Medical Service Technologists, etc. Act is applied in relation to radiography examination procedures for radiological technologists. In addition, it is intended to present basic data on the requirement to revise the Medical Service Technologists, etc. Act in the radiological technologist's duty area and scope of work, The subjects of this study were radiological technologists with license, and the response data were collected after sending the questionnaire link written on the online questionnaire form. The final number of respondents were 1,018, and the response rate was 6.8%. Most of the negative responses were "I have never received 'instruction' for radiologic examination by a physician or dentist, including a radiologist in a medical environment." There were a high perception that "the professionalism in radiation examination on radiological technologists are higher than that of a physician or dentist." They answered that the current continuing education has a great impact on maintaining and continuing professionalism and learning new knowledge in the radiology field. In addition, the radiological technologists provide a very high level of education in areas related to radiography procedure ethics such as patient care, patient safety, and patient privacy protection, as well as specialized fields such as radiation-related examination methods, radiography examination dose, and patient exposure dose. Radiological technologists replied that they were receiving it consistently. In conclusion, in the current medical environment, the 'instruction' of a physician or dentist cannot be seen as being realistically performed. The phrase 'instruction' of a physician or dentist as defined in the Medical Service Technologists, etc. Act is considered inappropriate in respect of the fact that the state recognizes the qualifications of the medical service technologist through a license. It is thought that revision to a new term suitable for the current medical environment is necessary.