Prognostic Significance of the Imaging Parameters of Adipose Tissue and Bone Marrow on F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in Patients with Malignant Melanoma

PURPOSE@#Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake of bone marrow (BM) and adipose tissue is known to reflect systemic inflammatory response to cancer cell. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of F-18 FDG uptake of BM and determine characteristics of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) on PET/CT images in malignant melanoma.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients histopathologically diagnosed with malignant melanoma via FDG PET/CT staging. BM-to-liver uptake ratio (BLR), volume of VAT and SAT, CT Hounsfield unit (HU), and mean of standardized uptake value (SUVmean) of VAT and SAT on PET/CT were measured and prognostic values of these parameters for prediction of disease progression-free survival (DPFS) were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Patients with stage III–IV melanoma had higher CT HU and SUVmean for SAT and VAT but lower volume of VAT compared with patients at stage I–II (p 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#CT HU, SUVmean of SAT and VAT, and BLR provide prognostic information for DPFS in malignant melanoma.

The Causal Relationships among Staff Nurses' Job Stress Factors, Patient Safety Culture Perception and Patient Safety Nursing Activities in a University Hospital / 간호행정학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to explore the causal relationships among staff nurses' job stress factors, patient safety culture perception, and patient safety nursing activities through path analysis. METHODS: The participants, 275 staff nurses with over a year of exp rience working at a university hospital in Seoul, completed structured questionnaires. The data were collected from January 5 to February 28, 2018. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test and Pearson correlation coefficients using the SPSS/WIN 24.0 program, and path analysis & bootstrapping using AMOS 24.0 program. RESULTS: The path analyses of the hypothesized causal model showed a considerable explanatory power for each of the endogenous variables. About 45 percent of organizational culture was explained by work overload, lack of knowledge/skill, inadequate reward, work environment, and communication. The finding in this study confirmed the mediating effect of patient safety culture perception on the relationships between job stress factors and patient safety nursing activities. CONCLUSION: The proper arrangement of nursing staff, proper treatment and rewards, positive work environment, organizational culture, and smooth communication are needed to promote patient safety nursing activities.

Early Evaluation of Inflammatory Focus and Treatment Response Using ¹⁸F-Sodium Fluoride Bone Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Patients with Metallic Implants: A Case Report

We report a case of a 76-year-old woman with elevated serum C-reactive protein levels for two weeks after spinal surgery. ⁹⁹mTc-labeled white blood cell scan and dual ¹⁸F-sodium-fluoride (¹⁸F-NaF) bone positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) were used to detect the site of inflammation. Using non-attenuation corrected images, soft tissue inflammation was detected without metal artifact. Antibiotic treatment attenuated inflammation as seen in an early-phase scan using follow-up ¹⁸F-NaF bone PET/CT. This case demonstrates the role of ¹⁸F-NaF bone PET/CT in the detection of inflammation sites, and can be used to evaluate treatment response in patients with metallic implants.

Acute Traumatic Lymphedema without Tissue Injury Detected by Lymphoscintigraphy

Lymphedema is an important disease that causes regional swelling. Although it is not life threatening, it significantly affects the physical and psychological status of the patient. Additionally, lymphedema treatment may be difficult, when its diagnosis is delayed. However, it is not possible to conclude a diagnosis of lymphedema, when the clinical history is uncertain. As observed in the current case, lymphedema caused by minor trauma without any fracture or internal wounds, was detected using a lymphoscintigraphy. Hence, even minor trauma can cause lymphedema and a lymphoscintigraphy can provide critical information for the diagnosis of lymphedema. For this reason, a lymphoscintigraphy test is considered in situations where patients there is differential diagnosis of lymphedema.

Radiomics in Oncological PET/CT: Clinical Applications / 대한핵의학회잡지

¹⁸F–fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is widely used for staging, evaluating treatment response, and predicting prognosis in malignant diseases. FDG uptake and volumetric PET parameters such as metabolic tumor volume have been used and are still used as conventional PET parameters to assess biological characteristics of tumors. However, in recent years, additional features derived from PET images by computational processing have been found to reflect intratumoral heterogeneity, which is related to biological tumor features, and to provide additional predictive and prognostic information, which leads to the concept of radiomics. In this review, we focus on recent clinical studies of malignant diseases that investigated intratumoral heterogeneity on PET/CT, and we discuss its clinical role in various cancers.

