Objective: : High precision and accuracy are expected in gamma knife radiosurgery treatment. Because of the requirement of clinically applying complex radiation and dose gradients together with a rapid radiation decline, a dedicated quality assurance program is required to maintain the radiation dosimetry and geometric accuracy and to reduce all associated risk factors. This study investigates the validity of Leksell Gamma plan (LGP)10.1.1 system of 5th generation Gamma Knife Perfexion as modified variable ellipsoid modeling technique (VEMT) method. Methods: : To verify LGP10.1.1 system, we compare the treatment plan program system of the Gamma Knife Perfexion, that is, the LGP, with the calculated value of the proposed modified VEMT program. To verify a modified VEMT method, we compare the distributions of the dose of Gamma Knife Perfexion measured by Gafchromic EBT3 and EBT-XD films. For verification, the center of an 80 mm radius solid water phantom is placed in the center of all sectors positioned at 16 mm, 4 mm and 8 mm; that is, the dose distribution is similar to the method used in the x, y, and z directions by the VEMT. The dose distribution in the axial direction is compared and analyzed based on Full-Width-of-Half-Maximum (FWHM) evaluation. Results: : The dose profile distribution was evaluated by FWHM, and it showed an average difference of 0.104 mm for the LGP value and 0.130 mm for the EBT-XD film. Conclusion : The modified VEMT yielded consistent results in the two processes. The use of the modified VEMT as a verification tool can enable the system to stably test and operate the Gamma Knife Perfexion treatment planning system.

No abstract available.
Ezetimibe* ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors* ; Mean Platelet Volume*

PURPOSE: In the present study, the clinical characteristics and outcomes of neuroretinitis in Korea were investigated. METHODS: Seven consecutive patients with neuroretinitis from 2012 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The present study included 9 eyes of 7 patients. The subjects consisted of 5 males and 2 females and the mean age was 45.1 ± 13.2 years. Two patients had Influenza-like symptoms and the others had no specific general symptoms. The mean best corrected visual acuity was logMAR 0.48 ± 0.55 (0-1.6) on the initial visit. Four patients 40 years of age or under had no abnormal findings in laboratory work-up. Conversely, 3 patients over 40 years of age were positive for Toxocara based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Two of 3 patients positive for Toxocara were treated with albendazole and 1was not. Eight eyes had good visual recovery over 20/30 except for 1 patient who did not take the albendazole despite being positive for Toxocara detected using ELISA. CONCLUSIONS: Three of 7 patients with neuroretinitis in Korea showed positive results for Toxocara based on ELISA. In cases with seropositive Toxocara ELISA results, albendazole treatment should be considered.
Albendazole ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Optic Neuritis ; Retinitis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Toxocara ; Toxocariasis ; Visual Acuity

A 59-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of sore throat after swallowing sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate powder for bowel preparation, without first dissolving it in water. The initial evaluation showed significant mucosal injury involving the oral cavity, pharynx, and epiglottis. Endotracheal intubation was performed for airway protection in the emergency department, because the mucosal swelling resulted in upper airway compromise. After conservative treatment in the intensive care unit, he underwent tracheostomy because stenosis of the supraglottic and subglottic areas was not relieved. The tracheostomy tube was successfully removed after confirming recovery, and he was discharged 3 weeks after admission.
Airway Obstruction* ; Cathartics ; Caustics ; Citric Acid* ; Colonoscopy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition ; Eating* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Epiglottis ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx ; Sodium* ; Tracheostomy ; Water

