• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the change pattern and the leading factors of delirium in the palliative ward from 2 weeks before to the end of life. Methods : From October 2015 to August 2017, a retrospective chart review was conducted on the final 180 patients of 207 patients with terminal cancer patients at the Inha University Hospital. Clinical records were collected during palliative care hospitalization. Patients were diagnosed with three subtypes of delirium through the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale and the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale, which were evaluated daily. Results : The prevalence of delirium 13 days before death was 46%, of which 18.3% were hyperactive subtypes, 13.8% were hypoactive subtypes, and mixed subtypes were 13.8%. And hyperactive delirium gradually decreased with the approach to the end of the day, and the mixed subtype gradually increased until 4 days before the end of life. Of the patients, the day before death, 86.9% were diagnosed with delirium. In multivariate analysis, hematologic malignancy was associated with a lower rate of delirium at the end of life than gastrointestinal cancer. Overweight was associated with hyperactive, mixed, and hypoactive delirium. Conclusions : Most palliative care patients experienced delirium at the end of life. Overweight was considered as a protective factor that reduced the all subtypes of delirium at the end of life. Further prospective studies are needed to reveal the prevalence of terminal delirium, and their risk factors.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.48-54
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• 2021

Purpose In ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT, the absorption of ¹⁸F-FDG due to the activation of Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) greatly interferes with the discrimination of lymph node malignant metastasis. Warming the patient's body temperature before and after injection of ¹⁸F-FDG to prevent FDG absorption by BAT is a safe and non-pharmacological approach. The purpose of this study was to identify and select patients with a high potential for BAT activation in advance, and to investigate whether BAT can inhibit FDG absorption when the body temperature is raised for a short time by directly applying heat to the target patient. Materials and Methods Among the patients who underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT at the National Cancer Center from January 2020 to December 2020, 825 female patients (415 in the thermal group, 410 in the non-thermal group) under 50 years old were included. The thermal group was administered heat for 10 minutes before injection of ¹⁸F-FDG. For statistical analysis, the Z test comparing the ratios between the two groups was used, and logistic regression analysis was performed to correct for important variables (BMI, outdoor temperature, blood sugar) according to the results of the previous retrospective study. Results Among 825 patients, 19 patients with BAT activated (Thermal group: 5(1.2%), Non-thermal group: 14(3.41%)) accounted for 2.3% of the total. As a result of performing the Z test to compare the ratios between the two groups, the activation of BAT in the thermal group was significantly decreased (P=0.034). In the univariate logistic regression analysis, the activation of BAT was also decreased in the thermal group (OR: 0.34, P<0.05). In the multivariate results, BAT activation increased in patients younger than 45 years old (OR: 4.46, P<0.05) and outdoor temperature less than 13.2 degrees (OR: 9.97, P<0.05). BAT activation tended to decrease in the thermal group, but there was no significant difference (OR: 0.37, P=0.066). Conclusion We confirmed that the activation of BAT tends to decrease by 62.5% in the group subjected to the thermal method, and it will be of great help in preventing FDG absorption of BAT more effectively in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.229-236
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the utility of preliminary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements in the ultrasound-guided L4 selective nerve root block. Materials and Methods: As a retrospective study, 71 patients, who met the criteria for outpatient visits from March 2016 to December 2017, were included. From March 2016 to February 2017, 31 patients who underwent an L4 nerve root block without MRI were classified as group A, and 40 patients who underwent an L4 nerve root block through MRI measurements from March 2017 to December 2017 were classified as group B. Group A was injected under ultrasound-guidance through the pararadicular approach without a pre-interventional MRI evaluation, and group B was injected under ultrasound-guidance according to the preliminary MRI measurements. The results were assessed using the numeric rating scale scores before, three hours, and two, six, and 12 weeks after the procedure. Results: At three hours after the procedure, the proportion of patients better than good results were 51.6% in group A and 67.5% in group B. At two weeks after the procedure, the proportion of patients with better than good results were 48.4% and 70.0% in groups A and B, respectively; 58.1% and 62.5% of patient of groups A and B, respectively, showed better than good results after six weeks. In 12 weeks after the procedure, the results of group A and B were 67.7% and 62.5%, respectively. At three hours and two weeks after the procedure, group B showed significant symptom improvement than group A (p<0.05). The procedures were repeated 2.8 and 1.7 times in groups A and B, respectively, between two and six weeks for satisfactory pain relief (p<0.05). Conclusion: A pre-interventional MRI evaluation might improve pain relief within the initial two weeks after ultrasound-guided L4 selective nerve root block by improving the success rate of the procedure.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.29
