Objective: Endovascular coil embolization is the primary treatment modality for intracranial aneurysms. However, its long-term durability remains of concern, with a considerable proportion of cases requiring aneurysm reopening and retreatment. Therefore, establishing optimal follow-up imaging protocols is necessary to ensure a durable occlusion. This study aimed to develop guidelines for follow-up imaging strategies after endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Methods: A committee comprising members of the Korean Neuroendovascular Society and other relevant societies was formed. A literature review and analyses of the major published guidelines were conducted to gather evidence. A panel of 40 experts convened to achieve a consensus on the recommendations using the modified Delphi method. Results: The panel members reached the following consensus: 1. Schedule the initial follow-up imaging within 3-6 months of treatment. 2. Noninvasive imaging modalities, such as three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or contrast-enhanced MRA, are alternatives to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) during the first follow-up. 3. Schedule mid-term follow-up imaging at 1, 2, 4, and 6 years after the initial treatment. 4. If noninvasive imaging reveals unstable changes in the treated aneurysms, DSA should be considered. 5. Consider late-term follow-up imaging every 3–5 years for lifelong monitoring of patients with unstable changes or at high risk of recurrence. Conclusions The guidelines aim to provide physicians with the information to make informed decisions and provide patients with high-quality care. However, owing to a lack of specific recommendations and scientific data, these guidelines are based on expert consensus and should be considered in conjunction with individual patient characteristics and circumstances.

To improve our understanding of the relationship between soil higher fungi (belonging to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) and Abies koreana, we surveyed A. koreana soil fungal communities in a forest in Mt. Halla, Jeju Island, Korea by next-generation sequencing (Illumina Miseq). To confirm the soil higher fungal communities, we collected two types of soils from a defined plot: soils with dead (AKDTs) and living A. koreana (AKLTs), respectively. Soil fungi were classified into 2 phyla, 19 classes, 64 orders, 133 families, 195 genera, and 229 OTUs (895,705 sequence reads). Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) showed significantly different soil higher fungal communities between AKDTs and AKLTs (p < .05). In addition, the saprophyte composition was significantly affected by A. koreana status (p < .05). The proportion of the mycorrhizal Clavulina spp. was different between soils with AKDTs and AKLTs, suggesting that Clavulina spp. may be a crucial soil fungal species influencing A. koreana. This study will lead to a better understanding of the ecological status of A. koreana in Mt.Halla. In addition, this study could be useful for the conservation and management of A.koreana habitats.

Seasonal influenza is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality of children in Korea. However, few data are available on parental perception and action toward childhood influenza. This study aimed to characterize parental perception and patterns of action in response to influenza and influenza-like illnesses (ILIs), including vaccination and healthcare use. This prospective study involved a random survey of parents whose children were aged 6–59 months. The survey was conducted in October 2014. The study included 638 parents of 824 children younger than 6 years. Most parental information of influenza came from mass media (28.2%) and social media (15.5%). The factor that most often motivated parents to vaccinate their children against influenza was promotion of the government or mass media (36.6%). Negative predictors of immunization included safety concerns about influenza vaccination (28.1%) and mistrust in the vaccine's effectiveness (23.3%). Therefore, correct information about influenza and vaccination from mass media will be one of the cornerstones for implementing a successful childhood immunization program and reducing morbidity and mortality in Korea. Furthermore, to enroll younger children in vaccination programs, and to minimize coverage gaps, public concerns about vaccine safety should be resolved. The demographic data in the present study will be used to provide a deeper insight into a parental perception and will help health care providers increase influenza immunization rate.
Child* ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunization Programs ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; Korea* ; Mass Media ; Mortality ; Parents* ; Prospective Studies ; Seasons ; Social Media ; Vaccination*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment effects after distalization of the mandibular dentition using ramal plates through lateral cephalograms. METHODS: Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalograms and dental casts of 22 adult patients (11 males and 11 females; mean age, 23.9 ± 5.52 years) who received ramal plates for mandibular molar distalization were analyzed. The treatment effects and amount of distalization of the mandibular molars were calculated and tested for statistical significance. The significance level was set at p < 0.001. RESULTS: The mandibular first molar distalization at the crown and root were 2.10 mm (p < 0.001) and 0.81 mm (p = 0.011), respectively. In the evaluation of skeletal variables, there was a significant increase in the Wits appraisal (p < 0.001). In the evaluation of the soft tissue, there was no significant effect on upper lip position, but the lower lips showed a significant retraction of 2.2 mm (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The mandibular molars showed a significant amount of distalization accompanied by limited extrusion and mesiobuccal rotation of the crowns. A ramal plate may be a viable device for mandibular total arch distalization in Class III patients who are reluctant to undergo orthognathic surgery.
Adult ; Crowns ; Dentition ; Female ; Humans ; Lip ; Male ; Molar ; Orthognathic Surgery

