Changing Trends What Patients with Thyroid Cancer Surgery Are Concerned About: Comparison between 2012 and 2020

Background and Objectives@#Given the major changes in spread of COVID-19 and the contribution of technological innovation, the objective of the current study was to compare the educational needs of thyroid cancer patients between 2012 and 2020. @*Materials and Methods@#The subject of this study were 159 patients in 2012 and 149 patients in 2020 who underwent thyroid cancer surgery. Data were collected from September 2020 to December 2020. Their responses were compared with response for the 2012 survey. The survey contained 36 questions regarding demographics and 5 areas of educational needs (Treatment plan after discharge, Management of the symptom and the complication after surgery, Medication management, Postoperative wound and dietary management, Daily life). @*Results@#The most preferred teaching method for thyroid cancer surgery patients has changed from small group education to self-study with videos. The Internet accounted for the largest proportion of source of information and the preferred educator for the patient were doctors and nurses in both 2012 and 2020. ‘Current disease condition and surgical result’ was the highest ranked in both 2012 and 2020. @*Conclusion@#It is necessary to develop and utilize an educational method using video centered on medical team including doctors and nurses.

Thyroid Cancer Patients’ Interests and Information Seeking Behavior: Focused on Online Community Analysis

Background and Objectives@#Many patients with thyroid cancer are participating in the online community. Thyroid cancer patients write and read a variety of posts in the online community, and there is a great deal of data generated in the digital environment. However, few studies have analyzed the online community of thyroid cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to analyze the online community to understand the interests and information seeking behavior of thyroid cancer patients. @*Materials and Methods@#Data were collected from August 2017 to September 2019 using statistics from an online community of thyroid cancer patients. The frequency analysis was performed by collecting the members’ gender, age, average usage time, time-of-day views, average monthly visits, device distribution, online community inflow query, query within online community, and content of a post with more than 1000 views per month. @*Results@#Analyzing the online community of thyroid cancer patients, women accounted for 80.4% of the total, and the age group of people in their 30s and 40s accounted for 77.5%. Online community subscribers averaged 0.7 visits a day using mobile, with the most frequent use time between 10pm and 12pm. Frequently used queries are medical staff names, surgery, recurrence and scar. Posts showed informational and emotional exchanges. @*Conclusion@#Patients with thyroid cancer have searched for a lot of information about surgery and recurrence. Analyzing the online community will help to understand the experience of thyroid cancer patients and contribute to the development of online community intervention.

Factors Affecting Postoperative Occupational Changes and Sick Leave in Patients with Thyroid Cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Most thyroid cancers progress slowly, have high survival rates, and have good prognosis. Therefore, the management of patients with thyroid cancer should be viewed from a long-term perspective, taking into account a return to normal social life. Cancer patients have a higher risk of unemployment than the general population, and so unemployment can be an economic problem for thyroid cancer patients. However, there have been few studies on factors affecting return to work in thyroid cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate occupational changes and the period of leave of absence for patients with thyroid cancer and to identify factors that affect the return to work after surgery.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 427 questionnaires of thyroid cancer patients were used for the analysis. The occupational changes and sick leave periods were analyzed according to general characteristics, disease-related characteristics, and side effects.RESULTS: The factors related to occupational change and leave of absence in thyroid cancer patients were sex and type of occupation. Women had more occupational changes and longer leave of absence than men, office workers had the least change in occupation, and professional workers had a longer period of sick leave. Fatigue was the primary side effect that affected the leave of absence.CONCLUSION: Occupation is very important in the life of a thyroid cancer patient. Informing the patient of possible complications and planning proper leave of absence will help the patient return to work and improve the quality of life.

