• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4971-4975
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• 2015

Background: Several methods have been presented for the evaluation of the endometrium in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding, which include minimal invasive and invasive approaches such as diagnostic curettage or endometrial biopsy by Pipelle. Many studies have been performed in order to compare two methods; diagnostic curettage and outpatient endometrial biopsy. This investigation compared sampling adequacy, endometrial histopathology, failure rates, duration and costs between diagnostic curettage in a hospital and endometrial biopsy. Materials and Methods: This single blind clinical trial was performed on 130 patients older than 35 years who was referred to Amir training hospital in 2013 for elective diagnostic curettage because of abnormal uterine bleeding. For all patients eligible for the study, an endometrial sample by Pipelle was taken without anesthesia or dilatation. Then under general anesthesia diagnostic curettage was performed by sharp curette. Sampling duration was calculated and both samples were sent to the same pathologist. The diagnostic values of two methods in the diagnosis of normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma were compared. The costs of these two methods were also compared. Data analysis was performed by SPSS (version 16.0) software. Chi-Square, Fisher, and Pearson tests were used and were considered statistically significant at P values less than 0.05. Results: Two methods were agreed upon 88% of sampling adequacy and 94% of pathological results. Specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 90% for detection of proliferative endometrium, secretory endometrium, simple hyperplasia without atypia and 100% for cancer were recorded. Pipelle diagnostic accuracy in comparison with curettage, have been reported over 97%, so the failure rate in this study was below 5%. Sensitivity of Pipelle for detection of atrophic endometrium was reported below 50%. Duration and cost was lower in Pipelle versus curettage. Conclusions: It is concluded that due to high agreement and cohesion coefficient between curettage and Pipelle on the issue of sampling adequacy, histopathology finding (except atrophic endometrium), low failure rate, duration of sampling and cost, Pipelle can be introduced as a suitable alternative of diagnostic curettage.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.563-570
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of scintillator and collimator parameters that tradeoff between system sensitivity and spatial resolution. The parameters simulated using Monte Carlo program were scintillator thickness, colimator hole shape, septal thickness, and hole length. The results show that the sensitivity increases exponentially upto about 1 cm of scintillator thickness as the thickness increases. However the sensitivity is almost constant when the scintiallator is thicker than about 1 cm. The simulation of collimator hole shape shows that the hexagonal hole gives the best spatial resolution for the same system sensitivity. The system statical resolution is improved, as both collimator septal thickness and hole length increase, however that system sensitivity is rapidly decreased. In conclusion, The optimization of scintillator and collimator parameters using monte carlo simulation may be useful to develop a high-resolution miniature gamma probe.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.226-236
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• 2021

Background: Although the Quidel Sofia rapid influenza fluorescent immunoassay (FIA) is widely used to identify influenza A and B, the diagnostic accuracy of this test remains unclear. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of this test compared to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and a hierarchical summary receiver-operating characteristic curve (HSROC) of this test for identifying influenza A and B were determined using meta-analysis. A sensitivity subgroup analysis was performed to identify potential sources of heterogeneity within selected studies. Results: We identified 17 studies involving 8,334 patients. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and DOR of the Quidel Sofia rapid influenza FIA for identifying influenza A were 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.83), 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-0.99), and 251.26 (95% CI, 139.39-452.89), respectively. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and DOR of this test for identifying influenza B were 0.72 (95% CI, 0.60-0.82), 0.98 (95% CI, 0.96-0.99), and 140.20 (95% CI, 55.92-351.54), respectively. The area under the HSROC for this test for identifying influenza A was similar to that for identifying influenza B. Age was considered a probable source of heterogeneity. Conclusion: Pooled sensitivities of the Quidel Sofia rapid influenza FIA for identifying influenza A and B did not quite meet the target level (≥80%). Thus, caution is needed when interpreting data of this study due to substantial betweenstudy heterogeneity.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.155-165
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• 2023

