Purpose: This study aims to systematically analyze the radioactive waste generated from treatments using radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), and Actinium-225 (Ac-225) to facilitate safe waste management practices. Methods: I-131 is primarily used in thyroid cancer treatment, while Lu-177 and Ac-225 are used to treat prostate cancer. Radioactive waste generated after these treatments was collected from patients at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital and categorized into clothing, slippers, syringes, and other items. The radioactivity concentration of each item was measured using a calibrated highpurity germanium detector. Using measurements, the self-disposal date of each waste item was calculated according to the permissible disposal levels defined by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) under domestic nuclear safety regulations. Results: For the I-131 radioactive waste, clothing, towels, and tableware exhibited high radioactivity concentrations, with most items exceeding the permissible self-disposal levels.Conversely, the type and quantity of waste generated from Lu-177 and Ac-225 that were intravenously injected were relatively minimal, with certain items below the self-disposal thresholds, enabling immediate disposal. For Ac-225, no permissible self-disposal concentration is specified by the NSSC, unlike other therapeutic nuclides. Hence, additional studies are required to establish clear guidelines. Conclusions These findings provide valuable data for optimizing radioactive waste management, potentially reducing disposal time and costs, minimizing radiation exposure, and enhancing hospital safety practices.

Purpose: This study aims to systematically analyze the radioactive waste generated from treatments using radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), and Actinium-225 (Ac-225) to facilitate safe waste management practices. Methods: I-131 is primarily used in thyroid cancer treatment, while Lu-177 and Ac-225 are used to treat prostate cancer. Radioactive waste generated after these treatments was collected from patients at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital and categorized into clothing, slippers, syringes, and other items. The radioactivity concentration of each item was measured using a calibrated highpurity germanium detector. Using measurements, the self-disposal date of each waste item was calculated according to the permissible disposal levels defined by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) under domestic nuclear safety regulations. Results: For the I-131 radioactive waste, clothing, towels, and tableware exhibited high radioactivity concentrations, with most items exceeding the permissible self-disposal levels.Conversely, the type and quantity of waste generated from Lu-177 and Ac-225 that were intravenously injected were relatively minimal, with certain items below the self-disposal thresholds, enabling immediate disposal. For Ac-225, no permissible self-disposal concentration is specified by the NSSC, unlike other therapeutic nuclides. Hence, additional studies are required to establish clear guidelines. Conclusions These findings provide valuable data for optimizing radioactive waste management, potentially reducing disposal time and costs, minimizing radiation exposure, and enhancing hospital safety practices.

Purpose: This study aims to systematically analyze the radioactive waste generated from treatments using radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), and Actinium-225 (Ac-225) to facilitate safe waste management practices. Methods: I-131 is primarily used in thyroid cancer treatment, while Lu-177 and Ac-225 are used to treat prostate cancer. Radioactive waste generated after these treatments was collected from patients at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital and categorized into clothing, slippers, syringes, and other items. The radioactivity concentration of each item was measured using a calibrated highpurity germanium detector. Using measurements, the self-disposal date of each waste item was calculated according to the permissible disposal levels defined by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) under domestic nuclear safety regulations. Results: For the I-131 radioactive waste, clothing, towels, and tableware exhibited high radioactivity concentrations, with most items exceeding the permissible self-disposal levels.Conversely, the type and quantity of waste generated from Lu-177 and Ac-225 that were intravenously injected were relatively minimal, with certain items below the self-disposal thresholds, enabling immediate disposal. For Ac-225, no permissible self-disposal concentration is specified by the NSSC, unlike other therapeutic nuclides. Hence, additional studies are required to establish clear guidelines. Conclusions These findings provide valuable data for optimizing radioactive waste management, potentially reducing disposal time and costs, minimizing radiation exposure, and enhancing hospital safety practices.

