• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.1087-1093
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to survey the effectiveness of oriental medicine treatment on lumbar herniated intervertebral disc and spondylolisthesis. The clinical study was performed on 32 cases of patients with lumbar herniated intervertebral disc and spondylolisthesis as diagnosed by X-ray, Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) exams amongst the patients who were admitted to Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine from January 2010 to June 2010. 32 cases of patients were analyzed according to the distribution of sex, age, duration of disease, contributory factor, symptoms, admission period, disc herniation type and level of spondylolisthesis. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated respectively. The number of the female patients were larger than that of male with the ratio of 1:0.6. Most of the patients were in their fifties(43.8%), choronic phase(46.9%), those patients suffered from lower back pain and leg pain radiation(90.6%), reasons unknown(56.3%). Most of them also had mixed disc(37.5%), bulging disc(37.5%) and spondylolisthesis of LS on L5(50.0%). Most of them stayed in the hospital for 21-25days. After treatment, the percentage with good improvement was 62.5%, fair 18.8%, poor 12.5%, and excellent 6.3%, respectively. Oriental medicine treatment has on useful effect on the recovery of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc with spondylolisthesis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.279-284
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• 2016

Single-shot echo planar imaging(SS-EPI) is well established as high sensitivity for ischemic stroke. However, it is prone to susceptibility artifact in brain stem that diminish the image quality. single-shot turbo spin echo(SS-TSE) is a new DWI technique that can reduce susceptibility artifact. Thus, this research was conducted so as to reduce geometric distortion in brain stem by using single-shot turbo spin echo technique. Thirty patients without brain disease underwent diffusion MR on a 3T scanner with SS-EPI and SS-TSE. Obtained images with both sequences were analyzed for geometric distortion and error percentage as well. Image quality in terms of geometric distortion of SS-TSE were found to be significantly better than those for SS-EPI. And error percentage was considerably reduced for 2.4% of b0 image(from 11.1% to 8.7%), 1.2% of b1000 image(from 11.4% to 10.1%), respectively. In summary, diffusion MR using SS-TSE significantly reduce geometric distortion compared to SS-EPI in brain stem and may provide improved diagnostic performance.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.465-472
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• 1995

An accurate preoperative localization in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism is important for successful surgical intervention. There are many methods for the localization of the primary hyperparathyroidism such as ultrasonography, computerized tomography(CT), magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), angiography and $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction scan. Among them $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction scan is known as the most accurate tool for preoperative localization. Recently $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi has been used for parathyroid gland imaging. We experienced 19 primary hyperparathyroidisms accurately localized with $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction imaging and $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi. The sensitivities of the $^{99m}Tc$-Sestanibi, $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction imaging, CT and US were 100%(5/5), 89.5%(17/19) and 61.7(12/19) respectively. With the combination of $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi and $^{201}T1/^{99m}Tc$ subtraction imaging we could localize with 100% accuracy. Although the case number is small, this study suggests that the $^{99m}Tc$-Sestamibi parathyroid scan is very useful and easy to use for preoperative localization in primary hyperparathyroidism.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 1994

Encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis (EDAS) is a relatively new surgical procedure for treatment of childhood moyamoya disease. We assessed regional cerebral perfusion in moyamoya patients before (1.3 mo) and after (6.8 mo) EDAS with $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO brain SPECT. A total of 21 EDAS operations in 17 moyamoya patients was included. Preoperative CT or MRI showed cerebral infarction in 14 patients and carotid angiography showed Suzuki grade I to V stenosis in 6%, 9%, 62%, 12% and 12% of the hemispheres respectively. Preoperative SPECT showed regional hypoperfusion in all patients, bilateral frontal and temporal lobes being the most frequently involved site. $4{\times}4$ pixel sized ROIs were applied on the frontotemporal cortex in 3 slice averaged transverse tomographic images. An index of regional perfusion was measured as: PI (%)=average F-T activity/average cerebellar activity${\times}100$ Pre-EDAS ipsilateral PI ranged from 23.7 to 98.4% (mean: $74.3{\pm}17%$) and increased significantly after operation ($81.4{\pm}17%$, p<0.001). Individual post-EDAS PI improved in 15/21 cases, showed no significant change in 5 and was slightly aggravated in 1. The amount of clinical improvement (${\Delta}CI$) was graded with a scale of 0 to 4 based on frequency and severity of TIA attacks. When patients were grouped according to pre-EDAS PI, group II (PI 70-89) showed a significantly higher ${\Delta}CI$ (3.3) compared to group I (PI< 70, 1.57) or group III (PI >90, 0.5) (P< 0.001). The amount of perfusion improvement (${\Delta}PI$) showed significant correlation with ${\Delta}CI$ (r=0.42, p=0.04). ${\Delta}PI$ did not, however, correlate with the amount of neovascularization assessed angiographically in 8 patients. Serial HMPAO SPECT is an useful noninvasive study for assessing perfusion improvement after EDAS in childhood moyamoya patients.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.301-308
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of FDG-PET/CT as follow up imaging tool in patients with endometrial cancer after therapy. Material and Methods: One hundred one patients with endometrial cancer who underwent FDG PET/CT after the treatment of this disease were included in this study population (25-79 yr old, Mean age 50.6 yr old) and all these patients also performed various laboratory and imaging studies such as serum tumor marker, CT or MRI. The lesions having increased focal FDG uptake were classified into benign, equivocal, and malignant one according to their pattern and activity. Tumor recurrence was confirmed by histopathological results and other clinical and imaging data. Results: Among the 19 patients with 30 malignant or equivocal hot uptakes, 11 of 14 patients supposed to be malignant finding in PET/CT were proved to be tumor recurrence, while one of 5 patients with equivocal lesions were recurred malignancy, Two false negative cases were turned out to be peritoneal carcinomatosis, Estimated sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of PET/CT for diagnosis of recurrence in endometrial carcinoma after treatment were 86 %, 92 % and 91 %, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values in the same issue were 63% and 98%, respectively. Conclusion: FDG-PET/CT is useful for regular work up of endometrial carcinoma after the treatment because of its high negative predictive value as well as high sensitivity and specificity.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 1999

