Association Between IQ and Brain Susceptibility in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping Study

Purpose@#Although previous studies have found an association between brain iron levels and brain function, few have explored this relationship in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Thus, we aimed to determine the association between quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM)-derived magnetic susceptibility values (MSVs) and brain function in children with ASD. @*Materials and Methods@#The study included children with ASD who underwent both a brain magnetic resonance imaging with QSM and the Wechsler intelligence scale for children intelligence quotient (IQ) test. Select subcortical brain regions (caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, and thalamus; both right and left) were automatically segmented, and the MSVs were extracted from the QSM. The IQ score parameters (verbal comprehension, working memory, perceptual organization, and processing speed indices, and full-scale IQ) were measured. Correlation analysis was used to assess the association between age and IQ test parameters and between age and MSV. Linear regression analysis was performed to measure the relationship between the MSV and IQ test parameters. @*Results@#A total of 23 children with ASD (median age [interquartile range]: 10 [8–14] years; 12 males) were included. Age was not correlated with any of the IQ test parameters (p > 0.05). There was a significant correlation between age and right-thalamus MSV (r = 0.443, p = 0.03); however, no such correlation was found with the MSVs of other regions (p > 0.05). Among the IQ test parameters, the verbal comprehension index significantly correlated with the left-caudate MSV (r = 0.420, p = 0.046) and the perceptual organization index significantly correlated with the right-globus-pallidus MSV (r = 0.414, p = 0.049). @*Conclusion@#Select subcortical MSVs were associated with IQ test parameters in children with ASD, suggesting that QSM is a potential neurodevelopmental marker.

Establishment of Local Diagnostic Reference Levels of Pediatric Abdominopelvic and Chest CT Examinations Based on the Body Weight and Size in Korea

Objective@#The purposes of this study were to analyze the radiation doses for pediatric abdominopelvic and chest CT examinations from university hospitals in Korea and to establish the local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) based on the body weight and size. @*Materials and Methods@#At seven university hospitals in Korea, 2494 CT examinations of patients aged 15 years or younger (1625 abdominopelvic and 869 chest CT examinations) between January and December 2017 were analyzed in this study. CT scans were transferred to commercial automated dose management software for the analysis after being de-identified. DRLs were calculated after grouping the patients according to the body weight and effective diameter. DRLs were set at the 75th percentile of the distribution of each institution’s typical values. @*Results@#For body weights of 5, 15, 30, 50, and 80 kg, DRLs (volume CT dose index [CTDIvol]) were 1.4, 2.2, 2.7, 4.0, and 4.7 mGy, respectively, for abdominopelvic CT and 1.2, 1.5, 2.3, 3.7, and 5.8 mGy, respectively, for chest CT. For effective diameters of 24 cm, DRLs (size-specific dose estimates [SSDE]) were 4.1, 5.0, 5.7, 7.1, and 7.2 mGy, respectively, for abdominopelvic CT and 2.8, 4.6, 4.3, 5.3, and 7.5 mGy, respectively, for chest CT.SSDE was greater than CTDIvol in all age groups. Overall, the local DRL was lower than DRLs in previously conducted dose surveys and other countries. @*Conclusion@#Our study set local DRLs in pediatric abdominopelvic and chest CT examinations for the body weight and size.Further research involving more facilities and CT examinations is required to develop national DRLs and update the current DRLs.

Establishment of Local Diagnostic Reference Levels of Pediatric Abdominopelvic and Chest CT Examinations Based on the Body Weight and Size in Korea

Objective@#The purposes of this study were to analyze the radiation doses for pediatric abdominopelvic and chest CT examinations from university hospitals in Korea and to establish the local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) based on the body weight and size. @*Materials and Methods@#At seven university hospitals in Korea, 2494 CT examinations of patients aged 15 years or younger (1625 abdominopelvic and 869 chest CT examinations) between January and December 2017 were analyzed in this study. CT scans were transferred to commercial automated dose management software for the analysis after being de-identified. DRLs were calculated after grouping the patients according to the body weight and effective diameter. DRLs were set at the 75th percentile of the distribution of each institution’s typical values. @*Results@#For body weights of 5, 15, 30, 50, and 80 kg, DRLs (volume CT dose index [CTDIvol]) were 1.4, 2.2, 2.7, 4.0, and 4.7 mGy, respectively, for abdominopelvic CT and 1.2, 1.5, 2.3, 3.7, and 5.8 mGy, respectively, for chest CT. For effective diameters of 24 cm, DRLs (size-specific dose estimates [SSDE]) were 4.1, 5.0, 5.7, 7.1, and 7.2 mGy, respectively, for abdominopelvic CT and 2.8, 4.6, 4.3, 5.3, and 7.5 mGy, respectively, for chest CT.SSDE was greater than CTDIvol in all age groups. Overall, the local DRL was lower than DRLs in previously conducted dose surveys and other countries. @*Conclusion@#Our study set local DRLs in pediatric abdominopelvic and chest CT examinations for the body weight and size.Further research involving more facilities and CT examinations is required to develop national DRLs and update the current DRLs.

