Purpose: Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare but progressive cholangiopathy and the leading cause of pediatric liver transplantation worldwide. The Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (KAPS) has conducted three national surveys (2001, 2011, and 2023) to assess long-term trends in the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of BA. This study provides a comparative analysis of the 2nd and 3rd national surveys, with reference to selected findings from the 1st survey. Methods: This study included 453 patients from the 3rd national survey (2011–2021) and 435 patients from the 2nd survey (2001–2010), all of whom underwent Kasai portoenterostomy. Data were collected via electronic case report forms from pediatric surgical centers nationwide. Comparisons were made regarding demographics, clinical features, diagnostic patterns, operative details, follow-up outcomes, and survival. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to evaluate long-term survival. Results: The mean number of BA patients per year remained stable between surveys (43.5 in the 2nd, 41.18 in the 3rd), though centralization of care increased, with 61.5% of cases managed by two major institutions in the 3rd survey. The median age at surgery decreased, and the use of preoperative imaging (especially magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) increased. The 10-year native liver survival rate declined from 59.8% to 53.7%, while overall 10-year survival improved slightly (92.9% to 93.2%). Postoperative complications, such as cholangitis and liver failure, persisted but were better categorized. The 3rd survey also reported improved mortality (4.9%) and reduced follow-up loss (11.5%) compared to the 2nd survey. Conclusion While overall survival after Kasai operation has remained high and even improved, native liver survival has slightly declined. The findings reflect earlier diagnosis, more consistent diagnostic imaging, and increasing centralization of care. These trends underscore the importance of long-term nationwide data collection in guiding future strategies for BA management in Korea.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded polyglutamine repeat in the ataxin-3 gene. The resulting mutant ataxin-3 protein forms intraneuronal inclusions that lead to neurodegeneration in the cerebellum and other brain regions. This study aimed to develop a novel nonhuman primate model of SCA3 to address the limitations of existing knock-in and transgenic models using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver the mutant gene. AAV viral vectors carrying mutant ataxin-3 were stereotaxically injected into the cerebellum of monkeys. The animals were monitored over an 8-week period, during which behavioral and neuroimaging assessments were conducted. This was followed by a detailed pathological examination. The AAV vector successfully spread throughout the cerebellum, and the expression of mutant ataxin-3 was confirmed. Neuroimaging revealed a reduction in N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels, whereas histological analysis showed significant damage to the Purkinje cell layer. Notably, the monkeys exhibited sleep disturbances, a prodromal symptom commonly observed in human patients with SCA3. AAV-mediated delivery of mutant ataxin-3 can effectively replicate the key pathological and clinical features of SCA3 in primates. This approach offers a promising new model for studying disease mechanisms and evaluating potential therapies.

Tuberculous pericarditis is an extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis that is most commonly associated with pericardial thickening, effusion, and calcification. We present a case of tuberculous pericarditis mimicking a malignant pericardial tumor in a 77-year-old male. CT revealed an irregular and nodular pericardial thickening. MRI revealed high signal intensity on T1-weighted fat-suppressed images and peripheral rim enhancement after gadolinium administration. MRI can be helpful in determining the differential diagnoses in cases of tuberculous pericarditis with nonspecific imaging findings.

With the increasing use of CAD-CAM (computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing) methods for prosthesis fabrication, utilization of virtual articulators in CAD software has also increased. Among the various methods of positioning the maxilla in a virtual articulator, there are techniques that utilize CBCT (cone-beam computed tomography) or facial scans without the use of a facebow.In this case, a full-mouth rehabilitation was planned for a patient who exhibited multiple crown fractures and occlusal plane disharmony through maxillary complete denture and mandibular fixed prosthetic restoration. Radiopaque markers were added to the duplicated maxillary temporary denture to take closed-mouth impression, which was then scanned and positioned on the CBCT. On CBCT, hinge axis connecting the medial poles of both mandibular condyles along with the Frankfort horizontal plane was designated and utilized to perform virtual articulator mounting. Maxillary complete denture and mandibular fixed prostheses were fabricated, resulting in satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Objective: The Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease–Cognition (SCOPA-Cog) was developed to assess cognition in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the SCOPACog (K-SCOPA-Cog). Methods: We enrolled 129 PD patients with movement disorders from 31 clinics in South Korea. The original version of the SCOPA-Cog was translated into Korean using the translation-retranslation method. The test–retest method with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were used to assess reliability. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean version (MOCA-K) and the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) were used to assess concurrent validity. Results: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.797, and the ICC was 0.887. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation with the K-MMSE and MOCA-K scores (r = 0.546 and r = 0.683, respectively). Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the K-SCOPA-Cog has good reliability and validity.