Radiomics in Oncological PET/CT: Clinical Applications / 대한핵의학회잡지

¹⁸F–fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is widely used for staging, evaluating treatment response, and predicting prognosis in malignant diseases. FDG uptake and volumetric PET parameters such as metabolic tumor volume have been used and are still used as conventional PET parameters to assess biological characteristics of tumors. However, in recent years, additional features derived from PET images by computational processing have been found to reflect intratumoral heterogeneity, which is related to biological tumor features, and to provide additional predictive and prognostic information, which leads to the concept of radiomics. In this review, we focus on recent clinical studies of malignant diseases that investigated intratumoral heterogeneity on PET/CT, and we discuss its clinical role in various cancers.

Adefovir-induced Fanconi syndrome associated with osteomalacia

Fanconi syndrome is a dysfunction of the proximal renal tubules that results in impaired reabsorption and increased urinary loss of phosphate and other solutes. The pathophysiology of drug-induced Fanconi syndrome is unclear. Here we report the case of a 36-year-old woman who presented with pain in multiple bones and proteinuria. She had a 7-year history of taking adefovir at 10 mg/day for chronic hepatitis B. Three years previously she had received surgery for a nontraumatic right femur neck fracture, after which she continued to complain of pain in multiple bones, and proteinuria, glycosuria, and phosphaturia were noted. The findings of a light-microscope examination of a renal biopsy sample were normal, but mitochondrial damage of the proximal tubules was evident in electron microscopy. Western blot analysis revealed that the level of serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) was lower than in normal controls. After 2 months of treatment, hypophosphatemia and proximal tubular dysfunction were reversed, and serum FGF23 had normalized. This case suggests that direct mitochondrial damage in proximal tubules can cause drug-induced Fanconi syndrome associated with osteomalacia.

The Normalization of Brain ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose Positron Emission Tomography Hypometabolism following Electroconvulsive Therapy in a 55-year-old Woman with Treatment-resistant Late Onset Depression: A Case Report

Major depressive disorder, especially in later life, has heterogeneous clinical characteristics and treatment responses. Symptomatically, psychomotor retardation, lack of energy, and apathy tends to be more common in people with late-onset depression (LOD). Despite recent advances in psychopharmacologic treatments, 20% to 30% of patients with mood disorders experience inadequate responses to medication, often resulting in a trial of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). However, the therapeutic mechanism of ECT is still unclear. By using ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT), we can obtain the status of brain metabolism in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders and changes during psychiatric treatment course. The object of this case report is evaluating the effect of ECT on brain metabolism in treatment-refractory LOD by PET/CT and understanding the mode of action of ECT. In this case report, we presented a 55-year-old female patient who suffered psychotic depression that was resistant to pharmacological treatment. Several antidepressants and atypical anti-psychotics were applied but there was no improvement in her symptoms. The patient presented not only depressed mood and behaviors but also deficit in cognitive functions. We found decreased diffuse cerebral metabolism in her brain ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT image. ECT resulted in amelioration of the patients' symptoms and another brain PET imaging 7 weeks after the last ECT course showed that her brain metabolism was normalized.

The Effects of Hospital Nurses' Self-Esteem and Communication Skill on Self-Leadership and the Quality of Nursing Service / 간호행정학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of hospital nurses' self-leadership, communication skill, and self-esteem on the quality of nursing service. METHODS: The participants, 230 nurses working at a general hospital in Seoul, completed a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire survey between January 17 and 28, 2014. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 19.0 program for descriptive statistics, t-test, one way & two way ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Nurses' self-esteem and communication skill had significant main effects on self-leadership and the quality of nursing service, but the interaction effect of the two independent variables was not significant. Variables that significantly influenced the quality of nursing service were self-leadership, communication skill, self-esteem, and career longevity. The explanatory power of these variables for the quality of nursing service was 54.4%. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate a need for education programs for nurses which are designed to promote communication skill and enhance self-esteem and self-leadership skills which will in turn enhance the quality of nursing service.

