• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the diagnostic performance of panoramic and occlusal radiographs in detecting submandibular sialoliths. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients (20 cases and 20 controls) were included in this retrospective study. Cases were defined as subjects with a submandibular sialolith confirmed by computed tomography (CT), whereas controls did not have any submandibular calcifications. Three observers with different expertise levels assessed panoramic and occlusal radiographs of all subjects for the presence of sialoliths. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were assessed using the kappa test. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values, and the diagnostic odds ratio of panoramic and occlusal radiographs in screening for submandibular sialoliths were calculated for each observer. Results: The sensitivity and specificity values for occlusal and panoramic radiographs all ranged from 80% to 100%. The lowest values of sensitivity and specificity observed among the observers were 82.6% and 80%, respectively (P=0.001). Intraobserver and interobserver agreement were higher for occlusal radiographs than for panoramic radiographs, although panoramic radiographs demonstrated a higher overall accuracy. Conclusion: Both panoramic and occlusal radiographic techniques displayed satisfactory diagnostic performance and should be considered before using a CT scan to detect submandibular sialoliths.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.246-252
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• 2011

Background : The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the Comprehensive Attention Test (CAT) by comparing the results of the continuous performance test (CPT) and the CAT in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method : A total of 110 children and adolescents with ADHD (mean age : 11.2${\pm}$2.9 years, 76 boys) and 36 children and adolescents without ADHD (mean age : 12.0${\pm}$2.7 years, 25 boys) completed the CAT. We compared the specificity and sensitivity of the CPT and CAT at two different cut-off points via the McNemar test. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) between the two groups were compared using Medcalc software. Results : The sensitivity and specificity of the CPT were .419 and .806, respectively. The sensitivity of the CAT was .827, which was significantly higher than that of the CPT (p<.001), and the specificity of CAT is .444, which was significantly lower than that of CPT (p<.001). The AUC of the CPT and CAT was .664 and .692, respectively, and there were no significant difference between the two groups on the paired comparison (p=.513). Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that the CAT has moderate specificity and high sensitivity. The CAT can be used as a useful tool to evaluate the neuropsychological function of children and adolescents with ADHD.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2013

A field applicable diagnostic technique, the dipstick assay, was evaluated for its sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing human Schistosoma mansoni infection. A monoclonal antibody (mAb) against S. mansoni adult worm tegumental antigen (AWTA) was employed in dipstick and sandwich ELISA for detection of circulating schistosome antigen (CSA) in both serum and urine samples. Based on clinical and parasitological examinations, 60 S. mansoni-infected patients, 30 patients infected with parasites other than schistosomiasis, and 30 uninfected healthy individuals were selected. The sensitivity and specificity of dipstick assay in urine samples were 86.7% and 90.0%, respectively, compared to 90.0% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity of sandwich ELISA. In serum samples, the sensitivity and specificity were 88.3% and 91.7% for dipstick assay vs. 91.7% and 95.0% for sandwich ELISA, respectively. The diagnostic efficacy of dipstick assay in urine and serum samples was 88.3% and 90.0%, while it was 90.8% and 93.3% for sandwich ELISA, respectively. The diagnostic indices of dipstick assay and ELISA either in serum or in urine were statistically comparable (P>0.05). In conclusion, the dipstick assay offers an alternative simple, rapid, non-invasive technique in detecting CSA or complement to stool examinations especially in field studies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 2022

Background: With the introduction of Xpert MTB/RIF assay (Xpert), its incorporation into tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic algorithm has become an important issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Xpert assay in comparison with a commercial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Methods: Medical records of patients having results of both Xpert and AdvanSure TB/NTM real-time PCR (AdvanSure) assays using the same bronchial washing specimens were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of the 1,297 patients included in this study, 205 (15.8%) were diagnosed with pulmonary TB. Using mycobacterial culture as the reference method, sensitivity of the Xpert assay using smear-positive specimens was 97.5%, which was comparable to that of the AdvanSure assay (96.3%, p=0.193). However, the sensitivity of the Xpert assay using smear-negative specimens was 70.6%, which was significantly higher than that of the AdvanSure assay (52.9%, p=0.018). Usng phenotypic drug susceptibility testing as the reference method, sensitivity and specificity for detecting rifampicin resistance were 100% and 99.1%, respectively. Moreover, a median turnaround time of the Xpert assay was 1 day, which was significantly shorter than 3 days of the AdvanSure assay (p<0.001). Conclusion: In comparison with the AdvanSure assay, the Xpert assay had a higher sensitivity using smear-negative specimens, a shorter turnaround time, and could reliably predict rifampin resistance. Therefore, the Xpert assay might be preferentially recommended over TB-PCR in Korean TB diagnostic algorithm.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 2024