Tuberculous pericarditis is an extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis that is most commonly associated with pericardial thickening, effusion, and calcification. We present a case of tuberculous pericarditis mimicking a malignant pericardial tumor in a 77-year-old male. CT revealed an irregular and nodular pericardial thickening. MRI revealed high signal intensity on T1-weighted fat-suppressed images and peripheral rim enhancement after gadolinium administration. MRI can be helpful in determining the differential diagnoses in cases of tuberculous pericarditis with nonspecific imaging findings.

With the increasing use of CAD-CAM (computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing) methods for prosthesis fabrication, utilization of virtual articulators in CAD software has also increased. Among the various methods of positioning the maxilla in a virtual articulator, there are techniques that utilize CBCT (cone-beam computed tomography) or facial scans without the use of a facebow.In this case, a full-mouth rehabilitation was planned for a patient who exhibited multiple crown fractures and occlusal plane disharmony through maxillary complete denture and mandibular fixed prosthetic restoration. Radiopaque markers were added to the duplicated maxillary temporary denture to take closed-mouth impression, which was then scanned and positioned on the CBCT. On CBCT, hinge axis connecting the medial poles of both mandibular condyles along with the Frankfort horizontal plane was designated and utilized to perform virtual articulator mounting. Maxillary complete denture and mandibular fixed prostheses were fabricated, resulting in satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes.

With the increasing use of CAD-CAM (computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing) methods for prosthesis fabrication, utilization of virtual articulators in CAD software has also increased. Among the various methods of positioning the maxilla in a virtual articulator, there are techniques that utilize CBCT (cone-beam computed tomography) or facial scans without the use of a facebow.In this case, a full-mouth rehabilitation was planned for a patient who exhibited multiple crown fractures and occlusal plane disharmony through maxillary complete denture and mandibular fixed prosthetic restoration. Radiopaque markers were added to the duplicated maxillary temporary denture to take closed-mouth impression, which was then scanned and positioned on the CBCT. On CBCT, hinge axis connecting the medial poles of both mandibular condyles along with the Frankfort horizontal plane was designated and utilized to perform virtual articulator mounting. Maxillary complete denture and mandibular fixed prostheses were fabricated, resulting in satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Tuberculous pericarditis is an extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis that is most commonly associated with pericardial thickening, effusion, and calcification. We present a case of tuberculous pericarditis mimicking a malignant pericardial tumor in a 77-year-old male. CT revealed an irregular and nodular pericardial thickening. MRI revealed high signal intensity on T1-weighted fat-suppressed images and peripheral rim enhancement after gadolinium administration. MRI can be helpful in determining the differential diagnoses in cases of tuberculous pericarditis with nonspecific imaging findings.

With the increasing use of CAD-CAM (computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing) methods for prosthesis fabrication, utilization of virtual articulators in CAD software has also increased. Among the various methods of positioning the maxilla in a virtual articulator, there are techniques that utilize CBCT (cone-beam computed tomography) or facial scans without the use of a facebow.In this case, a full-mouth rehabilitation was planned for a patient who exhibited multiple crown fractures and occlusal plane disharmony through maxillary complete denture and mandibular fixed prosthetic restoration. Radiopaque markers were added to the duplicated maxillary temporary denture to take closed-mouth impression, which was then scanned and positioned on the CBCT. On CBCT, hinge axis connecting the medial poles of both mandibular condyles along with the Frankfort horizontal plane was designated and utilized to perform virtual articulator mounting. Maxillary complete denture and mandibular fixed prostheses were fabricated, resulting in satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes.