Follow-Up Intervals for Breast Imaging Reporting andData System Category 3 Lesions on Screening Ultrasoundin Screening and Tertiary Referral Centers

Objective@#To assess the appropriate follow-up interval, and rate and timepoint of cancer detection in women with Breast ImagingReporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 3 lesions on screening ultrasonography (US) according to the type of institution. @*Materials and Methods@#A total of 1451 asymptomatic women who had negative or benign findings on screening mammogram,BI-RADS 3 assessment on screening US, and at least 6 months of follow-up were included. The median follow-up interval was30.8 months (range, 6.8–52.9 months). The cancer detection rate, cancer detection timepoint, risk factors, and clinicopathologicalcharacteristics were compared between the screening and tertiary centers. Nominal variables were compared using the chisquareor Fisher’s exact test and continuous variables were compared using the independent t test or Mann-Whitney U test. @*Results@#In 1451 women, 19 cancers (1.3%) were detected; two (0.1%) were diagnosed at 6 months and 17 (1.2%) werediagnosed after 12.3 months. The malignancy rates were both 1.3% in the screening (9 of 699) and tertiary (10 of 752) centers.In the screening center, all nine cancers were invasive cancers and diagnosed after 12.3 months. In the tertiary center, twowere ductal carcinomas in situ and eight were invasive cancers. Two of the invasive cancers were diagnosed at 6 months andthe remaining eight cancers newly developed after 13.1 months. @*Conclusion@#One-year follow-up rather than 6-month follow-up may be suitable for BI-RADS 3 lesions on screening US foundin screening centers. However, more caution is needed regarding similar findings in tertiary centers where 6-month follow-upmay be more appropriate.

Follow-up Outcomes of Benign Pathology Initially Assigned as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System Category 4A and 3 / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: This retrospective study investigated if the initially assigned category 4A or 3 in concordant benign lesions, after ultrasound (US)-guided core needle biopsy, could affect follow-up compliance. METHODS: Eight hundred thirty-eight concordant benign lesions, after core needle biopsy (674, initial category 4A group and 164, category 3 group) and follow-up US, were included in our study. If an immediate surgical excision—a surgical excision before the next follow-up—exists, those cases with pathologic reports were collected. Statistical comparisons for the result of follow-up US compliance, additional biopsy, and malignant rates among 6-month, 12-month, and long-term intervals were performed by using the chi-square test. The log-rank test was used to compare compliance rates in the timing of first follow-up between the two groups, with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The number of immediate surgical excision was higher in the category 4A group (11.1%) than in the category 3 group (6.1%); only one cancer was found in the category 4A group. The patients' compliance rate in a 6-month follow-up showed an increase (p=0.003) in the category 4A group. The additional biopsy rate was higher in the initial category 4A group (10.9%) than in the category 3 group (1.9%) with statistical significance (p=0.001); four cancers were found on additional biopsy in the category 4 group. No cancer was detected in the initial category 3 group, both on immediate surgical excision and follow-up. CONCLUSION: The initial category 4A or 3 of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System could be a significant factor that affects immediate surgical excision and follow-up compliance. Cancers were detected only in the initial category 4A group of concordant benign lesions. More attention should be paid to the concordant benign lesions from the initial category 4A group than from the category 3 group.

Erratum: Follow-up Outcomes of Benign Pathology Initially Assigned as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System Category 4A and 3 / 한국유방암학회지

This article was initially published on the Journal of Breast Cancer with a misspelled the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval number. The IRB number should be corrected as “NCC2014-0031”.

Expression of neurotrophic factors in injured spinal cord after transplantation of human-umbilical cord blood stem cells in rats

We induced percutaneous spinal cord injuries (SCI) using a balloon catheter in 45 rats and transplanted human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) at the injury site. Locomotor function was significantly improved in hUCB-MSCs transplanted groups. Quantitative ELISA of extract from entire injured spinal cord showed increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). Our results show that treatment of SCI with hUCB-MSCs can improve locomotor functions, and suggest that increased levels of BDNF, NGF and NT-3 in the injured spinal cord were the main therapeutic effect.

