Clinical Implication of Air Stacking Exercise in Patients with Neuromuscular Diseases

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the air stacking exercise on maximal insufflation capacity (MIC) and peak cough flow (PCF) in patients with neuromuscular diseases. METHOD: Two hundred twenty nine neuromuscular patients with vital capacity (VC) below 50% of the predicted normal value were initially evaluated for VC, MIC, PCF, and assisted PCF (APCF). After the first evaluation, these patients were instructed to carry out air stacking exercise periodically, and were re-evaluated after one year. RESULTS: Forty seven patients were capable of performing air stacking exercise on regular basis, at least twice a day for one year. Among these patients, MIC increased in 28 patients from 1345.4 ml to 1572.9 ml on average (p<0.05), while it decreased in 19 patients from 1740.0 ml to 1325.3 ml on average (p<0.05). In the increasing MIC group APCF increased from 244.6 L/min to 278.1 L/min (p<0.05). In the decreasing MIC group, every value decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: Air stacking exercise was shown to be capable of increasing MIC and APCF despite the reduction in VC and PCF in patients with neuromuscular diseases.

The Correlation of Lean Body Mass with Muscle Function in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the lean body mass and muscle function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHOD: The subjects were thirty two DMD patients and an age-matched twelve healthy control volunteers. The DMD patients were divided into two groups; ambulatory and non-ambulatory groups. The body composition with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), body mass index (BMI) and functional state of all subjects were measured. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in BMI among all groups. The non-ambulatory DMD group was siginificantly higher in total body fat (%) compared with other two groups (p<0.05). The mean lean body mass (%) for upper extremities did not show the significant difference; however, for lower extremities, there was a significantly lower in DMD groups (p<0.05). These findings were corresponded with low muscle functional state for lower extremities in DMD groups. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between muscle function and the percentage of mean lean body mass. The assessment of lean body mass by DEXA provides more accurate and reliable information about the muscle function in DMD.

Edge-Detect Interpolation For Direct Digital Periapical Images / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

The purpose of this study was to aid in the use of the digital images by edge-detect interpolation for direct digital periapical images using edge-deted interpolation. This study was performed by image processing of 20 digital periapical images; pixel replication, linear non-interpolation, linear interpolation, and edge-sensitive interpolation. The obtained results were as follows ; 1. Pixel replication showed blocking artifact and serious image distortion. 2. Linear interpolation showed smoothing effect on the edge. 3. Edge-sensitive interpolation overcame the smoothing effect on the edge and showed better image.

A Study on the Improvement of Digital Periapical Images using Image Interpolation Methods / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

Image resampling is of particular interest in digital radiology. When resampling an image to a new set of coordinate, there appears blocking artifacts and image changes. To enhance image quality, interpolation algorithms have been used. Resampling is used to increase the number of points in an image to improve its appearance for display. The process of interpolation is fitting a continuous function to the discrete points in the digital image. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the seven interpolation functions when image resampling in digital periapical images. The images were obtained by Digora, CDR and scanning of Ektaspeed plus periapical radiograms on the dry skull and human subject. The subjects were exposed to intraoral X-ray machine at 60kVp and 70 kVp with exposure time varying between 0.01 and 0.50 second. To determine which interpolation method would provide the better image, seven functions were compared ; (1) nearest neighbor (2) linear (3) non-linear (4) facet model (5) cubic convolution (6) cubic spline (7) gray segment expansion. And resampled images were compared in terms of SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio) and MTF(Modulation Transfer Function) coefficient value. The obtained results were as follows ; 1. The highest SNR value(75.96dB) was obtained with cubic convolution method and the lowest SNR value(72.44dB) was obtained with facet model method among seven interpolation methods. 2. There were significant differences of SNR values among CDR, Digora and film scan(p0.05). 4. There were significant differences of MTF coefficient values between linear interpolation method and the other six interpolation methods(p<0.05). 5. The speed of computation time was the fastest with nearest neighbor method and the slowest with non-linear method. 6. The better image was obtained with cubic convolution, cubic spline and gray segment method in ROC analysis. 7. The better sharpness of edge was obtained with gray segment expansion method among seven interpolation methods.

Experimental study of alveolar bone wall defects using direct digital radiography / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

The purpose of this study was to compare E-speed film, CDR, and modified CDR images by means of observing some artificial defects of alveolar bone wall in the sound human dried mandibles. High diagnostic accuracy was shown in 1 wall and 4 wall defects by all 5 observers (2 Radiologists, 2 Periodontists, 1 General practitioner), but the diagnosis in 2 wall and 3 wall defects was inaccurate. Modified CDR images had the more diagnostic accuracy than E-speed film and CDR images, but there was no statistical difference among them. Finally, radiologist used modified CDR images more than others and used equalization effect more than the change in contrast and/or brightness.

A computerized tomographic study on the location of the mandibular canal and the cortical thickness of the mandible / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

The location of the mandibular canal and the cortical thickness of the mandible is important in the practice of de ntistry. This study was preformed on twenty chosen dry mandibles, which were of adults and included fully erupted premol ars and molars. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the location of the mandibular canal and the cortical thikness of the mandi ble on computed tomograms and to aid in the surgical treatment plans. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The horizontal distance between the mandibular canal and the buccal external border was 6.6+/-0.9mm on S0( mesial root of the first molar), and it was increased posteriorly. The horizontal distance between the mandibular canal and the lingual external border was 4.1+/-1.1mm on S0, and it was decreased posteriorly. 2. The vertical distance between the alveolar crest and the mandibular canal was 16.9+/-1.6mm on S0, and it w as decreased posteriorly. The vertical distance between the inferior border of mandible and mandibular canal was 8.8+/-1. 3mm on S0. and it was increased anteriorly and posteriorly. 3. The thickness of the buccal cortical plate was 2.2+/-0.4mm on S0. and it was increased posteriorly. But, t hat of the lingual cortical palte was 2.0+/-0.6mm on S0. and it was decreased posteriorly. 4. The area of the buccal cortical plate was 66.5+/-1.0mm2 on S0. and it was increased posteriorly . But, that of the lingual cortical plate was 65.8+/-0.9mm2 on S0 and it was decreased posteriorly.

A computerized tomographic study on the location of the mandibular canal and the cortical thickness of the mandible / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

The location of the mandibular canal and the cortical thickness of the mandible is important in the practice of de ntistry. This study was preformed on twenty chosen dry mandibles, which were of adults and included fully erupted premol ars and molars. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the location of the mandibular canal and the cortical thikness of the mandi ble on computed tomograms and to aid in the surgical treatment plans. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The horizontal distance between the mandibular canal and the buccal external border was 6.6+/-0.9mm on S0( mesial root of the first molar), and it was increased posteriorly. The horizontal distance between the mandibular canal and the lingual external border was 4.1+/-1.1mm on S0, and it was decreased posteriorly. 2. The vertical distance between the alveolar crest and the mandibular canal was 16.9+/-1.6mm on S0, and it w as decreased posteriorly. The vertical distance between the inferior border of mandible and mandibular canal was 8.8+/-1. 3mm on S0. and it was increased anteriorly and posteriorly. 3. The thickness of the buccal cortical plate was 2.2+/-0.4mm on S0. and it was increased posteriorly. But, t hat of the lingual cortical palte was 2.0+/-0.6mm on S0. and it was decreased posteriorly. 4. The area of the buccal cortical plate was 66.5+/-1.0mm2 on S0. and it was increased posteriorly . But, that of the lingual cortical plate was 65.8+/-0.9mm2 on S0 and it was decreased posteriorly.