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• pp.171-207
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• 2017

The research regarding religious concepts used in Daesoon Jinrihoe are still incomplete. This study is a suggestion to critically review the existing research on 'seeking out the original root (原始返本)', one of the religious terms of Daesoon Jinrihoe. In addition, this concept will be seen from a new perspective. 'Seeking out the original root' plays a major role in Daesoon theology due to the cosmology established by Daesoon Jinrihoe. However, the existing research on this topic are prone to the perspective of 'returning' and assuming a 'cyclical view on the order of history'. Therefore, the cosmology that has been built by the religious language misleads readers to assume a retrospective process or that the process itself is realized on its own in accordance with the cosmic order. These kinds of studies do not specifically manifest the world view of Daesoon Jinrihoe. They fail to do so because Sangje's reordering works and its fruit, the earthly paradise of the Later World, have never existed before. The concept of 'seeking out the original root' should break away from the frame of a cyclical view of history and exert the uniqueness of Daesoon Jinrihoe. In this regard, this study can be summarized as follows: 'Seeking out the original root', one of the principles needed to achieve the re-creation of the Later World, endeavors to find a way to account for the origin of all things such as civilizations, cultures, and dharmas. If such a way is found, the facts between the root and the beginning should be acknowledged, as the root itself is what has been sustained, succeeded, used, resolved, revised, and rectified. The origin is usually dealt with from the position of rewarding. This was all achieved in Sangje's decisions and his reordering works. Its outcome will be utilized as a basis to establish an earthly paradise in the Later World. This concept, as defined above, excludes a cyclical view of history and implies that the concept of 'seeking out the original root' is a flexible frame within the context of dynamic structuralism. Given the style of this approach, this study provides a view which can be easily differentiated from existing research.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.345-356
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the local stability of the lower extremity joints and muscle activation patterns of the lower extremity during walking between falling and non-falling group in the elderly women. Method: Forty women, heel strikers, were recruited for this study. Twenty subjects (age:72.55±5.42yrs; height:154.40±4.26cm; mass:57.40±6.21kg; preference walking speed:0.52±0.17m/s; fall frequency=1.70±1.26 times) had a history falls(fall group) within two years and Twenty subjects (71.90±2..90yrs; height:155.28±4.73cm; mass:56.70±5.241kg; preference walking speed: 0.56±0.13m/s) had no history falls(non-fall group). While they were walking on a instrumented treadmill at their preference speed for a long while, kinematic and EMG signals were obtained using 3-D motion capture and wireless EMG electrodes, respectively. Local stability of the ankle and knee joint were calculated using Lyapunov Exponent (LyE) and muscles activation and their co-contraction index were also quantified. Hypotheses were tested using one-way ANOVA and Mann-Whitey. Spearman rank was also used to determine the correlation coefficients between variables. Level of significance was set at p<.05. Results: Local stability in the knee joint adduction-abduction was significantly greater in fall group than non-fall group(p<.05). Activation of anterior tibials that acts on the foot segment dorsal flexion was greater in non-fall group than fall group(p<.05). CI between gastrocnemius and anterior tibials was found to be significantly different between two groups(p<.05). In addition, there was significant correlation between CI of the leg and LyE of the ankle joint flexion-extention in the fall group(p<.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, muscles that act on the knee joint abduction-adduction as well as gastrocnemius and anterior tibials that act on the ankle joint flexion-extention need to be strengthened to prevent from potential fall during walking.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.500-518
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• 1996

