To evaluate the efficacy of STIR (short tau inversio recovery) image in the diagnosis of orbital diseases, we compared the STIR images with conventional SE(spin-echo) images in 17 patients. The fat signal was reliably nulled at inversion time of approximately 160-170 msec in all cases. We analyzed all the cases in the aspects of the detection of lesion and the lesion-to-back ground contrast retrospectively. Regarding lesion, the detection rates of STIR, T1 and T2-weighted images were 89, 88 and 83% respectively. In the aspect of lesion-to-background contrast, the contrast ratios of STIR and T1, T2-weighted image were 87% and 64, 56%, respectively. In conclusion, STIR images were similar to T1-and T2-weighted images in the detection of lesion, but superior in the aspect of lesion-to-background contrast. So the STIR images may be a useful adjunct to conventional SE images for the diagnosis of orbital disease.
Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Orbit* ; Orbital Diseases* ; Retrospective Studies

n in 93 of the 112 tumors (83.0%), with pure cystic masses (types I-III) accounted for the remaining 19 tumors (17.1 %). Of the 112 tumors, 68 (67.1%) showed posterior sonic shadowing which was demonstrated only in the hyperechoic area of types IV-VI. CONCLUSION: Any adnexal masses representing a hyperechoic area within a cyst, solid and cystic tumors containing hyperechogenicity or diffusely hyperechoic mass, especially when accompanied by posterior sonic shadowing, should be suspected as indicative of mature cystic teratoma.
Diagnosis* ; Female ; Ovary* ; Shadowing (Histology) ; Teratoma*

Objectives: Osteoporosis medications are widely available in South Korea, and well reimbursed by the Government Health Insurance; however, some expensive drugs are not reimbursed. The prescription of anti-osteoporosis drugs (AODs) are increasing for the elderly and for postmenopausal women. We investigate the secular trends of AODs in South Korea. Methods: We used the Intercontinental Medical Statistics Health Sales Audit between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2018. We analyzed the total sales costs and market share of AODs including bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonins, and denosumab using the number of days of therapy (DOT). Changes of prescription patterns including original versus generic drugs, vitamin D combination, and types of medical institutions were also analyzed. Results: Bisphosphonates were the most frequently used drug during the study period although its DOT declined from 92.5% in 2008 to 80.0% in 2018. SERMs were the second-most used medication, and has maintained around 13% since 2015. The proportion of calcitonins has decreased since 2011, mainly due to malignancy risk. In contrast, the DOT of PTH and denosumab increased to 0.8% and 4.7% in 2018, respectively. The use of generics, vitamin D combination, and intravenous bisphosphonates has been increasing throughout the study period. Conclusions Prescription patterns using DOT are changing probably due to the increase in older adult patients and severely osteoporotic patients. There are other issues including safety and the launching of new drugs.

Objectives: Osteoporosis medications are widely available in South Korea, and well reimbursed by the Government Health Insurance; however, some expensive drugs are not reimbursed. The prescription of anti-osteoporosis drugs (AODs) are increasing for the elderly and for postmenopausal women. We investigate the secular trends of AODs in South Korea. Methods: We used the Intercontinental Medical Statistics Health Sales Audit between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2018. We analyzed the total sales costs and market share of AODs including bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonins, and denosumab using the number of days of therapy (DOT). Changes of prescription patterns including original versus generic drugs, vitamin D combination, and types of medical institutions were also analyzed. Results: Bisphosphonates were the most frequently used drug during the study period although its DOT declined from 92.5% in 2008 to 80.0% in 2018. SERMs were the second-most used medication, and has maintained around 13% since 2015. The proportion of calcitonins has decreased since 2011, mainly due to malignancy risk. In contrast, the DOT of PTH and denosumab increased to 0.8% and 4.7% in 2018, respectively. The use of generics, vitamin D combination, and intravenous bisphosphonates has been increasing throughout the study period. Conclusions Prescription patterns using DOT are changing probably due to the increase in older adult patients and severely osteoporotic patients. There are other issues including safety and the launching of new drugs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a mammography boot camp (MBC) to improve radiologists' performance in interpreting mammograms in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January and July of 2013, 141 radiologists were invited to a 3-day educational program composed of lectures and group practice readings using 250 digital mammography cases. The radiologists' performance in interpreting mammograms were evaluated using a pre- and post-camp test set of 25 cases validated prior to the camp by experienced breast radiologists. Factors affecting the radiologists' performance, including age, type of attending institution, and type of test set cases, were analyzed. RESULTS: The average scores of the pre- and post-camp tests were 56.0 +/- 12.2 and 78.3 +/- 9.2, respectively (p < 0.001). The post-camp test scores were higher than the pre-camp test scores for all age groups and all types of attending institutions (p < 0.001). The rate of incorrect answers in the post-camp test decreased compared to the pre-camp test for all suspicious cases, but not for negative cases (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The MBC improves radiologists' performance in interpreting mammograms irrespective of age and type of attending institution. Improved interpretation is observed for suspicious cases, but not for negative cases.
Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms/*radiography ; Education, Medical, Continuing/*standards ; Education, Professional, Retraining ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; *Mammography ; Middle Aged

Aspirin-intolerant chronic urticaria (AICU) is a common condition among the chronic urticaria population, but the genetic mechanism is not yet understood. In this study, the genotypes and haplotypes of three interleukin (IL)-13 polymorphisms, -1510 A>C, -1055C>T, and Arg110Gln (110G>A), as well as their respective clinical phenotypes were examined to determine whether genetic variants of IL-13 play a role in AICU. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was used to compare IL-13 genotype and allele frequencies among 135 patients with AICU, 146 with aspirin-tolerant chronic urticaria (ATCU), and 430 normal controls (NC). Relationships among the AICU phenotype, atopy, and total IgE level were also investigated. The results failed to show a significant difference in the allele or genotype frequencies between the AICU group and either the ATCU or NC group (P>0.05, respectively). Haplotype analysis confirmed that there was no significant difference among the three study groups (P>0.05), nor was there a significant difference in atopy or total IgE level according to the three genetic polymorphisms (P>0.05, respectively). Our data lead to the conclusion that there is no evidence supporting genetic polymorphisms in IL-13 as a genetic risk factor for the development of AICU.
Alleles ; Aspirin ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Interleukin-13 ; Interleukins ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors ; Urticaria