Background and Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the factors influencing hearing ability in patients with vestibular schwannoma, focusing on tumor size, location, primary complaint, and contralateral hearing threshold.Subjects and Method This was a retrospective analysis of 50 patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Nowon Eulji Medical Center. Tumor size and location were evaluated using a 3-T MRI system, and pure-tone threshold and speech discrimination were retrieved. To investigate the relationship between tumor size and hearing, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with several variables, including tumor size, tumor location, patient age, and gender. Results: When patients were categorized into groups according to their primary complaint at initial presentation, no significant differences were observed in pure tone thresholds but different speech discrimination were detected among the groups. When patients were classified according to the tumor location, the extrameatal group exhibited lower pure-tone thresholds and higher speech discrimination scores than the intrameatal group. Multiple regression analysis indicated that differences in pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores between affected and unaffected sides were more pronounced in cases with smaller tumor sizes and extrameatal tumor locations, emphasizing the greater impact of location over size. Conclusion Using both tumor size and location, it is possible to predict the differences in pure-tone thresholds and speech discrimination between the affected and unaffected sides. Extrameatal invasion of the tumor appears to be the most important factor among them.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the factors influencing hearing ability in patients with vestibular schwannoma, focusing on tumor size, location, primary complaint, and contralateral hearing threshold.Subjects and Method This was a retrospective analysis of 50 patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Nowon Eulji Medical Center. Tumor size and location were evaluated using a 3-T MRI system, and pure-tone threshold and speech discrimination were retrieved. To investigate the relationship between tumor size and hearing, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with several variables, including tumor size, tumor location, patient age, and gender. Results: When patients were categorized into groups according to their primary complaint at initial presentation, no significant differences were observed in pure tone thresholds but different speech discrimination were detected among the groups. When patients were classified according to the tumor location, the extrameatal group exhibited lower pure-tone thresholds and higher speech discrimination scores than the intrameatal group. Multiple regression analysis indicated that differences in pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores between affected and unaffected sides were more pronounced in cases with smaller tumor sizes and extrameatal tumor locations, emphasizing the greater impact of location over size. Conclusion Using both tumor size and location, it is possible to predict the differences in pure-tone thresholds and speech discrimination between the affected and unaffected sides. Extrameatal invasion of the tumor appears to be the most important factor among them.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the factors influencing hearing ability in patients with vestibular schwannoma, focusing on tumor size, location, primary complaint, and contralateral hearing threshold.Subjects and Method This was a retrospective analysis of 50 patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Nowon Eulji Medical Center. Tumor size and location were evaluated using a 3-T MRI system, and pure-tone threshold and speech discrimination were retrieved. To investigate the relationship between tumor size and hearing, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with several variables, including tumor size, tumor location, patient age, and gender. Results: When patients were categorized into groups according to their primary complaint at initial presentation, no significant differences were observed in pure tone thresholds but different speech discrimination were detected among the groups. When patients were classified according to the tumor location, the extrameatal group exhibited lower pure-tone thresholds and higher speech discrimination scores than the intrameatal group. Multiple regression analysis indicated that differences in pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores between affected and unaffected sides were more pronounced in cases with smaller tumor sizes and extrameatal tumor locations, emphasizing the greater impact of location over size. Conclusion Using both tumor size and location, it is possible to predict the differences in pure-tone thresholds and speech discrimination between the affected and unaffected sides. Extrameatal invasion of the tumor appears to be the most important factor among them.

