• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.255-268
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• 2022

Objective : Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease in neurosurgical departments, but optimal perioperative management guidelines have not yet been established. We aimed to assess the current clinical management and outcomes for CSDH patients and identify prognostic factors for CSDH recurrence. Methods : We enrolled a total of 293 consecutive patients with CSDH who underwent burr hole craniostomy at seven institutions in 2018. Clinical and surgery-related characteristics and surgical outcomes were analyzed. The cohort included 208 men and 85 women. Results : The median patient age was 75 years. Antithrombotic agents were prescribed to 105 patients. History of head trauma was identified in 59% of patients. Two hundred twenty-seven of 293 patients (77.5%) had unilateral hematoma and 46.1% had a homogenous hematoma type. About 70% of patients underwent surgery under general anesthesia, and 74.7% underwent a single burr hole craniostomy surgery. Recurrence requiring surgery was observed in 17 of 293 patients (5.8%), with a median of 32 days to recurrence. The postoperative complication rate was 4.1%. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with CSDH recurrence were separated hematoma type (odds ratio, 3.906; p=0.017) and patient who underwent surgery under general anesthesia had less recurrence (odds ratio, 0.277; p=0.017). Conclusion : This is the first retrospective multicenter generalized cohort pilot study in the Republic of Korea as a first step towards the development of Korean clinical practice guidelines for CSDH. The type of hematoma and anesthesia was associated with CSDH recurrence. Although the detailed surgical method differs depending on the institution, the surgical treatment of CSDH was effective. Further studies may establish appropriate management guidelines to minimize CSDH recurrence.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.136-146
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• 2022

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate weight change and analyze adverse events in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who were prescribed with Gamitaeeumjowee-tang. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for medical records of patients with PCOS, who were administered with Gamitaeeumjowee-tang for a period of 12 weeks between January 2019 and December 2021. Outcomes were total weight loss/weight loss rate, the percentage of patients who lost more than 5% and 10% of their baseline weight. Adverse events (AEs) reported by patients were evaluated by severity, causality and system-organ classes. Results: A total of sixty-seven patients were included (mean±standard deviation, Age 28.78±5.25 years, weight 76.78±12.84 kg, body mass index 29.2±4.26 kg/m²). The average total weight loss in PCOS patients was 6.57±3.07 kg and the average weight loss rate was 8.55±3.65%. The percentage of patients with more than 5% and 10% weight loss compared to their baseline weight was 86.56% and 25.37% respectively. The analysis of adverse events are as follows: Causality assessment with World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Centre of AEs showed 'Unlikely' was the most common (71.7%) and severity evaluations with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events showed almost all symptoms were mild (98.9%). Conclusions: Gamitaeeumjowee-tang helps to lose weight of PCOS patients, which is overweight or obese, and no serious adverse events have occurred. Additional well-designed clinical studies are recommended.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2023

Background: Several previous studies have reported that quality of life (QoL) in hemodialysis patients affects mortality. However, the 36-item Short Form Health Survey, which has been used mainly in previous studies, is complicated in terms of questionnaire composition and interpretation. This study aimed to identify the impact of QoL on mortality in hemodialysis patients using an easier and simpler diagnostic tool. Methods: This retrospective study included 160 hemodialysis patients. QoL was evaluated using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF). Psychosocial factors were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. We also evaluated medical factors, such as dialysis adequacy and laboratory results. Results: The mean hemodialysis vintage was 70.7±38.0 months. The proportion of patients who were elderly was higher in the mortality group than in the surviving group, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index score was also higher in the former group. Of the four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF, the physical health and psychological scores of the mortality group were significantly lower than those of the survival group. When the score in the physical health domain or psychological domain was ≤10, the 10-year mortality rate after hemodialysis initiation increased by approximately 2.3- and 2-fold, respectively. Conclusion: QoL may have a significant effect on mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The WHOQOL-BREF is an instrument that can measure QoL relatively easily and can be used to improve the long-term prognosis of patients undergoing hemodialysis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.78-85
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• 2023

Objectives: Weight gain is one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and it could deteriorate thyroid function. Our objectives are to evaluate weight changes and analyze adverse events in overweight and obese women with hypothyroidism who were prescribed Gamitaeeumjowee-tang. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted using medical records of patients with hypothyroidism, who had body mass indexes (BMI) above 23 and were prescribed Gamitaeeumjowee-tang for 12 weeks between August 2017 and November 2022. Reported adverse events (AEs) were assessed by severity, causality and system-organ classes. Results: Thirty patients were included (mean±standard deviation, age 46.10±9.94 years, weight 70.52±11.18 kg, BMI 28.30±3.80 kg/m²). The mean total weight loss of hypothyroidism patients was 5.45±2.77 kg, while the mean weight loss rate and mean BMI change were 7.66±3.41% and 2.18±1.07 kg/m², respectively. Among evaluated causality of adverse events, 'Unlikely' was predominant (80.8%) and severity assessment showed most of the symptoms were mild (91.7%). Conclusions: Gamitaeeumjowee-tang could be an option for hypothyroidism patients, who are overweight or obese, to lose weight and no serious adverse events occurred. Further well-designed clinical studies are recommended.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.4576-4582
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• 2023

