Metastasis of Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma to the Sternum: A Case Report

Sternal metastasis of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is rare, and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of sternal metastasis of PDTC in an 83-year-old woman, 2 years after right hemithyroidectomy, treated with sternal resection and reconstruction.

2017 Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation Guideline: Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology

Thermal ablation using radiofrequency is a new, minimally invasive modality employed as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers. The Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) developed recommendations for the optimal use of radiofrequency ablation for thyroid tumors in 2012. As new meaningful evidences have accumulated, KSThR decided to revise the guidelines. The revised guideline is based on a comprehensive analysis of the current literature and expert consensus.

Diagnostic Value of Contrast-Enhanced Digital Mammography versus Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Preoperative Evaluation of Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) in preoperative evaluations, and to evaluate the effect of each modality on the surgical management of women with breast cancer. METHODS: This single-center, prospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. From November 2016 to October 2017, 84 patients who were diagnosed with invasive carcinoma (69/84) and ductal carcinoma in situ (15/84), and underwent both CEDM and CEMRI, were enrolled. Imaging findings and surgical management were correlated with pathological results and compared. The diagnostic performance of both modalities in the detection of index and secondary cancers (multifocality and multicentricity), and occult cancer in the contralateral breast, was compared. The authors also evaluated whether CEDM or CEMRI resulted in changes in the surgical management of the affected breast due to imaging-detected findings. RESULTS: Eighty-four women were included in the analysis. Compared with CEMRI, CEDM demonstrated a similar sensitivity (92.9% [78/84] vs. 95.2% [80/84]) in detecting index cancer (p=0.563). For the detection of secondary cancers in the ipsilateral breast and occult cancer in the contralateral breast, no significant differences were found between CEDM and CEMRI (p=0.999 and p=0.999, respectively). Regarding changes in surgical management, CEDM resulted in similar changes compared with CEMRI (30.9% [26/84] vs. 29.7% [25/84], p=0.610). Regarding changes in surgical management due to false-positive findings, no significant differences were found between CEDM and CEMRI (34.6% [9/26] vs. 44.0% [11/25], p=0.782). CONCLUSION: CEDM demonstrated a diagnostic performance comparable with CEMRI in depicting index cancers, secondary cancers, and occult cancer in the contralateral breast. CEDM demonstrated similar changes in surgical management compared with CEMRI.

Core Needle Biopsy of the Thyroid: 2016 Consensus Statement and Recommendations from Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology

Core needle biopsy (CNB) has been suggested as a complementary diagnostic method to fine-needle aspiration in patients with thyroid nodules. Many recent CNB studies have suggested a more advanced role for CNB, but there are still no guidelines on its use. Therefore, the Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology has developed the present consensus statement and recommendations for the role of CNB in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. These recommendations are based on evidence from the current literature and expert consensus.

Mammographic Breast Density Evaluation in Korean Women Using Fully Automated Volumetric Assessment

The purpose was to present mean breast density of Korean women according to age using fully automated volumetric assessment. This study included 5,967 screening normal or benign mammograms (mean age, 46.2 +/- 9.7; range, 30-89 years), from cancer-screening program. We evaluated mean fibroglandular tissue volume, breast tissue volume, volumetric breast density (VBD), and the results were 53.7 +/- 30.8 cm3, 383.8 +/- 205.2 cm3, and 15.8% +/- 7.3%. The frequency of dense breasts and mean VBD by age group were 94.3% and 19.1% +/- 6.7% for the 30s (n = 1,484), 91.4% and 17.2% +/- 6.8% for the 40s (n = 2,706), 72.2% and 12.4% +/- 6.2% for the 50s (n = 1,138), 44.0% and 8.6% +/- 4.3% for the 60s (n = 89), 39.1% and 8.0% +/- 3.8% for the 70s (n = 138), and 39.1% and 8.0% +/- 3.5% for the 80s (n = 12). The frequency of dense breasts was higher in younger women (n = 4,313, 92.3%) than older women (n = 1,654, 59.8%). Mean VBD decreased with aging or menopause, and was about 16% for 46-year-old-Korean women, much higher than in other countries. The proportion of dense breasts sharply decreases in Korean women between 40 and 69 years of age.