Anti-cancer Activity of Paclitaxel, Lenvatinib and Radiation Combination Therapy on Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer in Vitro and in Vivo / 대한두경부종양학회지

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is rare, it is one of the deadliest forms of thyroid cancer. The fatality rate for ATC is high, and the survival rate at one year after diagnosis is <20%. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor activities of paclitaxel, radiation, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combined therapy in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo and explore its effects on apoptotic cell death pathways.MATERIALS #SPCHAR_X0026; METHODS: ATC cell line was exposed to TKI, lenvatinib in the presence or absence of paclitaxel with radiation, and cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Effects of the combined treatment on cell cycle and intracellular signaling pathways were assessed by flow cytometry and western blot analysis. The ATC cell line xenograft model was used to examine the anti-tumor activity in vivo.RESULTS: Our data revealed that the combined administration of paclitaxel, TKI, and radiation decreased cell viability in ATC cells, and also significantly increased apoptotic cell death in these cells, as demonstrated by the cleavage of caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation. This combination therapy reduced anti-apoptotic factor levels in ATC cells, while significantly decreasing tumor volume and increasing survival in ATC xenografts.CONCLUSION: These results indicate that administering the combination of paclitaxel, TKI, and radiation therapy may exert significant anticancer effects in preclinical models, potentially suggesting a new clinical approach for treating patients with ATC.

Is familial papillary thyroid microcarcinoma more aggressive than sporadic form?

PURPOSE: With the increasing incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), familial papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (FPTMC) is now recognized more frequently. However, the biological behavior of FPTMC is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of FPTMC and its biological aggressiveness. METHODS: Between March 2006 and July 2010, 2,414 patients underwent primary surgical therapy for PTMC and 149 (6.2%) were further classified as FPTMC. To determine the biological aggressiveness of FPTMC, we compared the clinicopathological features and prognosis between FPTMC and sporadic PTMC (SPTMC). RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio was higher in FPTMC than in sporadic papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (SPTMC: 1:4.5 vs. 1:7.2, P = 0.041). The central lymph node (LN) metastasis rate was significantly higher in FPTMC than in SPTMC (36.2% vs. 24.2%, P = 0.002). The local recurrence rate was also higher in FPTMC than in SPTMC (4.5% vs. 0.6%, P < 0.001). We identified familial occurrence in 6.2% of cases of PTMC. FPTMC is associated with a high rate of central LN metastasis and local recurrence. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that close follow-up can be beneficial in FPTMC patients to detect local recurrence.

Extremely Well-Differentiated Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Resembling Adenomatous Hyperplasia Can Metastasize to the Skull: A Case Report

We describe herein histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings and clinical manifestations of a rare case of an extremely well differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma (EWD-PTC). Similarly, it is also difficult to diagnose follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC), whose diagnosis is still met with controversy. A recently reported entity of well-differentiated tumor of uncertain malignant potential (WDT-UMP) is added to the diagnostic spectrum harboring EWD-PTC and FVPTC. We report this case, because EWD-PTC is different from FVPTC in its papillary architecture, and also from WDT-UMP in its recurrence and metastatic pattern. These morphologically deceptive entities harbored diagnostic difficulties in the past because the diagnosis depended solely on histology. However, they are now diagnosed with more certainty by virtue of immunohistochemical and molecular studies. We experienced a case of EWD-PTC, which had been diagnosed as adenomatous hyperplasia 20 years ago and manifested recurrence with lymph node (LN) metastasis 7 years later. After another 7 years of follow-up, a new thyroid lesion had developed, diagnosed as FVPTC, with LN metastasis of EWD-PTC. One year later, the patient developed metastatic FVPTC in the skull. Immunohistochemically, the EWD-PTC was focally positive for CK19, negative for galectin-3, and focally negative for CD56. Molecular studies revealed BRAF-positivity and K-RAS negativity. The FVPTC in the left thyroid showed both BRAF and K-RAS negativity. In conclusion, EWD-PTC and FVPTC share similar histologic features, but they are different tumors with different molecular biologic and clinical manifestations. A large cohort of EWD-PTC should be included in further study.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma: a 30-year experience at one institution in Korea

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to review the clinical outcome and prognosis of patients with sporadic and hereditary medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) who were treated at a single tertiary hospital in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the case files of 85 patients treated from August 1982 to February 2012. RESULTS: In all, 65 patients (76.5%) had sporadic MTC and 20 patients (23.5%) had hereditary MTC. Patients in the sporadic group were older than in the hereditary group (P < 0.001). However, the hereditary group had more tumor multiplicity (P < 0.001) and bilaterality (P < 0.001). Neither survival rate was significantly different between the sporadic and hereditary groups (P = 0.775 and P = 0.866). By multivariate analysis, distant metastasis was a significant prognostic factor for overall and progression-free survival. CONCLUSION: In general, patients with MTC have favorable outcomes. Distant metastasis appears to be the strongest predictor of overall and progression-free survival.