Atypical Presentation of Chronic Granulomatous Disease in a Neonate with a Pulmonary Granuloma Mimicking a Tumor: A Case Report

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an uncommon primary immune deficiency caused by phagocytes defective in oxygen metabolite production. It results in recurrent bacterial or fungal infections. Herein, we present a case of CGD with a large pulmonary granuloma in a neonate and review the imaging findings. The patient was a 24-day-old neonate admitted to the hospital with fever. A round opacified lesion was identified on the chest radiograph. Subsequent CT and MRI revealed a round mass with heterogeneous enhancement in the right lower lobe. There were foci of diffusion restriction in the mass. Surgical biopsy of the mass revealed chronic granuloma. Finally, the neonate was diagnosed with CGD caused by mutation of the gp91phox gene. Herein, we present the clinical and imaging findings of this unusual case of CGD.

High Body Mass Index and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Levels Do Not Affect Thyroid Nodule Selection for Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy after Ultrasound Evaluation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was to evaluate whether high body mass index (BMI) or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level would affect selecting thyroid nodule for fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) after ultrasound (US) evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3155 thyroid nodules (2159 benign and 996 malignant nodules) were included. Four grades of BMI and three levels of TSH were applied for grouping. US features of the thyroid nodules were divided into ‘probably benign’ and ‘suspicious for malignancy’ categories. Patients were grouped according to gender and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to find the association between variables and malignancy. RESULTS: TSH levels were significantly higher in the malignant group (p<0.001). The grades of BMI did not show difference between the malignant and benign groups (females, p=0.074 and males, p=0.157). Younger age and ‘suspicious for malignancy’ US category were independent risk factors for malignancy in both genders. In females, a high TSH level (odds ratio=1.010, p<0.001) had significant association with malignancy. Except for younger age (odds ratio=0.998, p<0.001), no variable in nodules with ‘probably benign’ US category was significantly associated with malignancy. CONCLUSION: High TSH levels were more frequent in thyroid malignancy group, but neither high BMI nor high TSH level give additional information for FNA selection after US.

Septic pulmonary embolism resulting from soft tissue infection in a 5-year-old child

Septic pulmonary embolism occurs when septic material becomes detached from its origin and infiltrates into the pulmonary parenchyma causing significant clinical symptoms. It is uncommon in children and mostly related to intravascular catheterization, endocarditis, pelvic thrombophlebitis, and soft tissue infection. We report a case of a 5-year-old boy who experienced septic pulmonary embolism originating from a left shoulder abscess after traumatic injury. Magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder revealed a multifocal subcutaneous and intramuscular abscess with septic arthritis. The initial chest radiograph showed suspicious pneumonic infiltration with nodular opacities. A percutaneous catheter was inserted to drain the shoulder abscess, and cefazedone, a first-generation cephalosporin, was administered intravenously. Two days later, a chest radiograph taken for the follow-up of the initial pneumonic infiltration with nodular opacities demonstrated aggravation of multifocal nodular lesions in bilateral lung fields, with one of the nodular cavities containing an air-fluid level. Despite the absence of significant respiratory symptoms, chest computed tomography showed multifocal necrotic nodules and cavity lesions with feeding vessel signs dominantly in the left lower lung field, which is characteristic of septic pulmonary embolism. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the shoulder abscess, whereas repeated blood and sputum cultures did not reveal any bacterial growth. With resolution of clinical symptoms as well as the finding of chest computed tomography, the patient was discharged 18 days after admission in a stable condition. Regression of the multifocal pulmonary nodular lesions was noticed on the subsequent chest imaging studies performed 45 days after the treatment.

A Case of Giant Hydronephrosis Hidden by Obesity in an 11-year-old Boy

Giant hydronephrosis (GH) is a rare urological entity and usually presents with more than a liter of fluid in the collecting system. It may mimic a progressive and benign abdominal cystic tumor. We report a case of GH in an 11-year-old obese boy who presented with abdominal distension and dyspnea on exercise. Hydronephrosis was caused by ureteropelvic junction obstruction, with 2,300 mL of fluid in the collecting system. Diagnostic and therapeutic features of this case are discussed, with reference to current literature.