Purpose: This study aims to systematically analyze the radioactive waste generated from treatments using radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), and Actinium-225 (Ac-225) to facilitate safe waste management practices. Methods: I-131 is primarily used in thyroid cancer treatment, while Lu-177 and Ac-225 are used to treat prostate cancer. Radioactive waste generated after these treatments was collected from patients at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital and categorized into clothing, slippers, syringes, and other items. The radioactivity concentration of each item was measured using a calibrated highpurity germanium detector. Using measurements, the self-disposal date of each waste item was calculated according to the permissible disposal levels defined by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) under domestic nuclear safety regulations. Results: For the I-131 radioactive waste, clothing, towels, and tableware exhibited high radioactivity concentrations, with most items exceeding the permissible self-disposal levels.Conversely, the type and quantity of waste generated from Lu-177 and Ac-225 that were intravenously injected were relatively minimal, with certain items below the self-disposal thresholds, enabling immediate disposal. For Ac-225, no permissible self-disposal concentration is specified by the NSSC, unlike other therapeutic nuclides. Hence, additional studies are required to establish clear guidelines. Conclusions These findings provide valuable data for optimizing radioactive waste management, potentially reducing disposal time and costs, minimizing radiation exposure, and enhancing hospital safety practices.

Purpose: This study aims to systematically analyze the radioactive waste generated from treatments using radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), and Actinium-225 (Ac-225) to facilitate safe waste management practices. Methods: I-131 is primarily used in thyroid cancer treatment, while Lu-177 and Ac-225 are used to treat prostate cancer. Radioactive waste generated after these treatments was collected from patients at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital and categorized into clothing, slippers, syringes, and other items. The radioactivity concentration of each item was measured using a calibrated highpurity germanium detector. Using measurements, the self-disposal date of each waste item was calculated according to the permissible disposal levels defined by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) under domestic nuclear safety regulations. Results: For the I-131 radioactive waste, clothing, towels, and tableware exhibited high radioactivity concentrations, with most items exceeding the permissible self-disposal levels.Conversely, the type and quantity of waste generated from Lu-177 and Ac-225 that were intravenously injected were relatively minimal, with certain items below the self-disposal thresholds, enabling immediate disposal. For Ac-225, no permissible self-disposal concentration is specified by the NSSC, unlike other therapeutic nuclides. Hence, additional studies are required to establish clear guidelines. Conclusions These findings provide valuable data for optimizing radioactive waste management, potentially reducing disposal time and costs, minimizing radiation exposure, and enhancing hospital safety practices.

Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) is one of the essential diagnostic procedures for pulmonary lesions. Its role is increasing in the era of CT screening for lung cancer and precision medicine. The Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology developed the first evidence-based clinical guideline for PTNB in Korea by adapting pre-existing guidelines. The guideline provides 39 recommendations for the following four main domains of 12 key questions: the indications for PTNB, pre-procedural evaluation, procedural technique of PTNB and its accuracy, and management of post-biopsy complications. We hope that these recommendations can improve the diagnostic accuracy and safety of PTNB in clinical practice and promote standardization of the procedure nationwide.

BACKGROUND: Common and effective treatments for calcific tendinitis involve needling procedures. However, it has been widespread practice to refer patients with calcific tendinitis, which is a predominantly orthopedic condition, to radiology department. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes after ultrasound-guided needling for calcific tendinitis between the orthopedics and radiology department. METHODS: Seventy-seven shoulders (Group 1) and 38 shoulders (Group 2) treated in the radiology and orthopedic department, respectively. A fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and a musculoskeletal radiologist each performed the procedure of ultrasound-guided needle decompression with subacromial steroid injection. Clinical outcomes was evaluated using the visual analogue scale for pain (pVAS) and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score before treatment and at each follow-up. The pre- and post-needling size and shape of the calcific deposits were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 56 shoulders for Group 1 and 32 shoulders for Group 2. The mean age and sex ratio of the patients no significantly different. We found that the mean decrease in the diameter of calcification between pre- and post-needling was 9.0 mm for Group 1 and 13.1 mm for Group 2; the difference was significantly larger in Group 2 than in Group 1. Both groups showed improved pVAS and ASES scores after needling but the extent of these improvements did not differ with the type of operator. CONCLUSIONS: Needling decompression performed by orthopedic surgeons could a viable option for the treatment of calcific tendinitis.