Adrenal Schwannoma: Rare Entity of Adrenal Incidentaloma / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Adrenal schwannomas are very rare and are usually incidentally found on autopsy and imaging. The aim of this study was to describe our experience of adrenal schwannoma and review the literature regarding this rare tumor. METHODS: To identify patients with adrenal schwannoma, the MEDLINE database was searched via the major electronic database PubMed using the medical subject heading terms “adrenal” and “schwannoma”. Thirty-nine adrenal schwannoma cases, including two from our institution were included. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 47.95 years (range, 11~89 years). The female:male ratio was 21:17. Sixteen patients had tumors on the right side, 19 on the left, while one patient had bilateral tumors. The mean tumor size was 6.12 cm (range, 0.6~14.5 cm), and the mean tumor weight was 161.3 g (range, 31.5~600.0 g). Sixteen tumors were solid, four cystic, one solid and cystic, and 18 were not described. Histologically, 14 cases were Antoni A, two were Antoni B, and 12 had concomitant Antoni A and B. CONCLUSION: Adrenal schwannoma is usually an incidental finding, and the clinician must have a high index of suspicion to recognize it when imaging reveals suggestive features.

Risk Factors of Postoperative Hypocalcemia after Total Thyroidectomy of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Patients / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Postoperative hypocalcemia is a common complication of thyroidectomy. This study evaluated the incidence and predisposing risk factors for postoperative permanent hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. METHODS: There were 1,247 consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy and complete treatment and observation for differentiated thyroid cancer between January 2012 to December 2012 who were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups, those remaining normalcalcemic (Group I-824 pts) and those who had hypocalcemia requiring treatment (Groups II-423 pts). Group II was subdivided into a transient hypocalcemic group (Group IIA-409 pts) and a permanent hypocalcemic group (Group IIB-14 pts). RESULTS: Female gender, thyroiditis, preserved parathyroid number, lateral lymph node metastasis, RAI treatment, preoperative parathyroid hormone and preoperative vitamin D were significantly associated with the development of postoperative hypocalcemia by multivariate analysis. Comparing patients with transient versus permanent hypocalcemia, tumor size and multiplicity were significantly related to the development of permanent hypocalcemia by multivariate analysis. RAI treatment and parathyroid hormone level on the postoperative third day were significantly related to recovery from transient hypocalcemia to normo-calcemia. CONCLUSION: Risk factors of postoperative hypocalcemia were associated with preoperative patient factors and advanced thyroid cancer. Advanced thyroid cancer was a risk factor for permanent hypocalcemia. To prevent postoperative hypocalcemia, we should focus on patient condition and need to preserve parathyroid gland more carefully in thyroid surgery.

Is focused parathyroidectomy appropriate for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether focused or complete parathyroidectomy was more appropriate and to compare follow-up data in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 225 operations for PHPT at Yonsei University Health System between 2000 and 2012. After excluding 93 patients, the remaining 132 were divided into 2 groups: those who underwent focused parathyroidectomy (FP) and those who underwent conventional parathyroidectomy (CP). We compared clinicopathological features; preoperative calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), phosphorus, vitamin D, 24-hour urine calcium, and alkaline phosphatase levels; postoperative calcium and PTH levels; pathologic diagnosis; multiplicity; and results of a localization study between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the rates of development of postoperative persistent hyperparathyroidism (1/122 FP patients and 1/10 CP patients) between the 2 groups due to a technical reason (FP 0.8% vs. CP 10.0%, P = 0.146). Multiglandular disease (MGD) was uncommon in all cases (6 of 132, 4.5%). All MGD cases were diagnosed using a preoperative localization study. Sestamibi scan and ultrasonography sensitivity were 94.2% and 90.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We suggest that FP is appropriate in PHPT, except in cases of MGD if detected before the operation using preoperative imaging. Knowledge of hereditary PHPT and improved preoperative localization studies, such as high-resolution ultrasonography, contributed to the decision to perform FP rather than CP in all cases of unilateral results of the localizing study.

