Comparison of two- and three-dimensional sonography for the prediction of the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid carcinomas

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic validity of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) when predicting the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer. METHODS: All 2D data were interpreted in real time and 3D data were stored, rendered using tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI), and then reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Extrathyroidal extension was present in 17 papillary thyroid cancers(24.3%) on pathology reports. The presence of contact was significantly associated with extrathyroidal extension on both 2D and 3D US (p = 0.007 and p = 0.003), and the sensitivity and specificity were not significantly different between 2D and 3D US (p = 1.000 and p = 0.754). The coexistence of protrusion and contact was not significantly associated with extrathyroidal extension on either 2D or 3D sonogram. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional images rendered with TUI algorithms alone do not seem to be markedly superior to real-time 2D US in predicting the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer.

Adiposity in the Relationship between Serum Vitamin D Level and Insulin Resistance in Middle-Aged and Elderly Korean Adults: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008

BACKGROUND: The role of adiposity in the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and insulin resistance has not yet been fully studied. This aim of this study is to clarify the role of adiposity in the relationship between serum vitamin D level and insulin resistance among middle-aged and elderly Korean adults. METHODS: We used data from 2,710 individuals aged > or =50 years based on national data from a representative sample of the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV-2 in 2008. RESULTS: After adjustment for potential confounders, body mass index (BMI) was significantly associated with 25(OH) vitamin D (P=0.008). However, waist circumference was not significantly associated with 25(OH) vitamin D. In the stratified analyses, 25(OH) vitamin D was found to be negatively associated with fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment estimate of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in participants with BMIs > or =25 kg/m2 (P=0.003 for both insulin and HOMR-IR) but was not found to be associated in those with BMIs <23 kg/m2. However, we observed a significant inverse in the association of 25(OH) vitamin D with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR in both the normal (P=0.001 and P<0.001 and the abdominally obese group (P=0.010 and P=0.009) in the stratified analyses according to abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: Our results support that the idea that endogenously-produced vitamin D might be stored in subcutaneous fat deposits. In addition, the association of vitamin D with insulin resistance in middle-aged and elderly Korean adults was stronger when it was stratified by BMI than when abdominal obesity status.

Predictive Factors for Incidental Contralateral Carcinoma in Patients with Unilateral Micropapillary Thyroid Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Whether thyroid lobectomy alone is a sufficient treatment for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the predictive factors for incidental contralateral carcinoma in patients confirmed of unilateral PTMC preoperatively. METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2009, 393 patients underwent thyroid surgery for unifocal and unilateral PTMC preoperatively at Pusan National University Hospital. A total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection was routinely performed for these patients during this study period. RESULTS: Among the 393 cases in the cohort, 77 patients (19.6%) had incidental PTMC in the contralateral lobe. In patients with incidental contralateral carcinoma, there was higher prevalence in extrathyroid extension, occult ipsilateral carcinoma, pathologic Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and central lymph node metastasis compared to those without contralateral carcinoma. The mean tumor size also increased in patients with contralateral carcinoma. Multivariate logistic regression showed that extrathyroid extension (P = 0.049), occult ipsilateral carcinoma (P < 0.001), pathologic Hashimoto's thyroiditis (P = 0.038), and central lymph node metastasis (P = 0.002) were predictive factors for incidental contralateral carcinoma. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, multifocality in the ipsilateral lobe, central lymph node metastasis, extrathyroid extension, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis is associated with the presence of contralateral carcinoma. Thus, if these factors are found by preoperative and/or postoperative evaluation, total thyroidectomy or completion thyroidectomy is necessary for the treatment of PTMC.