Evaluation of digital dental models obtained from dental cone-beam computed tomography scan of alginate impressions / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dimensional accuracy of digital dental models obtained from the dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan of alginate impressions according to the time elapse when the impressions are stored under ambient conditions. METHODS: Alginate impressions were obtained from 20 adults using 3 different alginate materials, 2 traditional alginate materials (Alginoplast and Cavex Impressional) and 1 extended-pour alginate material (Cavex ColorChange). The impressions were stored under ambient conditions, and scanned by CBCT immediately after the impressions were taken, and then at 1 hour intervals for 6 hours. After reconstructing three-dimensional digital dental models, the models were measured and the data were analyzed to determine dimensional changes according to the elapsed time. The changes within the measurement error were regarded as clinically acceptable in this study. RESULTS: All measurements showed a decreasing tendency with an increase in the elapsed time after the impressions. Although the extended-pour alginate exhibited a less decreasing tendency than the other 2 materials, there were no statistically significant differences between the materials. Changes above the measurement error occurred between the time points of 3 and 4 hours after the impressions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that digital dental models can be obtained simply from a CBCT scan of alginate impressions without sending them to a remote laboratory. However, when the impressions are not stored under special conditions, they should be scanned immediately, or at least within 2 to 3 hours after the impressions are taken.

Screening for depression and anxiety disorder in children with headache / 소아과

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of initial screening tests for depression and anxiety disorders in children with headache. In addition, this study evaluated whether the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) are suitable for screening symptoms of depression and anxiety. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 720 children aged 7-17 years who had visited a pediatric neurology clinic for headaches and were referred to a pediatric psychiatric clinic for psychiatric symptoms from January 2010 to December 2011. All patients completed the CDI and RCMAS. Among them, charts of patients with clinically significant total scores (cutoff>15) for psychiatric symptoms, as defined by the CDI and RCMAS scoring scales, were reviewed. RESULTS: Nineteen patients had headaches and clinically significant total scores for psychiatric symptoms. The mean age at headache diagnosis was 11.7 years, and 57% were male. Mean duration of headache was 11.5 months. Two point eight percent of the patients were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders including major depression (1.7%), generalized anxiety disorder (1.1%), and bipolar disorder (0.1%). Four patients (0.6%) were diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Total mean CDI and RCMAS scores of patients referred to the psychiatric clinic were 18.8 and 22.2, respectively. There was no correlation between CDI or RCMAS total scores and headache frequency, duration, or severity. CONCLUSION: We recommend that all patients with headache should be screened for depression and anxiety by CDI and RCMAS scores.

Results of Isotope Cisternography in 175 Patients with a Suspected Hydrocephalus / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a syndrome characterized by gait disturbance, memory impairment and urinary incontinence. The isotope cisternography (ICG) became less useful because of low accuracy and complications. We tried to evaluate the safety and value of the ICG. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on ICG of 175 consecutive patients with a suspected hydrocephalus. We classified the ICG into four types by the ventricular reflux and circulation time. The ventricular size was measured by Evans index and the width of the third ventricle. RESULTS: There were three complications including one case of paraplegia. Type 4 was the most common type, observed in 53%. Type 3 (33%), type 2 (7%), and type 1 (7%) were observed less often. Type 4 was more common in patients with large ventricles. Types of the ICG were not related to the causes of hydrocephalus, gender, or age of the patients. Shunting was more frequently performed in type 4 (71%), compared to type 1 (17%), type 2 (33%), and type 3 (46%). Surgery was more common when the cause was vascular. After the shunt surgery, 33.0% were graded as the improved. Although there were some improvements even in the not-improved patients, they still needed many helps. The improvement was related to the preoperative state. CONCLUSION: ICG may bring a serious complication, however the incidence is very low. Although the predictability of response rate on the shunting is doubtful, ICG is a cheap and useful tool to select surgical candidates in NPH.

