Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that mainly occur in the stomach and small intestine; those arising in the esophagus are rarer. A 54-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a one-month history of dysphagia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), performed approximately five months earlier, had not revealed any specific findings. However, an EGD performed in our hospital showed the presence of a round, protruding lesion (approximately 40×30 mm in size), with a normal overlying mucosal surface, 35–39 cm from the upper incisor. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a large esophageal mass. Enucleation was performed on the esophageal mass, and a GIST was diagnosed using immunochemical staining. Imatinib mesylate administration was initiated two months postoperatively. The patient was stable, without any evident recurrence in the 8-month postoperative follow-up EGD and chest CT examinations. Therefore, physicians should consider that patients with worsening dysphagia may have an underlying organic condition, such as an acute increase in size of an esophageal GIST, even if recent examinations were unremarkable.

The introduction of anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), such as lecanemab (Lequembi®), which was recently approved in Korea, necessitates careful monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) using brain MRI. To optimize ARIA monitoring in Korean clinical settings, the Korean Society of Neuroradiology (KSNR) and the Age and Neurodegeneration Imaging (ANDI) Study Group proposed MRI protocol recommendations on essential MR sequences, MRI acquisition parameters, timing and condition of MRI examinations, and essential details to provide a scientific basis for maximizing the safety and efficacy of AD treatment. A customized, standardized MRI protocol focusing on Korea’s healthcare environment can improve ARIA management and ensure patient safety through early detection of potential anti-amyloid therapy side effects, thereby enhancing treatment quality.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and its early detection is critical for improving survival outcomes. As a diagnostic and screening tool, mammography can be less effective owing to the masking effect of fibroglandular tissue, but breast US has good sensitivity even in dense breasts. However, breast US is highly operator dependent, highlighting the need for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions. Unlike other modalities, US is performed using a handheld device that produces a continuous real-time video stream, yielding 12000–48000 frames per examination. This can be significantly challenging for AI development and requires real-time AI inference capabilities. In this review, we classified AI solutions as computer-aided diagnosis and computer-aided detection to facilitate a functional understanding and review commercial software supported by clinical evidence.In addition, to bridge healthcare gaps and enhance patient outcomes in geographically under resourced areas, we propose a novel framework by reviewing the existing AI-based triage workflows including mobile ultrasound.

Ketone bodies produced by sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can be advantageous, providing an efficient and stable energy source for the brain and muscles. However, in patients with diabetes, ketogenesis induced by SGLT2 inhibitors may be harmful, potentially resulting in severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). During fasting, ketone body production serves as an alternative and efficient energy source for the brain by utilizing stored fat, promoting mental clarity, and reducing dependence on glucose. The concurrent use of SGLT2 inhibitors during perioperative fasting may further elevate the risk of euglycemic DKA. We describe a case of DKA that occurred during perioperative fasting in a patient receiving empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor. This case underscores the importance of recognizing the potential risk of DKA in patients with diabetes using SGLT2 inhibitors during perioperative fasting.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that mainly occur in the stomach and small intestine; those arising in the esophagus are rarer. A 54-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a one-month history of dysphagia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), performed approximately five months earlier, had not revealed any specific findings. However, an EGD performed in our hospital showed the presence of a round, protruding lesion (approximately 40×30 mm in size), with a normal overlying mucosal surface, 35–39 cm from the upper incisor. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a large esophageal mass. Enucleation was performed on the esophageal mass, and a GIST was diagnosed using immunochemical staining. Imatinib mesylate administration was initiated two months postoperatively. The patient was stable, without any evident recurrence in the 8-month postoperative follow-up EGD and chest CT examinations. Therefore, physicians should consider that patients with worsening dysphagia may have an underlying organic condition, such as an acute increase in size of an esophageal GIST, even if recent examinations were unremarkable.

Purpose: Many studies using a common data model (CDM) have recently been reported. This study aims to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of vancomycin-associated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) using CDM and to identify its usefulness in ADRs. Methods: This study was conducted from the OMOP-CDM (Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership-CDM) version 5.3 database of Convergence Medical Institute of Technology, Pusan National University Hospital. The study cohort was defined as patients who had taken vancomycin for more than 7 days and had normal blood tests within 1 week before administration. ADRs included neutropenia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, drug-induced liver injury, and acute kidney injury. Results: The most frequent ADR to vancomycin was thrombocytopenia (18.32%), followed by neutropenia (7.81%), acute kidney injury (5.85%), eosinophilia (5.32%), and drug-induced liver injury (4.15%). The baseline hematologic values were closer to the reference value of ADR definition in patients who developed ADRs than those without ADRs, even though the values were within the normal range. Acute kidney injury was common in males and the patients had high vancomycin trough concentrations. The period of vancomycin exposure was longer in the ADR groups. The incidence of new adverse reactions was highest for thrombocytopenia, and it was higher in males than in females, except for neutrophilia. Conclusion This study examined the prevalence, incidence rates, and clinical features of vancomycin-associated ADR using CDM. A CDM could serve as a significant data source for monitoring ADRs.

