No abstract available.
Polyps*

Objective: This study evaluated the deep learning (DL) algorithm performance to detect lesions that suggest pneumonia in chest X-rays (CXR) of suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients who visited a screening clinic in Daegu, and were suspected to be afflicted with the COVID-19 during the COVID-19 epidemic. CXR were analyzed using the commercial artificial intelligence product that provides free online DL algorithms to the public for COVID-19. Computerized tomography was used as the standard reference. Performance of the DL algorithm was evaluated by the sensitivity and specificity, and results were compared to the CXR records of emergency physicians (EP) in charge of the actual screening triage clinic during the COVID-19 epidemic. Results: Totally, 114 patients were evaluated, of which 38 patients were positive for COVID-19. In 85 CXRs examined (36 COVID-19 and 49 non-COVID-19) with findings of pneumonia in computerized tomography, the DL algorithm showed significantly higher sensitivity as compared to the EP (DL, 98.8% [93.6%-99.9%] vs. EP, 85.9% [76.6%-92.5%]; P<0.01). Moreover, the DL algorithm showed significantly higher sensitivity for detecting CXRs with COVID-19 pneumonia, as compared to the EP (DL, 100.0% [90.3%-100%] vs. EP, 91.7% [77.5%-98.3%]; P=0.08). Conclusion We conclude that for examining the CXR of patients with suspected COVID-19, sensitivity of the DL algorithm is superior than the EP for detecting lesions suggesting pneumonia. Thus, the application of the DL algorithm is potentially useful in screening triage clinics to detect COVID-19 pneumonia.

Objective: This study evaluated the deep learning (DL) algorithm performance to detect lesions that suggest pneumonia in chest X-rays (CXR) of suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients who visited a screening clinic in Daegu, and were suspected to be afflicted with the COVID-19 during the COVID-19 epidemic. CXR were analyzed using the commercial artificial intelligence product that provides free online DL algorithms to the public for COVID-19. Computerized tomography was used as the standard reference. Performance of the DL algorithm was evaluated by the sensitivity and specificity, and results were compared to the CXR records of emergency physicians (EP) in charge of the actual screening triage clinic during the COVID-19 epidemic. Results: Totally, 114 patients were evaluated, of which 38 patients were positive for COVID-19. In 85 CXRs examined (36 COVID-19 and 49 non-COVID-19) with findings of pneumonia in computerized tomography, the DL algorithm showed significantly higher sensitivity as compared to the EP (DL, 98.8% [93.6%-99.9%] vs. EP, 85.9% [76.6%-92.5%]; P<0.01). Moreover, the DL algorithm showed significantly higher sensitivity for detecting CXRs with COVID-19 pneumonia, as compared to the EP (DL, 100.0% [90.3%-100%] vs. EP, 91.7% [77.5%-98.3%]; P=0.08). Conclusion We conclude that for examining the CXR of patients with suspected COVID-19, sensitivity of the DL algorithm is superior than the EP for detecting lesions suggesting pneumonia. Thus, the application of the DL algorithm is potentially useful in screening triage clinics to detect COVID-19 pneumonia.

We describe a case of brain abscess which developed in a 64-year-old man after hepatic artery chemoem-bolization(HACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).On his first admission, percutaneous liver biopsy led to a diagnosis of type-C liver cirrhosis, he readmitted 5 years later and HCC was diagnosed. The patient underwent two HACE procedures, with a two-month interval. Three month later, he was readmitted to hospital with headache and brief loss of consciousness; brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) revealed a brain abscess. Stereotactic aspiration was performed and antibiotics sensitive to the klebsiella pneumonia bacteria cultured in the abscess were administrated intraveously. One month later, the abscess size became smaller and the patient was discharged. This report reviews the literature and discusses the pathogenesis of brain abscess after intra-arterial embolization.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Biopsy ; Brain Abscess* ; Brain* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Diagnosis ; Headache ; Hepatic Artery* ; Humans ; Klebsiella ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; Unconsciousness

