Background: The recently introduced super-resolution (SR) deep learning image reconstruction (DLR) is potentially effective in reducing noise level and enhancing the spatial resolution. We aimed to investigate whether SR-DLR has advantages in the overall image quality and intensity homogeneity on coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography with four different approaches: filtered-back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR), DLR, and SR-DLR. Methods: Sixty-three patients (mean age, 61 ± 11 years; range, 18–81 years; 40 men) who had undergone coronary CT angiography between June and October 2022 were retrospectively included. Image noise, signal to noise ratio, and contrast to noise ratio were quantified in both proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries. The left ventricle myocardium contrast homogeneity was analyzed. Two independent reviewers scored overall image quality, image noise, image sharpness, and myocardial homogeneity. Results: Image noise in Hounsfield units (HU) was significantly lower (P < 0.001) for the SR-DLR (11.2 ± 2.0 HU) compared to those associated with other image reconstruction methods including FBP (30.5 ± 10.5 HU), hybrid IR (20.0 ± 5.4 HU), and DLR (14.2 ± 2.5 HU) in both proximal and distal segments. SR-DLR significantly improved signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio in both the proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries.No significant difference was observed in the myocardial CT attenuation with SR-DLR among different segments of the left ventricle myocardium (P = 0.345). Conversely, FBP and hybrid IR resulted in inhomogeneous myocardial CT attenuation (P < 0.001). Two reviewers graded subjective image quality with SR-DLR higher than other image recon‑ struction techniques (P < 0.001). Conclusions SR-DLR improved image quality, demonstrated clearer delineation of distal segments of coronary arter‑ ies, and was seemingly accurate for quantifying CT attenuation in the myocardium.

Background: The recently introduced super-resolution (SR) deep learning image reconstruction (DLR) is potentially effective in reducing noise level and enhancing the spatial resolution. We aimed to investigate whether SR-DLR has advantages in the overall image quality and intensity homogeneity on coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography with four different approaches: filtered-back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR), DLR, and SR-DLR. Methods: Sixty-three patients (mean age, 61 ± 11 years; range, 18–81 years; 40 men) who had undergone coronary CT angiography between June and October 2022 were retrospectively included. Image noise, signal to noise ratio, and contrast to noise ratio were quantified in both proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries. The left ventricle myocardium contrast homogeneity was analyzed. Two independent reviewers scored overall image quality, image noise, image sharpness, and myocardial homogeneity. Results: Image noise in Hounsfield units (HU) was significantly lower (P < 0.001) for the SR-DLR (11.2 ± 2.0 HU) compared to those associated with other image reconstruction methods including FBP (30.5 ± 10.5 HU), hybrid IR (20.0 ± 5.4 HU), and DLR (14.2 ± 2.5 HU) in both proximal and distal segments. SR-DLR significantly improved signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio in both the proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries.No significant difference was observed in the myocardial CT attenuation with SR-DLR among different segments of the left ventricle myocardium (P = 0.345). Conversely, FBP and hybrid IR resulted in inhomogeneous myocardial CT attenuation (P < 0.001). Two reviewers graded subjective image quality with SR-DLR higher than other image recon‑ struction techniques (P < 0.001). Conclusions SR-DLR improved image quality, demonstrated clearer delineation of distal segments of coronary arter‑ ies, and was seemingly accurate for quantifying CT attenuation in the myocardium.