A Case of Giant Hydronephrosis Hidden by Obesity in an 11-year-old Boy

Giant hydronephrosis (GH) is a rare urological entity and usually presents with more than a liter of fluid in the collecting system. It may mimic a progressive and benign abdominal cystic tumor. We report a case of GH in an 11-year-old obese boy who presented with abdominal distension and dyspnea on exercise. Hydronephrosis was caused by ureteropelvic junction obstruction, with 2,300 mL of fluid in the collecting system. Diagnostic and therapeutic features of this case are discussed, with reference to current literature.

The comparative study of resonance disorders for Vietnamese and Korean cleft palate speakers using nasometer / 대한악안면성형재건외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Nasalance is used to evaluate the velopharyngeal incompetence in clinical diagnoses using a nasometer. The aim of this study is to find the nasalance differences between Vietnamese cleft palate children and Korean cleft palate children by measuring the nasalance of five oral vowels. METHODS: Ten Vietnamese cleft palate children after surgery, three Vietnamese children for the control group, and ten Korean cleft palate children after surgery with the same age participated in this experimentation. Instead of Korean control, the standard value of Korean version of the simplified nasometric assessment procedures (kSNAP) was used. RESULT: The results are as follows: (1) the highest nasalance score among the Vietnamese normal vowels is the low vowel /a/; however, that of Korean normal vowels is the high vowel /i/. (2) The average nasalance score of Korean cleft palate vowels is 18% higher than that of Vietnamese cleft palate vowels. There was a nasalance score of over 45% among the vowels /e/ and /i/ in Vietnamese cleft palate patients and /i/, /o/, and /u/ in Korean cleft palate patients. CONCLUSION: These different nasalance scores of the same vowels seem to cause an ethnic difference between Vietnamese and Korean cleft palate children.

Inflammatory Hepatic Adenoma / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Quantitative Analysis of the Effect of Iterative Reconstruction Using a Phantom: Determining the Appropriate Blending Percentage

PURPOSE: To investigate the optimal blending percentage of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) in a reduced radiation dose while preserving a degree of image quality and texture that is similar to that of standard-dose computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT performance phantom was scanned with standard and dose reduction protocols including reduced mAs or kVp. Image quality parameters including noise, spatial, and low-contrast resolution, as well as image texture, were quantitatively evaluated after applying various blending percentages of ASIR. The optimal blending percentage of ASIR that preserved image quality and texture compared to standard dose CT was investigated in each radiation dose reduction protocol. RESULTS: As the percentage of ASIR increased, noise and spatial-resolution decreased, whereas low-contrast resolution increased. In the texture analysis, an increasing percentage of ASIR resulted in an increase of angular second moment, inverse difference moment, and correlation and in a decrease of contrast and entropy. The 20% and 40% dose reduction protocols with 20% and 40% ASIR blending, respectively, resulted in an optimal quality of images with preservation of the image texture. CONCLUSION: Blending the 40% ASIR to the 40% reduced tube-current product can maximize radiation dose reduction and preserve adequate image quality and texture.

Pathologic Spectrum of Lymphocytic Infiltration and Recurrence of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients according to different pathologic grades of lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 144 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with radioactive iodine remnant ablation therapy. Pathologic grades of LT were separated at two points, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) and Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). Patients were divided into two groupings according to the presence of the diseases (Grouping 1; patients with CLT or HT and without CLT or HT, Grouping 2; patients with HT and without HT). The groupings were compared according to recurrence, clinicopathologic and ultrasound (US) characteristics, and disease free survival. RESULTS: Of 144 patients, 41 had CLT and 19 had HT. There were 10 patients (6.9%) with tumor recurrence. In both groupings, the presence of calcification was more frequently associated with patients with LT (p=0.041 and 0.047, respectively). In Grouping 2, the mean age at diagnosis was older in patients without HT compared to patients with HT (p=0.032). On multivariate analysis, the presence of LT was not an independent predictor of recurrence in both groupings. For both groupings, pathologic tumor size and taller than wide shape on US were independent predictors of recurrence. The presence of LT in PTC patients did not affect recurrence. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between PTC prognosis and different grades of LT. Pathologic tumor size and taller than wide shape on ultrasound were independent predictors of PTC recurrence regardless of concurrent LT.

