• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.269-271
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• 2014

Spinal subdural hematoma is a rarely reported disease and spontaneous spinal subdural hematomas (SSDH) without underlying pathological changes are even rarer. The patients usually show typical symtoms such as back pain, quadriplegia, paraplegia or sensory change. But rarely, patients may show atypical symptoms such as hemiparesis and misdiagnosed to cerebrovascular accident. We recently experienced a case of SSDH, where the patient initially showed vague symptoms, such as the sudden onset of headache which we initially misdiagnosed as subarachnoid hemorrhage. In this case, the headache of patient improved but the neck pain persisted until hospital day 5. Therefre, we conducted the MRI of cervical spine and finally confirmed SSDH. The patient was managed conservatively and improved without recurrence. In this case report, we discuss the clinical features of SSDH with emphasis on the importance of an early diagnosis.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2021

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a heterogeneous group of chronic, autoimmune subepithelial blistering diseases, predominantly involving oral mucosal membrane. Because of its pathophysiology of autoimmune reaction, MMP-related gingivitis would not respond to conventional periodontal treatments. We present a case of a 65-year-old female with a chief complaint of chronic generalized buccal gingivitis, unimproved after periodontal treatment for four months. Based on the clinical findings, histological examination, and direct immunofluorescence microscopy, it was diagnosed as MMP. The symptoms were relieved with immunomodulatory therapy using corticosteroids and the supportive management of professional plaque control. MMP can cause pathological involvement throughout the oral and other mucosae of the body, thus leading to functional impairment through repeated inflammatory cascades. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is essential to properly manage local and possible systemic complications of MMP.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1161-1164
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• 2020

The epidemic of 2019 novel coronavirus, later named as coronavirus disease (COVID-19), began in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and has spread rapidly worldwide. Early diagnosis is crucial for the management of the patients with COVID-19, but the gold standard diagnostic test for this infection, the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, has a low sensitivity and an increased turnaround time. In this scenario, chest computed tomography (CT) could play a key role for an early diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. Here, we have reported a confirmed case of COVID-19 with an atypical CT presentation showing a "double halo sign," which we believe represents the pathological spectrum of this viral pneumonia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4891-4894
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• 2015

Background: To evaluate the value of combined detection of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1), and carbohydrateantigen 125 (CA125) for the clinical diagnosis of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Serum CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA125 were assessed in 140 patients with NSCLC, 90 patients with benign lung disease and 90 normal control subjects, and differences of expression were compared in each group, and joint effects of these tumor markers in the diagnosis of NSCLC were analyzed. Results: Serum CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA125 in patients with NSCLC were significantly higher than those with benign lung disease and normal controls (P<0.05). The sensitivity of CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA125 were 49.45%, 59.67%, and 44.87% respectively. As expected, combinations of these tumor markers improved their sensitivity for NSCLC. The combined detection of CEA + CYFRA21-1 was the most cost-effective combination which had higher sensitivity and specificity in NSCLC. Elevation of serum CEA and CYFRA21-1 was significantly associated with pathological types (P<0.05) and elevation of serum CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA125 was significantly associated with TNM staging (P<0.05). Conclusions: Single measurement of CEA, CYFRA21-1 and CA125 is of diagnostic value in the diagnosis of lung cancer, and a joint detection of these three tumor markers, could greatly improve the sensitivity of diagnosis on NSCLC. Combined detection of CEA + CYFRA21-1 proved to be the most economic and practical strategy in diagnosis of NSCLC, which can be used to screen the high-risk group.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1449-1452
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• 2016

Background: Adult rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare and aggressive disease with limited data compared with pediatric RMS. The goal of this study was to determine the treatment outcome and identify factors related to survival outcome in Thailand. Materials and Methods: Adult patients (${\geq}15$ years old) with the pathological diagnosis of RMS between 1985 and 2010 were reviewed. The data were retrospectively reviewed from the pathological results and medical records from Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University. Results: A total of 34 patients were identified in the study. The median age at diagnosis was 35.5 years and the most common primary sites were extremity and the head and neck region. The incidence of pleomorphic RMS increased with age and none was found in those aged younger than 20 years old. The median survival time was 9.33 months (95%CI: 5.6-13.1). The 1- and 5- year survival rates were 38.2% (22.3-54.0) and 20.6% (9.1-35.3). On multivariate analysis, age and size of tumor did not predict better outcome while chemotherapy and surgery were significantly associated with longer survival. Conclusions: Outcome of adult RMS was poor. Surgery and chemotherapy are strongly associated with better prognosis and multimodality treatment should be incorporated in the clinic.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7241-7244
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• 2014

Background: To determine the accuracy of preoperative urinary symptoms, urinalysis, computed tomography (CT) and cystoscopic findings for the diagnosis of urinary bladder invasion in patients with colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Records of patients with colorectal cancer and a suspicion of bladder invasion, who underwent tumor resection with partial or total cystectomy between 2002 and 2013 at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, were reviewed. Correlations between preoperative urinary symptoms, urinalysis, cystoscopic finding, CT imaging and final pathological reports were analyzed. Results: This study included 90 eligible cases (71% male). The most common site of primary colorectal cancer was the sigmoid colon (44%), followed by the rectum (33%). Final pathological reports showed definite bladder invasion in 53 cases (59%). Significant features for predicting definite tumor invasion were gross hematuria (OR 13.6, sensitivity 39%, specificity 73%), and visible tumor during cystoscopy (OR 5.33, sensitivity 50%, specificity 84%). Predictive signs in CT imaging were gross tumor invasion (OR 7.07, sensitivity 89%, specificity 46%), abnormal enhancing mass at bladder wall (OR 4.09, sensitivity 68%, specificity 66%), irregular bladder mucosa (OR 3.53, sensitivity 70%, specificity 60% ), and loss of perivesical fat plane (OR 3.17, sensitivity 81%, specificity 43%). However, urinary analysis and other urinary tract symptoms were poor predictors of bladder involvement. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the most relevant preoperative predictors of definite bladder invasion in patients with colorectal cancer are gross hematuria, a visible tumor during cystoscopy, and abnormal CT findings.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2008