The Korea retrospective dosimetry (KREDOS)-electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) group undertook an intercomparison investigation utilizing hydroxyapatite. This analysis involved four institutions: the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Korean Association for Radiation Application, and Radiation Health Institute of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. Following the irradiation of the hydroxyapatite sample, the recorded build-up was analyzed. To validate the reliability of the EPR dosimetry findings and enhance its operational performance, a hydroxyapatite dose-response curve was plotted and dosimetry was performed for a blind sample. The proficiency of each laboratory was assessed by employing an interlaboratory comparison methodology. This involved a comparative analysis of the measurement results by calculating the relative bias, z-score, and En value. The results submitted by the participating laboratories demonstrated satisfactory ratings for doses of 1.006, 3.999, and 6.993 Gy. Following the second intercomparison, efforts to optimize their hydroxyapatite-EPR dosimetry systems are underway in the participating laboratories. The current assessment of hydroxyapatite dose yielded the foundational data required to establish the parameters of dental dosimetry. In future, the third intercomparison experiment will be conducted for exploring other materials.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.297-303
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• 2022

Background: This retrospective study aimed to determine whether there were correlations between the number and type of accompanying symptoms of peripheral facial nerve palsy, and surface electromyography (SEMG) and clinical assessment scales to help diagnosis. Methods: There were 30, cases of peripheral facial nerve palsy at Visit 1 to the Korean Medicine Hospital, Dong-eui University, 22 cases at Visit 2 and 10 cases at Visit 3. The study period was from July 19, 2021 to November 31, 2021. Symptoms were evaluated three times (with two-week intervals which began 7 days from onset) using SEMG, clinical assessment scales and accompanying symptoms. In this study, the House-Brackmann grading system (HBGS), and the Yanagihara's unweighted grading system (Y-score) clinical assessment scales were used. The Pearson or Spearman correlation was used for statistical analysis. Results: On Visit 1, the number of accompanying symptoms of peripheral facial nerve palsy had no significant correlation with other measures. On Visits 1-3, the HBGS score had a significant negative correlation with the Y-score. On Visit 2, most of the mean values measured had significant correlations with each other although not between SEMG-Z and SEMG-O that Z means a zygomaticus muscle and O means a orbicularis oris muscle. On Visit 3, the number of accompanying symptoms significantly correlated with the clinical assessment scales. The HBGS score, Y-score, and SEMG measurements (except SEMG-Z) had significant correlations with each other. A significant positive correlation between SEMG-Z and SEMG-T was noted. Conclusion: We predict accompanying symptoms can be used to diagnose the peripheral facial nerve palsy including both clinical assessment scales and SEMG measurements at 2-5 weeks after onset.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.284-293
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• 2023

Objective: To validate a simplified ordinal scoring method, referred to as modified length-based grading, for assessing coronary artery calcium (CAC) severity on non-electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated chest computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 120 patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 63.1 ± 14.5 years; male, 64) who underwent both non-ECG-gated chest CT and ECG-gated cardiac CT between January 2011 and December 2021. Six radiologists independently assessed CAC severity on chest CT using two scoring methods (visual assessment and modified length-based grading) and categorized the results as none, mild, moderate, or severe. The CAC category on cardiac CT assessed using the Agatston score was used as the reference standard. Agreement among the six observers for CAC category classification was assessed using Fleiss kappa statistics. Agreement between CAC categories on chest CT obtained using either method and the Agatston score categories on cardiac CT was assessed using Cohen's kappa. The time taken to evaluate CAC grading was compared between the observers and two grading methods. Results: For differentiation of the four CAC categories, interobserver agreement was moderate for visual assessment (Fleiss kappa, 0.553 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.496-0.610]) and good for modified length-based grading (Fleiss kappa, 0.695 [95% CI: 0.636-0.754]). The modified length-based grading demonstrated better agreement with the reference standard categorization with cardiac CT than visual assessment (Cohen's kappa, 0.565 [95% CI: 0.511-0.619 for visual assessment vs. 0.695 [95% CI: 0.638-0.752] for modified length-based grading). The overall time for evaluating CAC grading was slightly shorter in visual assessment (mean ± SD, 41.8 ± 38.9 s) than in modified length-based grading (43.5 ± 33.2 s) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The modified length-based grading worked well for evaluating CAC on non-ECG-gated chest CT with better interobserver agreement and agreement with cardiac CT than visual assessment.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.114-125
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• 2019

