Clinical experience of robotic myomectomy for fertility preservation using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging predictor

Objective@#This study aimed to demonstrate the use of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings to select the optimal surgical technique between single-site (SS) and multi-site (MS) robotic myomectomy based on clinical experience, for the preservation of fertility. @*Methods@#Ninety-eight patients who underwent SS or MS robotic myomectomy using the da Vinci® Si system after undergoing MRI were evaluated retrospectively. The correlation between preoperative MRI findings and the intraoperative or postoperative findings during robotic myomectomy for the preservation of fertility was analyzed. The reproductive outcome was investigated when the patient wished to conceive. @*Results@#The mean age of the patients was 35.68±5.04 years and 80 patients (81.6%) were nulliparous. The total diameter of myomas on MRI was 106.75±54.52 mm. The number of resected myomas was 4.31±4.39 (range, 1–27), and the total weight of resected myomas was 293.11±281.13 (range, 30–1,260) g. Myomas with high signal intensity on MRI required less time for resection. MS robotic myomectomy was performed for an increased number and total diameter of a myoma or a deep-seated myoma. Postoperatively, all patients resumed normal menstruation. Of the 15 patients who wished to conceive, 12 (80%) conceived successfully. Of these, uterine dehiscence occurred in 1 patient and 10 patients underwent an uneventful cesarean section. @*Conclusion@#SS or MS robotic myomectomy can be recommended for patients who wish to conserve fertility. However, the optimal surgical technique should be selected based on preoperative MRI findings to predict an effective surgical process and the successful preservation of fertility.

Guidelines for Transrectal Ultrasonography-Guided Prostate Biopsy: Korean Society of Urogenital Radiology Consensus Statement for Patient Preparation, Standard Technique, and Biopsy-Related Pain Management

The Korean Society of Urogenital Radiology (KSUR) aimed to present a consensus statement for patient preparation, standard technique, and pain management in relation to transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx) to reduce the variability in TRUS-Bx methodologies and suggest a nationwide guideline. The KSUR guideline development subcommittee constructed questionnaires assessing prebiopsy anticoagulation, the cleansing enema, antimicrobial prophylaxis, local anesthesia methods such as periprostatic neurovascular bundle block (PNB) or intrarectal lidocaine gel application (IRLA), opioid usage, and the number of biopsy cores and length and diameter of the biopsy needle. The survey was conducted using an Internet-based platform, and responses were solicited from the 90 members registered on the KSUR mailing list as of 2018. A comprehensive search of relevant literature from Medline database was conducted. The strength of each recommendation was graded on the basis of the level of evidence. Among the 90 registered members, 29 doctors (32.2%) responded to this online survey. Most KSUR members stopped anticoagulants (100%) and antiplatelets (76%) one week before the procedure. All respondents performed a cleansing enema before TRUS-Bx. Approximately 86% of respondents administered prophylactic antibiotics before TRUS-Bx. The most frequently used antibiotics were third-generation cephalosporins. PNB was the most widely used pain control method, followed by a combination of PNB plus IRLA. Opioids were rarely used (6.8%), and they were used only as an adjunctive pain management approach during TRUS-Bx. The KSUR members mainly chose the 12-core biopsy method (89.7%) and 18G 16-mm or 22-mm (96.5%) needles. The KSUR recommends the 12-core biopsy scheme with PNB with or without IRLA as the standard protocol for TRUS-Bx. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents should be discontinued at least 5 days prior to the procedure, and antibiotic prophylaxis is highly recommended to prevent infectious complications. Glycerin cleansing enemas and administration of opioid analogues before the procedure could be helpful in some situations. The choice of biopsy needle is dependent on the practitioners' situation and preferences.

Prediction of Necrotizing Pancreatitis on Early CT Based on the Revised Atlanta Classification

Purpose@#To investigate the clinical and CT features at admission to predict the progression to necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) in patients initially diagnosed with interstitial edematous pancreatitis (IEP). @*Materials and Methods@#Patients with IEP who underwent contrast-enhanced CT at admission and follow-up CT (< 14 days) were included (n = 178). Two radiologists performed a consensus review of follow-up CT scans and diagnosed the type of acute pancreatitis as IEP or NP. Laboratory findings at admission were recorded. Clinical, CT, and laboratory findings were compared between the IEP-IEP group and IEP-NP group using the chi-square test and the t-test. Multivariate analysis was also performed. @*Results@#There were 112 and 66 patients in the IEP-IEP and the IEP-NP groups, respectively. The proportion of patients with alcohol etiology was significantly larger in the IEP-NP group. Among the CT findings, the presence of peripancreatic fluid and heterogeneous parenchymal enhancement were more frequently observed in the IEP-NP group. Among the laboratory variables, serum C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell counts were significantly higher in the IEP-NP group. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of peripancreatic fluid and heterogeneous parenchymal enhancement were significant findings distinguishing the two groups. @*Conclusion@#CT findings, such as the presence of peripancreatic fluid and heterogeneous pancreatic parenchymal enhancement, may be helpful in predicting the progression to NP in patients initially diagnosed with IEP.

