• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.404-410
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• 2003

Different treatment options are available according to the stage and duration of the empyema. Stage I empyema (exudate stage) is treated concurrently by the administration of appropriate antibiotics and chest tube drainage. Stage III empyema (organized stage) is considered for decortication through an open thoracotomy. However, the treatment of fibrinopurulent, stage II empyema remains controversial. Recently, debridement with the use of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) has been proposed for the treatment of stage II empyema. We analyzed and report our initial experience of 5 cases of stage II empyema, treated with the use of VATS. Material and Method: Between June 2001 and February 2002, 5 patients with fibrinopurulent empyema that did not respond to antibiotics, chest tube drainage or Percutaneous Catheter drainage (PCD), and instillation of fibrinolytic agent were treated by debridement and irrigation with the use of VATS. A CT scan was performed in all patients before the operation to confirm the diagnosis of loculated empyema and to detect additional lung parenchymal diseases. Result: All 5 patients underwent successful debridement and irrigation with the use of VATS and the chest tube was inserted properly. And no patients needed conversion to open thoracotomy. The ratio of sex was 4 : 1 (male : female), the mean age was 53 years old (range, 26~73 years), the mean operative time was 73.4 minutes (range, 52~95 minutes), the mean duration of postoperative chest tube placement was 12.4 days (range, 6~19 days), and the mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 20.8 days (range, 10~36 days). In all patients, clinical symptoms such as pain and fever subsided and simple chest PA view revealed satisfactory lung expansion. No major postoperative complication was observed during the hospital course and no patient suffered from the recurrence of empyema in the follow-up period. Conclusion: We think that early operation with the use of VATS is safe and efficient for stage II empyema which did not respond to medical treatment(antibiotics and chest tube drainage), therefore, it can prevent stage II empyema from advancing to stage III, organized empyema.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2011

Purpose: The recently adopted multiple confocal SPECT SYSTEM (hereinafter called IQ SPECT$^{TM}$) has a high difference from the conventional myocardial perfusion SPECT in the collimator form, image capture method, and image reconstruction method. This study was conducted to compare this novice equipment with the conventional one to design a protocol meeting the IQ SPECT, and also determine the characteristics and usefulness of IQ SPECT. Materials and Methods: 1. For the objects of LEHR (Low energy high resolution) collimator and Multiple confocal collimator, $^{99m}Tc$ 37MBq was put in the acrylic dish then each sensitivity ($cpm/{\mu}Ci$) was measured at the distance of 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm respectively. 2. Based on the sensitivity measure results, IQ SPECT Protocol was designed according to the conventional general myocardial SPECT, then respectively 278 kBq/mL, 7.4 kBq/mL, and 48 kBq/mL of $^{99m}Tc$ were injected into the myocardial and soft tissues and liver site by using the anthropomorphic torso phantom then the myocardial perfusion SPECT was run. 3. For the comparison of FWHMs (Full Width at Half Maximum) resulted from the image reconstruction of LEHR collimator, the FWHMs (mm) were measured with only algorithms changed, in the case of the FBP (Filtered Back projection) method- a reconstruction method of conventional myocardial perfusion SPECT, and the 3D OSEM (Ordered subsets expectation maximization) method of IQ SPECT, by using $^{99m}Tc$ Line source. Results: 1. The values of IQ SPECT collimator sensitivity ($cpm/{\mu}Ci$) were 302, 382, 655, 816, 1178, and those of LEHR collimator were measured as 204, 204, 202, 201, 198, both at the distance of 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm respectively. It was found the difference of sensitivity increases up to 4 times at the distance of 30 cm in the cases of IQ SPECT and LEHR. 2. The myocardial perfusion SPECT Protocol was designed according to the geometric characteristics of IQ SPECT based on the sensitivity results, then the phantom test for the aforesaid protocol was conducted. As a result, it was found the examination time can be reduced 1/4 compared to the past. 3. In the comparison of FWHMs according to the reconstructed algorithm in the FBP method and 3D OSEM method followed after the SEPCT test using a LEHR collimator, the result was obtained that FWHM rose around twice in the 3D OSEM method. Conclusion : The IQ SPECT uses the Multiple confocal collimator for the myocardial perfusion SPECT to enhance the sensitivity and also reduces examination time and contributes to improvement of visual screen quality through the myocardial-specific geometric image capture method and image reconstruction method. Due to such benefits, it is expected patients will receive more comfortable and more accurate examinations and it is considered a further study is required using additional clinical materials.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.337-343
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• 2014