Background: The recently introduced super-resolution (SR) deep learning image reconstruction (DLR) is potentially effective in reducing noise level and enhancing the spatial resolution. We aimed to investigate whether SR-DLR has advantages in the overall image quality and intensity homogeneity on coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography with four different approaches: filtered-back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR), DLR, and SR-DLR. Methods: Sixty-three patients (mean age, 61 ± 11 years; range, 18–81 years; 40 men) who had undergone coronary CT angiography between June and October 2022 were retrospectively included. Image noise, signal to noise ratio, and contrast to noise ratio were quantified in both proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries. The left ventricle myocardium contrast homogeneity was analyzed. Two independent reviewers scored overall image quality, image noise, image sharpness, and myocardial homogeneity. Results: Image noise in Hounsfield units (HU) was significantly lower (P < 0.001) for the SR-DLR (11.2 ± 2.0 HU) compared to those associated with other image reconstruction methods including FBP (30.5 ± 10.5 HU), hybrid IR (20.0 ± 5.4 HU), and DLR (14.2 ± 2.5 HU) in both proximal and distal segments. SR-DLR significantly improved signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio in both the proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries.No significant difference was observed in the myocardial CT attenuation with SR-DLR among different segments of the left ventricle myocardium (P = 0.345). Conversely, FBP and hybrid IR resulted in inhomogeneous myocardial CT attenuation (P < 0.001). Two reviewers graded subjective image quality with SR-DLR higher than other image recon‑ struction techniques (P < 0.001). Conclusions SR-DLR improved image quality, demonstrated clearer delineation of distal segments of coronary arter‑ ies, and was seemingly accurate for quantifying CT attenuation in the myocardium.

This report presents the latest statistics on the stroke population in South Korea, sourced from the Clinical Research Collaborations for Stroke in Korea-National Institute for Health (CRCS-K-NIH), a comprehensive, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry. The Korean cohort, unlike western populations, shows a male-to-female ratio of 1.5, attributed to lower risk factors in Korean women. The average ages for men and women are 67 and 73 years, respectively.Hypertension is the most common risk factor (67%), consistent with global trends, but there is a higher prevalence of diabetes (35%) and smoking (21%). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (19%) is lower than in western populations, suggesting effective prevention strategies in the general population. A high incidence of large artery atherosclerosis (38%) is observed, likely due to prevalent intracranial arterial disease in East Asians and advanced imaging techniques.There has been a decrease in intravenous thrombolysis rates, from 12% in 2017–2019 to 10% in 2021, with no improvements in door-to-needle and door-to-puncture times, worsened by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. While the use of aspirin plus clopidogrel for noncardioembolic stroke and direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation is well-established, the application of direct oral anticoagulants for non-atrial fibrillation cardioembolic strokes in the acute phase requires further research. The incidence of early neurological deterioration (13%) and the cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke at 3 months (3%) align with global figures. Favorable outcomes at 3 months (63%) are comparable internationally, yet the lack of improvement in dependency at 3 months highlights the need for advancements in acute stroke care.

Osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures cause socioeconomic concerns, and medical system and policies appear insufficient to prepare for these issues in Korea, where the older adult population is rapidly increasing. Many countries around the world are already responding to osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures by adopting fracture liaison service (FLS), and such an attempt has only begun in Korea. In this article, we introduce the operation methods for institutions implementing FLS and characteristics of services, and activities of the FLS Committee for FLS implementation in the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research. In addition, we hope that the current position statement will contribute to the implementation of FLS in Korea and impel policy changes to enable a multidisciplinary and integrated FLS operated under the medical system.

Antithrombotic therapy is a cornerstone of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) management and secondary stroke prevention. Since the first version of the Korean Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for stroke was issued in 2009, significant progress has been made in antithrombotic therapy for patients with AIS, including dual antiplatelet therapy in acute minor ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic stroke and early oral anticoagulation in AIS with atrial fibrillation. The evidence is widely accepted by stroke experts and has changed clinical practice. Accordingly, the CPG Committee of the Korean Stroke Society (KSS) decided to update the Korean Stroke CPG for antithrombotic therapy for AIS. The writing members of the CPG committee of the KSS reviewed recent evidence, including clinical trials and relevant literature, and revised recommendations. A total of 35 experts were invited from the KSS to reach a consensus on the revised recommendations. The current guideline update aims to assist healthcare providers in making well-informed decisions and improving the quality of acute stroke care. However, the ultimate treatment decision should be made using a holistic approach, considering the specific medical conditions of individual patients.

