Joo-Wan Cha

Characteristics of Precipitable Water Vapor and Liquid Water Path by Microwave Radiometer

Based on the observation of the microwave radiometers at Cheongju, Hapcheon and Daegwallyeong in Korea, the precipitable water vapor and liquid water path have been analyzed for spatio-temporal characteristics. The observed datas have been validated by comparing precipitable water vapor between the microwave radiometer and the radiosonde near the sites. It resulted in the correlation coefficient of more than 0.8 in all three sites. For three regions, the precipitable water vapor shows similar seasonal variation and diurnal cycle, and that amount of precipitable water vapor increases from around 1000 LST and has a maximum value at 1900 LST. On the other hand, the liquid water path of microwave radiometer has regional differences for its seasonal variation, which seems to be caused by the geographical characteristics including the frequent fog and clouds in Daegwallyeong, a high mountain region (834 m from sea level), almost flat land in Chengju, and Sobaek Mountains in Hapcheon that blocks the westerly clouds.

Melanoma of the Sinonasal Tract: Value of a Septate Pattern on Precontrast T1-Weighted MR Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Various tumors of the sinonasal tract can exhibit high signal intensity on T1WI. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of a septate pattern on precontrast T1WI for diagnosing sinonasal melanoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, 3 observers independently reviewed MR images of 31 histologically proved sinonasal melanomas with special attention to the presence or absence of a septate pattern on precontrast T1WI, defined as alternating hyperintense and hypointense striations on precontrast T1WI. For comparison, we evaluated the prevalence of a septate pattern on precontrast T1WI in 106 nonmelanomatous sinonasal malignant tumors with 16 different histologic types. We also tried to identify the histopathologic features responsible for the septate pattern on precontrast T1WI. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (87.1%) of 31 sinonasal melanomas showed hyperintense foci on T1WI, among which a septate pattern on precontrast T1WI was seen in 23 (74.2%), while 22 (20.8%) of 106 nonmelanomatous malignant tumors demonstrated hyperintense foci on T1WI, among which only 3 (2.8%) showed a septate pattern on precontrast T1WI. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of a septate pattern on precontrast T1WI for the diagnosis of sinonasal melanoma were 74%, 97%, 88%, 93%, and 92%, respectively. Although limited due to the retrospective nature, 4 of 23 histologically reviewed sinonasal melanomas revealed an uneven distribution of melanin with alternating melanin and fibrous bands within the tumors. CONCLUSIONS: A septate pattern on precontrast T1WI might be an adjunctive imaging finding for the diagnosis of sinonasal melanoma. This might be attributed histologically to an uneven distribution of melanin and hemorrhage within the tumors.