Objective: Little is known about the effects of using different expert-determined reference standards when evaluating the performance of deep learning-based automatic detection (DLAD) models and their added value to radiologists. We assessed the concordance of expert-determined standards with a clinical gold standard (herein, pathological confirmation) and the effects of different expert-determined reference standards on the estimates of radiologists' diagnostic performance to detect malignant pulmonary nodules on chest radiographs with and without the assistance of a DLAD model. Materials and Methods: This study included chest radiographs from 50 patients with pathologically proven lung cancer and 50 controls. Five expert-determined standards were constructed using the interpretations of 10 experts: individual judgment by the most experienced expert, majority vote, consensus judgments of two and three experts, and a latent class analysis (LCA) model. In separate reader tests, additional 10 radiologists independently interpreted the radiographs and then assisted with the DLAD model. Their diagnostic performance was estimated using the clinical gold standard and various expert-determined standards as the reference standard, and the results were compared using the t test with Bonferroni correction. Results: The LCA model (sensitivity, 72.6%; specificity, 100%) was most similar to the clinical gold standard. When expert-determined standards were used, the sensitivities of radiologists and DLAD model alone were overestimated, and their specificities were underestimated (all p-values < 0.05). DLAD assistance diminished the overestimation of sensitivity but exaggerated the underestimation of specificity (all p-values < 0.001). The DLAD model improved sensitivity and specificity to a greater extent when using the clinical gold standard than when using the expert-determined standards (all p-values < 0.001), except for sensitivity with the LCA model (p = 0.094). Conclusion: The LCA model was most similar to the clinical gold standard for malignant pulmonary nodule detection on chest radiographs. Expert-determined standards caused bias in measuring the diagnostic performance of the artificial intelligence model.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.967-975
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate whether the combination of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and ¹¹C-methionine positron emission tomography (¹¹C-MET PET) could increase accurate diagnostic sensitivity for non-enhancing supratentorial gliomas. Materials and Methods: Between February 2012 and December 2017, 109 patients with non-enhanced supratentorial lesions on contrast-enhanced MRI were enrolled. Each patient underwent MRS and ¹¹C-MET PET before treatment. A lesion was considered to be a glioma when either the MRS or ¹¹C-MET PET results reached the diagnostic threshold. The radiological diagnosis was compared with the pathological diagnosis or medical diagnostic criteria. Results: The sensitivity and specificity were 60.0% and 50.0% for MRS and 75.8% and 50.0% for ¹¹C-MET PET, respectively. Upon combining the two modalities, the sensitivity and specificity of the imaging-based diagnosis prior to surgery reached 89.5% and 42.9%, respectively. Statistically significant differences in the sensitivities were observed between the combined and individual approaches (MRS alone, 89.5% vs. 60.0%, p < 0.001; ¹¹C-MET PET alone, 89.5% vs. 75.8%, p = 0.001). However, no significant differences in specificity were observed between the combined and individual modalities. Conclusion: The combination of MRS and ¹¹C-MET PET findings significantly increases accurate diagnostic sensitivity for non-enhancing supratentorial gliomas without significantly lowering the specificity. This finding suggests the potential of the combined MRS and ¹¹C-MET PET approach in clinical applications.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.615-623
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the specificity, sensitivity, and diagnostic power of caries activity test using LED fluorescence. The subjects of this study were 55 children of $6{\sim}7$ years old. LED light were irradiated to labial or buccal surface of all teeth. Fluorescence from initial carious lesion of teeth illuminated by an LED light was observed through barrier filter and the number of teeth showing lesion, size and position of lesion were counted. Streptococcus mutans colony counting and dDfFtT rate test were also done and their correlation was compared. And then specificity, sensitivity, diagnostic power of optical caries activity test using LED light were evaluated. 1. There was positive $correlation({\gamma}=0.43)$ between LED fluorescence test and Streptococcus mutans count(P<0.05). 2. When visual examination was defined to standard testing method, the specificity, sensitivity, diagnostic power of LED fluorescence test were 100%, 76.1%, and 100%. 3. When dDfFtT rate was defined to standard testing method, the specificity, sensitivity, diagnostic power of LED fluorescence test were 88.9%, 47.8%, and 95.7%. 4. When S. mutans colony counting was defined to standard testing method, the specificity, sensitivity, diagnostic power of LED fluorescence test were 100%, 58.7%, and 100%. Considering the above results, optical caries activity test using LED light could be regarded as a practical method because of its close relationship with microbiological caries activity test.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2015