Clinical experience of robotic myomectomy for fertility preservation using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging predictor

Objective@#This study aimed to demonstrate the use of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings to select the optimal surgical technique between single-site (SS) and multi-site (MS) robotic myomectomy based on clinical experience, for the preservation of fertility. @*Methods@#Ninety-eight patients who underwent SS or MS robotic myomectomy using the da Vinci® Si system after undergoing MRI were evaluated retrospectively. The correlation between preoperative MRI findings and the intraoperative or postoperative findings during robotic myomectomy for the preservation of fertility was analyzed. The reproductive outcome was investigated when the patient wished to conceive. @*Results@#The mean age of the patients was 35.68±5.04 years and 80 patients (81.6%) were nulliparous. The total diameter of myomas on MRI was 106.75±54.52 mm. The number of resected myomas was 4.31±4.39 (range, 1–27), and the total weight of resected myomas was 293.11±281.13 (range, 30–1,260) g. Myomas with high signal intensity on MRI required less time for resection. MS robotic myomectomy was performed for an increased number and total diameter of a myoma or a deep-seated myoma. Postoperatively, all patients resumed normal menstruation. Of the 15 patients who wished to conceive, 12 (80%) conceived successfully. Of these, uterine dehiscence occurred in 1 patient and 10 patients underwent an uneventful cesarean section. @*Conclusion@#SS or MS robotic myomectomy can be recommended for patients who wish to conserve fertility. However, the optimal surgical technique should be selected based on preoperative MRI findings to predict an effective surgical process and the successful preservation of fertility.

Low-Tube-Voltage CT Urography Using Low-Concentration-Iodine Contrast Media and Iterative Reconstruction: A Multi-Institutional Randomized Controlled Trial for Comparison with Conventional CT Urography

OBJECTIVE: To compare the image quality of low-tube-voltage and low-iodine-concentration-contrast-medium (LVLC) computed tomography urography (CTU) with iterative reconstruction (IR) with that of conventional CTU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, multi-institutional, randomized controlled trial was performed at 16 hospitals using CT scanners from various vendors. Patients were randomly assigned to the following groups: 1) the LVLC-CTU (80 kVp and 240 mgI/mL) with IR group and 2) the conventional CTU (120 kVp and 350 mgI/mL) with filtered-back projection group. The overall diagnostic acceptability, sharpness, and noise were assessed. Additionally, the mean attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and figure of merit (FOM) in the urinary tract were evaluated. RESULTS: The study included 299 patients (LVLC-CTU group: 150 patients; conventional CTU group: 149 patients). The LVLC-CTU group had a significantly lower effective radiation dose (5.73 ± 4.04 vs. 8.43 ± 4.38 mSv) compared to the conventional CTU group. LVLC-CTU showed at least standard diagnostic acceptability (score ≥ 3), but it was non-inferior when compared to conventional CTU. The mean attenuation value, mean SNR, CNR, and FOM in all pre-defined segments of the urinary tract were significantly higher in the LVLC-CTU group than in the conventional CTU group. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic acceptability and quantitative image quality of LVLC-CTU with IR are not inferior to those of conventional CTU. Additionally, LVLC-CTU with IR is beneficial because both radiation exposure and total iodine load are reduced.

Imaging Patterns of Intratumoral Calcification in the Abdominopelvic Cavity

Intratumoral calcification is one of the most noticeable of radiologic findings. It facilitates detection and provides information important for correctly diagnosing tumors. In the abdominopelvic cavity, a wide variety of tumors have calcifications with various imaging features, though the majority of such calcifications are dystrophic in nature. In this article, we classify the imaging patterns of intratumoral calcification according to number, location, and morphology. Then, we describe commonly-encountered abdominopelvic tumors containing typical calcification patterns, focusing on their differentiable characteristics using the imaging patterns of intratumoral calcification.