Purpose : The aim of this study is to evaluate unwanted scattered dose to ovary by scattering and leakage generated from treatment fields of Tomotherapy for childbearing woman with breast cancer. Materials and Methods : The radiation treatments plans for left breast cancer were established using Tomotherapy planning system (Tomotherapy, Inc, USA). They were generated by using helical and direct Tomotherapy methods for comparison. The CT images for the planning were scanned with 2.5 mm slice thickness using anthropomorphic phantom (Alderson-Rando phantom, The Phantom Laboratory, USA). The measurement points for the ovary dose were determined at the points laterally 30 cm apart from mid-point of treatment field of the pelvis. The measurements were repeated five times and averaged using glass dosimeters (1.5 mm diameter and 12 mm of length) equipped with low-energy correction filter. The measures dose values were also converted to Organ Equivalent Dose (OED) by the linear exponential dose-response model. Results : Scattered doses of ovary which were measured based on two methods of Tomo helical and Tomo direct showed average of $64.94{\pm}0.84mGy$ and $37.64{\pm}1.20mGy$ in left ovary part and average of $64.38{\pm}1.85mGy$ and $32.96{\pm}1.11mGy$ in right ovary part. This showed when executing Tomotherapy, measured scattered dose of Tomo Helical method which has relatively greater monitor units (MUs) and longer irradiation time are approximately 1.8 times higher than Tomo direct method. Conclusion : Scattered dose of left and right ovary of childbearing women is lower than ICRP recommended does which is not seriously worried level against the infertility and secondary cancer occurrence. However, as breast cancer occurrence ages become younger in the future and radiation therapy using high-precision image guidance equipment like Tomotherapy is developed, clinical follow-up studies about the ovary dose of childbearing women patients would be more required.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.128-138
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• 2014

In gated radiation therapy (gRT), due to residual motion, beam delivery is intended to irradiate not only the true extent of disease, but also neighboring normal tissues. It is desired that the delivery covers the true extent (i.e. clinical target volume or CTV) as a minimum, although target moves under dose delivery. The objectives of our study are to validate if the intended dose is surely delivered to the true target in gRT and to quantitatively understand the trend of dose delivery on it and neighboring normal tissues when gating window (GW), motion amplitude (MA), and CTV size changes. To fulfill the objectives, experimental and computational studies have been designed and performed. A custom-made phantom with rectangle- and pyramid-shaped targets (CTVs) on a moving platform was scanned for four-dimensional imaging. Various GWs were selected and image integration was performed to generate targets (internal target volume or ITV) for planning that included the CTVs and internal margins (IM). The planning was done conventionally for the rectangle target and IMRT optimization was done for the pyramid target. Dose evaluation was then performed on a diode array aligned perpendicularly to the gated beams through measurements and computational modeling of dose delivery under motion. This study has quantitatively demonstrated and analytically interpreted the impact of residual motion including penumbral broadening for both targets, perturbed but secured dose coverage on the CTV, and significant doses delivered in the neighboring normal tissues. Dose volume histogram analyses also demonstrated and interpreted the trend of dose coverage: for ITV, it increased as GW or MA decreased or CTV size increased; for IM, it increased as GW or MA decreased; for the neighboring normal tissue, opposite trend to that of IM was observed. This study has provided a clear understanding on the impact of the residual motion and proved that if breathing is reproducible gRT is secure despite discontinuous delivery and target motion. The procedures and computational model can be used for commissioning, routine quality assurance, and patient-specific validation of gRT. More work needs to be done for patient-specific dose reconstruction on CT images.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2006