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the 3-dimensional changes in the pharyngeal airway of skeletal class III patients after bimaxillary surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 18 Korean patients that had undergone maxillary setback or posterosuperior movement and mandibular bilateral sagittal split osteotomy setback surgery due to skeletal class III malocclusion (8 males, 10 females; mean age of 28.7). Cone beam computed tomography was taken 1 month before and 6 months after orthognathic surgery. Preoperative and postoperative volumes of the nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and laryngopharyngeal airways and minimum axial areas of the oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal spaces were measured. Moreover, the pharyngeal airway volume of the patient group that had received genioplasty advancement was compared with the other group that had not. RESULTS: The nasopharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal spaces did not show significant differences before or after surgery. However, the oropharyngeal space volume and total volume of pharyngeal airway decreased significantly (P<0.05). The minimum axial area of the oropharynx also decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that bimaxillary surgery decreased the volume and the minimum axial area of the oropharyngeal space. Advanced genioplasty did not seem to have a significant effect on the volumes of the oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal spaces.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Genioplasty ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Oropharynx ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Osteotomy ; Pharynx

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of bone cement-augmented short segment fixation using percutaneous screws for thoracolumbar burst fractures in a background of severe osteoporosis. METHODS: Sixteen patients with a single-level thoracolumbar burst fracture (T11-L2) accompanying severe osteoporosis treated from January 2008 to November 2009 were prospectively analyzed. Surgical procedures included postural reduction for 3 days and bone cement augmented percutaneous screw fixation at the fracture level and at adjacent levels without bone fusion. Due to the possibility of implant failure, patients underwent implant removal 12 months after screw fixation. Imaging and clinical findings, including involved vertebral levels, local kyphosis, canal encroachment, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Prior to surgery, mean pain score (visual analogue scale) was 8.2 and this decreased to a mean of 2.2 at 12 months after screw fixation. None of the patients complained of pain worsening during the 6 months following implant removal. The percentage of canal compromise at the fractured level improved from a mean of 41.0% to 18.4% at 12 months after surgery. Mean kyphotic angle was improved significantly from 19.8degrees before surgery to 7.8 at 12 months after screw fixation. Canal compromise and kyphotic angle improvements were maintained at 6 months after implant removal. No significant neurological deterioration or complications occurred after screw removal in any patient. CONCLUSION: Bone cement augmented short segment fixation using a percutaneous system can be an alternative to the traditional open technique for the management of selected thoracolumbar burst fractures accompanied by severe osteoporosis.
Humans ; Kyphosis ; Osteoporosis ; Prospective Studies

Intramural hematoma of the esophagus (IHE) is an uncommon form of esophageal injury, which may be an intermediate of mucosal tear (Mallory-Weiss syndrome) or transmural rupture (Boerhaave's syndrome). To date, the pathogenesis of IHE has not been well documented. IHE may occur within the submucosal layer of the esophagus following dissection of the mucosa. The most commonly presented symptoms are sudden retrosternal pain, dysphagia and hematemesis. The disorder can occur spontaneously or secondarily to trauma. In this report, we present a case of IHE which occurred after endoscopic biopsy and was recovered following conservative management in a patient who was taking long-term aspirin medication.
Aspirin ; Biopsy ; Deglutition Disorders ; Esophagus ; Hematemesis ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Rupture