Extra-Mammary Findings Detected on Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Pictorial Essay

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast is used for various indications. Contrary to computed tomography as a staging tool, breast MRI focuses on the breast parenchyma and axilla. In spite of narrow field of view, many structures such as the anterior portion of the lungs, mediastinum, bony structures and the liver are included which should not be neglected because the abnormalities detected on the above structures may influence the staging and provide a clue to systemic metastasis, which results in the change of treatment strategy. The purpose of this pictorial essay was to review the unexpected extra-mammary findings seen on the preoperative breast MRI.

SAPHO Syndrome in a Patient with Breast Cancer Mimicking Bone Metastasis: A Case Report

A 66-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital due to her right breast cancer. Preoperative breast MRI shows 1.9 cm malignancy on her right breast (cT1N0M0) and incidentally found osteosclerotic change of left coststernoclavicular region. Bone scintigraphy showed hot uptake and the possibility of bone metastasis was not excluded. However, because the bone metastasis is not common in early stage cancer and the costosternoclavicular region is not common site, other possibility should be considered. SAPHO syndrome can be diagnosed even in the absence of dermatosis when there is an axial or appendicular osteitis and hyperostosis, especially in costosternoclavicular region. Though breast imaging specialists are not accustomed to this disease entity, awareness and diagnosis of the SAPHO syndrome can help differentiate bone metastasis.

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: Ultrasonographic Findings and the Role of Ultrasonography-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy

PURPOSE: To investigate the ultrasonographic (US) features of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) and the diagnostic performance of US-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) therein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen cases of ATC diagnosed between January 2001 and May 2011 were included. FNAB was performed in all cases. Initial FNAB results were divided into three groups: 1) the cytological ATC group, cytological diagnosis of ATC; 2) the underestimated group, cytological diagnoses of malignancy other than ATC; and 3) the false negative group, cytological diagnoses of atypical, benign and non-diagnostic lesions. We retrospectively reviewed US findings and compared treatment modalities between each group. RESULTS: Among the 18 patients, there were nine in the initially cytological ATC group, four in the underestimated group and five in the false negative group. The most common US features of ATC were a solid (64.7%) and irregular shaped (88.2%) mass with lymph node involvement (76.4%). However, except for lymph node involvement (p=0.003), US findings for each group were not statistically different. The initial cytological diagnostic accuracy of ATC was 50% (9/18). Surgery was performed less in the ATC group (11%) and the false negative group (20%) than the underestimated group (75%). CONCLUSION: The US features of ATC were not especially different from other types of aggressive thyroid cancer. A correct diagnosis of ATC by initial US-FNAB was made in 50% of the patients, which is significant in that therapeutic surgery can be undertaken in lower numbers if correctly diagnosed.

Improved rat spinal cord injury model using spinal cord compression by percutaneous method

Here, percutaneous spinal cord injury (SCI) methods using a balloon catheter in adult rats are described. A balloon catheter was inserted into the epidural space through the lumbosacral junction and then inflated between T9-T10 for 10min under fluoroscopic guidance. Animals were divided into three groups with respect to inflation volume: 20 microL (n = 18), 50 microL (n = 18) and control (Fogarty catheter inserted but not inflated; n = 10). Neurological assessments were then made based on BBB score, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology. Both inflation volumes produced complete paralysis. Gradual recovery of motor function occurred when 20 microL was used, but not after 50 microL was applied. In the 50 microL group, all gray and white matter was lost from the center of the lesion. In addition, supramaximal damage was noted, which likely prevented spontaneous recovery. This percutaneous spinal cord compression injury model is simple, rapid with high reproducibility and the potential to serve as a useful tool for investigation of pathophysiology and possible protective treatments of SCI in vivo.

Clinical Course of Vascular Rings and Risk Factors Associated With Mortality

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vascular rings refer to anomalies of the great arteries that cause respiratory or feeding problems. The purpose of this study was to analyze a series of patients with vascular rings and evaluate associated risk factors for mortality. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients identified with vascular rings between 1997 and 2010 in the Seoul National University Children's Hospital. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were diagnosed with vascular rings (median age at diagnosis, 7 months). The vascular rings of 32 patients were confirmed by cardiac computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The types of vascular rings were: a double aortic arch in ten patients, a right aortic arch with persistent left ligamentum arteriosum in seven, an aberrant subclavian artery in seven, a pulmonary sling in eight, and others types in three patients. Eleven patients were asymptomatic. Gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms were seen in ten and sixteen patients, respectively. Associated cardiovascular anomalies were present in fifteen patients. Twenty patients with definite symptoms underwent surgical treatment. The median interval between diagnosis and operation was 6 days. Four patients eventually died; three deaths were associated with complex heart diseases, and one had pulmonary artery sling with severe tracheal stenosis. Only the presence of a complex heart disease significantly influenced mortality (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Vascular rings include several types of anomalies, each with a different prognosis and symptoms. The presence of a complex heart disease was significantly associated with mortality. Early diagnosis and timely surgery in symptomatic patients are essential.