Pathologic Spectrum of Lymphocytic Infiltration and Recurrence of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients according to different pathologic grades of lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 144 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with radioactive iodine remnant ablation therapy. Pathologic grades of LT were separated at two points, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) and Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). Patients were divided into two groupings according to the presence of the diseases (Grouping 1; patients with CLT or HT and without CLT or HT, Grouping 2; patients with HT and without HT). The groupings were compared according to recurrence, clinicopathologic and ultrasound (US) characteristics, and disease free survival. RESULTS: Of 144 patients, 41 had CLT and 19 had HT. There were 10 patients (6.9%) with tumor recurrence. In both groupings, the presence of calcification was more frequently associated with patients with LT (p=0.041 and 0.047, respectively). In Grouping 2, the mean age at diagnosis was older in patients without HT compared to patients with HT (p=0.032). On multivariate analysis, the presence of LT was not an independent predictor of recurrence in both groupings. For both groupings, pathologic tumor size and taller than wide shape on US were independent predictors of recurrence. The presence of LT in PTC patients did not affect recurrence. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between PTC prognosis and different grades of LT. Pathologic tumor size and taller than wide shape on ultrasound were independent predictors of PTC recurrence regardless of concurrent LT.

Imaging Findings of Renal Cell Carcinoma Associated with Xp11.2 Translocation/TFE3 Gene Fusion in a 4-Year-Old Male: Case Report and Review of Literature

We represent a pathologically proven case of a four-year-old male patient with renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocation/TFE3 gene fusion, which is rare but more frequent in children or young adults. Computed tomography showed about 2.5 cm size ill-defined mass in the right kidney. The mass was hyperechoic on ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a mass with capsular enhancement and diffusion restriction. We present a case of Xp11.2 renal cell carcinoma and provide review of the literature.

Papillary Carcinoma Arising from the Pyramidal Lobe of the Thyroid

The authors present a rare case of papillary carcinoma arising from the pyramidal lobe of the thyroid in a 54-year-old woman, who presented with a right submental palpable mass. An ultrasound evaluation depicted a 3 cm mixed echoic mass from the thyroid cartilage level without a focal lesion in the thyroid gland. Surgical specimens obtained during bilateral thyroidectomy confirmed papillary carcinoma of the pyramidal lobe. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report to describe papillary carcinoma arising from the pyramidal lobe of the thyroid gland.

Voice Onset Time Variations of Korean Stop Consonants in Aphasic Speakers

OBJECTIVE: To compare the voice onset time (VOT) differences of Korean stops in the initial and intervocalic positions between the aphasic patients with peculiarities of aspiration and a control group. METHOD: We examined 15 aphasic patients (nine males, six females) who had suffered a stroke (average age 49.7 years) and 15 healthy controls (average age 47.4 years). An aphasia examination was made by an aphasia battery of three standard tests and VOT was analyzed instrumentally. Stop consonants in the initial and intervocalic position were measured to categorize them according to aphasia types, place of articulation, and manner of articulation. RESULTS: VOT of the aphasic patients with peculiarities of aspiration had a greater difference than that of the controls, indicating that the temporal non-coordination between the laryngeal adjustment and oral articulators of aphasic patients happens due to the VOT of stops in the initial and intervocalic positions (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: VOT of stop consonants in the initial position produced by aphasic patients tends to be proportional to their breathing. It can cause glottal width and make aphasic patients' VOT duration longer. Lastly, the method to measure the VOT of aphasic patients is more significant for the types of phonation than for the places of articulation, and makes it possible to induce abnormal VOT.

Korean speech sound development in children from bilingual Japanese-Korean environments / 소아과

PURPOSE: This study investigates Korean speech sound development, including articulatory error patterns, among the Japanese-Korean children whose mothers are Japanese immigrants to Korea. METHODS: The subjects were 28 Japanese-Korean children with normal development born to Japanese women immigrants who lived in Jeonbuk province, Korea. They were assessed through Computerized Speech Lab 4500. The control group consisted of 15 Korean children who lived in the same area. RESULTS: The values of the voice onset time of consonants /p(h)/, /t/, /t(h)/, and /k*/ among the children were prolonged. The children replaced the lenis sounds with aspirated or fortis sounds rather than replacing the fortis sounds with lenis or aspirated sounds, which are typical among Japanese immigrants. The children showed numerous articulatory errors for /c/ and /l/ sounds (similar to Koreans) rather than errors on /p/ sounds, which are more frequent among Japanese immigrants. The vowel formants of the children showed a significantly prolonged vowel /o/ as compared to that of Korean children (P<0.05). The Japanese immigrants and their children showed a similar substitution /n/ for // [Japanese immigrants (62.5%) vs Japanese-Korean children (14.3%)], which is rarely seen among Koreans. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that Korean speech sound development among Japanese-Korean children is influenced not only by the Korean language environment but also by their maternal language. Therefore, appropriate language education programs may be warranted not only or immigrant women but also for their children.