There has been increasing attention on sample size requirements in peer reviewed medical literatures. Accordingly, a statistically-valid sample size determination has been described for a variety of medical situations including diagnostic test accuracy studies. If the sample is too small, the estimate is too inaccurate to be useful. On the other hand, a very large sample size would yield the estimate with more accurate than required but may be costly and inefficient. Choosing the optimal sample size depends on statistical considerations, such as the desired precision, statistical power, confidence level and prevalence of disease, and non-statistical considerations, such as resources, cost and sample availability. In a previous paper (J Vet Clin 2012; 29: 68-77) we briefly described the statistical theory behind sample size calculations and provided practical methods of calculating sample size in different situations for different research purposes. This review describes how to calculate sample sizes when assessing diagnostic test performance such as sensitivity and specificity alone. Also included in this paper are tables and formulae to help researchers for designing diagnostic test studies and calculating sample size in studies evaluating test performance. For complex studies clinicians are encouraged to consult a statistician to help in the design and analysis for an accurate determination of the sample size.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.64-76
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• 2010

The sacroiliac joint is difficult to appropriately examine and treat because it is extremely complex and also is difficult to distinguish dysfunctions from those of the spine and hip which are highly intergrated functionally. In addition generally traditional x-rays and CT scans also are not beneficial in detecting sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The manipulative physiotherapist should seek to establish a series of relevant finding that build into a case implicating the sacroiliac joint. When deciding to use these diagnostic tests, the examiner must determine if the test will give reliable and useful information that will help in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. To be useful diagnostic tests must give reliable data and be valid and the most useful methods of determining whether a test is a good test for pathology under consideration are sensitivity and specificity. In the ideal world, one would want a test that has both high sensitivity and high specificity. The purpose of this review is to ascertain diagnostic value on the tests for sacroiliac joint dysfunction by literature.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.186-190
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• 2001

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Neer, Hawkins provocative tests and supraspinatus manual muscle test for the assessment of impingement syndrome, partial tear and small complete tear of De rotator cuff. Materials and Methods: Seventy-one female and 115 male patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into four groups of no impingement, impingement without tear, partial tear and small complete tear of the rotator cuff, which were confirmed by sonogram, magnetic resonance imaging and surgery. Neer and Hawkins provocative tests and supraspinatus manual muscle test were performed respectively. SAS 6.12 version was used in statistical analysis. Results: We found that Neer test had 94% sensitivity, 54% specificity for impingement without tear and 89% sensitivity, 78% specificity for partial tear and 96% sensitivity, 23% specificity for small tear. Hawkins test revealed 95% sensitivity, 54% specificity for impingement without tear and 93% sensitivity, 78% specificity for partial tear and 100% sensitivity, 23% specificity for small tear. Supraspinatus manual muscle test revealed 27% sensitivity, 94% specificity for impingement without tear and 29% sensitivity, 82% specificity for partial tear and 48% sensitivity, 82% specificity for small tear. Conclusion: Neer and Hawkins tests have high sensitivity, low specificity for impingement syndrome, partial and small tear. Supraspinatus manual muscle test had low sensitivity and high specificity. However this test was not effective to differentiate the partial and small rotator cuff tear. We thought that more effective provocative test should be designed to detect the partial and small rotator cuff tear.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.33-37
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the non-invasive diagnostic methods and rectal suction biopsy for the detection of Hirschsprung disease (HD). Methods: We reviewed diagnostic methods and results retrospectively in patients who underwent anorectal manometry, barium enema and rectal suction biopsy for the diagnosis of HD at Asan Medical Center from January 2000 to December 2012. Results: There were 97 patients (59 neonates and 38 infants) in the study period. The overall accuracy of anorectal manometry for the diagnosis of HD was 71.1% and its sensitivity was 51.4% (48.1% in neonate and 62.5% in infant, respectively) and its overall specificity was 82.3% (81.3% in neonate and 83.3% in infant, respectively). The Overall accuracy of barium enema was 66.0% (72.8% in neonate and 55.3% in infant, respectively) and specificity of barium enema was 53.2% (56.3% in neonate and 50.0% in infant, respectively). These results were lower than those of anorectal manometry. The overall sensitivity of barium enema was 88.6% (92.6% in neonate and 75.0% in infant, respectively) and it was higher than the sensitivity of anorectal manometry. Histological studies confirmed HD in 35 patients, in one of whom the suction biopsy showed negative finding. Conclusion: Accuracy of non-invasive methods for diagnosis of HD in our study is lower than those in previous study, so we need to improve the quality of diagnostic tools in our hospital. We conclude that the rectal suction biopsy is the most accurate test for diagnosing HD, so the biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of the HD is very important.