Purpose: Many studies using a common data model (CDM) have recently been reported. This study aims to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of vancomycin-associated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) using CDM and to identify its usefulness in ADRs. Methods: This study was conducted from the OMOP-CDM (Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership-CDM) version 5.3 database of Convergence Medical Institute of Technology, Pusan National University Hospital. The study cohort was defined as patients who had taken vancomycin for more than 7 days and had normal blood tests within 1 week before administration. ADRs included neutropenia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, drug-induced liver injury, and acute kidney injury. Results: The most frequent ADR to vancomycin was thrombocytopenia (18.32%), followed by neutropenia (7.81%), acute kidney injury (5.85%), eosinophilia (5.32%), and drug-induced liver injury (4.15%). The baseline hematologic values were closer to the reference value of ADR definition in patients who developed ADRs than those without ADRs, even though the values were within the normal range. Acute kidney injury was common in males and the patients had high vancomycin trough concentrations. The period of vancomycin exposure was longer in the ADR groups. The incidence of new adverse reactions was highest for thrombocytopenia, and it was higher in males than in females, except for neutrophilia. Conclusion This study examined the prevalence, incidence rates, and clinical features of vancomycin-associated ADR using CDM. A CDM could serve as a significant data source for monitoring ADRs.

Purpose: This study aimed to project cancer incidence and mortality for 2025 to estimate Korea’s current cancer burden. Materials and Methods: Cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2022 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, while cancer mortality data from 1993 to 2023 were acquired from Statistics Korea. Cancer incidence and mortality were projected by fitting a linear regression model to observed age-specific cancer rates against their respective years and then by multiplying the projected age-specific rates by the anticipated age-specific population for 2025. A joinpoint regression model was applied to identify significant changes in trends, using only the most recent trend data for predictions. Results: A total of 304,754 new cancer cases and 84,019 cancer deaths are expected in Korea in 2025. The most commonly diagnosed cancer is projected to be thyroid cancer, followed by the colorectal, lung, breast, prostate and stomach cancers. These six cancers are expected to account for 63.8% of the total cancer burden. Lung cancer is expected to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, followed by liver, colorectal, pancreatic, stomach, and gallbladder cancers, together comprising 66.6% of total cancer deaths. Conclusion The increasing incidence of female breast cancer and the rise in prostate and pancreatic cancers are expected to continue. As aging accelerates, cancer commonly found in older adults are projected to rise significantly.

Purpose: The current study provides national cancer statistics and their secular trends in Korea, including incidence, mortality, survival, and prevalence in 2022, with international comparisons. Materials and Methods: Cancer incidence, survival, and prevalence rates were calculated using the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database (1999-2022), with survival follow-up until December 31, 2023. Mortality data obtained from Statistics Korea, while international comparisons were based on GLOBOCAN data. Results: In 2022, 282,047 newly diagnosed cancer cases (age-standardized rate [ASR], 287.0 per 100,000) and 83,378 deaths from cancer (ASR, 65.7 per 100,000) were reported. The proportion of localized-stage cancers increased from 45.6% in 2005 to 50.9% in 2022. Stomach, colorectal, and breast cancer showed increased localized-stage diagnoses by 18.1, 18.5, and 9.9 percentage points, respectively. Compared to 2001-2005, the 5-year relative survival (2018-2022) increased by 20.4 percentage points for stomach cancer, 7.6 for colorectal cancer, and 5.6 for breast cancer. Korea had the lowest cancer mortality among countries with similar incidence rates and the lowest mortality-to-incidence (M/I) ratios for these cancers. The 5-year relative survival (2018-2022) was 72.9%, contributing to over 2.59 million prevalent cases in 2022. Conclusion Since the launch of the National Cancer Screening Program in 2002, early detection has improved, increasing the diagnosis of localized-stage cancers and survival rates. Korea recorded the lowest M/I ratio among major comparison countries, demonstrating the effectiveness of its National Cancer Control Program.

Background: Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a common benign vascular tumor that occurs during infancy. Oral propranolol is used as a first-line treatment. However, standardized guidelines for evaluating treatment efficacy, particularly the appropriate timing and parameters for Doppler ultrasound (US), have not been established. This study reports on the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of oral propranolol solution in IH patients using Doppler US, and aims to propose the appropriate timing and parameters for using Doppler US based on this experience. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 120 patients with IH who were treated with oral propranolol solution and maintained for over 6 months from May 2017 to April 2023. Doppler US evaluation of IH was performed at diagnosis, 1-2 and 6-12 months after treatment initiation, and 6 months post-therapy cessation. A complete response (CR) was identified as a reduction in vascularity along with a decrease in longest diameter (LD) or thickness of 50% or more. Recurrence was evaluated based on increased vascularity or size 6 months after treatment discontinuation. Results: Of 120 patients with IH, 82 females and 38 males were analyzed. IH was first detected at a median age of 12 days (range, 1-240 days), and treatment began at 76 days (range, 27-570 days), continuing for an average of 10.4 months (range, 5-24 months). Initial Doppler US measurements showed an LD of 2.65±1.52 cm and a thickness of 0.79±0.55 cm, with prominent vascularity. After 1-2 months of treatment, LD and thickness decreased by 12.9% and 25.9%, respectively. By 6-12 months, reductions reached 37.2% and 53.6%. CR occurred in 77 patients (64.2%) after 6-12 months of treatment. Eleven patients (9.2%) experienced a recurrence. Conclusion Doppler US is a valuable modality for evaluating the characteristics, treatment response, and recurrence of IH treated with oral propranolol.