• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.132-140
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to identify exact anatomical landmarks and ideal injection volumes for safe adductor canal blocks (ACB). Methods: Fifty thighs from 25 embalmed adult Korean cadavers were used. The measurement baseline was the line connecting the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the midpoint of the patellar base. All target points were measured perpendicular to the baseline. The relevant cadaveric structures were observed using ultrasound (US) and confirmed in living individuals. US-guided dye injection was performed to determine the ideal volume. Results: The apex of the femoral triangle was 25.3 ± 2.2 cm distal to the ASIS on the baseline and 5.3 ± 1.0 cm perpendicular to that point. The midpoint of the superior border of the vasto-adductor membrane (VAM) was 27.4 ± 2.0 cm distal to the ASIS on the baseline and 5.0 ± 1.1 cm perpendicular to that point. The VAM had a trapezoidal shape and was connected as an aponeurosis between the medial edge of the vastus medialis muscle and lateral edge of the adductor magnus muscle. The nerve to the vastus medialis penetrated the muscle proximal to the superior border of the VAM in 70% of specimens. The VAM appeared on US as a hyperechoic area connecting the vastus medialis and adductor magnus muscles between the sartorius muscle and femoral artery. Conclusions: Confirming the crucial landmark, the VAM, is beneficial when performing ACB. It is advisable to insert the needle obliquely below the superior VAM border, and a 5 mL injection is considered sufficient.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.96-104
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Selective bile duct or pancreatic duct cannulation remains a significant initial hurdle in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) despite advances in endoscopy and accessories. This study evaluated our experience with a rotatable sphincterotome in cases of difficult cannulation. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed ERCP cases using TRUEtome, a rotatable sphincterotome, as a rescue device for cannulation at a cancer institute in Japan from October 2014 to December 2021. Results: TRUEtome was used in 88 patients. Duodenoscopes were used for 51 patients, while single-balloon enteroscopes (SBE) were used for 37 patients. TRUEtome was used for biliary and pancreatic duct cannulation (84.1%), intrahepatic bile duct selection (12.5%), and strictures of the afferent limb (3.4%). Cannulation success rates were similar in the duodenoscope and SBE groups (86.3% vs. 75.7%, p=0.213). TRUEtome was more commonly used in cases with steep cannulation angles in the duodenoscope group and in cases requiring cannulation in different directions in the SBE group. There were no significant differences in adverse events between the two groups. Conclusions: The cannulation sphincterotome was useful for difficult cannulations in both unaltered and surgically altered anatomies. It may be an option to consider before high-risk procedures such as precut and endoscopic ultrasound-guided rendezvous techniques.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.393-401
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a highly accurate method for diagnosing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs); however, some PNETs are difficult to diagnose. Recently, the efficacy of needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) in diagnosing solid pancreatic masses has been reported. However, the efficacy of nCLE in the diagnosis of PNETs remains unknown and only a small number of cases have been reported. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of nCLE in the diagnosis of PNETs. Methods: This single-center retrospective study evaluated 30 consecutive patients with suspected PNETs on contrast-enhanced computed tomography, who consented to nCLE combined with EUS-FNA and were diagnosed using EUS-FNA or surgical resection. The diagnostic criteria for PNETs using nCLE were based on the nesting and trabecular and glandular arrangement of tumor cell clusters surrounded by capillary vessels and fibrosis, as reported in previous studies. Results: The diagnosis using nCLE was classified into three categories: misdiagnosis in three cases (10%), non-diagnostic in six cases (20%), and diagnostic in 21 cases (70%). nCLE was able to diagnose PNET in one of the two cases with inconclusive EUS-FNA. Conclusions: Although further development of the resolution and optimization of the diagnostic criteria are required, nCLE may constitute a useful diagnostic option in cases of inconclusive EUS-FNA for PNETs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.505-513
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• 2004

Background : In lung cancer patients, the presence of metastatic neck nodes is a crucial indicator of inoperabilty. So thorough physical examination of neck is always mandatory, but sometimes those are hardly palpable even by the skillful hand. Ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic method in detection of small impalpable lymph nodes and in guidance of fine needle aspiration biopsy. In this study we evaluated the clinical usefulness of ultrasonography(USG) and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology(US-FNA) in lung cancer patients without palpable neck nodes. Methods and Materials : From Sep 2002 to Sep 2003, 36 non-small cell lung cancer patients (20 adenocarcinoma, 16 squamous cell cancer) and 10 small cell lung cancer patients without palpable neck nodes on physical examiation were enrolled. patients who had contralateral mediastinal nodal enlargement(>1cm) on chest CT were excluded. After the routine check of USG on the neck, US-FNA was done in cases with enlarged neck nodes (${\geq}5mm$ in the short axis). The presence of enlarged lymph node on USG, and of malignant cells on cytology were evaluated by the histological type and the patients' clinical stage of lung cancer. Results : Among 36 non-small lung cell cancer patients, 14 (38.8%) had enlarged neck nodes on USG, and 5 of 10 small cell lung carcinoma patients. The mean diameter of the neck nodes was 9.8 mm (range, 7-12 mm). US-FNA of 14 non-small cell lung cancer patients revealed tumor cells in eight patients (57.1%). In 5 small cell lung cancer pateints, tumor cells were found in all cases. By the result of US-FNA, the clinical stage of 8 out of 36 (22.2%) non-small cell lung cancer patients had changed, including two cases of shift from the operable IIIa to the inoperable IIIb. In small cell lung cancer patients their clinical stage was not changed after US-FNA, but their pathological diagnosis was easily done in two cases, in whom endobronchial lesions were not found on bronchoscopy. Conclusions : USG and US-FNA of neck node seem to be safe, sensitive and cost-effective diagnostic tools in the evaluation of lung cancer patients without palpable neck nodes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.77-82
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• 2008

