Diagnosis of Inner Ear Malformations by Computed Tomography Measurements / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to achieve the normative measurements of inner ear structures on temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT) and, by using these data, diagnose the malformations of severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) ear accurately. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: For the normative data of the inner ear structures, the TBCT of 60 patients (120 ears) with normal bone-conduction threshold (<15 dB) were used and the data were applied to 570 ears of 285 cochlear implantees with severe to profound SNHL. Six identifiable inner ear structures (cochlea, vestibule, superior semicircular canal, lateral semicircular canal, posterior semicircular canal, and internal auditory canal) were measured in numerically designated areas by picture archiving and communications system. The inner ear anomalies were defined when the structures presented visually obvious malformations or when the measurements deviated 2 standard deviations (SD) from the means in the normative data. RESULTS: We achieved the mean and SD values from the normal bone-conduction group. A total of 293 anomalies were detected in 127 of the 570 (22.3%) profound SNHL ears. An enlarged vestibular aqueduct was the most common individual anomaly (49 cases), followed by vestibular enlargement (38 cases), other semicircular canal dysplasia (37 cases), and shortened cochlea (34 cases). CONCLUSION: We suggested a measurement technique for the inner ear structures using TBCT and derived normative measurements helpful for diagnosing inner ear anomalies. Quantitative measurements of the cochlea may improve the detection of cochlear hypoplasia and SCC dysplasia from relying on simple visual inspection.

Transmission of DICOM 3.0 type MR data to the personal computer in the hospital without PACS

PURPOSE: To transmit DICOM data to a personal computer in the hospital without PACS, and estimate theusefulness of digital image management and its convenience for physicians through transmitted file size,transmission time and quality of transmitted images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The raw data of three brain MRI andlumbar spine MRI were transmitted from an MR system to a personal computer via Ethernet TCP/IP connection. Thefile size and transmission time of transmitted images were measured according to the matrix number. Threeboard-certified radiologists compared the image quality of the transmitted and scanned images. RESULTS: Thetransmission of DICOM data to the personal computer was successful and the transmitted images and their headerinformation were displayed by various personal computer-based DICOM viewing programs. The file size andtransmission time of the 256 and 512 matrix images were 136 Kbyte, 2.17 seconds/slice and 520 Kbyte, 4.37seconds/slice, respectively. All radiologists regarded the transmitted brain MRI images as superior. Oneradiologist considered the transmitted lumbar spine MRI images superior, while others decided that the quality oftransmitted and scanned images was the same. CONCLUSION: The transmission of DICOM format image data to apersonal computer through an appropriate DICOM receiving program is useful for managing digital images andconvenient for physicians in the hospital without PACS.

Application of Radio Frequency Identification Technology in Treatment of Wounded Person / 医疗卫生装备

The effect and safety of radio frequency identification in the treatment of the wounded person are investigated.The application of the technology is valid in improving the effectiveness of the emergency communication system with a rapid and precise information acquisition.Radio frequency identification technology used in case of emergency makes the treatment available in the shortest time,and the mortality is reduced thereby.