Purpose: To derive the optimized intraocular lens (IOL) constants from automated and manifest refraction after cataract surgery in Korean patients, and to evaluate whether there is a difference in optimized IOL constants according to the refraction method. Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study enrolled 4,103 eyes of 4,103 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and in-the-bag IOL implantation at 18 institutes. Optimized IOL constants for the SRK/T, Holladay, Hoffer Q, and Haigis formulas were calculated via autorefraction or manifest refraction of samples using the same biometry and IOL. The IOL constants derived from autorefraction and manifest refraction were compared. Results: Of the 4,103 eyes, the majority (62.9%) were measured with an IOLMaster 500 followed by an IOLMaster 700 (15.2%). A total of 33 types of IOLs were used, and the Tecnis ZCB00 was the most frequently used (53.0%). There was no statistically significant difference in IOL constants derived from autorefraction and manifest refraction when IOL constants were optimized with a large number of study subjects. On the other hand, optimized IOL constants derived from autorefraction were significantly smaller than those from manifest refraction when the number of subjects was small. Conclusions It became possible to use the IOL constants optimized from Koreans to calculate the IOL power. However, if the IOL constant is optimized using autorefraction in a small sample group, the IOL constant tends to be small, which may lead to refractive error after surgery.

Endovascular recanalization therapy (ERT) has been a standard of care for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large artery occlusion (LAO) within 6 hours after onset since the five landmark ERT trials up to 2015 demonstrated its clinical benefit. Recently, two randomized clinical trials demonstrated that ERT, even in the late time window up to 16 hours or 24 hours after last known normal time, improved the outcome of patients who had a target mismatch defined as either clinical-core mismatch or perfusion-core mismatch, which prompted the update of national guidelines in several countries. Accordingly, to provide evidence-based and up-to-date recommendations for ERT in patients with acute LAO in Korea, the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the Korean Stroke Society decided to revise the previous Korean Clinical Practice Guidelines of Stroke for ERT. For this update, the members of the writing group were appointed by the Korean Stroke Society and the Korean Society of Interventional Neuroradiology. After thorough reviewing the updated evidence from two recent trials and relevant literature, the writing members revised recommendations, for which formal consensus was achieved by convening an expert panel composed of 45 experts from the participating academic societies. The current guidelines are intended to help healthcare providers, patients, and their caregivers make their well-informed decisions and to improve the quality of care regarding ERT. The ultimate decision for ERT in a particular patient must be made in light of circumstances specific to that patient.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Crohn's and Colitis Knowledge (CCKNOW) score does not reflect updated knowledge relating to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to develop, validate, and apply a novel tool to measure disease-related knowledge in IBD patients. METHODS: A questionnaire composed of 24 items regarding knowledge of IBD was developed: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Knowledge (IBD-KNOW). Discriminate ability of IBD-KNOW was validated in three occupational groups (14 doctors, 20 nurses, and 19 clerks). The CCKNOW and IBD-KNOW were administered to IBD patients. Factors affecting the level of IBD-related knowledge were analyzed. RESULTS: The median Inflammatory Bowel Disease Knowledge (IBD-KNOW) score was significantly different among the three groups for validation (22 doctors, 20 nurses, and five clerks; p < 0.001). The IBD-KNOW showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.952) and high correlation with CCKNOW (Spearman ρ = 0.827, p = 0.01). A total of 200 IBD patients (120 Crohn's disease, 80 ulcerative colitis) completed questionnaires. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher IBD-KNOW score than the median was associated with hospitalization history (odds ratio [OR], 2.625; p = 0.003), high education level (OR, 2.498; p = 0.012), and information acquired from patient organization (OR, 3.305, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: The IBD-KNOW demonstrated excellent test characteristics. Hospitalization history, education level, and information acquired from patient organization play an important role in correct IBD-related knowledge.
Colitis ; Crohn Disease ; Education ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Occupational Groups ; Ulcer