• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.534-538
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• 2001

Background: Knowledge of size and morphology of the normal trachea is important for airway management and tracheal reconstruction. Conventional radiography is a simple method used to measure the tracheal diameter, but it is not accurate because of the artifacts related to image magnification and overlapping by the shoulder. The purpose of this study was to provide the normal values of the tracheal size and anatomy in Korean adults using Computerized Topography. Material and Method: There were 43 men and 34 women included in this study. They were divided into three age groups(group 1, 20-39 years ; group 2, 40-59 yeas , groups 3, $\geq$60 years). The anteroposterior and transverse diameters and cross - sectional areas of the trachea were measured at the level of the thoracic inlet(Level 1) and the aortic arch(Level 2). These values obtained at each level were compared between age groups and sexes. Result: In 43 men, the anteroposterior / transverse diameters(mean SD in millimeters) of the trachea at levels 1 and 2 were 19.95$\pm$2.99 / 17.72$\pm$2.13 and 19.77$\pm$2.57 / 18.02$\pm$2.19, respectively. In 34 women, those values at levels 1 and 2 were 15.56$\pm$2.12 / 14.18$\pm$2.07 and 15.35$\pm$1.82 / 15.00$\pm$1.60, respectively. At both levels, the anteroposterior and transverse diameters were significantly greater in men than in women (p<0.05). The cross-sectional area of the trachea at levels 1 and 2 were 279.14$\pm$61.37 / 281.93$\pm$63.97 $\textrm{mm}^2$ in men and 173.29$\pm$35.81 / 181.88$\pm$34.74 in women, respectively. They also showed significantly greater values in men than in women(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in diameters and cross-sectional areas of the trachea between age groups. Conclusion: There are significant differences in the internal diameter and cross- sectional area of the trachea between men and women in normal Korean adults, while the age difference was insignificant. We believed CT is a relatively accurate and safe way to measure the internal diameter and cross-sectional areas of the trachea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 1999

Background : A sizable percentage of tuberculous pleurisy patients are known to have residual pleural thickening(RPT) despite adequate anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. But, the predictive factors related to the development of RPT is not well known. Therefore, we studied to determine which factors are related to the development of RPT after completion of therapy. Methods: By retrospective review of medical records, fifty-eight patients initially diagnosed as having tuberculous pleurisy between March 1995 and January 1998 were separated into two groups : 27 patients in group 1 had RPT on simple chest radiography, while 31 patients in group 2 had no RPT after 6 month of anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. The clinical characteristics, radiologic findings and pleural fluid findings of the two group were compared at the time of diagnosis and during the course of therapy. Results: 47% of patients had RPT after 6 month of chemotherapy, and RPT was more common in man than in women(54% vs 29%, p=0.092). In group 2 patients, complete resorption of pleural lesion occurred rather late stage of therapy(1-2 month: 26%, 3-4 month: 29%, 5-6 month: 45%). Group 1 patients had increased percentage of loculated pleural lesion(26 % vs 19%) and increased white blood cell and lymphocyte count, lactate dehydrogenase level in pleural fluid ($3527\pm5652$ vs $2467\pm2201$/ml, $2066\pm2022$ vs $1698\pm1835$/ml and $1636\pm1143$ vs $1441\pm923$IU/mL respectively) than group 2 at the time of diagnosis, but statistically insignificant. Duration of symptom prior to treatment, size of pleural effusion, presence of parenchymal lung lesion, level of total protein, glucose and adenosine deaminase(ADA)activity in pleural fluid were similar in both group. Conclusion: 53% of tuberculous pleurisy patients showed slow but complete resorption of pleural lesion after 6 month of chemotherapy. But, no clinical, radiological and pleural fluid findings are predictive for the development of RPT.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.560-569
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• 2003