Validation of the Korean-Version of the Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia (CAINS)

The Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS) was developed to overcome the limitations of existing instruments and reflect the current view of negative symptoms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (K-CAINS). Inpatients (n = 49) and outpatients (n = 70) with schizophrenia were recruited from three institutions. The confirmative factor analysis, test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were assessed. The study group consisted of 71 males (59.7%) and 48 females (40.3%). Their mean age was 42.15 years (SD = 12.2). The K-CAINS was confirmed to be divided into two subscales of 9 items related to "motivation/pleasure" and 4 items related to "expression" in concordance with the original version of the CAINS. The results showed that the K-CAINS had a good inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.84-0.94), test-retest reliability (r = 0.90, P < 0.001). Convergent validity was proven by demonstrating a significant correlation with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) negative subscale, and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Discriminant validity was proven by the lack of a significant correlation with the PANSS positive subscale, the Korean version of the Beck depression inventory (BDI), the Korean version of the Calgary depression scale for schizophrenia (K-CDSS), and the Modified Simpson Angus scale (MSAS). The K-CAINS could be a reliable and valid tool to assess the negative symptoms of Korean schizophrenia patients.

Ultrasonography of ovarian masses using a pattern recognition approach

As a primary imaging modality, ultrasonography (US) can provide diagnostic information for evaluating ovarian masses. Using a pattern recognition approach through gray-scale transvaginal US, ovarian masses can be diagnosed with high specificity and sensitivity. Doppler US may allow ovarian masses to be diagnosed as benign or malignant with even greater confidence. In order to differentiate benign and malignant ovarian masses, it is necessary to categorize ovarian masses into unilocular cyst, unilocular solid cyst, multilocular cyst, multilocular solid cyst, and solid tumor, and then to detect typical US features that demonstrate malignancy based on pattern recognition approach.

Leukemoid Reaction, a Rare Paraneoplastic Syndrome in Urothelial Cell Carcinoma: Is It an Indicator of a Poor Prognosis?

A leukemoid reaction is usually associated with malignancies of the lung, stomach, and thyroid. In contrast, urothelial cell carcinoma is rarely associated with leukemoid reactions, with few cases reported over the past 30 years. Here, we describe a patient with urothelial cell carcinoma who exhibited a leukemoid reaction. The patient had an elevated white blood cell count and experienced a rapid and aggressive clinical course, terminating in death. For urothelial cell carcinoma patients exhibiting a leukemoid reaction, removal of the inciting tumor is the definitive treatment. However, considering the aggressive nature of these tumors, if the patient is unsuitable for radical surgical management, palliative chemotherapy should be considered.

Added Value of Using a CT Coronal Reformation to Diagnose Adnexal Torsion

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the increased value of using coronal reformation of a transverse computed tomography (CT) scan for detecting adnexal torsion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 106 woman suspected of having adnexal torsion who underwent CT with coronal reformations and subsequent surgical exploration. Two readers independently recorded the CT findings, such as the thickening of a fallopian tube, twisting of the adnexal pedicle, eccentric smooth wall thickening of the torsed adnexal mass, eccentric septal thickening of the torsed adnexal mass, eccentric poor enhancement of the torsed adnexal mass, uterine deviation to the twisted side, ascites or infiltration of pelvic fat, and the overall impression of adnexal torsion with a transverse scan alone or combined with coronal reformation and a transverse scan. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs), sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were used to compare diagnostic performance. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were confirmed to have adnexal torsion. The addition of coronal reformations to the transverse scan improved AUCs for readers 1 and 2 from 0.74 and 0.75 to 0.92 and 0.87, respectively, for detecting adnexal torsion (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Sensitivity of CT for detecting twisting of the adnexal pedicle increased significantly for readers 1 and 2 from 0.27 and 0.29 with a transverse scan alone to 0.79 and 0.77 with a combined coronal reformation and a transverse scan, respectively (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Use of a coronal reformation with transverse CT images improves detection of adnexal torsion.