Determinants of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Normotensive Young Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is simple, noninvasive method which correlates well with arterial stiffness. Herein, we assessed the determinants of baPWV in normotensive young adults with type 2 diabetes. We retrospectively enrolled 103 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients aged between 30 and 39 yr who measured baPWV with noninvasive pulse wave analyzer. The anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, pulse rate, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, fasting C-peptide, HbA1c, lipid profile, hs-CRP, albuminuria status, AST/ALT, gamma-GTP were checked concurrently. Also, we investigated history of smoking, alcohol drinking and medications by questionnaire. We found that maximal baPWV was positively correlated with mean blood pressure (r = 0.404, P < 0.001), heart rate (r = 0.285, P = 0.004), AST (r = 0.409, P < 0.001), ALT (r = 0.329, P = 0.001), gamma-GTP (r = 0.273, P = 0.006), Urine albumin/creatinine ratio (r = 0.321, P = 0.003). By multiple linear regression, mean blood pressure and heart rate were significantly associated with maximal baPWV in male and total group. In female group, mean blood pressure was the only variable associated with maximal baPWV. These factors can be surrogate markers of arterial stiffness in this population.

Determinants of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Normotensive Young Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is simple, noninvasive method which correlates well with arterial stiffness. Herein, we assessed the determinants of baPWV in normotensive young adults with type 2 diabetes. We retrospectively enrolled 103 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients aged between 30 and 39 yr who measured baPWV with noninvasive pulse wave analyzer. The anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, pulse rate, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, fasting C-peptide, HbA1c, lipid profile, hs-CRP, albuminuria status, AST/ALT, gamma-GTP were checked concurrently. Also, we investigated history of smoking, alcohol drinking and medications by questionnaire. We found that maximal baPWV was positively correlated with mean blood pressure (r = 0.404, P < 0.001), heart rate (r = 0.285, P = 0.004), AST (r = 0.409, P < 0.001), ALT (r = 0.329, P = 0.001), gamma-GTP (r = 0.273, P = 0.006), Urine albumin/creatinine ratio (r = 0.321, P = 0.003). By multiple linear regression, mean blood pressure and heart rate were significantly associated with maximal baPWV in male and total group. In female group, mean blood pressure was the only variable associated with maximal baPWV. These factors can be surrogate markers of arterial stiffness in this population.

Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis Associated with Transient Thyrotoxicosis Due to Painless Thyroiditis

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare manifestation of hyperthyroidism characterized by muscle weakness and hypokalemia. All ethnicities can be affected, but TPP typically presents in men of Asian descent. The most common cause of TPP in thyrotoxicosis is Graves' disease. However, TPP can occur with any form of thyrotoxicosis. Up to our knowledge, very few cases ever reported the relationship between TPP and painless thyroiditis. We herein report a 25-yr-old Korean man who suffered from flaccid paralysis of the lower extremities and numbness of hands. The patient was subsequently diagnosed as having TPP associated with transient thyrotoxicosis due to painless thyroiditis. The paralytic attack did not recur after improving the thyroid function. Therefore, it is necessary that early diagnosis of TPP due to transient thyrotoxicosis is made to administer definite treatment and prevent recurrent paralysis.

Predictive Value of Post-Transplant Bone Marrow Plasma Cell Percent in Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergone Autologous Transplantation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has become the treatment of choice for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Studies have shown that maintenance treatment with interferon-alpha is associated with improved survival rates following ASCT. However, despite these recent advances in regimes, relapses are inevitable; thus, the prediction of relapse following ASCT requires assessment. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 39 patients who received ASCT between 2003 and 2008. All patients received chemotherapy with vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone (VAD), and ASCT was performed following high-dose melphalan conditioning therapy. We evaluated the influence of the post-transplant day +14 (D+14) bone marrow plasma cell percent (BMPCp) (> or = 2 vs. or = 50 vs. or = 50% at diagnosis, CR after 3 cycles of VAD therapy, del (13q) by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and BMPCp > or = 2% at post-transplant D+14 were correlated with PFS and OS. A multivariate analysis revealed that a post-transplant D+14 BMPCp > or = 2% (PFS, hazard ratio [HR] = 4.426, p = 0.008; OS, HR = 3.545, p = 0.038) and CR after 3 cycles of VAD therapy (PFS, HR = 0.072, p = 0.014; OS, HR = 0.055, p = 0.015) were independent prognostic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Post-transplant D+14 BMPCp is a useful parameter for predicting the outcome for patients with MM receiving ASCT.