Background : A large number of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and ozone influence on the body. These pollutants put a burden on the lung and the sequelae resulting from the oxidative stress are thought to contribute to the development of fibrotic lung disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. Also, carbon monoxide generated from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing compounds is an important component of air pollution caused by traffic exhaust fumes and has the toxic effect of tissue hypoxia and produce various systemic and neurologic complications. The objective of this study is to compare the difference of pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin(CO-Hb) level between the traffic policemen and clerk policemen. Method : Three hundred and twenty-nine of traffic policemen, and one hundred and thirty clerk policemen were included between 2001 May and 2002 August. The policemen who took part in this study were asked to fill out a questionnaire which included questions on age, smoking, drinking, years of working, work-related symptoms and past medical history. The serum CO-Hb level was measured by using carboxyoximeter. Pulmonary function test was done by using automated spirometer. Additional tests, such as elecrocardiogram, urinalysis, chest radiography, blood chemistry, and CBC, were also done. Results : $FEV_1(%)$ was $97.1{\pm}0.85%$, and $105.7{\pm}1.21%$(p<0.05). FVC(%) was $94.6{\pm}0.67%$, and $102.1{\pm}1.09%$, respectively(p<0.05). Serum CO-Hb level was $2.4{\pm}0.06%$, and $1.8{\pm}0.08%$(p<0.05). After correction of confounding factors (age, smoking), significant variables were FVC(%), $FEV_1(%)$ and serum CO-Hb level(%)(p<0.05). Conclusion : Long exposure to air pollution may influence the pulmonary function and serum CO-Hb level. But, further prospective cohort study will be needed to elucidate detailed influences of specific pollutants on pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin level.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2006

Background : Hemoptysis, when massive and untreated, has a mortality rate of over 50 percents, is considered as one of most dreaded of all respiratory emergencies and can have a variety of underlying causes. Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) has become an established procedure in the management of massive and recurrent hemoptysis, and its efficacy is widely documented thereafter by number of articles. However, the long-term success rate of BAE is known to be unfavorable. Risk factors influencing that control failure are inevitably needed. Materials and methods : Seventy-five patients underwent bronchial artery embolization due to massive hemoptysis in Severance Hospital from Jan. 2000 to Jan. 2005. Nine patients' data were not available and could not be contacted with. Finally 66 patients' (48 males, 18 females) medical records were analyzed retrospectively during a mean follow up period of 20.4 months (ranging from 1 month to 54 months). Results : Among 66 patients whose data were available, 23(34.9%) patients had recurrent major hemoptysis. Patients' age, sex, underlying disease, previous intervention history, and number of feeding vessels had no statistical validity as risk factors of recurred major hemoptysis. But bilaterality of lesion, amount of hemoptysis, and pleural thickening were revealed as meaningful factors for predicting relapse (p = 0.008, 0.018, and 0.001, respectively). Conclusion : According to our series, patients presenting with larger amount of hemoptysis, pleural thickening of chest radiography and bilateral lesion are associated with increased risk of major hemoptysis in patients treated with BAE.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.480-485
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• 2007

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. COPD has systemic effects, such as skeletal muscle dysfunction and abnormal weight loss. It also has been suggested that COPD is related to other chronic disease, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and anemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate a symptom questionnaire and laboratory findings in subjects with air flow limitation. Methods: We evaluated a symptom questionnaire and laboratory findings in subjects with airflow limitation detected by spirometry in conjunction with the Second Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 9,243 adults over the age of 18 were recruited. Among the adults, we finally analyzed 2,217 subjects who met the acceptability and repeatability criteria of spirometry, showed normal findings on chest radiography, and were older than 40 years of age. Results: There were 288 subjects with airflow limitation as determined by spirometry. The frequency of respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum and wheezing were significantly higher in subjects with airflow limitation (p <0.01). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were higher in subjects with airflow limitation (hemoglobin level 13.98 mg/dL vs. 13.62 mg/dL, hematocrit 42.10% vs. 40.89%; p<0.01). The HDL cholesterol level was lower in subjects with airflow limitation (44.95 mg/dL vs. 45.60 mg/dL; p<0.01). There was no significant difference in the total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and fasting glucose levels. Conclusion: In subjects with airflow limitation, prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher than in normal spirometry subjects and the levels of hemoglobin and the hematocrit were higher. The HDL cholesterol level was lower in subjects with airflow limitation.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 2003

Currently, as a consequence of PACS (Picture Archiving Communication System) implementation many hospitals are replacing conventional film-type interpretations of diagnostic medical images with new digital-format interpretations that can also be saved, and retrieve However, the big limitation in PACS is considered to be the lack of mobility. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal communication packet size. This was done by considering the terms occurred in the wireless communication. After encoding medical image using JPGE2000 image compression method, This method embodied auto-error correction technique preventing the loss of packets occurred during wireless communication. A PC class server, with capabilities to load, collect data, save images, and connect with other network, was installed. Image data were compressed using JPEG2000 algorithm which supports the capability of high energy density and compression ratio, to communicate through a wireless network. Image data were also transmitted in block units coeded by JPEG2000 to prevent the loss of the packets in a wireless network. When JPGE2000 image data were decoded in a PUA (Personal Digital Assistant), it was instantaneous for a MR (Magnetic Resonance) head image of 256${\times}$256 pixels, while it took approximately 5 seconds to decode a CR (Computed Radiography) chest image of 800${\times}$790 pixels. In the transmission of the image data using a CDMA 1X module (Code-Division Multiple Access 1st Generation), 256 byte/sec was considered a stable transmission rate, but packets were lost in the intervals at the transmission rate of 1Kbyte/sec. However, even with a transmission rate above 1 Kbyte/sec, packets were not lost in wireless LAN. Current PACS are not compatible with wireless networks. because it does not have an interface between wired and wireless. Thus, the mobile JPEG2000 image viewing system was developed in order to complement mobility-a limitation in PACS. Moreover, the weak-connections of the wireless network was enhanced by re-transmitting image data within a limitations The results of this study are expected to play an interface role between the current wired-networks PACS and the mobile devices.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2007