Multidetector Computed Tomography for the Assessment of Adnexal Mass: Is Unenhanced CT Scan Necessary?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance and radiation dose between contrast-enhanced CT (ECT) alone, and combined unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT (UE + ECT) for the assessment of adnexal mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. A total of 146 consecutive patients (mean age, 41.1 years) who underwent preoperative unenhanced and contrast-enhanced multidetector CT of the pelvis and had adnexal masses found at surgery were included. Two readers independently evaluated the likelihood of adnexal malignancy on a 5-point scale on two different imaging datasets (ECT alone and UE + ECT). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate diagnostic performance. Radiation dose to patients was calculated by the volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and the dose length products (DLP) on each dataset. RESULTS: Of the total 178 adnexal masses, 133 masses were benign and 45 masses were malignant. For both readers, there is no significant difference of AUC values between ECT alone and UE + ECT for the detection of adnexal malignancy (reader 1, 0.93 vs. 0.95; reader 2, 0.92 vs. 0.91) (p > 0.05). The mean CTDIvol (12.6 +/- 2.2 mGy) and DLP (641.2 +/- 137.2 mGy) of ECT alone was significantly lower than the mean CTDIvol (21.5 +/- 2.7 mGy) and DLP (923.6 +/- 158.8 mGy) of UE + ECT (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The use of unenhanced CT scan in addition to contrast-enhanced CT scan does not improve the detection of adnexal malignancy, but increases radiation exposure.

Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Intravenous Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography in Korea: A Multi-Institutional Study in 101487 Patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of known risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and their association with the actual occurrence of CIN in patients undergoing intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent CECT in 2008 were identified in the electronic medical records of 16 tertiary hospitals of Korea. Data on demographics, comorbidities, prescriptions and laboratory test results of patients were collected following a standard data extraction protocol. The baseline renal function was assessed using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We identified the prevalence of risk factors along the eGFR strata and evaluated their influence on the incidence of CIN, defined as a 0.5 mg/dL or 25% increase in serum creatinine after CECT. RESULTS: Of 432425 CECT examinations in 272136 patients, 140838 examinations in 101487 patients met the eligibility criteria for analysis. The mean age of the participants was 57.9 +/- 15.5 years; 25.1% of the patients were older than 70 years. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 11.9%, of hypertension 13.7%, of gout 0.55% and of heart failure was 1.7%. Preventive measures were used in 40238 CECT examinations (28.6%). The prevalence of risk factors and use of preventive measures increased as the renal function became worse. A CIN was occurred after 3103 (2.2%) CECT examinations, revealing a significant association with decreased eGFR, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure after adjustment. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for CIN are prevalent among the patients undergoing CECT. Preventive measures were seemingly underutilized and a system is needed to improve preventive care.

Ultrasound of Ovarian Mass

As a primary imaging modality for evaluation of an ovarian mass, ultrasound (US) can provide us with various diagnostic information. Using a pattern recognition approach through gray-scale transvaginal US, diagnosis of an ovarian mass can be made with high specificity and sensitivity and Doppler US may increase the confidence with which a correct diagnosis of benignity or malignancy is made. Although a hemorrhagic corpus luteal cyst, endometrioma, or mature teratoma can be readily characterized on the basis of typical sonographic findings, specific diagnosis of other ovarian masses is difficult based on US alone. In such cases, categorization as a unilocular, unilocular solid, multilocular, multilocular solid, or solid mass and assessment of the solid component in the mass is important for discrimination between benign and malignant masses.

Diagnostic Performance of Gray-scale Sonographic Findings for the Detection of Acute Pyelonephritis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of gray-scale renal sonographic findings for the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis (APN) by using computed tomography as a reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed gray-scale renal sonographic findings of 48 patients for the detection of APN. All patients had clinical symptoms such as fever, flank pain, or dysuria and were confirmed as APN by contrast-enhanced CT. The presence of sonographic findings such as renal swelling, alteration of the parenchymal echogenicity, wall thickening of the renal pelvis, loss of the renal sinus fat echogenicity, and loss of the corticomedullary differentiation were evaluated. We also categorized all patients into mild APN or severe APN groups according to the volume of the morbid renal parenchyma on contrast-enhanced CT, and evaluated the aforementioned sonographic findings between the two groups. RESULTS: Overall diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of gray-scale renal ultrasonography (US) for the detection of APN were 32.5%, 72.0%, and 58.5%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of each sonographic finding were measured for each group. Renal swelling sensitivity and specificity were 33.8% and 70.8% for the mild APN group, but 45.8% and 66.7% for the severe APN group. Sensitivity and specificity for alteration of the parenchymal echogenicity were 41.7% and 79.2% for the mild APN group, but 58.3% and 66.7% for the severe APN group. The sensitivity and specificity for wall thickening of the renal pelvis was 37.5% and 95.8% for the mild APN group, but 50.0% and 95.8% for the severe APN group. The sensitivity and specificity of loss of the renal sinus fat echogenicity were 12.5% and 83.3% for the mild APN group, but 12.5% and 91.7% for the severe APN group. The sensitivity and specificity of the loss of the corticomedullary differentiation were 12.5% and 95.8% for the mild APN group, but 20.8% and 75.0% for the severe APN group. There was no significant difference of gray-scale renal US diagnostic accuracy for the detection of APN between the mild and severe APN groups (56.3%: 58.3%; p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although overall gray-scale renal US has poor sensitivity for the detection of APN, wall thickening of the renal pelvis is the most specific sonographic finding in the both mild and severe APN groups.