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency (RF) myolysis under transvaginal ultrasound guidance. Methods: Transvaginal RF myolysis had been performed in one hundred nine women with uterine leiomyoma at Chung-Ang University hospital between Dec. 2004 and Mar. 2007. All patients, mean aged $42.8{\pm}5.8$ years, desired their uterine conservation. Patients underwent physical examination, transvaginal pelvic ultrasound for measurement of the lesions preoperatively. Follow up was done at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months after RF myolysis by same physician and measurement of size and volume of myoma and improvement of myoma specific symptoms such as menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea were checked at each visit. Results: The mean maximal diameter of myomas treated by RF myolysis was $6.1{\pm}0.5\;cm$ and average time of the procedure was $16.3{\pm}8.5$ minutes. A significant decrease of myoma size and volume was observed at 1 month after myolysis. Mean reduction in maximal diameter was $29.9{\pm}4.8%$ at 1 week (p<0.001), $41.5{\pm}1.5%$ at 1 month (p=0.05), $46.2{\pm}3.9%$ at 3 months (p=0.003), $54.6{\pm}6.1%$ at 6 months (p<0.001) after RF myolysis respectively. Mean reduction in volume was $44.4{\pm}8.3%$ (p=0.001), $68.1{\pm}4.2%$ (p=0.035), 73.9$73.9{\pm}4.8%$ (p=0.042), $84.5{\pm}5.1%$ (p<0.001) at the same follow up period respectively. Significant improvement of symptom was observed at 3 months after RF myolysis. Transient low abdominal pain and prolonged vaginal bleeding were detected in 3 patients each but spontaneously resolved and no serious complication has been noticed or found. Conclusion: This study shows transvaginal RF myolysis could be a safe and effective method to treat uterine leiomyoma, allowing uterine conservation with significant volume reduction and rapid return to normal activity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.357-364
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• 2000

Background : Complicated exudative pleural fluid collections have traditionally been treated by either closed tube thoracostomy drainage or by open surgical drainage. Complete drainage is important in order to control pleural sepsis, restore pulmonary function, and entrapment. Recently intracavitary fibrinolytic therapy has been advocated as a method to facillitate drainage of complicated exudative pleural effusion and to allow enzymatic debridemant of the restrictive fibrinous sheets covering the pleural surface. The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate the effects of image-guided catheter drainage with high dose urokinase(UK) instillation in the treatment of complicated pleural effusions. Patients : Twenty complicated pleural effusion patients that poorly respond to image-guided drainage were allocated to receive UK. There were 8 pneumonia and 12 tuberculosis. Methods : Drugs were diluted in 250 mL normal saline and were infused intrapleurally through the chest tube or pig-tail catheter in a daily dose of 250,000 IU of UK. Response was assessed by clinical outcome, fluid drainage, chest radiography, pleural ultrasound and/or computed tomography. Results : The mean UK instillation time was $1.63{\pm}0.10$. The mean volume drained UK instillation was $381.3{\pm}314.4\;mL$, and post-UK was $321.6{\pm}489.5\;mL$. The follow up duration after UK therapy was mean $212.9{\pm}194.5$ days. We had successful results in 19 cases (95.0%). There were 12 pleural thickenings (60.0%), 2 markedly decreased effusions (10.0%) and 5 cases of no thickening or effusion. There was recurrence after treatment in only one patient(5%) with complicated pleural effusiondue to tuberculosis. Conclusions : Image-guided drainage with high dose UK instillation (250,000 U/day) in complicated pleural effusion is a safe and more effective method than closed thoracostomy drainage. And this management, in turn, can obviate surgery in most cases.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2016