Ultrasonography-Guided Surgical Clip Placement for Tumor Localization in Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: We investigated the feasibility of using surgical clips as markers for tumor localization and their effect on the imaging evaluation of treatment responses after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). METHODS: A total of 16 breast cancers confirmed by needle biopsy in 15 patients were included in this study from October 2012 to June 2014. Under ultrasonography (US)-guidance, the surgical clips were placed prior to NAC. Additional mammography, breast US, and breast magnetic resonance examinations were performed within 10 days before surgery. The time period from marker insertion to operation date was documented. Images acquired via the three modalities were evalu-ated for the following parameters: location of clip, clip migration (>1 cm), the presence of complications from clip placement, and the effect of clips on the assessment of treatment. RESULTS: The mean time period was 128.6+/-34.4 days (median, 132.0 days) from the date of clip insertion to the date of surgery. The mean number of inserted clips was 2.3+/-0.7 (median, 2.0). Clip migration was not visualized by imaging in any patient, and there were no complications reported. Surgical clips did not negatively affect the assessment of treatment responses to NAC. CONCLUSION: Surgical clips may replace commercial tissue markers for tumor localization in breast cancer patients undergoing NAC without migration. Surgical clips are well tolerated and safe for the patient, easily visualized on imaging, do not interfere with treatment response, and are cost-effective.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of thyroid gland with local recurrence: ultrasonographic and computed tomographic findings

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland (PSCCT) is a rare malignancy that presents with advanced disease and poor prognosis. It is difficult to diagnose PSCCT in its early stage because of its rarity and lack of typical imaging findings. We experienced an elderly woman with PSCCT confirmed by surgery. Although preoperative fine-needle aspiration revealed no malignancy, surgical resection was performed because the ultrasonogram showed diffuse microcalcifications, which suggested malignancy, and clinically, the mass grew rapidly to compress the trachea. Local tumor recurrence was noted at 3 months after surgery. Surgical resection or repeat biopsy should be considered if a cytologically benign thyroid mass shows imaging or clinical features of malignancy.

Absence of Residual Microcalcifications in Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Diagnosed via Stereotactic Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy: Is Surgical Excision Obviated? / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the underestimation rate of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) on vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB), and to examine the correlation between residual microcalcifications and the underestimation rate of ADH. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 27 women (mean age, 49.2+/-9.2 years) who underwent additional excision for ADH via VABB for microcalcifications observed by using mammography. The mammographic findings, histopathologic diagnosis of all VABB and surgical specimens, and association of malignancy with residual microcalcifications were evaluated. The underestimation rate of ADH was also calculated. RESULTS: Of the 27 women with microcalcifications, nine were upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS); thus, the underestimation rate was 33.3% (9/27). There was no difference in age (p=0.40) and extent of microcalcifications (p=0.10) when comparing benign and malignant cases. Six of 17 patients (35.3%) with remaining calcifications after VABB were upgraded to DCIS, and three of 10 patients (30%) with no residual calcifications after VABB were upgraded (p=1.00). CONCLUSION: The underestimation rate of ADH on VABB was 33.3%. Furthermore, 30% of patients with no remaining calcifications were upgraded to DCIS. Therefore, we conclude that all ADH cases diagnosed via VABB should be excised regardless of the presence of residual microcalcifications.

Correlation Between Vertebral Marrow Fat Fraction Measured Using Dixon Quantitative Chemical Shift MRI and BMD Value on Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a significant correlation between vertebral marrow fat fraction measured using Dixon quantitative chemical shift MRI (QCSI) and BMD on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 68 healthy individuals [mean age, 50.7 years; range, 25-76; male/female (M/F) = 36/32] who underwent DXA of the L-spine and whole body MRI including QCSI of the L-spine and chemical shift MRI of the liver. The enrolled individuals were divided into subgroups according to sex and T-score [i.e., normal bone density (M/F=27/23) and osteopenia (M/F=9/9)]. Vertebral marrow (Dixon QCSI, TR/TE 10.2/4.8 ms) and hepatic fat fractions (chemical shift technique, TR/TE 110/4.9 and 2.2 ms) were calculated on MRI. We evaluated whether there were significant differences in age, body mass index (BMI), vertebral marrow fat fraction, or hepatic fat fraction among the subgroups. Whether or not the participant had reached menopause was also evaluated in females. The correlations among variables (i.e., age, BMI, vertebral marrow and hepatic fat fractions, BMD) were evaluated using Spearman's correlation method. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, BMI, or vertebral marrow and hepatic fat fractions between the two male subgroups (normal bone density vs. osteopenia). In female subjects, mean age in the osteopenic subgroup was greater than that in the normal subgroup (p=0.01). Presence of menopause was more common in the osteopenic subgroup [77.8% (7/9)] than the normal subgroup [26.1% (6/23), p<0.05]. The other variables showed no significant difference between female subgroups. The only significant correlation with marrow fat fraction after partial correlation analysis was that with age in the female subjects (r=0.43, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The vertebral marrow fat fraction calculated using the Dixon QCSI does not precisely reflect the mild decrease in BMD for either sex.