A Case of Near Total Aortic Replacement in an Adolescent With Loeys-Dietz Syndrome

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a recently described autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the genes for transforming growth factor-beta receptor type 1 or 2 (TGF-ssR 1/2). The syndrome predisposes patients to aortic aneurysm and dissections, along with craniofacial and musculoskeletal abnormalities. Here we report the case of an adolescent who underwent serial near total aortic replacement, from the aortic valve to the descending aorta. Loeys-Dietz syndrome was confirmed in this case by the detection of a mutation in the TGF-ssR 2 gene.

Use of canine small intestinal submucosa allograft for treating perineal hernias in two dogs

Here, we describe two dogs in which canine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) was implanted as a biomaterial scaffold during perineal herniorrhaphy. Both dogs had developed severe muscle weakness, unilaterally herniated rectal protrusions, and heart problems with potential anesthetic risks. Areas affected by the perineal hernia (PH) located between the internal obturator and external anal sphincter muscles were reconstructed with naive canine SIS sheets. In 12 months, post-operative complications such as wound infections, sciatic paralysis, rectal prolapse, or recurrence of the hernia were not observed. Symptoms of defecatory tenesmus also improved. Neither case showed any signs of rejection or specific immune responses as determined by complete and differential cell counts. Our findings demonstrate that canine SIS can be used as a biomaterial scaffold for PH repair in dogs.

Aortic valve replacement surgery for a case of infantile Takayasu arteritis / 소아과

Takayasu arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology primarily affecting the aorta and its major branches and usually occurring in the second or third decade of life. Here, we report a case of Takayasu arteritis in a 10-month-old patient. The infant presented with signs of congestive heart failure and severe aortic regurgitation. Echocardiography and computed tomography angiography showed an abnormally dilated thoracic and abdominal aorta. The infant was initially treated with prednisolone, followed by commissuroplasty of the aortic valve but neither approach ameliorated the heart failure. The patient was eventually treated with a mechanical aortic valve replacement surgery at the age of 12 months, and her condition stabilized. Although unusual, this case indicates that the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis should be considered in children with unexplained systemic symptoms, aortic valve regurgitation, and heart failure. Because severe aortic regurgitation may be a fatal complication of Takayasu arteritis, early aortic valve replacement surgery should be considered, even in very young children.

Molecular Cloning of Plasmodium vivax Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 4

A family of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) is a unique enzyme which plays crucial roles in intracellular calcium signaling in plants, algae, and protozoa. CDPKs of malaria parasites are known to be key regulators for stage-specific cellular responses to calcium, a widespread secondary messenger that controls the progression of the parasite. In our study, we identified a gene encoding Plasmodium vivax CDPK4 (PvCDPK4) and characterized its molecular property and cellular localization. PvCDPK4 was a typical CDPK which had well-conserved N-terminal kinase domain and C-terminal calmodulin-like structure with 4 EF hand motifs for calcium-binding. The recombinant protein of EF hand domain of PvCDPK4 was expressed in E. coli and a 34 kDa product was obtained. Immunofluorescence assay by confocal laser microscopy revealed that the protein was expressed at the mature schizont of P. vivax. The expression of PvCDPK4-EF in schizont suggests that it may participate in the proliferation or egress process in the life cycle of this parasite.

Combined Anomaly of the Right Hepatic Lobe Agenesis and Absence of the Inferior Vena Cava: a Case Report

The absence of the inferior vena cava is an uncommon congenital anomaly that has recently been identified as an important risk factor contributing to the development of deep venous thrombosis. Congenital agenesis of the right hepatic lobe is a rare anomaly which is found incidentally in radiologic examinations. We present a case of a congenital absence of the infrarenal inferior vena cava, combined with agenesis of the right hepatic lobe in a 62-year-old man presented with symptoms of deep venous thrombosis.