Sonographic Finding of Extravaginal Testicular Torsion in a Neonate: A Case Report

Extravaginal testicular torsion is known to be the predominant mechanism of the torsion in fetuses and neonates. In this torsion, twisting of the spermatic cord occurs outside the sac of the tunica vaginalis in the scrotum. Herein, we describe the sonographic findings of an extravaginal testicular torsion in a newborn baby who presented with a hard scrotal mass. Gray-scale ultrasound (US) showed hypoechoic linear striations in the testis with a thick hyperechoic peritesticular rim. Surgical exploration revealed an extravaginally twisted testis.

Determinant of Anal Resting Pressure Gradient in Association With Continence Function

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gradient of resting pressure across the anal canal, which is known to have a role in continence mechanism, has 2 components of determination; pressure and length factor of the anal canal. This study evaluates which factor between them plays more significant role for the determination of the gradient in association with continence function. METHODS: Anal manometric measurements of 69 patients with fecal incontinence and 60 controls were retrospectively reviewed. In addition to resting pressure gradient, typical manometric parameters such as maximum resting pressure, basal resting pressure, length of the anal canal, length of high pressure zone and relative position of highest pressure, which were measured with rapid pull-through technique were all contrasted. RESULTS: Demographics of the 2 groups were similar. Maximum resting pressures of patients with incontinence and controls were 59.1 +/- 28.3, 74.6 +/- 24.0 mmHg (P = 0.001), respectively. Basal resting pressures were 5.7 +/- 6.4 and 7.3 +/- 3.9 mmHg (P = 0.097), lengths of the anal canal were 35.8 +/- 9.1 and 38.1 +/- 8.3 mm (P = 0.133), lengths of high pressure zone were 21.2 +/- 6.7 and 23.3 +/- 6.5 mm (P = 0.091), relative positions of highest pressure were 69.2 +/- 10.6 and 70.1% +/- 14.9% (P = 0.717) and resting pressure gradients were 2.28 +/- 1.08 and 2.74 +/- 1.14 mmHg/mm (P = 0.019), respectively. Difference was significant in maximum resting pressure and resting pressure gradient, but not in length factors such as full length of the anal canal, length of high pressure zone and relative position of highest pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal location of high pressure zone in incontinent patients is not definite and resting pressure gradient of the anal canal depends more on pressure factor than length factor in association with continence function.

Endoscopic Thyroidectomy via Bilateral Axillo- Breast Approach in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the operative feasibility and safety of endoscopic thyroidectomy via bilateral axillo breast approach (BABA) compared to conventional thyroidectomy in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. METHODS: From July 2009 to November 2010, patients underwent BABA endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET group; n=41) or conventional open thyroidectomy (OT group; n=61) for PTC. Clinical and pathologic characteristics of patients, operation time, post-operative complications, cosmetic satisfaction and thyroglobulin (TG) level were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 40.05±9.58 years (range 25~61 years) and 46.21±13.68 years (range 19~79 years) for the ET and OT group, respectively. The operative extent in the ET group did not include advanced thyroid cancer or lateral neck dissection. The size of the tumor was 0.78±0.59 cm (range 0.1~3.00 cm) and 1.54±1.05 cm (range 0.3~6.00 cm) for the ET and OT group, respectively. Extrathyroidal extension and number of retrieved lymph nodes were significantly higher in the OT group. Postoperative radioactive iodine ablation was performed on 25 patients (72.43%) in the ET group and 48 patients (78.69%) in the OT group. There was no abnormal uptake on radioactive iodine scans in the iodine-treated patients and no significant differences in postoperative off-T4 TG levels between the two groups. There were no significant differences in operative time, amount of drainage, postoperative hospitalization period, hypocalcemia, and vocal cord palsy between the two groups. Cosmetic results of ET group were rated as excellent in a 3-month postoperative questionnaire by 25 (72.43%) of 35 patients. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic thyroidectomy via the bilateral axillo breast approach can be a feasible and effective option for PTC in selected cases.