Is focused parathyroidectomy appropriate for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether focused or complete parathyroidectomy was more appropriate and to compare follow-up data in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 225 operations for PHPT at Yonsei University Health System between 2000 and 2012. After excluding 93 patients, the remaining 132 were divided into 2 groups: those who underwent focused parathyroidectomy (FP) and those who underwent conventional parathyroidectomy (CP). We compared clinicopathological features; preoperative calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), phosphorus, vitamin D, 24-hour urine calcium, and alkaline phosphatase levels; postoperative calcium and PTH levels; pathologic diagnosis; multiplicity; and results of a localization study between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the rates of development of postoperative persistent hyperparathyroidism (1/122 FP patients and 1/10 CP patients) between the 2 groups due to a technical reason (FP 0.8% vs. CP 10.0%, P = 0.146). Multiglandular disease (MGD) was uncommon in all cases (6 of 132, 4.5%). All MGD cases were diagnosed using a preoperative localization study. Sestamibi scan and ultrasonography sensitivity were 94.2% and 90.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We suggest that FP is appropriate in PHPT, except in cases of MGD if detected before the operation using preoperative imaging. Knowledge of hereditary PHPT and improved preoperative localization studies, such as high-resolution ultrasonography, contributed to the decision to perform FP rather than CP in all cases of unilateral results of the localizing study.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Following Radioactive Iodine Treatment for Thyroid Cancer: Two Case Reports and a Literature Review / 대한내과학회지

The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased rapidly worldwide, although most patients can survive for a long time without developing symptoms. While most thyroid cancers are treated with thyroidectomy alone, some patients are given additional radioactive iodine (RAI) in the form of 131I to treat thyroid cancer metastasis. RAI is associated with acute and chronic complications. Secondary malignancies are the most important in long-term cancer survivors. While many studies have reported the occurrence of acute myeloid leukemia after high-dose RAI, there are few reports on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after low-dose RAI treatment. Moreover, previous cases of CML following thyroid cancer were reported before the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) era. Here, we describe two cases of CML following thyroid cancer that were successfully treated with second-generation TKIs.

Effect of a Low Iodine Diet vs. Restricted Iodine Diet on Postsurgical Preparation for Radioiodine Ablation Therapy in Thyroid Carcinoma Patients

PURPOSE: The radioiodine ablation therapy is required for patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy. Through a comparative review of a low iodine diet (LID) and a restricted iodine diet (RID), the study aims to suggest guidelines that are suitable for the conditions of Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 101 patients. With 24-hour urine samples from the patients after a 2-week restricted diet and after a 4-week restricted diet, the amount of iodine in the urine was estimated. The consumed radioiodine amounts for 2 hours and 24 hours were calculated. RESULTS: This study was conducted with 47 LID patients and 54 RID patients. The amounts of iodine in urine, the 2-week case and 4-week case for each group showed no significant differences. The amounts of iodine in urine between the two groups were both included in the range of the criteria for radioiodine ablation therapy. Also, 2 hours and 24 hours radioiodine consumption measured after 4-week restrictive diet did not show statistical differences between two groups. CONCLUSION: A 2-week RID can be considered as a type of radioiodine ablation therapy after patients undergo a total thyroidectomy.

The Clinical Significance of the Right Para-Oesophageal Lymph Nodes in Papillary Thyroid Cancer

PURPOSE: Although guidelines indicate that routine dissection of the central lymph nodes in patients with thyroid carcinoma should include the right para-oesophageal lymph nodes (RPELNs), located between the right recurrent laryngeal nerve and the cervical oesophagus and posterior to the former, RPELN dissection is often omitted due to high risk of injuries to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the right inferior parathyroid gland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified all patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection, including the RPELNs, between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013 at the Thyroid Cancer Center of Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. RESULTS: Of 5556 patients, 148 were positive for RPELN metastasis; of the latter, 91 had primary tumours greater than 1 cm (p<0.001). Extrathyroidal extension by the primary tumour (81.8%; p<0.001), bilaterality, and multifocality were more common in patients with than without RPELN metastasis; however, there were no significant differences in age and sex between groups. A total of 95.9% of patients with RPELN metastasis had central node (except right para-oesophageal lymph node) metastasis, and the incidence of lateral neck node metastasis was significantly higher in patients with than without RPELN metastasis (63.5% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001). Forty-one patients underwent mediastinal dissection, with 11 patients confirmed as having mediastinal lymph node metastasis with RPELN metastasis on pathological examination. CONCLUSION: RPELN metastasis is significantly associated with lateral neck and mediastinal lymph node metastasis.

