• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.151-155
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• 2006

Purpose : Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in Korea. Atherosclerotic disease in the carotid artery bifurcation is the most common cause of stroke. The carotid artery calcification is easily appreciated by CT (Computed tomography). CT is often taken in a dental hospital for the diagnosis of inflammation, injury, cyst or tumor on maxillofacial region. However, there was no report of carotid artery calcification on CT in dental patients. This study was to determine the prevalence of carotid artery calcification on CT in dental patients. Materials and Methods : The presence of carotid artery calcification was evaluated by an experienced radiologist on CT scans of 287 patients (166 males, 121 females, average age 42, range 6 to 86 years) and the medical history of the patient and the interpretation of CT were reviewed. Results : Carotid artery calcification was detected on CT scans of 57 patients (19.8%; 35 males, 22 females). All the male patients with carotid artery calcification were older than 50, and all the female patients with carotid artery calcification were older than 60. Among the 57 patients, 10 had Diabetes mellitus, 20 had cardiovascular disease, 3 had history of stroke and 3 underwent radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Carotid artery calcification was not included in the interpretation of CT of dental patients except one patient. Conclusion : The prevalence of carotid artery calcification on CT of dental patients was about 20% in this study. Carotid artery calcification should be included in the interpretation of CT of dental patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.1
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• pp.38-41
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• 2014

Malignant rhabdoid tumor was first discovered in the kidney, and rhabdoid tumor of the lung was first reported in 1995. These were included as the variants of large-cell carcinoma, according to the 1999 World Health Organization classification of lung tumors. The rhabdoid tumor of the lung exhibits aggressive biological behavior and has a poor prognosis, and only a few reports of this tumor exist. We report a case of lung carcinoma with a rhabdoid phenotype, initially misdiagnosed as an aspergilloma, in a 48-year-old man who presented with recurrent hemoptysis. The chest computed tomography scans showed a huge consolidative lesion with an air crescent sign in the left upper lung and no contrast-enhancing lesion. An aspergilloma was diagnosed by the radiologist. However, after surgical excision and pathological examination, rhabdoid carcinoma was diagnosed. A surgical resection helps to make it possible to pathologically distinguish a malignancy from an aspergilloma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.12
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• pp.491-498
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• 2020

Background: Renal size is an important indicator in the diagnosis of renal diseases and urinary tract infections in children. Purpose: The purpose of this study is twofold. First, it aimed to measure the renal length and calculate the renal volume of normal Thai children using 2-dimensional ultrasonography (2D-US) and study their correlations with somatic parameters. Second, it aimed to compare the age-specific renal size of normal Thai children with the published data of their Western and Chinese counterparts. Methods: A total of 321 children (150 boys, 171 girls; age, 6-15 years) with a normal renal profile were prospectively recruited. All subjects underwent 2D-US by an experienced pediatric radiologist and the renal length, width, and depth were measured. Renal volume was calculated using the ellipsoid formula as recommended. The data were compared between the left and right kidneys, the sexes, and various somatic parameters. The age-specific renal lengths were compared using a nomogram derived from a Western cohort that is currently referred by many Thailand hospitals, while the renal volumes were compared with the published data of a Chinese cohort. Results: No statistically significant difference (P<0.05) was found between sexes or the right and left kidneys. The renal sizes had strong correlations with height, weight, body surface area, and age but not with body mass index. The renal length of the Thai children was moderately correlated (r=0.59) with that of the Western cohort, while the age-specific renal volume was significantly smaller (P<0.05) than that of the Chinese children. Conclusion: Therefore, we concluded that the age-specific renal length and volume obtained by 2D-US would vary between children in different regions and may not be suitably used as an international standard for diagnosis, although further studies may be needed to confirm our findings.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2019