Background/Aims: In stereomicroscopic sample isolation processing, the cutoff value (≥4 mm) of stereomicroscopically visible white cores indicates high diagnostic sensitivity. We aimed to evaluate endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) using a simplified stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation of upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions (SELs). Methods: In this multicenter prospective trial, we performed EUS-TA using a 22-gauge Franseen needle in 34 participants with SELs derived from the upper gastrointestinal muscularis propria, requiring pathological diagnosis. The presence of stereomicroscopically visible white core (SVWC) in each specimen was assessed using stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation. The primary outcome was EUS-TA's diagnostic sensitivity with stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation based on the SVWC cutoff value (≥4 mm) for malignant upper gastrointestinal SELs. Results: The total number of punctures was 68; 61 specimens (89.7%) contained stereomicroscopically visible white cores ≥4 mm in size. The final diagnoses were gastrointestinal stromal tumor, leiomyoma, and schwannoma in 76.5%, 14.7%, and 8.8% of the cases, respectively. The sensitivity of EUS-TA with stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation based on the SVWC cutoff value for malignant SELs was 100%. The per-lesion accuracy of histological diagnosis reached the highest level (100%) at the second puncture. Conclusions: Stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation showed high diagnostic sensitivity and could be a new method for diagnosing upper gastrointestinal SELs using EUS-TA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4699-4704
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• 2013

Background: MicroRNAs have been demonstrated to play important roles in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. Several studies utilizing microRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) have been reported. The aim of this meta-analysis was to comprehensively and quantitatively summarize the diagnostic value of microRNAs for detecting colorectal cancer. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library for published studies that used microRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Summary estimates for sensitivity, specificity and other measures of accuracy of microRNAs in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer were calculated using the bivariate random effects model. A summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was also generated to summarize the overall effectiveness of the test. Result: Thirteen studies from twelve published articles met the inclusion criteria and were included. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odd ratio of microRNAs for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer were 0.81 (95%CI: 0.79-0.84), 0.78 (95%CI: 0.75-0.82), 4.14 (95%CI: 2.90-5.92), 0.24 (95%CI: 0.19-0.30), and 19.2 (95%CI: 11.7-31.5), respectively. The area under the SROC curve was 0.89. Conclusions: The current evidence suggests that the microRNAs test might not be used alone as a screening tool for CRC. Combining microRNAs testing with other conventional tests such as FOBT may improve the diagnostic accuracy for detecting CRC.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.191-196
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• 2000

Purpose This study is to report presurgical magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) findings of the temporomandibular joint which had perforation in the disc or its surrounding tissues and to improve its diagnostic rate using MRI. Patients and Methods The sample consisted of patients who visited the TMJ clinic at Yongdong Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, during the years, 1992 and 1997. They were diagnosed as TMJ internal derangement and received surgical treatment. We divided them into two groups. The first group comprised of 85 joints with perforated disc or its surrounding tissues and which were confirmed surgically. The second group of 62 joints which only had disc displacement without perforation, hyperemia or adhesion served as control. Results The preoperative diagnostic sensitivity of TMJ perforation using MRI was 74.1%. The MRI findings for diagnosis of the TMJ perforation were degenerative change of the condyle head or the articular fossa, bone to bone contact between the condyle head and the articular eminence or the articular fossa, bony spurring or osteophytosis of the condyle head, flattening of articular surface of the condyle head or the articular eminence, discontinuity of the disc and the arthrographic effect due to joint effusion. Conclusion The preoperative diagnostic sensitivity of TMJ perforation using MRI in this study was 74.1% which was lower than the diagnostic rate using the arthrogram. Further investigations are needed to improve the diagnostic accuracy of TMJ perforation using MRI.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2003