Overcoming the Limitations of Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy: Detection of Lateral Neck Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

PURPOSE: Ultrasound (US) and US-guided fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) are considered the modalities of choice for assessing lymph nodes suspected of containing metastases, but the sensitivity of FNAB varies and is specific to the operator. We analyzed the risk of FNAB providing false negative results of lateral neck node metastasis, and evaluated diagnostic accuracy of FNAB, in patients with papillary thyroid cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: FNAB was performed in 242 patients suspected of having lateral neck node metastasis on preoperative imaging. Thyroglobulin in the fine-needle aspirate washout (FNA wash-out Tg) and computed tomography enhancement (Hounsfield units) were measured. Patients with negative results on FNAB were examined by intraoperative frozen section. The false negative and true negative groups were compared. RESULTS: Of the 242 patients, 130 were confirmed as having lateral neck node metastases. In 74 patients, the metastasis was identified by FNAB. False positive results were observed in 2 patients (0.8%) and false negatives in 58 (44.6%). Risk analysis showed that patient age 1 cm (p=0.008) and elevated FNA wash-out Tg (p=0.004) were significantly associated with false negative results on FNAB. The accuracy of FNAB increased significantly when combined with FNA wash-out Tg (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: To reduce the false negative rate of FNAB, patient age (1 cm) and FNA wash-out Tg (>34.8 ng/mL) should be considered in preoperative planning. Accuracy may be improved by combining the results of FNAB and FNA wash-out Tg.

Anaplastic Transformation of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Young Man: A Case Study with Immunohistochemical and BRAF Analysis

This study reports a case of anaplastic transformation from a well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma in a young patient. The first recurrent tissue contained poorly differentiated foci that revealed lower thyroglobulin, thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), and galectin-3 expression than the well-differentiated area. However there was no increased p53 or Ki-67 expression in the poorly differentiated foci, nor in the well-differentiated area. The tissue subsequently relapsed and revealed only anaplastic features, complete loss of thyroglobulin, TTF-1, and galectin-3 expression and revealed an increase in p53 and Ki-67 expression. The BRAF V600E and BRAF V600V mutation were found in the initially diagnosed papillary thyroid carcinoma and the poorly differentiated foci of the recurring papillary thyroid carcinoma; however, only the BRAF V600V mutation was found in the anaplastic carcinoma. These results suggest that overexpression of p53 and Ki-67 contributed to the anaplastic transformation. We also found that the BRAF type changed during the tumor relapse.

Impact of Postthyroidectomy Scar on the Quality of Life of Thyroid Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND: Surgical scars are crucial cosmetic problem, especially when in exposed areas such as the anterior neck following thyroidectomy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of post-thyroidectomy scars on quality of life (QoL) of thyroid cancer patients and identify the relationship between scar characteristics and QoL. METHODS: Patients with post-thyroidectomy scars on the neck were recruited. QoL was measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Scar characteristics were graded according to Vancouver scar scale (VSS) score. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients completed a battery of questions at the time of enrollment. Post-thyroidectomy scars were classified according to morphology as linear flat scars, linear bulging scars, hypertrophic scars or adhesive scars. There were 32 patients (33.0%), 9 patients (9.3%), 41 patients (42.3%) and 15 patients (15.5%), respectively, in each group. The mean total DLQI score was 9.02. Domain 2 (daily activities, 2.87 points), which includes questions about clothing, was the most greatly impacted among patients. The total DLQI scores of patients who have experienced scar-related symptoms were significantly higher than those of patients without symptoms (p<0.05). The VSS scores were 3.09 for linear flat scars, 6.89 for linear bulging scars, 6.29 for hypertrophic scars and 5.60 for adhesive scars. However, the DLQI scores did not significantly differ among scar types or VSS scores. CONCLUSION: Post-thyroidectomy scars on the neck affect the QoL of thyroid cancer patients regardless of scar type. Therefore, clinicians should pay attention to the psychological effects of scars on patients and take care to minimize post-thyroidectomy scar.