For general radiological examinations, even in the same area and the same test, the test conditions must be set differently according to the patient. However, since it is impossible to consider the body shape and conditions of patients every time in medical institutions where various patients visit, the tests are conducted by setting the AEC which automatically sets the test conditions. AEC is most commonly used in chest radiography. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to propose the improvement plans for using AEC by measuring the exposure dose and evaluating the image quality according to whether the AEC is used or not, and to provide basic data for AEC research. In the present study, images were acquired while varying tube voltage and test distance according to the use of AEC in chest radiography. The radiation dose was measured by placing the dosimeter in front of the chest phantom, and the CNR and SNR of acquired images were analyzed using Image J. The t-test was conducted for the statistical analysis and the significance was determined at the level of 95%(p<.05). As a result of this study, in the inspection distance (100cm, 140cm, 180cm) according to the use of AEC, high doses were observed when the AEC was used and there was statistically significant difference(p<.05). In the t-test to determine the difference between CNR and SNR depending on whether AEC was used or not, there was no significant difference according to the use of AEC(p>.05). Therefore, when performing chest radiography, if the radiologist establishes the appropriate examination conditions and conducts the examination by not just relying solely on AEC, it may be possible to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure to the patient.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2019

Background: This study aimed to compare the subscapularis muscle volume between the intact groups (group I) and supraspinatus tendon tear groups (group T) based on the sex and three different age groups. Methods: Subjects with a group I and subjects with group T without any other lesions were retrospectively evaluated from among patients who received a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan between January 2011 and December 2013. The MRI scans were studied by a consultant radiologist. The subscapularis muscle volume was compared according to the age and sex; the age groups were categorized as patients in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. The volume of subscapularis muscle was measured by three-dimensional reconstructed images acquired through the axial section of 1.5T MRI. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between subscapularis muscle volume of the group I and group T, except for male patients in their 50s (group I: $100,650mm^3$ vs. group T: $106,488mm^3$) and 60s (group I: $76,347mm^3$ vs. group T: $99,549mm^3$) (p<0.05). Males had a larger mean volume of subscapularis muscle than females, and the subscapularis muscle volume decreased in a linear manner with increasing age. Conclusions: Decrease in subscapularis muscle volume was observed with increasing age, and the impact of supraspinatus tear on subscapularis muscle volume is age and sex dependent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.399-406
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• 2019

This study aims to find geometric parameters that the radiologist can change from time to time to reduce dose in angiography examinations. Depending on the geometric characteristics, the values calculated by effective dose were compared, while filming in fluoroscopy mode and Digital subtraction angiography, respectively. The study found that the lower the dose was in FPS mode, the lower the dose was reduced to 30-40%. Doses according to the X-ray angle were measured highest in AP View and lower as the angle went in the head direction. The greater the FOV, the higher the dose was 1.2-1.6 times, and the closer the distance between the X-ray tube and the table, the greater the dose was about 10%. Source-image intensifier distance (SID) get longer to 100 mm, dose of each fluoroscopy and Digital subtraction angiography increase up to 25-30%. In conclusion, various geometric characteristics in angiography examinations are parameters that can be applied by radiographers as frequently as possible, and appropriate geometric properties can be considered and applied in various situations, resulting in appropriate dose reduction.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 2021