Purpose: This study is to analyze the clinical and radiological results after arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation of intra-articular fractures of lateral tibial plateau. Materials and Methods: The subject of the study are the 13 cases of the patients visited orthopedics surgery during March year 2000 to August year 2004 because of intra-articular fractures of lateral tibial plateau and were treated with arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation. X-rays and CT or MRI were both carried out to identify the precise pattern of fracture and the degree of depression which showed out to be all type 2 by Schatzker fracture classification. And in 9 of the cases, autogenous and allogenous bone grafts were given as bone loss were severe. The average age was 48, age group between 31 and 66, and average follow up period of about 38 months ($13{\sim}65months$). Radiological ratings were given by comparing the X-rays of degree of joint congruency before and after the operation, functional ratings by analyzing IKDC score and Lysholm score. Combined injuries observed after arthroscopy were posterior cruciate ligament injury in 1 case, meniscus injury in 4 cases and medial collateral ligament in 2 cases. Results: During follow up, X-rays showed well-maintained reduction of articular surface in all cases and no complications such as joint depression, fracture reduction loss, angular deformity or malunion were found. Average Lysholm score at last follow up was 87 points ranging from 65 to 97, in 8 of the cases excellent, 3 good, 1 fair and 1 poor according to Lynsholm classification. Average IKDC score was 92 (from 82 to 99). Conclusion: Not only does arthroscopic reduction of lateral tibial plateau fracture bring exact reduction of articular surface, but also, is considered to be a good way of operation to diagnose and treat combined injuries of knee joint using arthroscopy.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 1998

The author exprienced a case of glycogen storage disease type Ia(GSD-I) in an 18-year-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital due to proteinuria and hypertension. he was suspected to have GSD when 12 years old because of his family history of short stature and hepatomegaly. On admission, physical examination revealed short stature, heparomegaly, and The diagnosis of GSD-I was confirmed by compatible liver biopsy finding and enzyme assay which erealeddeficiency of glcose-6-phosphatase if hepatocyte. Sympromatic treatment was done using antihypertensive drugs and allopurinol with diet control. The authors report a case of glycogen storage disease type Ia completely confirmed by typical clinical manifestation, pathologic findings of the liver and the kidney, and the result of enzyme assay which revealed deficiency of glucose-6-phosphatase in hepatocytes with brief review fo related literatures.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.861-870
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• 1997

Background : Though acute respiratory distress(ARDS) often occurs in the early stage of severe acute pancreatitis and significantly contributed to the mortality of the condition, the characteristics of the group who develops ARDS in the patients with acute pancreatitis have not been fully found. The objective of this investigation was to identify predictable factors which distinguish a group who would develop ARDS in the patients with acute pancreatitis. Method : A retrospective analysis of 94 cases in 86 patients who were admitted the Medical Intensive Care Unit with acute pancreatitis was done. ARDS were developed in 13 cases among them (13.8%). The possible clinical factors related to the development were analyzed using univariate analysis and $x^2$-test. Results : The risk of ARDS development was increased in the patients with abonormal findings of chest X-ray at admission compared to the patients with normal chest X-ray (p<0.05). The risk was also increased according to the sevecrity index score in abdominal computed tomography at the time of admission (p<0.05). The higher APACHE III score of the first day of admission, the more risk increment of ARDS development was observed (p<0.01). Patients with more than one points of Murray's lung injury score showed higher risk of ARDS compared to the patients with 0 points of that. The patients with sepsis and the patients with more than three organ dysfunction at admission had 3.5 times and 23.3 times higher risk of the development of ARDS compared to the patients without sepsis and without organ failure in each (p<0.05, p<0.01). Conclusion : The risk of ARDS development would be higher in the acute pancreatitis patients with abnormal chest X-ray, higher CT severity index, higher APACHE III or Murray's lung injury score, accompanying sepsis, and more than three organ failure at admission.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2006