Background : The solitary pulmonary nodule(SPN) presents a diagnostic dilemma to the physician and the patient. Many clinical characteristics(i.e. age, smoking history, prior history of malignancy) and radiological characteristics( i.e. size, calcification, growth rate, several findings of computed tomography) have been proposed to help to determine whether the SPN was benign or malignant. However, most of these diagnostic guidelines are based on the data collected before computed tomography(CT) has been introduced and lung cancer was not as common as these days. Moreover, it is not well established whether these guidelines from western populations could be applicable to Korean patients. Methods : We had a retrospective analysis of the case records and radiographic findings in 114 patients presenting with SPN from Jan. 1994 to Feb. 1995 in Seoul National University Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital. Results : We observed the following results ; (1) Out of 113 SPNs, the etiology was documented in 94 SP IS. There were 34 benign SP s and 60 malignant SPNs. Among which, 49 SPNs were primary lung cancers and the most common hi stologic type was adenocarcinoma. (2) The average age of patients with benign and malignant SPNs was $49.7{\pm}12.0$ and $58.1{\pm}10.0$ years, respectively( p=0.0004), and the malignant SPNs had a striking linear propensity to increase with age. (3) No significant difference in the hi story of smoking was noted between the patients with benign SPNs($13.0{\pm}17.6$ pack- year) and those with malignant SPNs($18.6{\pm}25.1$ pack-year) (p=0.2108). (4) 9 out of 10 patients with prior history of malignancy had malignant SPNs. 5 were new primary lung cancers with no relation to prior malignancy. (5) The average size of benign SPNs($3.01{\pm}1.20cm$) and malignant SPNs($2.98{\pm}0.97cm$) was not significantly different(p=0.8937). (6) The volume doubling time could be calculated in 22 SPNs. 9 SPNs had the volume doubling time longer than 400 days. Out of these, 6 were malignant SPNs. (7) The CT findings suggesting malignancy included the lobulated or spiculated border, air- bronchogram, pleural tail, and lymphadenopathy. In contrast, calcification, central low attenuation, cavity with even thickness, well-marginated border, and peri nodular micronodules were more suggestive for benign nodule. (8) The diagnostic yield of percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy was 57.6%(19/33) of benign SPNs and 81.0%(47/58) of malignant SPNs. The diagnostic value of sputum analysis and bronchoscopic evaluations were relatively very low. (9) 42.3%(11/26) of SPNs of undetermined etiology preoperatively turned out to be malignant after surgical resection. Overall, 75.4%(46/61) of surgically resected SPNs were malignant. Conclusions : We conclude that the likelihood of malignant SPN correlates the age of patient, prior history of malignancy, some CT findings including lobulated or spiculated border, air-bronchogram, pleural tail and lymphadenopathy. However, the history of smoking, the size of the nodule, and the volume doubling time are not helpful to determent whether the SPN is benign or malignant, which have been regarded as valuable clinical parameters previously. We suggest that aggressive diagnostic approach including surgical resection is necessary in patient with SPNs.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1996

Purpose: We tried to evaluate the role of conventional radiotherapy alone or with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in oropharyngeal cancer in terms of survival rates and to identify prognostic factors affecting survival by retrospective analysis. Materials and Methods: Forty seven patients of oropharyngeal cancer were treated by conventional radiotherapy in our hospital from Nov. 1985 to APr. 1993. Of these, twenty six patients were treated by conventional radio-therapy alone, and 21 patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy of mostly two or more cycles of cisplatin and pepleomycin. The Patient characteristics of radiotherapy alone group and neoadjuvant chemotherapy group were not different generally. Radiotherapy was performed by 6MV-LINAC and the total radiation doses of Primary tumors were 54.0-79.2 Gy and cervical lymph nodes were 55.8-90.0 Gy with a fraction size of 1.8 or 2.0 Gy per day. The range of follow-up periods was 3-102 months and median was 20 months. The range of a9e was 33-79 years old and median was 58 years old. Results : Overall 3-year actuarial survival rate (3YSR) of all patients was $39\%$. The 3YSRS of stage I (n=5), II (n=11), III (n=12) and IV (n=19) were 60, 55, 33 and $32\%$, respectively The 3YSRS of Tl+2, T3+4 and No, N+ were 55, $18\%$ (p=0.005) and 43, $36\%$ (p>0.1), respectively. There was no difference in 3YSRS between radiotherapy alone group and neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (38 vs $43\%$, p>0.1). According to the original site of primary tumor, the 3YSRS of tonsil (n=32), base of tongue (n=8), soft palate or uvula (n=6) and pharyngeal wall (n=1) were 36 38, 67 and $0\%$, respectively The Patients of soft palate or uvular cancer had longer survival than other primaries but the difference was not significant statistically (p>0.1). Of 32 patients of tonsillar cancer, 22 Patients who had primary extension to adjacent tissue showed inferior survival rate