BACKGROUND: Azacitidine (AZA) is standard care for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who have not had allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Chromosomal abnormalities (CA) including complex karyotype (CK) or monosomal karyotype (MK) are associated with clinical outcome in patients with MDS. METHODS: We investigated which prognostic factors including CAs would predict clinical outcomes in patients with International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) higher risk MDS treated with AZA, retrospectively. CK was defined as the presence of three or more numerical or structural CAs. MK was defined as the presence of two or more distinct autosomal monosomies or single autosomal monosomy with at least one additional structural CA. RESULTS: A total of 243 patients who treated with AZA, were enrolled. CK was present in 124 patients and MK was present in 90 patients. Bone marrow blasts > or =15% and CK were associated with poorer response (P=0.038, P=0.007) and overall survival (OS) (P<0.001, P<0.001) independently. Although MK in CK group was not associated with prognosis, non-MK status in non-CK group reflected favorable OS (P=0.005). The group including >3 CAs was associated with poorer OS (group including <3 CAs vs. only three CAs, P=0.001; group with >3 CAs vs. only three CAs, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: CK was an important prognostic parameter associated with worse outcome. MK may predict poor survival in only non-CK status. The higher number of CAs was associated with poorer survival.
Azacitidine* ; Bone Marrow ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Humans ; Karyotype* ; Monosomy ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to find out the relationship between the regional suicide rates and the percentages of medical aid in the elderly in Korea. METHODS: Suicide rates of the elderly in 16 upper-level local governments from 2007 to 2009 were calculated using 'Cause of Death Statistics' and 'Annual Report on Live Births and Deaths Statistics' from Korea National Statistical Office. The percentages of medical aid persons among the elderly in 16 upper-level local governments were calculated using 'National Health Insurance Statistical Yearbook' from Health Insurance Review Agency and National Health Insurance Corporation. The correlation between the suicide rates and the percentages of medical aid in the elderly was measured. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between the suicide rates and the percentage of medical aid in the elderly in 16 upper-level local governments. But significant negative correlation was found when only the old-elderly or the old women were analyzed. And the significant negative correlation was also found when only 8 local governments except the major cities and the national capital area were included for analysis. CONCLUSION: Medical aid system could be helpful to reduce the suicide rate in the old-elderly or the old women in Korea. And this effect might be intensified in non-metropolitan and non-capital area.
Aged ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; Live Birth ; National Health Programs ; Rhinitis ; Suicide