Objective: Segmented cardiac cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for cardiac ventricular volumetric assessment. In patients with difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, this technique may generate images with inadequate quality for diagnosis. Real-time cardiac cine MRI has been developed to address this limitation. We aimed to assess the performance of retrospective electrocardiography-gated real-time cine MRI at 3T for left ventricular (LV) volume and mass measurement. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients were consecutively enrolled. A series of short-axis cine images covering the entire left ventricle using both segmented and real-time balanced steady-state free precession cardiac cine MRI were obtained. End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), and LV mass were measured. The agreement and correlation of the parameters were assessed. Additionally, image quality was evaluated using European CMR Registry (Euro-CMR) score and structure visibility rating. Results: In patients without difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, no significant difference was found in Euro-CMR score between the two techniques (0.3 ± 0.7 vs. 0.3 ± 0.5, p > 0.05). Good agreements and correlations were found between the techniques for measuring EDV, ESV, EF, SV, and LV mass. In patients with difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, segmented cine MRI had a significant higher Euro-CMR score (2.3 ± 1.2 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Real-time cine MRI at 3T allowed the assessment of LV volume with high accuracy and showed a significantly better image quality compared to that of segmented cine MRI in patients with difficulty in breath-holding and arrhythmia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.450-457
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• 2024

Background: The inflation-deflation (ID) method has long been the standard for intraoperative margin assessment in segmentectomy. However, with advancements in vision technology, the use of near-infrared mapping with indocyanine green (ICG) has become increasingly common. This study was conducted to compare the perioperative outcomes and resection margins achieved using these methods. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent direct segmentectomy for clinical stage I lung cancer between January 2018 and September 2022. We compared perioperative factors, including bronchial and parenchymal resection margins, according to the margin assessment method and the type of segmentectomy performed. Since the ICG approach was adopted in April 2021, we also examined a recent subgroup of patients treated from then onward. Results: A total of 319 segmentectomies were performed. ID and ICG were utilized for 261 (81.8%) and 58 (18.2%) patients, respectively. Following April 2021, 61 patients (51.3%) were treated with ID, while 58 (48.7%) received ICG. We observed no significant difference in resection margins between ID and ICG for bronchial (2.7 cm vs. 2.3 cm, p=0.07) or parenchymal (2.5 cm vs. 2.3 cm, p=0.46) margins. Additionally, the length of hospitalization and the complication rate were comparable between groups. Analysis of the recent subgroup confirmed these findings, showing no significant differences in resection margins (bronchial: 2.6 cm vs. 2.3 cm, p=0.25; parenchymal: 2.4 cm vs. 2.3 cm, p=0.75), length of hospitalization, or complication rate. Conclusion: The perioperative outcomes and resection margins achieved using ID and ICG were comparable, suggesting that both methods can safely guide segmentectomy procedures.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.355-364
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• 2011

Introduction: This study evaluated nerve recovery through retrospective study of patients with lingual nerve damage. Patients and Methods: The patients who visited Seoul National University Dental Hospital for an injury to the lingual nerve from April 1988 to August 2009 were enrolled in this study (n=41). The relevance of various factors including the causes of damage, age, etc. was analyzed by the subjective improvement based upon questionnaires and the clinical records. The evaluation variants were a subjective assessment and neurosensory examination composed of the direction, contact threshold, two-point discrimination, pin prick, thermal discrimination and current perception threshold. Results: The causes of lingual nerve damage were an extraction of the lower third molar (75.6%), local anesthesia (9.7%), incision and drainage (4.88%), trauma (2.44%). The evaluation of subjective prognosis exhibited no difference in sensory improvement depending on the cause, age and gender. Based upon the subjective evaluation, 44.7% of patients showed sensory improvement. The first hospital visit from injury was shorter in the group showing subjective improvement (3.41 months) than those showing no improvement (5.24 months) (P=0.301). Thirty six out of 41 patients were treated with only conservative therapy and 5 patients were treated by surgical intervention. Neurosensory examinations revealed improvement, although not statistically significant, and the degree was higher in the subjectively improved group. The contact threshold discrimination showed the highest correlation with subjective improvement (P=0.069). Most of the sensory recovery was gained within 12 months and the degree of improvement at the tip of the tongue was higher than that of the dorsum (P<0.001). Conclusion: The damaged lingual nerve improved at a rate of 44.7% and mostly within 12 months after the incident. There was no difference between the subjective prognosis and neurosensory examination depending on the cause of damage, age and gender, whereas the contact threshold discrimination was the best variant that reflected the subjective prognosis statistically.