Purpose: The clinical implications of bowel wall thickening (BWT) on abdominal computed tomography (CT) among children are unknown. We aimed to suggest a new method for measuring BWT and determining its clinical significance in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 423 patients with acute abdomen who underwent abdominal CT; 262 were classified into the BWT group. For this group, the pediatric radiologist described the maximal bowel wall thickness (MT), normal bowel wall thickness (mm) (NT), and their ratios for each segment of the bowel wall. Results: In the thickened bowel walls, the thickness differed significantly between the small bowel (6.83±2.14 mm; mean±standard deviation) and the colon (8.56±3.46 mm; p<0.001). The ratios of MT to NT in the small bowel (6.09±3.17) and the colon (7.58±3.70) were also significantly different (p<0.001). In the BWT group, 35 of 53 patients had positive fecal polymerase chain reaction results; 6 patients infected with viruses predominantly had BWT in the small intestine, while the terminal ileum and the colon were predominantly affected in 29 patients with bacterial infections. In the initially undiagnosed 158 patients with BWT, the symptoms improved spontaneously without progression to chronic gastrointestinal disease. Conclusion: This study provides a clinical reference value for BWT in the small intestine and colon using a new method in children. The BWT on abdominal CT in children might indicate nonspecific findings that can be observed and followed up without additional evaluation, unlike in adults.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed to determine the parameters for worsening oxygenation in non-severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included cases of confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia in a public hospital in South Korea. The worsening oxygenation group was defined as that with SpO₂ ≤94% or received oxygen or mechanical ventilation (MV) throughout the clinical course versus the non-worsening oxygenation group that did not experience any respiratory event. Parameters were compared, and the extent of viral pneumonia from an initial chest computed tomography (CT) was calculated using artificial intelligence (AI) and measured visually by a radiologist. Results: We included 136 patients, with 32 (23.5%) patients in the worsening oxygenation group; of whom, two needed MV and one died. Initial vital signs and duration of symptoms showed no difference between the two groups; however, univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a variety of parameters on admission were associated with an increased risk of a desaturation event. A subset of patients was studied to eliminate potential bias, that ferritin ≥280 ㎍/L (p=0.029), lactate dehydrogenase ≥240 U/L (p=0.029), pneumonia volume (p=0.021), and extent (p=0.030) by AI, and visual severity scores (p=0.042) were the predictive parameters for worsening oxygenation in a sex-, age-, and comorbid illness-matched case-control study using propensity score (n=52). Conclusion: Our study suggests that initial CT evaluated by AI or visual severity scoring as well as serum markers of inflammation on admission are significantly associated with worsening oxygenation in this COVID-19 pneumonia cohort.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.182-187
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• 2022

Background: This study was designed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and indirect magnetic resonance arthrography (I-MRA) imaging with those of arthroscopy and each other. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2020. All patients who tested positive for labrum lesions during that year were included in the study. The patients underwent conservative treatment for 6 weeks. In the event of no response to conservative treatment, MRI and I-MRA imaging were conducted, and the patients underwent arthroscopy to determine their ultimate diagnosis and treatment plan. Imaging results were assessed at a 1-week interval by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. Image interpretation results and arthroscopy were recorded in the data collection form. Results: Overall, 35 patients comprised the study. Based on the kappa coefficient, the results indicate that the results of both imaging methods are in agreement with the arthroscopic findings, but the I-MRA consensus rate is higher than that of MRI (0.612±0.157 and 0.749±0.101 vs. 0.449±0.160 and 0.603±0.113). The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy of MRI in detecting labrum tears were 77.77%, 75.00%, 91.30%, 50.00%, and 77.14%, respectively, and those of I-MRA were 88.88%, 75.00%, 92.30%, 66.66%, and 85.71%. Conclusions: Here, I-MRA showed higher diagnostic value than MRI for labral tears. Therefore, it is recommended that I-MRA be used instead of MRI if there is an indication for potential labrum lesions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.115-122
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• 2023

The hip joint device is an important immobilization device for internal rotation in the diagnosis of bone density test, microfracture, and arthritis. These fixing mechanisms have limitations in maintaining reproducibility due to the use of Velcro. In this study, we developed an improved hip joint device and evaluated its usefulness. For 30 students enrolled in the Department of Radiology, we evaluated the reproducibility through medical imaging and the time required for positioning by applying the conventionaling and improved device. Changes over time were also evaluated. As a result, compared to the conventional device, the improved device showed a 32% reduction in positioning time and improved reproducibility by about 6.2 times. As for the amount of change over time, the positioning time increased in the conventional device, but decreased in the improved device, and the reproducibility of the conventional device was lower than that of the improved device. Through this, it can be said that the use of the improved device improved the image quality and reduced the radiologist's workload.