Background/Aims: Visualization of palisade vessels (PVs) in Barrett’s esophagus is crucial for proper assessment. This study aimed to determine whether red dichromatic imaging (RDI) improves PV visibility compared with white-light imaging (WLI) and narrow-band imaging (NBI). Methods: Five expert and trainee endoscopists evaluated the PV visibility in Barrett’s esophagus using WLI, NBI, and RDI on 66 images from 22 patients. Visibility was rated on a 4-point scale: 4, excellent; 3, good; 2, fair; and 1, poor. The color difference between the most recognizable PV spots and surrounding areas with undetectable blood vessels was also analyzed. Results: Mean visibility scores were 2.6±0.7, 2.3±0.6, and 3.4±0.4 for WLI, NBI, and RDI, respectively. The RDI scores were significantly higher than the WLI (p<0.001) and NBI (p<0.001) scores. These differences were recognized by trainees and expert endoscopists. Color differences in PVs were 7.74±4.96 (WLI), 10.43±5.09 (NBI), and 15.1±6.54 (RDI). The difference in RDI was significantly higher than that in WLI (p<0.001) and NBI (p=0.006). Conclusions RDI significantly improved PV visibility compared to WLI and NBI based on objective and subjective measures.

Background/Aims: Visualization of palisade vessels (PVs) in Barrett’s esophagus is crucial for proper assessment. This study aimed to determine whether red dichromatic imaging (RDI) improves PV visibility compared with white-light imaging (WLI) and narrow-band imaging (NBI). Methods: Five expert and trainee endoscopists evaluated the PV visibility in Barrett’s esophagus using WLI, NBI, and RDI on 66 images from 22 patients. Visibility was rated on a 4-point scale: 4, excellent; 3, good; 2, fair; and 1, poor. The color difference between the most recognizable PV spots and surrounding areas with undetectable blood vessels was also analyzed. Results: Mean visibility scores were 2.6±0.7, 2.3±0.6, and 3.4±0.4 for WLI, NBI, and RDI, respectively. The RDI scores were significantly higher than the WLI (p<0.001) and NBI (p<0.001) scores. These differences were recognized by trainees and expert endoscopists. Color differences in PVs were 7.74±4.96 (WLI), 10.43±5.09 (NBI), and 15.1±6.54 (RDI). The difference in RDI was significantly higher than that in WLI (p<0.001) and NBI (p=0.006). Conclusions RDI significantly improved PV visibility compared to WLI and NBI based on objective and subjective measures.

Background/Aims: Visualization of palisade vessels (PVs) in Barrett’s esophagus is crucial for proper assessment. This study aimed to determine whether red dichromatic imaging (RDI) improves PV visibility compared with white-light imaging (WLI) and narrow-band imaging (NBI). Methods: Five expert and trainee endoscopists evaluated the PV visibility in Barrett’s esophagus using WLI, NBI, and RDI on 66 images from 22 patients. Visibility was rated on a 4-point scale: 4, excellent; 3, good; 2, fair; and 1, poor. The color difference between the most recognizable PV spots and surrounding areas with undetectable blood vessels was also analyzed. Results: Mean visibility scores were 2.6±0.7, 2.3±0.6, and 3.4±0.4 for WLI, NBI, and RDI, respectively. The RDI scores were significantly higher than the WLI (p<0.001) and NBI (p<0.001) scores. These differences were recognized by trainees and expert endoscopists. Color differences in PVs were 7.74±4.96 (WLI), 10.43±5.09 (NBI), and 15.1±6.54 (RDI). The difference in RDI was significantly higher than that in WLI (p<0.001) and NBI (p=0.006). Conclusions RDI significantly improved PV visibility compared to WLI and NBI based on objective and subjective measures.

Methods: This study enrolled 60 patients who underwent corrective surgery and were followed up for >2 years postoperatively. AdIS was defined as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in patients who had no history of corrective surgery, had a primary thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curve, and were ≥30 years old at the time of surgery. Results: The AdIS (n=23; mean age, 53.1 years) and de novo (n=37; mean age, 70.0 years) groups were significantly different in terms of the main thoracic and TL/L curves, sagittal vertical axis, thoracic kyphosis, and thoracolumbar kyphosis preoperatively. The scores in the self-image domain of the SRS-22r (before surgery/2 years after surgery [PO2Y]) were 2.2/4.4 and 2.3/3.7 in the AdIS and de novo groups, respectively, and PO2Y was significantly different between the two groups (p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that AdIS was an independent factor associated with self-image at PO2Y (p=0.039). Conclusions AdIS, a spinal deformity pathology, was identified as a significant factor associated with the self-image domain of SRS-22r in patients who underwent corrective surgery. AdIS is not solely classified based on pathology but also differs in terms of the clinical aspect of self-image improvement following corrective surgery.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical significance of adaptive radiotherapy (ART) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Materials and Methods: Eligible patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy using IMRT. Planning computed tomography in ART was performed during radiotherapy, and replanning was performed. Since ART was started in May 2011 (ART group), patients who were treated without ART up to April 2011 (non-ART group) were used as the historical control. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). LRFS for the primary tumor (LRFS_P) and regional lymph node (LRFS_LN) were also studied for more detailed analysis. Statistical significance was evaluated using the log-rank test for survival. Results: The ART group tended to have higher radiation doses. The median follow-up period was 127 months (range, 10 to 211 months) in the non-ART group and 61.5 months (range, 5 to 129 months) in the ART group. Compared to the non-ART group, the ART group showed significantly higher 5-year PFS (53.8% vs. 81.3%, p = 0.015) and LRFS (61.2% vs. 85.3%, p = 0.024), but not OS (80.7% vs. 80.8%, p = 0.941) and DMFS (84.6% vs. 92.7%, p = 0.255). Five-year LRFS_P was higher in the ART group (61.3% vs. 90.6%, p = 0.005), but LRFS_LN did not show a significant difference (91.9% vs. 96.2%, p = 0.541). Conclusion Although there were differences in the patient backgrounds between the two groups, this study suggests the potential effectiveness of ART in improving locoregional control, especially in the primary tumor.