Background : Posterior tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (PTSEP) have cortical potentials on primary sensory area of foot around 40 msec. The direct cortical recordings of the cortical potentials shows high voltage positive wave on medial hemisphere, especially on paracentral lobule (PCL). However, it is so difficult to record the potential directly on PCL that the cortical potential of PTSEP is not well understood. We investigated the cortical potential of PTSEP on subdural electrodes. Methods : We recorded cortical potentials to posterior tibial nerve stimulation on subdural electrodes which were on medial hemisphere near PCL in 15 intractable neocortical epilepsy patients. The numbers of subdural electrodes were 8 in 10 subjects ($1{\times}8array$) and 16 in 5 subjects ($2{\times}8arrays$). Seven subjects had three-dimensional imaging fusion (3D-fusion) of MRI and the electrodes using Analyze program. We investigated the amplitude, latency, polarity, and phase of the waves regarding location. Results : The waves had maximal amplitude on PCL in 4 subjects, precuneus in 1, cingulate gyrus nearest to PCL in 2 among 7 subjects with 3D-fusion. Also the electrodes were located on posterior area of PCL (2 out of 2 subjects with more than two electrodes put on PCL in 3D-fusion) and superior area of it (5 out of 5 subjects with $2{\times}8arrays $). All the high (more than 20 uV) amplitude around 40msec had positive polarity in 7 subjects. The phase reversals were detected between the electrodes with the highest amplitude and the just posterior (2 subjects) or anterior (6 subjects) located electrodes. The just posterior located electrodes had sharper phase reversal than the anterior one. Conclusion : PTSEP might have maximal amplitude of cortical potentials on the more superior and posterior area of PCL. The highest amplitude potential has positivity. The wave with maximal amplitude could have phase reversal of cortical potentials with surrounding electrodes, especially shaper with posterior part than with anterior one.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 2011

Modern medicine has early experienced the absence of mimesis and has been trying to replace the absence with objective grounds and experimental data. However, as medicine became science, the crisis of medicine spread more widely. Microscopic powers and violences are invisible, but individuals are powerless and vainly unable to resist. The anguish or introspection about the situation is sometimes described in stories such as An Engagement by Lee Eung Jun. An Engagement is mentioned in this article due to the writer's attitude, which shows his introspection and desire for harmony through the wounds of each trivial character. The writer is unceasingly talking about suffering people in his story and his seriousness enables readers to find his stronger sympathy over life and death than in any other medical stories. In fact, it is impossible for readers to comprehend the confusing propositions which the writer pours out, and even uncomfortable to read the story. Nevertheless, the propositions are always in contact with reality. Perhaps it is not the writer's confusing propositions that make us uncomfortable. It might be ourselves who are always alienated and starved. We can say that the characters' pains and wounds are phantom pains caused by the absence of mimesis. Since there is no affected area, their pains cannot be measured by only scientific medicine. However, the current medical profession regards objective research evidences as absolute truth and allows them to be the sole criterion. Although scientific skills such as DNA analysis and MRI scan can be the substitutes for doctors' judgment, so much of medicine is still interpersonal relationships. An Engagement. As a person promises to marry another, as all beings together in the world promise to subordinate to one another, every subject is consistently a valuable part of each other for the writer's eyes. He is aware that it is originally impossible to get engaged to the world, but he does not give up the possibility of genuine communication. In today's post-modernism society, where a large number of pathological views define the members and the world itself, endless questioning of existence and digging into pathology will be the only way to reduce the gap between individuals and their world. This article does not say that a literary work will lead the change of medical paradigm. It sprang from a desire for medical humanities to gain more interest of the medical field, where the encounter between literature and medicine is still unfamiliar, and to make medical education recognize the importance of humanities. Starting with this work, I believe that the humanities will help us to find the solution to the age of absence of mimesis and to the crisis of medicine.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.195-199
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• 2014