Successful treatment of any pathological condition of the shoulder requires an accurate diagnosis. Physical examination represents an integral part of the assessment of shoulder disorders. Pain, loss of strength, decreased range of motion, and instability are the most common symptoms caused by a great variety of different shoulder pathologies. Therefore, a sophisticated clinical approach to the patient with shoulder pathology is essential. A standardized evaluation including a variety of diagnostic tests and clinical assessments improves the diagnostic accuracy by specifically examining one component of the shoulder complex. In most cases a careful physical examination will establish or suggest a diagnosis and special investigative techniques such as imaging procedures can be applied more selectively for confirmation or further evaluation of the pathological entity.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2017

Purpose: Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma (EOE) of the rectum is extremely rare: only three cases have been reported in the literature and none of these reports described their imaging findings in detail. Herein, we describe the tumor imaging and pathological features in detail. Materials and Methods: We report a case of rectal EOE in a 72-year-old female who received local excision and was provisionally diagnosed with a rectal submucosal spindle cell tumor. We used immunohistochemistry, histopathology, and fluorescence in situ hybridization to characterize the tumor and provide a definitive diagnosis of EOE. Results: MRI revealed a well-demarcated submucosal tumor with heterogeneous enhancement and hemorrhagic foci in rectum. EOE was diagnosed by positive staining of tumor cells for CD99 and Fli-1 by immunohistochemistry and the presence of the EWSR1 gene translocation by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Although the patient underwent radiation treatment and surgery, the tumor recurred after 4 months as revealed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusion: Rectal EOE may present as a rectal submucosal tumor. The understanding of imaging and histological characteristics of this tumor are critical for accurate diagnosis and appropriate aggressive treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1767-1770
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• 2012

Background: The Asia Pacific consensus for colorectal cancer (CRC) recommends that screening programs should begin by the age of 50. However, there have been reports about increasing incidence of CRC at a younger age (i.e. early-onset CRC). Little is known about the features of early-onset CRC in the Vietnamese population. Aim: To describe the clinical, endoscopic and pathological characteristics of early-onset CRC in Vietnamese. Method: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Medical Center from March 2009 to March 2011. All patients with definite pathological diagnosis of CRC were recruited. The early-onset CRC group were analyzed in comparison with the late-onset (i.e. ${\geq}$ 50-year-old) CRC group. Results: The rate of early-onset CRC was 28% (112/400) with a male-to-female ratio of 1.3. Some 22.3% (25/112) of the patients only experienced abdominal pain and/or change in bowel habit without alarming symptoms, 42.9% (48/112) considering their symptoms intermittent. The rate of familial history of CRC in early-onset group was significantly higher that of the late-onset group (21.4% versus 7.6%, p<0.001). The distribution of CRC lesions in rectum, distal and proximal colon were 51.8% (58/112), 26.8% (30/112) and 21.4% (24/112), respectively; which was not different from that in the late-onset group (${\chi}2$, p = 0.29). The rates for poorly differentiated tumors were also not significantly different between the two groups: 12.4% (14/112) versus 8.3% (24/288) (${\chi}2$, p = 0.25). Conclusion: A high proportion of CRC in Viet Nam appear at an earlier age than that recommended for screening by the Asia Pacific consensus. Family history was a risk factor of early-onset CRC. Diagnosis of early-onset CRC needs more attention because of the lack of alarming symptoms and their intermittent patterns as described by the patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.247-254
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• 2021

Objective : The subaxial cervical pedicle screwing technique shows powerful biomechanical properties for posterior cervical fusion. When applying a pedicle screw using the freehand technique, it is essential to analyse cervical computed tomography and plan the surgery accordingly. Normal cervical computed tomography is usually performed in the supine position, whereas during surgery, the patient lies in a prone position. This fact leads us to suppose that radiological evaluations may yield misleading results. Our study aimed to investigate whether there is any superiority between preoperative preparation on computed tomography performed in the prone position and that performed in the supine position. Methods : This study included 17 patients (132 pedicle screws) who were recently operated on with cervical vertebral computed tomography in the prone position and 17 patients (136 pedicle screws) who were operated on by conventional cervical vertebral computed tomography as the control group. The patients in both groups were compared in terms of age, gender, pathological diagnosis, screw malposition and complications. A screw malposition evaluation was made according to the Gertzbein-Robbins scale. Results : No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding age, gender and pathological diagnosis. The screw malposition rate (from 11.1% to 6.9%, p<0.05), mean malposition distance (from 2.18 mm to 1.86 mm, p <0.05), and complications statistically significantly decreased in the prone position computed tomography group. Conclusion : Preoperative surgical planning by performing cervical vertebral computed tomography in the prone position reduces screw malposition and complications. Our surgical success increased with a simple modification that can be applied by all clinicians without creating additional radiation exposure or additional costs.