Objectives: To assess the trends and disparities in the utilization of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Korea between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on disease classification, patient demographics, and regional distribution. Methods: This national surveillance retrospective study uses data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, which includes all FDG PET/CT examinations conducted in Korea from 2018 to 2022. Disease classifications, cancer types, age groups, gender, and geographic regions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Utilization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for regional comparisons. Results: FDG PET/CT utilization increased by 25.4%, from 174,885 examinations in 2018 to 219,377 in 2022. Older age groups (60 years and above) accounted for the majority of examinations, with males undergoing more examinations than females. Oncology remained the primary indication, with lung, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma leading in examination numbers. The number of examinations performed on patients aged 60 and above increased at a higher rate compared to those under 60. Significant geographic disparities were found, with Seoul reporting the highest utilization rate (1,114.3 examinations per 100,000 population), while Gyeongbuk exhibited much lower rate (26.2 examinations per 100,000 population). Conclusions This study highlights the growing utilization of FDG PET/CT in Korea, particularly among older adults, with significant gender differences in cancer types. The findings also reveal disparities in FDG PET/CT utilization across regions, indicating varying access to advanced imaging technology.

Objectives: To assess the trends and disparities in the utilization of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Korea between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on disease classification, patient demographics, and regional distribution. Methods: This national surveillance retrospective study uses data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, which includes all FDG PET/CT examinations conducted in Korea from 2018 to 2022. Disease classifications, cancer types, age groups, gender, and geographic regions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Utilization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for regional comparisons. Results: FDG PET/CT utilization increased by 25.4%, from 174,885 examinations in 2018 to 219,377 in 2022. Older age groups (60 years and above) accounted for the majority of examinations, with males undergoing more examinations than females. Oncology remained the primary indication, with lung, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma leading in examination numbers. The number of examinations performed on patients aged 60 and above increased at a higher rate compared to those under 60. Significant geographic disparities were found, with Seoul reporting the highest utilization rate (1,114.3 examinations per 100,000 population), while Gyeongbuk exhibited much lower rate (26.2 examinations per 100,000 population). Conclusions This study highlights the growing utilization of FDG PET/CT in Korea, particularly among older adults, with significant gender differences in cancer types. The findings also reveal disparities in FDG PET/CT utilization across regions, indicating varying access to advanced imaging technology.

Objectives: To assess the trends and disparities in the utilization of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Korea between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on disease classification, patient demographics, and regional distribution. Methods: This national surveillance retrospective study uses data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, which includes all FDG PET/CT examinations conducted in Korea from 2018 to 2022. Disease classifications, cancer types, age groups, gender, and geographic regions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Utilization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for regional comparisons. Results: FDG PET/CT utilization increased by 25.4%, from 174,885 examinations in 2018 to 219,377 in 2022. Older age groups (60 years and above) accounted for the majority of examinations, with males undergoing more examinations than females. Oncology remained the primary indication, with lung, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma leading in examination numbers. The number of examinations performed on patients aged 60 and above increased at a higher rate compared to those under 60. Significant geographic disparities were found, with Seoul reporting the highest utilization rate (1,114.3 examinations per 100,000 population), while Gyeongbuk exhibited much lower rate (26.2 examinations per 100,000 population). Conclusions This study highlights the growing utilization of FDG PET/CT in Korea, particularly among older adults, with significant gender differences in cancer types. The findings also reveal disparities in FDG PET/CT utilization across regions, indicating varying access to advanced imaging technology.

Objectives: To assess the trends and disparities in the utilization of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Korea between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on disease classification, patient demographics, and regional distribution. Methods: This national surveillance retrospective study uses data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, which includes all FDG PET/CT examinations conducted in Korea from 2018 to 2022. Disease classifications, cancer types, age groups, gender, and geographic regions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Utilization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for regional comparisons. Results: FDG PET/CT utilization increased by 25.4%, from 174,885 examinations in 2018 to 219,377 in 2022. Older age groups (60 years and above) accounted for the majority of examinations, with males undergoing more examinations than females. Oncology remained the primary indication, with lung, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma leading in examination numbers. The number of examinations performed on patients aged 60 and above increased at a higher rate compared to those under 60. Significant geographic disparities were found, with Seoul reporting the highest utilization rate (1,114.3 examinations per 100,000 population), while Gyeongbuk exhibited much lower rate (26.2 examinations per 100,000 population). Conclusions This study highlights the growing utilization of FDG PET/CT in Korea, particularly among older adults, with significant gender differences in cancer types. The findings also reveal disparities in FDG PET/CT utilization across regions, indicating varying access to advanced imaging technology.

Objectives: To assess the trends and disparities in the utilization of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Korea between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on disease classification, patient demographics, and regional distribution. Methods: This national surveillance retrospective study uses data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, which includes all FDG PET/CT examinations conducted in Korea from 2018 to 2022. Disease classifications, cancer types, age groups, gender, and geographic regions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Utilization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for regional comparisons. Results: FDG PET/CT utilization increased by 25.4%, from 174,885 examinations in 2018 to 219,377 in 2022. Older age groups (60 years and above) accounted for the majority of examinations, with males undergoing more examinations than females. Oncology remained the primary indication, with lung, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma leading in examination numbers. The number of examinations performed on patients aged 60 and above increased at a higher rate compared to those under 60. Significant geographic disparities were found, with Seoul reporting the highest utilization rate (1,114.3 examinations per 100,000 population), while Gyeongbuk exhibited much lower rate (26.2 examinations per 100,000 population). Conclusions This study highlights the growing utilization of FDG PET/CT in Korea, particularly among older adults, with significant gender differences in cancer types. The findings also reveal disparities in FDG PET/CT utilization across regions, indicating varying access to advanced imaging technology.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Catalpa bignonioides fruit extract on the promotion of muscle growth and muscular capacity in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Cell viability was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell proliferation was assessed using a 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay kit. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expressions of related factors. The effects of Catalpa bignonioides extract were investigated in mice using the treadmill exhaustion test and whole-limb grip strength assay. Chemical composition analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Catalpa bignonioides extract increased the proliferation of C2C12 mouse myoblasts by activating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. It also induced metabolic changes, increasing the number of mitochondria and glucose metabolism by phosphorylating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. In an in vivo study, the extract-treated mice showed improved motor abilities, such as muscular endurance and grip strength. Additionally, HPLC analysis showed that vanillic acid may be the main component of the Catalpa bignonioides extract that enhanced muscle strength. Conclusions: Catalpa bignonioides improves exercise performance through regulation of growth and metabolism in skeletal muscles, suggesting its potential as an effective natural agent for improving muscular strength.

In the rapidly evolving healthcare environment, radiologists strive to establish their rightful place.Thus, there is a need for enhanced outpatient and clinical education within the Department of Radiology and exploration of its methodologies. Accordingly, the Korean Society of Radiology established a task force to investigate the clinical and outpatient practice status of radiologists overseas, current state of related education, involvement of other specialties in radiologic practices and education in Korea, and clinical and outpatient practice status among Korean radiologists. Furthermore, a survey on clinical competency enhancement was conducted among the members of the Korean Society of Radiology. These findings suggest the need for visibility and clinical competency enhancement in radiologists and methodologies for strengthening clinical competencies.