BACKGROUND: Among the many causes of rotator cuff tears, scapular morphology is associated with the accelerating degenerative process of the rotator cuff. Acromion index (AI) was previously introduced and compared in two populations. METHODS: We enrolled 100 Korean patients diagnosed with full-thickness rotator cuff tears by magnetic resonance imaging and intraoperative arthroscopic findings between January and December 2013. Another 100 Korean patients with an intact rotator cuff tendon identified on magnetic resonance imaging and other shoulder diseases, such as frozen shoulder and instability, were enrolled as controls. We retrospectively compared these 100 rotator cuff tear patients (mean age, 63 years) and 100 controls (mean age, 51 years) in this study. Two independent orthopedic surgeons assessed the AI on radiographs. We performed an interobserver reliability test of the AI assessment, and then compared the AI between two groups. RESULTS: The measurement of the AI showed excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.82). The mean AI in the rotator cuff tear group was 0.68 and it was significantly different between groups (p<0.001, 95% confidence interval). The AI was not related to tear size. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the AI was an effective predictive factor for rotator cuff tears in a Korean population.
Acromion* ; Bursitis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Orthopedics ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rotator Cuff* ; Shoulder ; Surgeons ; Tears* ; Tendons

BACKGROUND: Common and effective treatments for calcific tendinitis involve needling procedures. However, it has been widespread practice to refer patients with calcific tendinitis, which is a predominantly orthopedic condition, to radiology department. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes after ultrasound-guided needling for calcific tendinitis between the orthopedics and radiology department. METHODS: Seventy-seven shoulders (Group 1) and 38 shoulders (Group 2) treated in the radiology and orthopedic department, respectively. A fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and a musculoskeletal radiologist each performed the procedure of ultrasound-guided needle decompression with subacromial steroid injection. Clinical outcomes was evaluated using the visual analogue scale for pain (pVAS) and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score before treatment and at each follow-up. The pre- and post-needling size and shape of the calcific deposits were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 56 shoulders for Group 1 and 32 shoulders for Group 2. The mean age and sex ratio of the patients no significantly different. We found that the mean decrease in the diameter of calcification between pre- and post-needling was 9.0 mm for Group 1 and 13.1 mm for Group 2; the difference was significantly larger in Group 2 than in Group 1. Both groups showed improved pVAS and ASES scores after needling but the extent of these improvements did not differ with the type of operator. CONCLUSIONS: Needling decompression performed by orthopedic surgeons could a viable option for the treatment of calcific tendinitis.
Decompression ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Needles ; Orthopedics ; Rotator Cuff ; Sex Ratio ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Joint ; Surgeons ; Tendinopathy ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the surgical outcomes of plate fixation using autologous iliac bone graft shaped in the form of a matchstick in clavicle nonunion resulting from prior surgical or non-surgical management. METHODS: From May 2005 to February 2013, 17 patients underwent surgery for clavicle nonunion. The mean age at the time of surgery was 48.8 years. The iliac bone was harvested and shaped into slivers approximately 3 cm long, which resembled matchsticks. After opening of the medullary canal, the plate and screws were applied and cancellous bone was placed at the nonunion site. Matchstick bone grafts which were longitudinally placed and encircled on the nonunion site were tied with periosteum using 3–4 stitches. Union was determined via postoperative plane X-ray. Clinical status was evaluated using the visual analogue scale score for pain, and Constant and American Shoulder Elbow Surgeon score. RESULTS: All patients had a stable radiological union at the follow-up. The mean duration from index operation to nonunion operation was 13.2 months (7–32 months). The mean follow-up period was 20.1 months (8–56 months), and the mean duration until union was 11.2 weeks (8–16 weeks). All clinical scores were improved at the final follow-up (p<0.001). The mean segmental defect was 3.3 ± 2.6 mm (1–18 mm); and the difference in clavicular length between operative and non-operative site was 5.9 ± 6.9 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Matchstick shaped autologous iliac bone grafting technique in clavicle nonunion is acceptable with a high union rate.
Bone Transplantation ; Clavicle* ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Periosteum ; Shoulder ; Transplants