Methods: This prospective, single-arm study included 11 patients (eight men; mean age, 62.7 years) with ≥3-months’ chronic pain history due to lumbar disease. Subcutaneous TCZ injections were administered twice, at a 2-week interval. We evaluated low back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness using numeric rating scales and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI; baseline and 6 months postinjection); serum IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels (baseline and 1 month postinjection); and clinical adverse events. Results: Intractable symptoms reduced after TCZ administration. Low back pain improved for 6 months. Improvements in leg pain and numbness peaked at 4 and 1 month, respectively. Improvements in ODI were significant at 1 month and peaked at 4 months. Serum IL-6 was increased at 1 month. IL-6 responders (i.e., patients with IL-6 increases >10 pg/mL) showed particularly significant improvements in leg pain at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months compared with nonresponders. We observed no apparent adverse events. Conclusions Systemic TCZ administration improved symptoms effectively for 6 months, with peak improvements at 1–4 months and no adverse events. Changing serum IL-6 levels correlated with leg pain improvements; further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanistic connections between lumbar disorders and inflammatory cytokines.

Methods: Study participants comprised five healthy volunteers (mean age, 27.2 years) and 27 patients with LSS (mean age, 58.4 years) who were individually assessed using 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging. Intraspinal ADC and FA values of 10 intervertebral discs from healthy volunteers and 52 intervertebral discs from LSS patients were measured. Also, intraspinal canal area, Schizas classification (A: normal, B: mild stenosis, C: severe stenosis) and correlations with symptoms were investigated. Clinical symptoms were checked for the presence of low back pain (LBP), intermittent claudication (IMC), and bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD). Results: Compared to healthy individuals, LSS patients had significantly lower ADC (p<0.05) and significantly higher FA values (p<0.01). In Schizas classification, stenosis worsened from A to C. ADC values decreased significantly while FA values increased significantly in that order (p<0.05). A positive correlation was found between intraspinal canal area and ADC values (r=0.63, p<0.01) and a negative correlation between intraspinal canal area and FA values (p=−0.61, p<0.01). No correlations were noted between LBP and ADC or FA values. On the other hand, ADC values were significantly lower (p<0.05) and FA values were significantly higher (p<0.05) in patients with IMC or BBD. Conclusions Intraspinal DTI parameters such as ADC and FA values were associated with the Schizas classification, intraspinal canal area, and clinical symptoms, suggesting that ADC and FA may be useful for quantitative assessment of LSS.

Purpose: In this multicenter retrospective observational study, we examined the early effects of romosozumab in patients with severe osteoporosis in terms of time-course changes in bone metabolism marker, improvement in bone density, and adverse effects. Materials and Methods: Patients with severe osteoporosis were included. We investigated the progress of TRACP 5b and P1NP before and 1–2 months after the administration of romosozumab. We also investigated the bone density of lumbar spine, femoral neck, and the entire femur, measured by the DXA method, before and 5–7 months after the administration of romosozumab. Results: A total of 70 patients (7 males and 63 females, age 75.0±3.6 years) participated in this study. Significant improvements in TRACP 5b and P1NP levels were observed before and 1–2 months after romosozumab administration. The average bone density of lumbar spine, femoral neck, and the entire femur were measured before and 5–7 months after romosozumab administration;and a significant increase only observed in the lumbar spine. Conclusion Consistent with the findings of previous clinical studies, romosozumab has both bone formation-enhancing and bone resorption effects (dual effect). In addition, romosozumab also demonstrated improvement in bone density from the early phase after the administration, though the result was only seen in the lumbar spine.

Purpose: In this multicenter retrospective observational study, we examined the early effects of romosozumab in patients with severe osteoporosis in terms of time-course changes in bone metabolism marker, improvement in bone density, and adverse effects. Materials and Methods: Patients with severe osteoporosis were included. We investigated the progress of TRACP 5b and P1NP before and 1–2 months after the administration of romosozumab. We also investigated the bone density of lumbar spine, femoral neck, and the entire femur, measured by the DXA method, before and 5–7 months after the administration of romosozumab. Results: A total of 70 patients (7 males and 63 females, age 75.0±3.6 years) participated in this study. Significant improvements in TRACP 5b and P1NP levels were observed before and 1–2 months after romosozumab administration. The average bone density of lumbar spine, femoral neck, and the entire femur were measured before and 5–7 months after romosozumab administration;and a significant increase only observed in the lumbar spine. Conclusion Consistent with the findings of previous clinical studies, romosozumab has both bone formation-enhancing and bone resorption effects (dual effect). In addition, romosozumab also demonstrated improvement in bone density from the early phase after the administration, though the result was only seen in the lumbar spine.