Purpose: To assess the reliability and accuracy of an automated Cobb angle measurement (ACAM) using a convolutional neural network (CNN) for scoliosis evaluation and to compare measurement times. Materials and Methods: ACAM was applied to spine radiographs in 411 patients suspected of scoliosis. Observer 1 (consensus of two musculoskeletal radiologists) and observer 2 (a radiology resident) measured Cobb angle (CA). CA measurements were categorized using observer 1’s measurements as the reference standard. Inter-observer reliability and correlation were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, respectively. Accuracy and measurement time of ACAM and observers were evaluated. Results: ACAM demonstrated excellent reliability and very high correlation with observer 1 (ICC = 0.976, Spearman’s rank correlation = 0.948), with a mean CA difference of 1.1. Overall accuracy was high (88.2%), particularly in mild (92.2%) and moderate (96%) scoliosis. Accuracy was lower in spinal asymmetry (77.1%) and higher in severe scoliosis (95%), although the CA was lower compared to the observers. ACAM significantly reduced measurement time by nearly half compared to the observers (p < 0.001). Conclusion ACAM using CNN enhances CA measurement for assessing mild or moderate scoliosis, despite limitations in spinal asymmetry or severe scoliosis. Nonetheless, it substantially decreases measurement time.

Purpose: To assess the reliability and accuracy of an automated Cobb angle measurement (ACAM) using a convolutional neural network (CNN) for scoliosis evaluation and to compare measurement times. Materials and Methods: ACAM was applied to spine radiographs in 411 patients suspected of scoliosis. Observer 1 (consensus of two musculoskeletal radiologists) and observer 2 (a radiology resident) measured Cobb angle (CA). CA measurements were categorized using observer 1’s measurements as the reference standard. Inter-observer reliability and correlation were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, respectively. Accuracy and measurement time of ACAM and observers were evaluated. Results: ACAM demonstrated excellent reliability and very high correlation with observer 1 (ICC = 0.976, Spearman’s rank correlation = 0.948), with a mean CA difference of 1.1. Overall accuracy was high (88.2%), particularly in mild (92.2%) and moderate (96%) scoliosis. Accuracy was lower in spinal asymmetry (77.1%) and higher in severe scoliosis (95%), although the CA was lower compared to the observers. ACAM significantly reduced measurement time by nearly half compared to the observers (p < 0.001). Conclusion ACAM using CNN enhances CA measurement for assessing mild or moderate scoliosis, despite limitations in spinal asymmetry or severe scoliosis. Nonetheless, it substantially decreases measurement time.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the factors influencing hearing ability in patients with vestibular schwannoma, focusing on tumor size, location, primary complaint, and contralateral hearing threshold.Subjects and Method This was a retrospective analysis of 50 patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Nowon Eulji Medical Center. Tumor size and location were evaluated using a 3-T MRI system, and pure-tone threshold and speech discrimination were retrieved. To investigate the relationship between tumor size and hearing, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with several variables, including tumor size, tumor location, patient age, and gender. Results: When patients were categorized into groups according to their primary complaint at initial presentation, no significant differences were observed in pure tone thresholds but different speech discrimination were detected among the groups. When patients were classified according to the tumor location, the extrameatal group exhibited lower pure-tone thresholds and higher speech discrimination scores than the intrameatal group. Multiple regression analysis indicated that differences in pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores between affected and unaffected sides were more pronounced in cases with smaller tumor sizes and extrameatal tumor locations, emphasizing the greater impact of location over size. Conclusion Using both tumor size and location, it is possible to predict the differences in pure-tone thresholds and speech discrimination between the affected and unaffected sides. Extrameatal invasion of the tumor appears to be the most important factor among them.