A Case of Carney Complex with Multiple Spinal Fractures / 대한내과학회지

Carney complex is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by multiple neoplasias, including myxomas and endocrine tumors, spotty pigmentation, and schwannomas. Primary pigmented nodular adrenal dysplasia (PPNAD) is a cause of Cushing syndrome, independently of adrenocorticotropic hormone. A 21-year-old man was referred for evaluation with multiple spinal compression fractures and adenomas affecting both adrenal glands. Plasma and urinary cortisol levels were elevated and were not suppressed by the administration of a high dose of dexamethasone. The patient was diagnosed with Carney complex manifesting as Cushing syndrome due to PPNAD with multiple pigmented skin lesions. Left adrenalectomy was performed because the nodule on the left adrenal gland was markedly larger than the other nodules. Subsequently, right adrenalectomy was also performed. Pathological analysis revealed that the adrenal glands contained multiple dark brown and black nodules. We describe herein our recent experience of a case of Carney complex manifesting as Cushing syndrome due to PPNAD, with lentigines on the lips, and review the published literature on this subject.

Comparative analysis of the clinical features and prognosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis according to the renal function / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There is an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) with impaired cellular immunity and extrapulmonary TB is more common in patients with chronic kidney disease. We explored the clinical features and treatment outcomes of extrapulmonary TB according to renal function. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with extrapulmonary TB between January 2003 and December 2007. We classified the patients into two groups using the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula cut-off of 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and evaluated their clinical features, treatment outcome and mortality (Group I vs. Group II, > or = 60 mL/min/1.73 m2). RESULTS: The mean eGFR of Groups I (n=30) and II (n=312) was 34+/-19 and 102+/-26 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. The pleura was the most frequent site of TB in both groups (Group I, 30.0% vs. Group II, 28.2%; p=0.379). There was no treatment failure or recurrence in either group. The mortality was higher in Group I (22.2% vs. 2.8%; p<0.01). In a multivariate analysis, eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was an independent risk factor for mortality (HR=11.51, CI 2.512-52.741; p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality related to extrapulmonary TB was higher in patients with impaired kidney function and kidney function was an independent predictor. However, there was no difference in treatment failure and recurrence according to renal function.

Thyroid Dysfunction Induced by Metastatic Thyroid Cancer: Report of Two Cases

Metastases to the thyroid gland are not frequently observed in clinical practice, although an overall incidence of secondary thyroid malignant tumors has been reported to range from 1.25% to 24% in autopsy series. Generally, patients with metastatic thyroid cancer present with euthyroidism and they do not develop thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid dysfunctions, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, rarely occur in patients with metastatic thyroid cancer. We describe here a case of hypothyroidism induced by thyroid metastasis from cancer of an unknown primary site in a 53-year-old man and another case of thyrotoxicosis induced by thyroid metastasis from lung cancer in a 65-year-old man.

2 Cases of Gastric Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Presenting as a Submucosal Tumor-like Lesion / 대한소화기학회지

Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is the most common form of primary extranodal lymphomas. In most cases, it is developed as multifocal and mucosal lesions, and its initial diagnosis is made by biopsy of suspicious lesions on endoscopy. However, when gastric MALT lymphoma afflict submucosal site without typical mucosal lesion, further procedures are necessary for diagnosis, such as endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic ultrasonography. We recently experienced two cases of submucosal tumor-like gastric MALT lymphoma. Both cases were without any mucosal lesion. One case was confirmed by endoscopic mucosal resection, and the latter was by wedge resection. Treatment modalities included endoscopic mucosal resection, surgery, H. pylori eradication, and/or chemotherapy. Both cases achieved complete remission until our 18 months' and 16 months' follow up.

A Case of Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia in a Patient with Behcet's Disease

Behcet's disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder characterized by vasculitis of unknown cause and has been reported rarely in association with malignant diseases. In most cases the autoimmune nature of Behcet's disease and the long-term immunosuppressive therapy for disease control have been proposed to be responsible for malignant transformation. Although a few cases of various solid tumor and myelodysplastic syndrome have been reported in association with Behcet's disease, acute leukemia has seldom been associated with Beh?et's disease in Korea. We report a case of 38-year-old man with acute myeloblastic leukemia association with a Behcet's disease who had not received long-term treatment.