The X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a peroxisomal disease by defects of ABCD1 gene on chromosome Xq28 leading to accumulation of saturated very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA), progressive demyelination and adrenal insufficiency. A 4-year-old boy was visited hospital with the chief compliant of hyperpigmentation beginning at 2-years old. Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol concentration were compatible with adrenal insufficiency. The elevated plasmatic concentration of VLCFA and genotype analysis with sequencing of ABCD1 gene established the diagnosis of X-ALD. Brain MRI showed no abnormal high signal intensity on the white matter. Steroid replacement was started with good response. He initiated Lorenzo's oil with restriction of VLCFA by reducing the intake of fatty foods. The author highlight the importance of suspecting of X-ALD in the etiology of primary adrenal insufficiency as the first sign of the disease.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 2006

Purpose: Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears are many techniques that have been developed to improve the initial postoperative strength of the repair. There was a doubt that current arthroscopic cuff repairs using a single row of suture anchors reproduce insufficient area of the anatomic cuff insertion, and concerns about failure of fixation often lead surgeons to limit early motion. Newer technique of double-row repair in arthroscopic treatment may provide initial stronger fixation and more contact with bone at the repair site than single-row repair did. We studied the comparison between clinical outcomes of arthroscopic single- and double-row repair in cuff tears at 1year postoperatively. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 40 shoulders with single-row repair and 38 shoulders with double-row repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears between May 2002 and October 2004. Out of total 78 shoulders, 42 (54%) were male patients and 36 (46%) were female patients and the mean age at surgery was 56 years. All patients were diagnosed by physical examination and MRI. At 1year' follow-up after operation, we evaluated with the ASES and the Constant scoring system, and measured muscle power of abduction, internal and external rotation of the affected shoulder then compared with each other. Results: Mean ASES scores and Constant scores in double-row repair group improved more than single-row repair group significantly at 1year postoperatively. Muscle power of abduction and internal rotation, especially abduction power, improved more significantly in double-row repair group than in single-row repair. Conclusion: Arthroscopic double-row repair for the full thickness rotator cuff tear may be a superior technique, which showed better clinical outcomes and restoration of muscle power compared with single-row repair at relatively short period of postoperative follow-up. Restoration of footprint close to normal anatomy by double-row repair seems to play an important role in the recovery of muscle strength.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2013

Purpose : The Carotid Angio inspection including Aortic arch applied to wide area is conducted as the Contrast Enhance MR Angiography(CEA) which is using a contrast medium. However it is a burden not only for someone such as infants, pregnant women and patients suffering from kidney failure but continuous use of contrast medium also can be a burden for patients who has been taken follow up inspection since diagnose lesion already. The purpose of this study is to estimate a usefulness of the Time of Flight (TOF) by comparing with CEA. Materials and methods : 10 patients with an average age of 58 (from 45 to 75) who had MRA inspection in our hospital were studied using 3.0 Tesla Aachieva (Philips, Netherland) MRI system and Sense Neuro-Vascular 16 Channels Coil. The same patient was inspected both TOF and CEA simultaneously. The TOF inspection included from Aortic arch to Willis Circle by connecting 3 TOF stacks and so did CEA inspection. The quantitative analysis was conducted through signal to noise ratio(SNR) and contrast to noise ratio(CNR) with soft tissue by setting up an area of interest on CCA bifurcatoin, ICA, ECA, MCA and VA concerning obtained image. In case of qualitative analysis, 3 radiological technologists and 1 radiologist evaluated 4 items (1: Visibility of the blood vessel, 2: Image distortion measure, 3: Overlapping measure with vein, 4: Peripheral blood vessel description measure) into five points scale (1: Very bad, 2: Bad, 3: Normal 4: Good, 5: Very good). Results : Results for the quantitative analysis was obtained by calculating the average of 5 ROIs in case of SNR and CNR separately. Results of SNR, TOF were generally measured higher than CEA (In case of TOF were 166.1, 205.2, 154.39, 172.23, 161.95, and CEA were 92.05, 95.43, 84.76, 73.69, 88.3). But according to the result of CNR, both TOF and CEA were measured similarly as 67.62, 106.71, 55.9, 73.74, 63.46 for TOF and 67.82, 71.19, 60.52, 49.45, 64.07 for CEA. Throughout every results of each ROI, SNR showed statistically meaningful consequence (0.050.05). In case of qualitative analysis the average of each evaluated item was 4.2points and 4.28points in the item1, 2.93points and 4.55points in the item2, 4.6points and 3.13points in the item3, 2.88points and 4.6points in the item4. According to the results TOF was measured higher in the item3 while in the item2 and item4 CEA was higher and in case of the item1, both CEA and TOF were similar. To sum up statistically meaningful results (p<0.05) were shown in the item2, item3 and item4 but not in the item1 (p>0.05). Conclusions : Both TOF and CEA are complementary because each inspection has pros and cons, but when inspect wide area including Aortic arch normally CEA is conducted. But TOF inspection also can be considered as alternative in terms of patients who has difficulty in the contrast medium such as infants, pregnant women and patients suffering from kidney failure and patients during follow up.