Purpose: Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumor (MMMT) of the uterine corpus is one of the very uncommon and the most lethal tumors in the uterus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of FDG PET in detecting distant metastasis and residual and/or recurrent disease. Methods: Ten patients who underwent FDG PET for detecting distant metastasis and recurrence were included. focal FDG accumulation was regarded as abnormal. We also reviewed serum CA 125 levels, anatomical images, and histopathoiogical examination. Results: Three patients of 10 FDG PET showed abnormal FDG uptake. One had high serum CA 125 levels and high fractions of carcinomatous element on histopathologic examination. FDG PET showed metastatic lesions in unexpected locations, which could not be detected by anatomical images. Another had normal serum CA 125 levels with high sarcomatous element and CT could only detect a few lesions. The other had high serum CA 125 levels and also had high carcinomatous element. Seven patients who had no abnormal uptake on FDG PET had no clinical evidence of recurrence during the follow up period ($51.7{\pm}12.2$ months). The mean disease free intervals of these 7 patients were $36.4{\pm}6.0$ months. Two patients with abnormal findings had never become disease-free condition during the follow up period ($6.0{\pm}4.2$ months. Conclusion: FDG PET could be a useful modality for unexpected distant metastasis and follow up tool in patients with MMMT.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.196-202
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• 1999

Purpose : When the mature kidney fails to reach its norml location in the renal fossa, the condition is known as ectopic kidney. Presenting symtoms can be various and it generally depend on the associated anomaly. Beside urologic anomalies such as hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux, various anomalous vascular net work, skeletal anomaly or genital anomaly can be observed in this condition. Methods : Sixteen children with ectopic kidney was studied retrospectively to analyse initial presentation, accompanied anomaly and prognosis. Results : 56% of the children were accompanied with other urologic anomalies such as true incontinence and vesicoureteral reflux that required surgical treatment. 31% of children were either diagnosed incidentally during evaluation of other non-urologic disease or during follow-up evaluation of abnormal antenatal renal sonogram. Conclusion : Ectopic kidney can be often misdiagnosed as tumorous condition or as a surgical condition depend on the abnormal location of the kidney. Careful evaluation using abdominal sonogram, DMSA, VCUG and abdominal CT scan should be performed in order to search for associated anomalous condition and for proper management.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1047-1051
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sedatives for pediatric patients using noninvasive procedures. Methods : We performed a prospective study in 446 (aged 1 month-21 y) consecutive pediatric patients undergoing sedation to study noninvasive sedation techniques from February to August 2007. We reviewed demographic data, sedative drugs, dosage, complications, and successful rates of sedation according to the underlying diseases. Results : The overall successful rate of sedation was 435/446 (97.5%). The overall rate of successful sedation using chloral hydrate was 99.1% (420/424), and was 70.6% (12/17) and 60.0% (3/5) with ketamine and midazolam, respectively. Of the neurologic patients (n=172, aged 1 month to 21 years), 136 patients were sedated for EEGs, 5 patients for renal scans, and 31 patients for neuroimaging studies such as brain CT or MRI. All non-neurological patients (n=274, aged 1 month to 5 years) were diagnosed with urinary tract infection and sedated for renal scan. The overall success rate of sedation for this group was 99.6% (273/274). A total of 14 adverse events were observed (3.1%). Most adverse reactions were mild in severity and clinically insignificant. Conclusion : Using chloral hydrate alone has enough effect to sedate non-neurologic patients. However, neurologic patients in the severe course group, especially those suffering from intractable epilepsy, autism, or severe cerebral palsy, must be medicated with chloral hydrate 2 times at most; instead, injections of ketamine or midazolam in the early stage may result in a more promising outcome.