Endometriosis of the appendix

PURPOSE: Endometriosis is defined as functioning endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Endometriosis of the appendix is uncommon. Its clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic to acute abdominal pain. The aims of this study were to describe our experience of managing patients with appendiceal endometriosis and to review the clinical characteristics of this medical condition. METHODS: Five cases of appendiceal endometriosis diagnosed between January 2007 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients treated for intra-abdominal endometriosis were excluded. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 33.8 years old. One patient was in the second trimester of pregnancy. Two patients were asymptomatic. Three patients had clinical symptoms including two with acute pain in the right lower quadrant and one with abdominal discomfort. Four patients showed appendiceal abnormalities in imaging studies including two cases of suspected mucocele and two cases of appendiceal infection. There were no suspicions of endometriosis of the appendix based on preoperative imaging studies. Three patients underwent appendectomy due to clinical symptoms, and two underwent incidental appendectomy combined with another operation. None of the patients received adjuvant therapy. CONCLUSION: Appendiceal endometriosis should be included in the differential diagnosis for acute abdominal pain, especially when women of childbearing age present with clinical symptoms of acute appendicitis.

Thyroid Nodules with Macrocalcification: Sonographic Findings Predictive of Malignancy

PURPOSE: To analyze which sonographic features of thyroid nodules with macrocalcifications were predictable of thyroid malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed sonographic findings of 854 macrocalcified thyroid nodules in patients who underwent fine needle aspiration biopsy between December 2009 and January 2011. There were 171 non-diagnostic aspirations, 34 nodules with category 3, 4, 5 based on Bethesda system, which were not confirmed by surgery, and these nodules were excluded from the analysis. Sonographic characteristics of the macrocalcifications including its thickness, interruption, and existence of soft tissue rim outside the macrocalcification were analyzed. Other sonographic characteristics of nodules such as shape, margin, composition, echo pattern, vascularity, and underlying parenchymal echogenicity were also evaluated. The correlation of sonographic features with cytopathologic results and the diagnostic performance of sonographic features for the prediction of malignancy were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 649 nodules, 179 (27.6%) nodules were malignant and 470 (72.4%) nodules were benign. Among the features of the macrocalcification, interruption, irregular thickness, or the presence of soft tissue outside calcification rim were associated with malignancy (p<0.001). A high sensitivity and negative predictive values for the prediction of malignancy was found in sonographic characteristics of irregular thickness (92.2% and 91.0%, respectively) and the presence of soft tissue (88.5% and 88.8%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Sonographic characteristics of macrocalcification such as interruption, irregular thickness and the presence of soft tissue rim were associated with malignancy in thyroid nodules with macrocalcifications.

Blood culture contamination in hospitalized pediatric patients: a single institution experience / 소아과

PURPOSE: Blood culture is the most important tool for detecting bacteremia in children with fever. However, blood culture contamination rates range from 0.6% to 6.0% in adults; rates for young children have been considered higher than these, although data are limited, especially in Korea. This study determined the contamination rate and risk factors in pediatric patients visiting the emergency room (ER) or being admitted to the ward. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of blood cultures obtained from children who visited Yonsei Severance Hospital, Korea between 2006 and 2010. Positive blood cultures were labeled as true bacteremia or contamination according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Healthcare Safety Network definitions for laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection, after exclusion of cultures drawn from preexisting central lines only. RESULTS: Among 40,542 blood cultures, 610 were positive, of which 479 were contaminations and 131 were true bacteremia (overall contamination rate, 1.18%). The contamination rate in the ER was significantly higher than in the ward (1.32% vs. 0.66%, P6 years, respectively). CONCLUSION: Overall, contamination rates were higher in younger children than in older children, given the difficulty of performing blood sampling in younger children. The contamination rates from the ER were higher than those from the ward, not accounted for only by overcrowding and lack of experience among personnel collecting samples. Further study to investigate other factors affecting contamination should be required.