to the ones who had not Primary extension, but the difference was marginally significant statistically (24 vs $60\%$, p=0.08). On Cox multivariate analysis in entire patients with variables of age, T stage, N stage, total duration of radiotherapy, the site of primary tumor and the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, only T stage was a significant Prognostic factor affecting 3YSR. Conclusion : The difference of 3YASRS of conventional radiotherapy alone group and neoadjuvant chemotherapy group was not significant statistically. These treatments could be effective in oropharyngeal cancer of early stage, especially such as soft palate, uvular or tonsillar cancer which did not extend to adjacent tissue. But in order to improve the survival of patients of most advanced oropharyngeal cancer, other altered fractionated radiotherapy such as hyperfractionation rather than conventional fractionation or multi-modal approach combining radiotherapy and accessible surgery or concurrent chemotherapy might be beneficial.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.671-682
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• 1996

Background : Endobronchial tuberculosis is definded as tuberculous infection of the tracheobronchial tree with microbiological and histopathological evidence. Endobronchial tuberculosis has clinical significance due to its sequela of cicatrical stenosis which causes atelectasis, dyspnea and secondary pneumonia and may mimic bronchial asthma and pulmanary malignancy. Method : The authors carried out, retrospectively, a clinical study on 201 patients confirmed with endobronchial tuberculosis who visited the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Hangyang University Hospital from January 1990 10 April 1996. The following results were obtained. Results: 1) Total 201 parients(l9.5%) were confirmed as endobronchial tuberculosis among 1031 patients who had been undergone flexible bronchofiberscopic examination. The number of male patients were 55 and that of female patients were 146. and the male to female ratio was 1 : 2.7. 2) The age distribution were as follows: there were 61(30.3%) cases in the third decade, 40 cases(19.9%) in the fourth decade, 27 cases(13.4%) in the sixth decade, 21 cases(10.4%) in the fifth decade, 19 cases(9.5%) in the age group between 15 and 19 years, 19 cases(9.5%) in the seventh decade, and 14 cases(7.0%) over 70 years, in decreasing order. 3) The most common symptom, in 192 cases, was cough 74.5%, followed by sputum 55.2%, dyspnea 28.6%, chest discomfort 19.8%, fever 17.2%, hemoptysis 11.5%, in decreasing order, and localized wheezing was heard in 15.6%. 4) In chest X-ray of 189 cases, consolidation was the most frequent finding in 67.7%, followed by collapse 43.9%. cavitary lesion 11.6%, pleural effusion 7.4%, in decreasing order, and there was no abnormal findings in 3.2%. 5) In the 76 pulmanary function tests, a normal pattern was found in 44.7%, restrictive pattern in 39.5 %, obstructive pattern in 11.8%, and combined pattern in 3.9%. 6) Among total 201 patients, bronchoscopy showed caseous pseudomembrane in 70 cases(34.8%), mucosal erythema and edema in 54 cases(26.9%), hyperplastic lesion in 52 cases(25.9%), fibrous s.enosis in 22 cases(10.9%), and erosion or ulcer in 3 cases(1.5%). 7) In total 201 cases, bronchial washing AFB stain was positive in 103 cases(51.2%), bronchial washing culture for tuberculous bacilli in 55 cases(27.4%). In the 99 bronchoscopic biopsies, AFB slain positive in 36.4%. granuloma without AFB stain positive in 13.1%, chronic inflammation only in 36.4%. and non diagnostic biopsy finding in 14.1%. Conclusions : Young female patients, whose cough resistant to genenal antitussive agents, should be evaluated for endobronchial tuberculosis, even with clear chest roentgenogram and negative sputum AFB stain. Furthermore, we would like to emphasize that the bronchoscopic approach is a substantially useful means of making a differential diagnosis of atelectasis in older patients of cancer age. At this time we have to make a standard endoscopic classification of endobronchial tuberculosis, and well designed prospective studies are required to elucidate the effect of combination therapy using antituberculous chemotherapy with steroids on bronchial stenosis in patients with endobronchial tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1252-1264
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• 1998

Background : Patients with established ARDS have a mortality rate that exceeds 50 percent despite of intensive care including artificial ventilation modality, Mortality has been associated with sepsis and organ failure preceding or following ARDS ; APACHE II score ; old age and predisposing factors. Revised ventilator strategy over last 10 years especially at ARDS appeared to improve the mortality of it. We retrospectively investigated 40 ARDS patients of respiratory-care unit to examine how these factors influence outcome. Methods : A retrospective investigation of 40 ARDS patients in respiratory-care unit with ventilator management over 46 months was performed. We investigated the clinical characteristics such as a risk factor, cause of death and mortality, and also parameters such as APACHE II score, number