Korean speech sound development in children from bilingual Japanese-Korean environments / 소아과

PURPOSE: This study investigates Korean speech sound development, including articulatory error patterns, among the Japanese-Korean children whose mothers are Japanese immigrants to Korea. METHODS: The subjects were 28 Japanese-Korean children with normal development born to Japanese women immigrants who lived in Jeonbuk province, Korea. They were assessed through Computerized Speech Lab 4500. The control group consisted of 15 Korean children who lived in the same area. RESULTS: The values of the voice onset time of consonants /p(h)/, /t/, /t(h)/, and /k*/ among the children were prolonged. The children replaced the lenis sounds with aspirated or fortis sounds rather than replacing the fortis sounds with lenis or aspirated sounds, which are typical among Japanese immigrants. The children showed numerous articulatory errors for /c/ and /l/ sounds (similar to Koreans) rather than errors on /p/ sounds, which are more frequent among Japanese immigrants. The vowel formants of the children showed a significantly prolonged vowel /o/ as compared to that of Korean children (P<0.05). The Japanese immigrants and their children showed a similar substitution /n/ for // [Japanese immigrants (62.5%) vs Japanese-Korean children (14.3%)], which is rarely seen among Koreans. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that Korean speech sound development among Japanese-Korean children is influenced not only by the Korean language environment but also by their maternal language. Therefore, appropriate language education programs may be warranted not only or immigrant women but also for their children.

The validity and Reliability on Korean Version of Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory: Cross-Cultural Comparisons / 대한간질학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was 1) to confirm the reliability and validity of a Korean version of Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (K-WPSI), 2) to investigate the psychosocial functioning of epilepsy patients from Korea, and 3) to compare with other countries. METHODS: The subjects were 302 patients with epilepsy (above 18years). They completed K-WPSI of 132 items including 11 subscales:family background, emotional adjustment, interpersonal adjustment, adjustment to seizures, medical management, overall psychological functioning, Blank, Lie and Rare. We assessed internal consistency, item-subscale correlations, and split-half reliability. Construct validity was assessed by correlating scales of Psychosocial Rating Sheet and K-WPSI. K-WPSI profiles were compared with those from the West Germany, Finland, Canada, the United States, Chile, Dutch, and Japan. RESULTS: The internal consistency estimated by cronbach's alpha coefficient was .934 and split-half reliability coefficient was .876 for adequate reliability (p<.01). Each of subscales in the K-WPSI were high correlated with theoretically similar scales but correlation between theoretically dissimilar subscales was not high. And K-WPSI subscales were significantly related to the PRS subscales. It showed that the Korea epilepsy patients had serious problems in emotional, interpersonal, vocational adjustment, financial status, adjustment to seizure, and overall psycho-social functioning. Comparing the outcomes of various countries, epilepsy patients from Korea and chile had the most serious problem in most areas of psychosocial functioning. CONCLUSIONS: K-WPSI could be a useful test in Korea for reliable determination of the various psychosocial problems of epilepsy patients but modifications of the limitation of the Lie scale may be needed. Comparing the results of other countries, Korea epilepsy patients have been experienced serious psychosocial problem. To solve this problem, social policy and medical and emotional supportive system for persons with epilepsy should need to be established.

Reorganization of Cortical Language Areas in Patients with Aphasia: A Functional MRI Study

The purpose of this study is to delineate the pattern of reorganization of cortical language areas using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) after rehabilitation therapy in patients with aphasia. Six right-handed aphasic patients were investigated. Causes of aphasia were intracerebral hemorrhages of the left basal ganglia in 3 patients, cerebral infarction of the left MCA in 2, and surgical resection of the frontotemporal lobes to control intractable epilepsy in 1. An auditory sentence completion task was used to activate brain language areas during the fMRI. Three patients with left frontal lesions showed activation in the right inferior frontal lobes while performing language tasks, whereas the other 3, whose lesions located at subcortical areas, showed activation in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobes. Our results demonstrated the differences in interhemispheric reorganization of the language network depending on the location of the lesion in aphasic patients. While the patients with subcortical lesion showed tendency of bilateral frontal activation, those with cortical lesion showed activation of the right frontal lobe.