Background: Although there is an increasing incidence of Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease in Korea, the optimal therapeutic regimen has not yet been established and there are no reports of the long-term treatment outcomes. This study examined the long-term treatment outcomes of M. abscessus pulmonary disease. Methods: Twenty-nine patients diagnosed with M. abscessus pulmonary according to the American Thoracic Society criteria and treated from January 1996 to December 2003 were enrolled in ghis study. The clinical characteristics, radiological findings, treatment outcome, and follow up data were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The mean age of the 29 patients was 56.1 (${\pm}13.6$) years and there was a female (22/29) dominance. The chest radiography revealed the nodular bronchiectatic type to be dominant (69%, 20/29). Twenty-seven (93.1%) were prescribed clarithromycin-containing regimens, and injectable drugs, mainly aminoglycosides, were included in the regimen of nineteen patients. The most predominant regimen (48.3%) consisted of clarithromycin and amikacin. The treatment success, failure, and default were achieved in 19(65.5%), 9(31.0%), and 1(3.4%), respectively. The median duration to culture conversion was 42 days (range 15-362) and the median duration of treatment in the success group was 543 days (range 176-1,160). An adjunctive surgical resection was performed in five patients, which resulted in treatment success in two patients. After the completion of treatment, nineteen patients were followed up for a median duration of 931 days (range 230-2,294). Only one (5.3%) patient relapsed 45 days after completing treatment. Conclusion: Treatment with clarithromycin-containing regimens resulted in a successful treatment in approximately two thirds of patients with M. abscessus pulmonary disease. The long-term relapse rate was also quite low.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2002

Background: Pulmonary aspergilloma is relatively common in korea. It arises from the colonization and proliferation of Aspergillus in preexisting lung parenchymal cavities, in particular tuberculosis. The most common symptom in this disorder is hemoptysis, which mayor may not be massive and life threatening. A routine chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) are the most important diagnostic procedures. A surgical resection of the aspergilloma has recently been recommended, because of the relatively low incidence of postoperative complications than in the past. A more concentrated sample of patients with aspergilloma, who either underwent a thoracotomy or tested positive for aspergillus antibodies, were reviewed. Method : The medical records of twenty-two patients with aspergilloma, who had a proven thoracotomy (9 cases), or who tested positive for the diagnostic procedure and/or aspergillus antibodies (13 cases) from January 1995 to December 2000, were reviewed retrospectively. Results : The most common underlying lung disease was a current or old healed tuberculosis, and 3 patients had cultures of mycobacterium other than tuberculosis (MOTT). The mean time until the aspergilloma was detected 5.91 years in the healed tuberculosis cases. The others cases involved a lung abscess, bronchiectasis and without lung disease. The extrapulmonary disease was alcoholism and diabetes. Hemoptysis was most common in 72.7%. A computed tomography (CT) is useful for diagnosis. The right upper lobe, especially the posterior segment, is the most common location. Bronchial artery embolization is ineffective for a long term follow-up. A lobectomy is most common in a thoracotomy, and intra-operative and post-operative complications are rare. During follow-up, the mortality rate, not from the aspergilloma but from respiratory failure, was 13.6%. Conclusion : Aspergilloma is a common cavitary lung disease, It mainly arises from tuberculosis, either current or healed, but extra-pulmonary disease including alcoholism or diabetes are other possible risk factors. Their most common problem in aspergilloma is hemoptysis. Surgery has a low risk of post-operative complications and is recommended in relatively preserved lung function or healthy patients. Medical maneuvers including embolization, and the local insertion of certain materials needs to be studied more closely.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 1999

