Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Factors of Contralateral Jugular Lymph Node Metastasis after Lymph Node Dissection / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Contralateral jugular lymph node metastasis (CJLNM) of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is rarely found during operative procedures. HoweverPTC is being diagnosed with increasing frequency and lymph node metastasis is now recognized as a factor of prognosis and recurrence. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and histological characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer and to determine the factors that lead to CJLNM. METHODS: Two-hundred patients with PTC were treated in our hospital between March 2005 and October 2006. A retrospective analysis of the patient's clinical and histological features and lymph node metastasis was conducted. RESULTS: The total ratio of CJLNM to PTC was approximately 7.5%, the male to female ratio was 1:6.5, and the mean tumor size was 14.93 mm. In addition, the multiplicity was 53.3% and the bilatrality was 53.3%. Further, there were 4 cases involving benign thyroid disease combined with goiter. In addition, the capsule invasion was 100%. Age under 40 years, bilaterality and capsule invasion were found to be significant clinicopathologic factors of CJLNM induced by PTC. CONCLUSION: A contralateral jugular lymph node biopsy of PTC may be considered in cases involving patients under 40 years of age with, bilaterality and capsular invasion.

The Role of Surgical Excision in the Management of Non-suppurative BCG Lymphadenitis

PURPOSE: Regional lymphadenitis is the most common complication of BCG vaccination and has various clinical course and prognosis, but there are no accurate guidelines for the management BCG lymphadenitis. This study was performed to reveal the clinical course of BCG lymphadenitis and provide guidelines for its management by comparison of observation and medication groups. METHODS: Between January, 2002 and April, 2003, 45 patients with non-suppurative lymphadenitis were reviewed. They were divided into two groups, and retrospectively compared. Group I consisted of 25 observation cases and group II of 20 antituberculous medication cases. RESULTS: The most prevalent age group of the 45 cases was three months old, and the most prevalent site of lesion was the ipsilateral axilla. A palpable single lesion was the most common finding. According to treatment (observation vs. antituberculous medication), the medication did not affect the prevention of suppuration. CONCLUSION: For the management of BCG lymphadenitis, systemic antituberculous medication and observation are not recommended, with active surgical resection being the treatment of choice.