The selection of a test as a reference with no perfect sensitivity and specificity may lead to bias, yielding distortion of the diagnostic performance. This means it is inappropriate to use imperfect diagnostic tests as a reference method to identify infected patients in clinical environments. In this study, diagnostic performance of rapid urease test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and histology of gastric biopsy specimens for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection separately and in combination was estimated by using non-linear regression. Based on this approach, the sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ration positive and negative values for each test were as follows: urease test 99.9%, 99.9%, 99.9%, 99.6%, respectively; PCR 88.6%, 99.9%, 99.9%, 70.5%, respectively; histology 78.3%, 97%, 78.3%, 97%, respectively. Predictive values for positive and negative changes with varying Combination of three diagnostic tests employed in the study gives no substantial benefit for practitioners to screen infected patients, and urease test or PCR represents an appropriate single test in clinical environments.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.331-342
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• 2016

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the diagnostic tools available for assessing maxillary transverse deficiencies. Methods: An electronic search of three databases was performed from their date of establishment to April 2015, with manual searching of reference lists of relevant articles. Articles were considered for inclusion if they reported the accuracy or reliability of a diagnostic method or evaluation technique for maxillary transverse dimensions in mixed or permanent dentitions. Risk of bias was assessed in the included articles, using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool-2. Results: Nine articles were selected. The studies were heterogeneous, with moderate to low methodological quality, and all had a high risk of bias. Four suggested that the use of arch width prediction indices with dental cast measurements is unreliable for use in diagnosis. Frontal cephalograms derived from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were reportedly more reliable for assessing intermaxillary transverse discrepancies than posteroanterior cephalograms. Two studies proposed new three-dimensional transverse analyses with CBCT images that were reportedly reliable, but have not been validated for clinical sensitivity or specificity. No studies reported sensitivity, specificity, positive or negative predictive values or likelihood ratios, or ROC curves of the methods for the diagnosis of transverse deficiencies. Conclusions: Current evidence does not enable solid conclusions to be drawn, owing to a lack of reliable high quality diagnostic studies evaluating maxillary transverse deficiencies. CBCT images are reportedly more reliable for diagnosis, but further validation is required to confirm CBCT's accuracy and diagnostic superiority.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.246-257
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• 2021

Purpose: It is unclear whether high-definition (HD) imaging improves visibility and diagnostic ability in early gastric cancer (EGC) compared with standard-definition (SD) imaging. We aimed to compare the diagnostic performance and visibility scores of HD and SD ultraslim endoscopes in EGC. Materials and Methods: We used HD and SD ultraslim endoscopes to obtain 60 images with similar compositions of gastric environments. Of the 60 images, 30 showed EGC (15 images for each modality) and 30 showed no EGC (15 images for each modality). Seventeen endoscopists evaluated the presence and location of the lesions in each image. Diagnostic ability was compared between modalities. The color difference between a lesion and the surrounding mucosa (ΔE) was measured and compared between the modalities. Results: The ability of HD to detect EGC was significantly higher than that of SD (accuracy: 80.8% vs. 71.6%, P=0.017; sensitivity: 94.9% vs. 76.5%, P<0.001; positive predictive value, 76.2% vs. 55.3%, P<0.001; and negative predictive value (NPV), 94.1% vs. 73.5%, P<0.001). The ability of HD to determine the horizontal extent of EGC was significantly higher than that of SD (accuracy: 71.0% vs. 57.8%, P=0.004; sensitivity: 75.3% vs. 49.0%, P<0.001; NPV, 72.9% vs. 55.9%, P<0.001; and area under the curve: 0.891 vs. 0.631, P=0.038). The mean ΔE was significantly higher for HD than for SD (10.3 vs. 5.9, P=0.011). Conclusions: The HD ultraslim endoscope showed a higher diagnostic performance in EGC than the SD endoscope because it provided good color contrast.