Purpose : Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia has been to be developed frequently in school age children and adolescence and hard to see under 3 year-old children. But it seems to be increased in number of patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia under 3-year old in clinical practice in these days. We have aimed to examine the characteristics of clinical findings of Mycoplasma pneumonia under 3 year-old children. Methods : We had performed retrospective review of medical records of 30 patients with Mycoplasmal pneumonia under 3-year old children who admitted to Department of Pediatrics, Kyunghee University Hospital from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1997. The diagnostic criteriae was Cold agglutinin titer>1:64 or Mycoplasma antibody titer>1:80. Results : Mycoplasmal pneumonia was 30 out of 235 cases(12.7%) of total pneumonia under 3 year old children. Male female ratio was 1.3 : 1 and age distributions were 0~1y : 0, 1~2y : 8, 2~3y : 22 cases. Clinical symptoms and signs were cough(100.0%), sputum(83.3%), fever(80.0%) rhinorrhea(33.3%), vomiting(33.3%), moist rale(86.7%), decreased breathing sound(26.7%), wheezing(20.0%), and pharyngeal injection(30.0%). Thirteen out of 30 cases(43.3%) had unilateral infiltration, 10 cases(33.4%) had bilateral infiltration, 1 case(3.3%) had pleural effusion, and 6 cases(20.0%) had negative findings on chest radiography and there was no cases of atelectasis. On laboratory findings, 6 out of 30 cases(20.0%) had leukocytosis, 1 case(3.3%) had neutrophilia, 10 cases(30.0%) had eosinophilia, 17 cases(56.7%) had increased ESR, and 18 cases(60.6%) had positive CRP. Positive cold agglutinin titers(>1 : 64) were 19 cases(63.3%), and positive mycoplasma antibody(M-ab) titers(>1 : 80) were 27 cases(93.3%). Mycoplasma antibody test was more valuable than cold agglutinin test for the diagnosis of Mycoplasmal pneumonia and there was no correlation between cold agglutinin titer and mycoplasma antibody titer. Mycoplasma-polymerase chain reaction(M-PCR) was done with 13 cases, 12 out of 13 cases(92.3%) were positive. M-PCR test was valuable to the diagnosis of Mycoplasmal pneumonia but it will be needed to further study for their clinical application. Among 30 cases, 5 cases(16.7%) had complications, 3 cases(10.0%) had skin rash, 1 case(3.3%) had pleural effusion, 1 case(3.3%) had arthralgia, but all complications were mild and recovered without residual sequelae. Conclusion : The occurrence of Mycoplasmal pneumonia under 3 year-old children was not rare from this study. Clinical characteristics of Mycoplasmal pneumonia under 3-year old were normal radiologic findings in many cases, low complication rate, mild clinical course, and tend to rapid recovery compared with general manifestations of Mycoplasmal infectionsin children and adolescence. There were likely to be missed patients with Mycoplasmal pneumonia which did not diagnose by conventional serologic tests that had low sensitivity and specificity. We have to pay attention to the Mycoplasmal infection of the young children with pneumonia during epidemic periods of Mycoplasmal infection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 2003

Background : Mycobacterium avium complex(MAC) is the most common respiratory pathogen in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease. This study described the clinical characteristics of the patients with pulmonary disease caused by MAC. Materials and Methods : The clinical characteristics of 24 patients with pulmonary disease caused by the MAC, who fulfilled the 1997 American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease, were retrospectively analyzed. Results : Fourteen patients(58%) were male and the median age at diagnosis was 61 years(range 46-75). Of the 24 patients, 16(67%) had a M. intracellulare infection, 7(29%) had a M. avium infection and one patient was not identified. Coughing (92%) and sputum (88%) were most frequently observed symptoms. The sputum smear for acid-fast bacilli was positive in 17(71%) patients. Fourteen(58%) patients had the upper lobe cavitary form and 10(42%) patients had the nodular bronchiectatic form. In a comparison between the patients with the upper lobe cavitary form and those with the nodular bronchiectatic form, significant differences were found according to sex(male 86% vs. 20%, p=0.003), smoking history(79% vs. 10%, p=0.008), the presence of an underlying disease(64% vs. 20%, p=0.036), the pulmonary function(% forced vital capacity, median 71% vs. 88%, p=0.022; % forced expiratory volume in one second, median 69% vs. 89%, p=0.051) and bilateral disease at chest radiography(29% vs. 90%, p=0.005). The time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was longer in those with the nodular bronchiectatic form(median 72 months, range 8-132) than those with the upper lobe cavitary form(median 22 months, range 6-60) Conclusions : MAC pulmonary disease occurs in two distinct populations with two distinct clinical presentations. For a correct diagnosis of MAC pulmonary disease, knowledge of the diverse clinical and radiological findings is essential.