Isolated Cerebellar Variant of Adrenoleukodystrophy with a de novo Adenosine Triphosphate-Binding Cassette D1 (ABCD1) Gene Mutation

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) shows a wide range of phenotypic expression, but clinical presentation as an isolated lesion of the cerebellar white matter and dentate nuclei has not been reported. We report an unusual presentation of X-ALD only with an isolated lesion of the cerebellar white matter and dentate nuclei. The proband, a 37-year-old man presented with bladder incontinence, slurred speech, dysmetria in all limbs, difficulties in balancing, and gait ataxia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed an isolated signal change of white matter around the dentate nucleus in cerebellum. With high level of very long chain fatty acid, gene study showed a de novo mutation in exon 1 at nucleotide position c.277_296dup20 (p.Ala100Cysfs*10) of the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette D1 gene. It is advised to consider X-ALD as a differential diagnosis in patients with isolated cerebellar degeneration symptoms.

Incidental Findings with Technetium-99m Methoxyisobutrlisonitrile Imaging of Ectopic Parathyroid Hyperplasia in Patient with Intrathyroidal Parathyroid Hyperplasia

We report a case of intrathyroidal and ectopic parathyroid hyperplasia in a 47-year-old female patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism. During evaluation for end stage renal disease, hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism were detected in laboratory exam and thyroid nodules were found in computed tomography, and thyroid ultrasonography. In subsequent dual-phase technetium-99m methoxyisobutrlisonitrile (Tc-99m MIBI) scan, delayed focal uptakes were found in thyroid gland and the upper mediastinum. I-123 scan showed photon defects in thyroid gland and no uptake in the upper mediastinum. The imaging findings indicate intrathyroidal and mediastinal ectopic parathyroid hyperplasia. The intrathyroidal and ectopic parathyroid hyperplasia were confirmed by surgical approach. Tc-99m MIBI scan was useful for detecting ectopic parathyroid hyperplasia concomitant intrathyroidal parathyroid lesion.

Schilder’s disease in a young child with tumefactive demyelinating brain lesion

Schilder’s disease is a rare sporadic demyelinating disease of the brain. We report a girl with Schilder’s disease who had undergone Kasai operation for biliary atresia. The patient presented with acute right hemiparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a single large tumefactive white matter lesion. A diagnosis of Schilder’s disease was based on clinical features and MRI findings. The patient showed dramatic clinical improvement and significant regression of the lesion in response to high-dose intravenous methyl prednisone, and remained free of relapse of other neurologic problems during the 3-year follow-up.

A Case of Tuberous Sclerosis with Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma (SEGA) Treated with Gamma Knife Surgery

Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) is the most common brain tumor that develops in 5-20% of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. Although these lesions are slowly growing tumor, they can cause morbidity and mortality due to acute hydrocephalus because of their prevalent location near the foramen of Monro. Surgery has been the standard care for SEGAs demonstrating serial growth and symptomatic hydrocephalus. However, not all SEGAs are treatable by complete surgical resection. Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery can be considered as a second option, but it has shown highly variable responses in patients with limited data. In recent years, drugs with novel mechanism, sirolimus and other mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have been found to reduce the size of SEGAs. We report a case of treatment of SEGA with gamma knife surgery which continued for two years without progression, even though surgical resection was done, finally.

Serial Measurements of Off-Thyroxine Serum TSH and Thyroglobulin Levels to Predict Local and/or Systemic Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Cancer after Total Thyroidectomy / 대한갑상선학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Off-thyroxine serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level is important to predict metastatic disease (MD) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC); however, it is unclear whether a single off-thyroxine Tg level is sufficient for predicting MD. In this study, we determined whether serial measurement of off-thyroxine serum Tg level can predict metastasis in PTC patients after total thyroidectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 140 PTC patients in whom serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and Tg levels were measured 7 days before radio-iodine (RAI) treatment (TSHA and TgA) and on the day of RAI treatment (TSHB and TgB) with withholding L-thyroxine for 4 weeks before RAI treatment. The values of TSHinc (TSHB-TSHA) and Tginc (TgB-TgA), Tgratio (TgB/TgA), Tginc/TSHinc and Tgratio/TSHinc were calculated. Tginc/TSHinc and Tgratio/TSHinc were tested if those parameters can predict MD in patients with TSHA>30 microIU/mL and TgA30 microIU/mL and TgA<10 ng/mL (MD, 9; non-MD, 34), both Tginc/TSHinc (100%) and Tgratio/TSHinc (89%) had higher sensitivities for predicting MD than TgB (78%). CONCLUSION: With the increment in serum Tg corrected for the increment in serum TSH, serial measurements of off-thyroxine serum TSH and Tg levels can help predict PTC metastasis.