Historically, Korea old cattle had been consisted with various lines of coat color brindle, black and white-brown breeds or more. The two rare lines of black and white coat color are maintained for animal resources and preserved critically. The present study was carried out to evaluate potential usage of cysteamine supplementation during in vitro matration (IVM) and in vitro culture/production of embryo (IVP) by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration (Ovum Pick-Up: OPU) for the establishment of cryo-banking system. Immature slaughterhouse-derived cumulus-oocyte complexes (SL-COCs) were matured in IVM medium supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.3 or 0.9 mM cysteamine, and then cultured in mSOF-BAS for 8 days after in vitro fertilization. The treatment of 0.1 mM cysteamine on SL-COCs showed higher rate of blastocyst, so OPU-derived COCs from rare breeds were matured in TCM media supplemented with or without 0.1 mM cysteamine, FSH and 5% FBS. The embryos were evaluated their developmental stages on day 8. During IVM, cysteamine treatment significantly increased the embryo production rate of slaughterhouse-derived COCs (19.6% vs. 30.5%). The presence of cysteamine during IVM of OPU-derived COCs from rare Korean cattle breeds (albino white and black line) also increased embryo production rates than those from SL-COCs (27.4% vs. 41.9% and 36.4%). With these results, cysteamine treatment during IVM is one of key factors IVP of blastocysts to establish banking system of endangered rare Koarean cattle with OPU derived transferable blastocysts.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.64-68
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• 2000

Objectives: With the recent advances and increasing use of imaging techniques in examination of the neck, the incidence of incidentally discovered thyroid carcinoma has been increasing. This study was carried out to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of incidental thyroid carcinomas and to find optimal therapeutic strategies for these lesions. Materials & Methods: From Jan. 1988 to Aug. 1998, 1,053 patients were operated on for thyroid cancer, of whom 127(12.1%) had incidentally discovered thyroid cancers which were identified during routine health checkups(n=40), diagnostic procedures for unrelated medical conditions(n=39) and mass screening for thyroid cancer(n=48). The preoperative diagnosis was obtained by ultrasound-guided FNAB and the extent of surgery was determined based on frozen section examinations, as well as prognostic factors and gross findings at the time of surgery. Results: There were 6 men and 121 women with a mean age of 45.9 years. Histopathological diagnosis included papillary carcinomas(n=1l9), follicular carcinomas(n=6), poorly differentiated carcinoma(n=l) and medullary carcinoma(n=1). Thirty patients(23.6%) had multifocallesions. The mean diameter of the tumors was 1.1 cm(0.2-3.4 cm). Capsular invasions were found in 53 patients(41.7%) and nodal metastases in 41(32.3%). The surgical procedures used were: 90 less-than total thyroidectomies and 37 total thyroidectomies with central neck node dissection. Lateral neck dissection was added in 5 patients. According to TNM staging, 79 patients(63.2%) were at stage I, 15(12.0%) at stage II, 31(24.8%) at stage III and 0(0.0%) at stage IV. By AMES scoring system, 102 patients(81.6%) were in the low-risk group and 23(18.4%) in the high-risk group. And by MACIS scoring system, 103(86.6%) of 119 papillary thyroid cancer patients were less than 6. Conclusions: The clinicopathological characteristics of incidentally discovered thyroid carcinomas are similar to ordinary thyroid carcinomas. The treatment of choice should be individualized based on the particular clinical situation encountered, as in ordinary thyroid carcinomas.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.345-350
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• 2015

Background: Conventional stripping is considered to be the standard procedure for great saphenous vein (GSV) varicosities, but many other alternative treatments such as cryostripping, endovenous laser therapy (EVLT), radiofrequency ablation, and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy have been developed. Among them, both cryostripping and laser therapy have been reported to be less traumatic, with lower rates of complications and recurrences when compared to conventional stripping. To compare the efficacy of these treatments, we have analyzed and compared the mid-term clinical outcomes of cryostripping and EVLT. Methods: Patients diagnosed with varicose veins of the GSV and treated with cryostripping or laser therapy between September 2008 and April 2013 were enrolled in this study. Duplex ultrasonography was used for the diagnosis and evaluation of varicosity and reflux, and the clinical-etiology-anatomy-pathophysiology classification was used to measure the clinical severity. The symptoms, Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), recurrence rates, and complication rates of the cryostripping and laser therapy groups were analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 68 patients were enrolled in this study. 32 patients were treated with cryostripping, and 36 patients were treated with laser therapy. The median follow-up period was 29.6 months. Recurrence was noted in three patients from the cryostripping group and in two patients from the EVLT group. There was no difference in the VCSS score, operative time, duration of hospital stay, and complication rate between the cryostripping group and the EVLT group. Conclusion: The mid-term clinical outcomes of cryostripping were not inferior to those of EVLT. Further, considering its cost-effectiveness, cryostripping seems to be a safe and feasible method for the treatment of varicose veins.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.5
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• pp.433-437
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• 2011

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disorder characterized by the presence of non-caseating granulomas in the involved organ. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by $Mycobacterium$ $tuberculosis$ and is characterized by granuloma with caseous necrosis. The clinical and histological similarity between sarcoidosis and tuberculosis has stimulated research searching for an association between mycobacterium and sarcoidosis. We report a case of a 38-year-old male with sarcoidosis that developed soon after treatment of tuberculous lymphadenitis. He was diagnosed as tuberculous lymphadenitis by microbiological confirmation. He showed clinical improvement after treatment for tuberculosis. One year later, his chest radiography showed bilateral hilar enlargement with diffuse bilateral nodules. A noncaseating granuloma was confirmed by endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration and he was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing sarcoidosis after treatment of tuberculosis in South Korea.