Comparative analysis of summary scoring systems in measuring fecal incontinence / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: For measuring symptoms of fecal incontinence, summary scoring systems are widely used, but rigorous psychometric validation or assessment of such systems in terms of patients' subjective perception has rarely been done to date. This study was designed to assess the correlation between each severity measure and patients' subjective perception or clinicians' clinical assessment. We attempted to compare summary scoring systems of severity measures and searched for which of them showed higher validity among them. METHODS: Consecutive patients who visited our clinic with fecal incontinence were prospectively evaluated. A total of 43 patients were included. Four summary scoring systems were chosen for comparison: the Rothenberger, Wexner, Vaizey and Fecal Incontinence Severity Index systems. They are correlated with subjective perception scores by patients, and also with clinical assessment scores by investigators. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between clinical scores of two investigators (paired t-test, P = 0.988). Inter-observer reliability was 0.95 (Intra-class correlation coefficient, 95% confidence interval 0.91 to 0.98). Significant correlations were proved between patients' subjective perception scores and all the summary scoring systems, and also between the mean clinical scores and all the summary scoring systems. The highest was with the Wexner scale (r = 0.66, P < 0.001) (r = 0.70, P < 0.001), and the lowest was with the Rothenberger scale (r = 0.58, P < 0.001) (r = 0.61, P < 0.001) in both correlations. CONCLUSION: The Wexner scale correlates the most closely with subjective perception of severity of symptoms by patients, and also with clinical assessment by investigators. We recommend the Wexner scale among summary scoring systems as a tool for measuring fecal incontinence.

Comparative analysis of summary scoring systems in measuring fecal incontinence / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: For measuring symptoms of fecal incontinence, summary scoring systems are widely used, but rigorous psychometric validation or assessment of such systems in terms of patients' subjective perception has rarely been done to date. This study was designed to assess the correlation between each severity measure and patients' subjective perception or clinicians' clinical assessment. We attempted to compare summary scoring systems of severity measures and searched for which of them showed higher validity among them. METHODS: Consecutive patients who visited our clinic with fecal incontinence were prospectively evaluated. A total of 43 patients were included. Four summary scoring systems were chosen for comparison: the Rothenberger, Wexner, Vaizey and Fecal Incontinence Severity Index systems. They are correlated with subjective perception scores by patients, and also with clinical assessment scores by investigators. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between clinical scores of two investigators (paired t-test, P = 0.988). Inter-observer reliability was 0.95 (Intra-class correlation coefficient, 95% confidence interval 0.91 to 0.98). Significant correlations were proved between patients' subjective perception scores and all the summary scoring systems, and also between the mean clinical scores and all the summary scoring systems. The highest was with the Wexner scale (r = 0.66, P < 0.001) (r = 0.70, P < 0.001), and the lowest was with the Rothenberger scale (r = 0.58, P < 0.001) (r = 0.61, P < 0.001) in both correlations. CONCLUSION: The Wexner scale correlates the most closely with subjective perception of severity of symptoms by patients, and also with clinical assessment by investigators. We recommend the Wexner scale among summary scoring systems as a tool for measuring fecal incontinence.

Sonographic Findings of Ruptured Endometrioma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristic sonographic findings of ruptured endometrioma in comparison with unruptured endometrioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty nine cases of pathologically proven endometrioma were categorized as the ruptured endometrioma group and the unruptured endometrioma group on the basis of the operation records. The sonographic findings such as locularity, the internal echotexture, the size and the wall thickness of the cyst and the presence of a fluid-fluid level, fibrin strands, a retracting clot and fluid in the pelvic cavity were retrospectively evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, the sonographic finding of a thin wall (odds ratio, 4.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.2-13.8) and a fluid-fluid level (odds ratio, 9.0; 95% confidence interval: 2.4-33.6) were significantly different between the ruptured endometrioma group and the unruptured endometrioma group. Logistic regression analysis showed that a thin wall (odds ratio, 7.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.6-34.4) and a fluid-fluid level (odds ratio, 14.7; 95% confidence interval: 3.1-70.2) were both independent variables significantly associated with unruptured endometrioma. CONCLUSION: The characteristic sonographic findings of ruptured endometrioma are a thin cystic wall and a fluid-fluid level in the cyst, as compared with those of unruptured endometrioma.