of organ dysfunction, and hypoxia score (HS, $PaO_2/FIO_2$) at day 1, 3, 7 of severe acute lung injury, and simultaneously the PEEP level and tidal volume. Results : Clinical conditions associated with ARDS were sepsis 50%, pneumonia 30%, aspiration pneumonia 20%, and mortality rate based on the etiology of ARDS was sepsis 50%, pneumonia 67%(p<0.01 vs sepsis), aspiration pneumonia 38%. Overall mortality rate was 60%. In 28 day-nonsurvivors, leading cause of death was severe sepsis(42.9%) followed by MOF(28.6%), respiratory failure(19.1 %), and others(9.5%). There were no differences in variables of age, sex, APACHE II score, HS, and numbers of organ dysfunction at day 1 of ARDS between 28-days survivor and nonsurvivors. In view of categorized variables of age(>70), APACHE II score(>26), HS(<150) at day 1 of ARDS, there were significant differences between 28-days survivor and nonsurvivors(p<0.05). After day 1 of ARDS, the survivors have improved their APACHE II score, HS, numbers of organ dysfunction over the first 3d to 7d, but nonsurvivors did not improve over a seven-day course. There were significant differences in APACHE II score and numbers of organ dysfunction of day 3, 7 of ARDS, and HS of day 7 of ARDS between survivors and nonsurvivors(p<0.05). Fatality rate of ARDS has been declined from 68% to less than 40% between 1995 and 1998. There were no differences in APACHE II score, HS, numbers of organ dysfunction, old age at presentation of ARDS. In last years, mean PEEP level was significantly higher and mean tidal volume was significantly lower than previous years during seven days of ARDS(p<0.01). Conclusions : Improvement of HS, APACHE II score, organ dysfunction over the first 3d to 7d is associated with increased survival Decline in ARDS fatality rates between 1995 and 1998 seems that this trend must be attributed to improved supportive therapy including at least high PEEP instead of conventional-least PEEP approach in ventilator management of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.237-246
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• 2004

Purpose: To investigate the effects of radiation dose-escalation on the treatment outcome, complications and the other prognostic variables for glioblastoma patients treated with 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT). Materials and Methods: Between Jan 1997 and July 2002, a total of 75 patients with histologically proven diagnosis of glioblastoma were analyzed. The patients who had a Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) of 60 or higher, and received at least 50 Gy of radiation to the tumor bed were eligible. All the patients were divided into two arms; Arm 1, the high-dose group was enrolled prospectively, and Arm 2, the low-dose group served as a retrospective control. Arm 1 patients received $63\~70$ Gy (Median 66 Gy, fraction size $1.8\~2$ Gy) with 3D-conformal radiotherapy, and Arm 2 received 59.4 Gy or less (Median 59.4 Gy, fraction size 1.8 Gy) with 2D-conventional radiotherapy. The Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) was defined by the surgical margin and the residual gross tumor on a contrast enhanced MRI. Surrounding edema was not included in the Clinical Target Volume (CTV) in Arm 1, so as to reduce the risk of late radiation associated complications; whereas as in Arm 2 it was included. The overall survival and progression free survival times were calculated from the date of surgery using the Kaplan-Meier method. The time to progression was measured with serial neurologic examinations and MRI or CT scans after RT completion. Acute and late toxicities were evaluated using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group neurotoxicity scores. Results: During the relatively short follow up period of 14 months, the median overall survival and progression free survival times were $15{\pm}1.65$ and $11{\pm}0.95$ months, respectively. The was a significantly longer survival time for the Arm 1 patients compared to those in Arm 2 (p=0.028). For Arm 1 patients, the median survival and progression free survival times were $21{\pm}5.03$ and $12{\pm}1.59$ months, respectively, while for Arm 2 patients they were $14{\pm}0.94$ and $10{\pm}1.63$ months, respectively. Especially in terms of the 2-year survival rate, the high-dose group showed a much better survival time than the low-dose group; $44.7\%$ versus $19.2\%$. Upon univariate analyses, age, performance status, location of tumor, extent of surgery, tumor volume and radiation dose group were significant factors for survival. Multivariate analyses confirmed that the impact of radiation dose on survival was independent of age, performance status, extent of surgery and target volume. During the follow-up period, complications related directly with radiation, such as radionecrosis, has not been identified. Conclusion: Using 3D-conformal radiotherapy, which is able to reduce the radiation dose to normal tissues compared to 2D-conventional treatment, up to 70 Gy of radiation could be delivered to the GTV without significant toxicity. As an approach to intensify local treatment, the radiation dose escalation through 3D-CRT can be expected to increase the overall and progression free survival times for patients with glioblastomas.