PURPOSE: Between combined and staged operations of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with concurrent coronary and carotid disease, each treatment strategy has its own advantages and disadvantages. We attempted to compare early surgical results between the two operations. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 71 patients who underwent either combined CEA & CABG (n=37) or staged CABG & CEA (n=34) in a single institute between January 2001 and March 2010. After comparing patients' demographics and preoperative neurologic and cardiac status, we compared early (<1 month) postoperative cardiac or neurologic complications and surgical mortality between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in patients' demographics and indications for operation the between 2 groups. There were 2 (5.4%) cases of postoperative stroke in combined groups and 1 (2.9%) in staged group. However, there was no myocardial infarction or death. In staged operation group, during the interval time between the two operations, 5 cases (14.7%) of stroke developed, of which, all patients recovered without any sequelae by anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: After experiencing low postoperative cardiac or neurologic morbidity or mortality after combined CABG and CEA, we conclude that combined CABG and CEA was a safe and feasible treatment option for patients with neurologic symptoms and in stable cardiac status. In the staged operation group of patients, we observed development of neurologic events during the interval period between CABG and CEA. To attain optimal treatment strategy in asymptomatic patients, further prospective study would be required.
Carotid Arteries ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Vessels ; Demography ; Endarterectomy ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Myocardial Infarction ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the short and long-term outcomes following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with either primary closure (PC) or patch angioplasty (PAT) performed by single center vascular surgeons. METHODS: Between November 1994 and March 2008, a total of 366 patients underwent 401 consecutive primary CEA procedures at our institution. We retrospectively reviewed patients' medical records. Two vascular surgeons prefer routine PC and one vascular surgeon prefer routine patch closure using bovine pericardial patch. Postoperative neurologic complications were determined by clinical neurologists. Restenosis was defined as >50% stenosis on follow-up duplex scan. Data was analyzed to compare the early (< or =30 days) and late results of CEA between PC group and PAT group. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was significantly longer in the PC group than that in the PAT group (61.7 months vs. 41.2 months, P<0.001). Coronary artery disease and combined CEA with coronary artery bypass were more common in the PAT group (39% vs. 55%, P<0.002; 4% vs. 12%, P<0.004). Perioperative ipsilateral TIA/stroke rates in the PC and PAT groups were 1.5% and 0.7% (PC=4/270 vs. PAT=1/131, P=0.564). Regarding late outcomes, Kaplan-Meier analysis failed to show any difference between 2 groups on freedom from ipsilateral transient ischemic attack (TIA)/stroke, freedom from restenosis and TIA/stroke-free survival (P=0.851, P=0.232, P=0.103, log-rank test). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PC following CEA is not necessarily inferior to PAT for experienced surgeons.
Angioplasty ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Follow-Up Studies ; Freedom ; Humans ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the early (<30 days) results and to analyze risk factors for the development of stroke and new brain infarction (NBI) after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: From September 2003 to August 2008, 233 CEAs were performed on 222 patients with critical internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis in a single center. Patient characteristics, history of neurological symptoms, procedural details, and postoperative complications were examined based on the medical records. The incidence and risk factors for early postoperative stroke were evaluated. After excluding CEAs without performing diffusion-weighted brain MRI, 128 CEAs were investigated for frequency and the risk factors of NBI were analyzed. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Student T-test, and logistic regression model were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of a total of 233 CEAs, any and ipsilateral stroke rates were 1.3% and 0.4%, respectively. There was no early postoperative mortality. Early postoperative complications included 4.3% in transient cranial nerve injury, 1.7% in myocardial infarction, and 3.4% in hematoma. In univariate analysis, the significant risk factor for stroke was plaque ulceration (P=0.04). The frequency of NBI and ipsilateral NBI were 8.4% and 3.1%, respectively. The ulceration on ipsilateral ICA revealed statistically significant risk factors for the development of NBI (RR, 5.29; 95% CI, 1.024~27.325; P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Our study showed a lower incidence of stroke and NBI after carotid endarterectomy and that it is safe procedure for the treatment of patients with severe (>70%) carotid stenosis. We also found that plaque with ulceration was a significant risk factor for the development of postoperative NBI.
Brain ; Brain Infarction ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Carotid Stenosis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Cranial Nerve Injuries ; Endarterectomy ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Myocardial Infarction ; Postoperative Complications ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Ulcer

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of ischemia during protected carotid artery stenting (CAS) as well as to compare the protective efficacy of the balloon and filter devices on diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one consecutive protected CAS procedures in 70 patients with a severe (> 70%) or symptomatic moderate (> 50%) carotid artery stenosis were examined. A balloon device (PercuSurge GuardWire) and a filter device (FilterWire EX/EZ, Emboshield) was used in 33 cases (CAS-B group) and 38 cases (CAS-F group) to prevent distal embolization, respectively. All the patients underwent DWI within seven days before and after the procedures. The number of new cerebral ischemic lesions on the post-procedural DWI were counted and divided into ipsilateral and contralateral lesions according to the relationship with the stenting side. RESULTS: New cerebral ischemic lesions were detected in 13 (39.4%) out of the 33 CAS-Bs and in 15 (39.5%) out of the 38 CAS-Fs. The mean number of total, ipsilateral and contralateral new cerebral ischemic lesion was 2.39, 1.67 and 0.73 in the CAS-B group and 2.11, 1.32 and 0.79 in the CAS-F group, respectively. No statistical differences were found between the two groups (p = 0.96, 0.74 and 0.65, respectively). The embolic complications encountered included two retinal infarctions and one hemiparesis in the CAS-B group (9.09%), and one retinal infarction, one hemiparesis and one ataxia in the CAS-F group (7.89%). There was a similar incidence of embolic complications in the two groups (p = 1.00). CONCLUSION: The type of distal protection device used such as a balloon and filter does not affect the incidence of cerebral embolization after protected CAS.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Balloon Occlusion ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/*instrumentation ; Brain Ischemia/*pathology ; Carotid Stenosis/*surgery ; *Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Endarterectomy, Carotid/adverse effects/methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism/prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paresis/etiology ; Retinal Artery Occlusion/etiology ; Severity of Illness Index ; *Stents