Leiomyosarcoma of the vagina: a case report and review from the literature / 부인종양

Leiomyosarcomas comprise fewer than 2% of all malignant vaginal neoplasms. Due to their rarity, treatment for vaginal leiomyosarcomas have not been determined. We describe a 66 year old woman with vaginal leiomyosarcoma, which presented as a large palpable mass with vaginal spotting. Complete surgical excision was accomplished and after surgery, she underwent radiation therapy. Tumor recurrence was not detected for the last 5 years and now her general condition is very good. This is a rare case of leiomyosarcoma arising in vagina and we report the results of successful treatment.

Leiomyosarcoma of the vagina: a case report and review from the literature / 부인종양

Leiomyosarcomas comprise fewer than 2% of all malignant vaginal neoplasms. Due to their rarity, treatment for vaginal leiomyosarcomas have not been determined. We describe a 66 year old woman with vaginal leiomyosarcoma, which presented as a large palpable mass with vaginal spotting. Complete surgical excision was accomplished and after surgery, she underwent radiation therapy. Tumor recurrence was not detected for the last 5 years and now her general condition is very good. This is a rare case of leiomyosarcoma arising in vagina and we report the results of successful treatment.

Surgical repair of recurrent cervical cancer at a skin incision site with using a Gore-Tex(R) Patch: A case report / 대한산부인과학회지

Recurrence of cervical cancer at a skin incision site is uncommon. We met a patient who received an incomplete operation for cervical cancer and she was transferred to our hospital. When she underwent the first operation she was misdiagnosed as having a benign uterine mass and she received an abdominal total hysterectomy. But the postoperative pathologic finding was cervical cancer. Therefore she was then referred for postoperative cisplatin-5FU concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. Five months after the concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, one solitary metastatic mass was found in the abdominal scar. We performed wide excision. The fascia defect at the excision site was so wide we could not perform the primary closure. Therefore, we used a polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex(R)) patch as a fascia substitute and we reconstructed the abdominal wall with a fasciocutaneous flap. Then she received cisplatin concurrent chemo-radiation therapy.

The correlation of clusterin binding affinity to chemotherapeutic agents with chemoresistance in ovarian cancer cells / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism of action of clusterin?known as a chemo-resistance protein?by analyzing its binding with chemotherapeutic agents and elucidating its relation with drug resistance. METHODS: Chemotherapeutic agents were diluted with coating buffer and coated onto 96 well plates. We then had these agents cross-react with purified clusterin and wash the wells to remove residual clusterin. We quantified the amount of clusterin with optical density (OD) measured by binding peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody associated with mouse monoclonal clusterin antibody. To determine if anticancer drug-clusterin binding is related to chemotherapeutic agent resistance, we compared survival rates in the SKOV-3 cell line, which rarely secretes clusterin. We compared a group of SKOV-3 cells treated with a chemotherapeutic agent and a group treated with both the agent and clusterin, by means of XTT. RESULTS: In binding tests using ELISA OD, ratios of paclitaxel, cisplatin, carboplatin, topotecan, Adriamycin, etoposide, and 5-fluoruracil (5-FU) were 2.34, 2.40, 0.52, 2.44, 1.602, 1.14, and 1.13, respectively. Topotecan, cisplatin, and paclitaxel showed relatively higher binding. In addition, when these drugs were treated with clusterin in SKOV-3 cells, anticancer resistance increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The anticancer drug resistance endowed by clusterin is considered to be related to its binding with chemotherapeutic agents.

A clear cell cystadenofibroma of the ovary / 대한산부인과학회지

Most clear cell tumors of the ovaries are carcinomas; benign and borderline clear cell tumors are uncommon. We describe here a 52-year-old postmenopausal woman with an ovarian clear cell cystadenofibroma that was misdiagnosed before surgery as a borderline malignant cystic mass of the ovary. The ovarian mass had cystic and solid components. Histological examination revealed widely spaced simple glands embedded in a dense fibrous stroma. The glands were lined with one to two layers of hobnail cells, flattened cells, or cells with abundant clear cytoplasm. The patient successfully underwent a left oophoro-salpingectomy.

Synergistic apoptotic effect of Taxol on oral squamous cell carcinoma by cyclosporin A