Purpose: To assess the reliability and accuracy of an automated Cobb angle measurement (ACAM) using a convolutional neural network (CNN) for scoliosis evaluation and to compare measurement times. Materials and Methods: ACAM was applied to spine radiographs in 411 patients suspected of scoliosis. Observer 1 (consensus of two musculoskeletal radiologists) and observer 2 (a radiology resident) measured Cobb angle (CA). CA measurements were categorized using observer 1’s measurements as the reference standard. Inter-observer reliability and correlation were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, respectively. Accuracy and measurement time of ACAM and observers were evaluated. Results: ACAM demonstrated excellent reliability and very high correlation with observer 1 (ICC = 0.976, Spearman’s rank correlation = 0.948), with a mean CA difference of 1.1. Overall accuracy was high (88.2%), particularly in mild (92.2%) and moderate (96%) scoliosis. Accuracy was lower in spinal asymmetry (77.1%) and higher in severe scoliosis (95%), although the CA was lower compared to the observers. ACAM significantly reduced measurement time by nearly half compared to the observers (p < 0.001). Conclusion ACAM using CNN enhances CA measurement for assessing mild or moderate scoliosis, despite limitations in spinal asymmetry or severe scoliosis. Nonetheless, it substantially decreases measurement time.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the factors influencing hearing ability in patients with vestibular schwannoma, focusing on tumor size, location, primary complaint, and contralateral hearing threshold.Subjects and Method This was a retrospective analysis of 50 patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Nowon Eulji Medical Center. Tumor size and location were evaluated using a 3-T MRI system, and pure-tone threshold and speech discrimination were retrieved. To investigate the relationship between tumor size and hearing, we conducted a multiple regression analysis with several variables, including tumor size, tumor location, patient age, and gender. Results: When patients were categorized into groups according to their primary complaint at initial presentation, no significant differences were observed in pure tone thresholds but different speech discrimination were detected among the groups. When patients were classified according to the tumor location, the extrameatal group exhibited lower pure-tone thresholds and higher speech discrimination scores than the intrameatal group. Multiple regression analysis indicated that differences in pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores between affected and unaffected sides were more pronounced in cases with smaller tumor sizes and extrameatal tumor locations, emphasizing the greater impact of location over size. Conclusion Using both tumor size and location, it is possible to predict the differences in pure-tone thresholds and speech discrimination between the affected and unaffected sides. Extrameatal invasion of the tumor appears to be the most important factor among them.

Purpose: The aim of this multicenter study was to investigate the malignancy risk of minimally cystic thyroid nodules (MCTNs) using cyto-histopathologic diagnoses as the reference standard. Methods: From June 2015 to September 2015, 5,601 thyroid nodules (≥1 cm) from 4,989 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid ultrasonography (US) at 26 institutions were retrospectively analyzed. Each thyroid nodule was categorized according to its cystic proportion: purely solid, minimally cystic (≤10%), and partially cystic (>10%). The malignancy risk of MCTNs was compared with those of purely solid nodules and partially cystic thyroid nodules (PCTNs). The malignancy risk of MCTNs was assessed according to echogenicity and the presence of suspicious US features. Results: The prevalence of MCTNs was 22.5%. The overall malignancy risk of MCTNs was 8.8%, which was significantly lower than that of purely solid nodules (29.5%) (P<0.001), and slightly higher than that of PCTNs (6.2%) (P=0.013). The risk of malignancy associated with MCTNs was similar to that of PCTNs regardless of echogenicity or the presence of suspicious US features (all P>0.05). MCTNs were associated with a higher risk of malignancy in hypoechoic nodules than in isohyperechoic nodules and in nodules with suspicious US features than in those without suspicious US features (all P<0.001). Conclusion The malignancy risk of MCTNs was significantly lower than that of purely solid nodules. MCTNs could be categorized as PCTNs rather than as solid nodules to increase the accuracy of the risk stratification system for thyroid nodules.

Purpose: To report a case of transient cortical blindness following cervical transforaminal epidural injection.Case summary: A 58-year-old diabetic and hypertensive male was referred to the ophthalmology department with sudden-onset bilateral visual disturbances after cervical transforaminal epidural injection for neck pain. During the procedure, an intravascular contrast medium was injected into the left vertebral artery. Immediately after the injection, the patient complained of bilateral visual disturbances, mild headache, and dizziness. Twelve hours after the procedure, his visual acuity was reduced to hand motion perception in both eyes. Anterior segment and fundus examinations were unremarkable. Pupillary light reflexes and extraocular muscle movements were normal. Brain magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, and fluorescein angiography showed no significant findings. There were no other neurological abnormalities. The patient was treated conservatively with intravenous dexamethasone and nimodipine based on a provisional diagnosis of transient cortical blindness. The symptoms gradually improved 2 days after the procedure; visual acuity recovered to 20/20 by the third day. Conclusions Although contrast-induced transient cortical blindness is rare, it should be considered in patients with bilateral visual loss after transforaminal epidural injection. It is a benign and reversible condition but requires a prompt diagnosis.