Uterine Cervical Cancer: Emphasis on Revised FIGO Staging 2018 and MRI

Uterine cervical cancer is a common gynecological cancer prevalent in Korea. Early detection, precise diagnosis, and appropriate treatment can affect its prognosis. Imaging approaches play an important role in staging, treatment planning, and follow-up. MRI specifically provides the advantage of assessing tumor size and disease severity with high soft tissue contrast. The revised version of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system has been introduced in 2018, which incorporates subdivided primary tumor size and lymph node metastasis. In this review, the staging of uterine cervical cancer based on previous studies, the recently revised FIGO staging, and various post-treatment images are primarily described using MRI.

Uterine Cervical Cancer: Emphasis on Revised FIGO Staging 2018 and MRI

Uterine cervical cancer is a common gynecological cancer prevalent in Korea. Early detection, precise diagnosis, and appropriate treatment can affect its prognosis. Imaging approaches play an important role in staging, treatment planning, and follow-up. MRI specifically provides the advantage of assessing tumor size and disease severity with high soft tissue contrast. The revised version of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system has been introduced in 2018, which incorporates subdivided primary tumor size and lymph node metastasis. In this review, the staging of uterine cervical cancer based on previous studies, the recently revised FIGO staging, and various post-treatment images are primarily described using MRI.

Clinical Characteristics of Pertussis Epidemic in Changwon

PURPOSE: Pertussis can be prevented with a vaccine. Despite this, there have been an increasing number of cases worldwide, and also in Korea. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of the recent outbreak in the Changwon area. METHODS: Patients who visited Changwon Fatima Hospital from July 2015 to March 2016 with respiratory symptoms, including spasmodic cough, cough induced vomiting, inspiratory ‘intake’ sound (whooping), and a night-time cough for >1 week were included in this study. Respiratory specimens were collected from patients and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and detected anti-pertussis immunoglobulin G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit test were performed. Patients with underlying diseases, or those who had received a DTaP or Tdap vaccination in recent 1 year were excluded. RESULTS: Pertussis was diagnosed in 37 of 50 patients, two patients were positive according to the PCR, and 37 patients were positive according to serologic tests. The age distribution of the patients was 1 month to 15 years. After administering antibiotics, all patients recovered without complications. CONCLUSIONS: A pertussis outbreak occurred in Changwon in 2015 and 2016. This data can provide the basis for further study on the epidemiology of pertussis in Korea.

The association between skeletal maturation and adrenal androgen levels in obese children and adolescents

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the association between skeletal maturation and adrenal androgen levels in obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Fifty-three children and adolescents (aged 7–15 years) diagnosed as obese or overweight were investigated. Anthropometric measurements, bone age (BA) determination, serum biochemical analyses, and hormonal measurements were performed. The difference between BA and chronological age (BA–CA, dBACA) was calculated and used to represent the degree of advanced skeletal maturation. RESULTS: Thirty-one subjects were classified into the obese group and 22 subjects into the overweight group. Insulin resistance as calculated by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was significantly higher in the obese group than in the overweight group (4.03±2.20 vs. 2.86±1.11, P=0.026). The skeletal maturation of the obese group was advanced, but the dBACA did not differ between the obese and overweight groups statistically (1.43±1.35 vs. 0.91±1.15, P=0.141). Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels were significantly higher in subjects with dBACA>1 compared to those with dBACA≤1 (104.3±62.2 vs. 59.6±61.0, P=0.014). Correlation analyses demonstrated that dBACA was positively correlated with body mass index standard deviation scores (r=0.35, P=0.010), fasting insulin (r=0.36, P=0.009), HOMA-IR (r=0.30, P=0.031), and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (r=0.331, P=0.028). In multivariate linear regression analysis, HOMA-IR (P=0.026) and serum DHEA-S (P=0.032) were positively correlated with the degree of advanced skeletal maturation. CONCLUSION: Advanced skeletal maturation is associated with increased insulin resistance and elevated DHEA-S levels in obese children and adolescents.

A Novel Germline Mutation of the APC Gene: A Case Report of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Requiring Repeated Endoscopic Resections for Gastroduodenal Polyps

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a precancerous clinical entity, which is characterized by the development of numerous adenomatous polyps throughout the colon and rectum. The majority of FAP are associated with mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. Until now, more than 1,000 different APC mutations have been reported and some mutations express attenuated phenotypes which are milder forms with 10~100 colorectal polyps. We identified a novel mutation of APC gene which expressed an attenuated FAP but caused large gastroduodenal tubular adenomas requiring repeated endoscopic resections. A 16-year-old girl was referred to Incheon St. Mary's Hospital for evaluation of gastric polyposis. Initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showed numerous gastric polyps in the fundus and upper body and a few polyps in the duodenum. Pathologic examination confirmed gastric polyps as fundic gland polyps and duodenal polyps as tubular adenomas. Only a few colonic polyps of 2 to 5 mm in size were found on colonoscopy. Genetic analysis using polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing revealed a novel stop codon mutation at codon 1522 in exon 16 of APC gene. At 12-month, 18-month, and 35-month follow-up EGD, large duodenal polyp and gastric polyps were removed endoscopically.

Endobronchial Metastasis: CT Findings and Its Usefulness in Bronchoscopic Correlation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the CT findings of bronchial abnormalities in patients with endobronchial metastasis from extrapulmonary tumors, and to correlate these with the bronchoscopic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the CT and bronchoscopic findings of 17 patients (M:F=9:8; mean age, 56 years) with histologically proven endobronchial metastasis from extrapulmonary primary tumors. Carcinoma of the uterine cervix (n = 5) was the most common primary site for endo-bronchial metastasis. CT findings of bronchial abnormalities with associated peribronchial and lung parenchymal lesions were analyzed and compared with the bronchoscopic findings. RESULTS: Among the 17 patients, 20 sites of bronchial abnormalities were visualized bronchoscopically. CT findings of bronchial abnormalities were smooth narrowing (n = 11), occlusion (n = 3), intraluminal mass (n= 4), and normal (n = 2). Peribronchial lesions(lymph node enlargement or parenchymal mass) were found in 12 cases. Bronchoscopy revealed bronchial narrowing due to a mucosal nodule or intraluminal polypoid mass in 16 cases, and total obstruction of the bronchus in four. With regard to the identification of bronchial abnormalities, the findings of CT and of bronchoscopy agreed in 17 cases and disagreed in three. While bronchoscopy was advantageous for detecting early mucosal abnormality, CT effectively evaluated the extent of a lesion beyond the stenosis or bronchial obstruction. CT was also useful for predicting the causes of bronchial abnormalities. CONCLUSION: CT is relatively accurate in evaluating bronchial abnormalities, and in patients with endo-bronchial metastases may be used as a complementary procedure to bronchoscopy for evaluating the extent of the lesion.

Thymoma accompanying Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia / 결핵

Severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia was developed in the 45-year-old man whose anterior mediastinal growing mass, which was proved later as the invasive thymoma, had been found 4 years ago. The hemoglobin level was 6.2g/dl and both the direct and indirect Coombs' tests were positive. Prompt remission of the hemolytic anemia was achieved by thymectomy combined with corticosteroid therapy. Two months after the discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy his hemolytic anemia was recurred. The patient currently has been followed up for 8 months with no signs of local recurrence or hemolytic anemia and he is still receiving 15 mg of perdnisolone daily.