Traumatic Eyeball Protrusion with Optic Chiasmal Injury

PURPOSE: To report a case of eyeball protrusion with optic chiasmal injury due to eyeball trauma. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old male presented to the emergency room for right eyeball pain, eyeball protrusion and decreased visual acuity after collision with a metal pipe. On initial examination, the right eyeball was protruded, the patient could not perceive light, his pupil was dilated and did not respond to the light. The patient had a laceration of the lower canaliculi and the medial, superior and inferior rectus muscles were separated from the eyeball. Abnormal left pupil response was observed, and visual acuity of the left eye was 0.7. He underwent primary repair of the right medial, inferior and superior rectus muscles and reconstruction of the lower canaliculi. Because the visual field of the left eye at post-operative day 1 demonstrated temporal hemianopsia, an optic chiasmal injury was revealed on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patient underwent left optic chiasmal decompression because the visual field was aggravated despite the immediate high dose of corticosteroid therapy. At post-operative 2 months, the patient's left visual acuity was 0.3 and the visual field was stable. CONCLUSIONS: Optic chiasmal injury should be considered and promptly diagnosed through visual field test and MRI when ipsilateral optic nerve injury with abnormal contralateral pupil response is caused by eyeball protrusion. Optic chiasmal decompression should be considered when traumatic optic nerve and chiasmal injuries do not respond to high-dose corticosteroid therapy.

Relationship Between Brain Injury and Head Circumference Growth in Extremely Premature Infants

PURPOSE: The study was done to explore growth variation in head circumference (HC) in extremely premature infants (EPI) with brain injury. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 79 cohort samples from the archives of the catch-up growth project. Mean age of the infants was 29.2 weeks of gestation and mean HC, 27.1 cm at birth. Their HC measurements were retrieved from the archives up to 6 month of corrected age (CA) and analyzed against history of brain injury during hospitalization. RESULTS: Overall growth retardation in HC was observed in the cohort sample compared to longer gestation premature infants. EPI with brain injury showed decreased HC compared to infants without brain injury, and resulting growth variation across 6 month of CA. Highest retardation in HC growth was observed in male infants with brain injury. CONCLUSION: Extreme preterm birth itself may function as a major obstacle against HC growth toward term age in EPI. Sustainability of brain injury could be observed with higher HC growth retardation after term. Evolutionary favor to female infants may exist in HC growth of EPI. Intensive education on HC monitoring is highly suggested for parents of EPI, particularly with children with brain injury.

Child Behavior Check List, Korean Personality Inventory for Children in Presumed Functional Visual Loss

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical courses of children with functional visual loss and to evaluate their psychosocial problems. METHODS: Thirteen children who visited the ophthalmic clinic of Dankook University Hospital because of functional vision loss between August 1, 2005 and January 1, 2009 were examined to establish the cause of lost vision. The results of the child behavior checklist-Korean version (K-CBCL) and the Korean personality inventory for children (KPI-C) were obtained in nine out of the 13 children. RESULTS: The mean visual acuities at the initial and last visits for nine children in the functional visual loss group were 0.58 +/- 0.28 and 0.89 +/- 0.31, respectively. Somatic complaints, social problems and overall behavioral problems were statistically significantly different from those of the control group according to the K-CBCL, and somatic concern was statistically significantly different from that of the control group according to the KPI-C. CONCLUSIONS: Children in the functional visual loss group had different traits from those in the control group according to the K-CBCL and KPI-C. Children's psychosocial problems could be expressed as somatic symptoms, of which vision loss should be considered a major factor.