Background: When an emergency-care patient is diagnosed with an emerging infectious disease, hospitals in Korea may temporarily close their emergency departments (EDs) to prevent nosocomial transmission. Since February 2020, multiple, consecutive ED closures have occurred due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis in Daegu. However, sudden ED closures are in contravention of laws for the provision of emergency medical care that enable the public to avail prompt, appropriate, and 24-hour emergency medical care. Therefore, this study ascertained the vulnerability of the ED at tertiary hospitals in Daegu with regard to the current standards. A revised triage and surveillance protocol has been proposed to tackle the current crisis. Methods: This study was retrospectively conducted at 6 level 1 or 2 EDs in a metropolitan city where ED closure due to COVID-19 occurred from February 18 to March 26, 2020. The present status of ED closure and patient characteristics and findings from chest radiography and laboratory investigations were assessed. Based on the experience from repeated ED closures and the modified systems that are currently used in EDs, revised triage and surveillance protocols have been developed and proposed. Results: During the study period, 6 level 1 or 2 emergency rooms included in the study were shut down 27 times for 769 hours. Thirty-one confirmed COVID-19 cases, of whom 7 died, were associated with the incidence of ED closure. Typical patient presentation with respiratory symptoms of COVID-19 was seen in less than 50% of patients, whereas abnormal findings on chest imaging investigations were detected in 93.5% of the study population. The chest radiography facility, resuscitation rooms, and triage area were moved to locations outside the ED, and a new surveillance protocol was applied to determine the factors warranting quarantine, including symptoms, chest radiographic findings, and exposure to a source of infection. The incidence of ED closures decreased after the implementation of the revised triage and surveillance protocols. Conclusion Triage screening by emergency physicians and surveillance protocols with an externally located chest imaging facility were effective in the early isolation of COVID-19 patients. In future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, efforts should be focused toward the provision of continued ED treatment with the implementation of revised triage and surveillance protocols.

PURPOSE: Buerger's disease (Thromboangiitis obliterans, TAO) is characterized by non- atheromatous inflammatory disease, and segmental inflammatory thrombotic occlusions of the small & middle-sized arteries and veins of the upper or lower extremities. Any epidemiological study of Buerger's disease in Korea has not been carried out until now. This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of Buerger's disease in Korea among the patients suffering with arterial disease. METHODS: We collected and analyzed the data on 11,128 patients who were admitted to or visited the participating 22 hospitals for chronic arterial diseases throughout the major region of the South Korea from January 1986 to December 2003. The clinical diagnostic inclusion criteria for Buerger's disease were the followings: (1) a history of smoking or tobacco abuse; (2) an age of onset less than 50 years; (3) infrapopliteal, segmental arterial occlusions with sparing of the proximal vasculature; (4) frequent distal upper extremity arterial involvement (Raynaud's syndrome or digital ulceration) or-superficial phlebitis; and (5) the absence of arteriosclerotic risk factors other than smoking. RESULTS: The incidence rate of Buerger's disease among the arterial disease (11,128 patients) was 93 patients (0.83%) when the strict criteria of Shionoya was applied. 699 male-patients (6.55%) and 30 female patients (4.12%) who met the less strict criteria (the extended clinical diagnostic criteria group) were also reviewed. The 4th and 5th decades were the most common ages with-249 patients (34.2%) and 222 patients (30.5%) respectively, being found at these ages. The mean age was 40.4+/-1.6 years (age range: 16~83 years) and this was similar in both the strict criteria group and the less strict criteria group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests there was a low incidence of Buerger's disease in Korea among the patients who visited the participating hospitals when the strict diagnostic criteria were used. The incidence was lower than expected even when the less strict criteria were used. The more accurate incidence of Buerger's disease among the general population can be obtained by performing careful prospective study that is participated in by not only vascular surgeons, but also the other medical specialists with utilizing the strict diagnostic criteria.
Age of Onset ; Arteries ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Lower Extremity ; Phlebitis ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Specialization ; Thromboangiitis Obliterans* ; Tobacco ; Upper Extremity ; Veins