Erratum: US-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: Efficacy and Safety in a Large Population

The publisher and authors would like to draw the reader’s attention to an error in the following article. The author name of “Seon Mi Baek” should be changed to “Sun Mi Baek”.

US-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: Efficacy and Safety in a Large Population

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) in a large population.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases of 152 biopsy-proven PTMCs from 133 patients who had undergone RFA for PTMC between May 2008 and January 2017 were included in this study. All patients were either of high surgical risk or refused to undergo surgery. They were followed up for at least 6 months after initial RFA. Ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography were performed to evaluate the PTMC and the presence of neck metastasis before treatment. RFA was conducted using an internally cooled thyroid-dedicated electrode system. Follow-up US was performed at 1 week, and 2, 6, and 12 months, after the initial RFA, and then at every 6–12 months. We evaluated serial changes of ablated tumors, newly developed cancers, lymph node (LN) or distant metastasis and complications.RESULTS: Complete disappearance was found in 91.4% (139/152) of ablated tumors. Among the 13 tumors in patients who did not show complete disappearance, no tumor displayed any regrowth of the residual ablated lesion during the follow-up period. The mean follow-up period was 39 months. During the follow-up period, there were no local recurrence, no LN or distant metastasis, and no newly developed thyroid cancers. No patients were referred to surgery. The overall complication rate was 3% (4/133) of patients, including one voice change. There were no life-threatening complications or procedure-related deaths.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that RFA is an effective and safe option for treating low-risk PTMC patients who are of high surgical risk or refuse surgery.

Aneurysm of Sinus of Valsalva Dissecting Into the Interventricular Septum After Aortic Valve Replacement: Diagnosis by Echocardiography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Treatment With Surgical Sealant

Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva that causes dissection of the interventricular septum is an extremely rare entity. In this report we describe a case of aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva dissecting into the interventricular septum, from the base to mid septum, after aortic valve replacement. After the diagnosis was made by transthoracic echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging, the patient was successfully treated with surgical sealant-mediated occlusion of the aneurysmal sac and cardiac resynchronization therapy used for the first time.

Massive Left Atrial Calcification Associated with Mitral Valve Replacement

Calcification of the left atrium can be observed in patients with a long-lasting rheumatic heart disease. However, massive calcification of the atrial wall, so called porcelain or coconut atrium is very rare and has been generally reported only as incidental radiographic findings. We report a case of massive and firm calcifications at the left atrium in patient who underwent mitral valve replacement.

Clinical experience with primary cardiac tumors / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In Korea, few studies have examined primary cardiac tumors, which have a reported incidence of 0.0017~0.19% in autopsy series. This study surveyed the status of primary cardiac tumors over the past 7 years in one region. METHODS: A retrospective review examined all patients with primary cardiac tumors, except for confirmed thrombus, using hospital medical records from 2000 to 2006 at six community hospitals. Identified cases undergoing biopsy and surgery were selected for the study. RESULTS: The operative mortality was 7.7%. Of the 71 patients (26 males) with identified primary cardiac tumors, 65 (91.5%) tumors were benign and 6 (8.5%) were malignant. The benign tumors were myxoma (78.9%), rhabdomyoma (4.2%), fibroelastoma (2.8%), fibroma (1.4%), and leiomyoma (1.4%). Two of the myxomas were present at multiple locations. The malignant tumors included sarcomas (67%) and lymphomas (33%). Most of the tumors were located in the left atrium (76%). The majority of patients presented with chest pain and dyspnea. During follow-up for an average of 26.8+/-21.3 months, all but one patient with benign tumors was alive; one myxoma patient died perioperatively (1.5%). Four of the patients with malignant tumors (67%) died. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac myxomas and sarcomas were the most common primary benign and malignant tumors, respectively. Benign tumors had excellent postoperative survival rates, while malignant tumors had high mortality.

A Case of Polyarteritis Nodosa Associated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis / 영남의대학술지

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis that typically affects the medium-sized muscular arteries, with occasional involvement of the small muscular arteries. As with other vasculitides, PAN can affect any organ system, including the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. The prognosis for patients with untreated PAN is relatively poor, with five-year survival rates of approximately 13 percent. The outcome has improved with proper therapy to approximately 80 percent survival at five years. We report here on a case of a 46 year old man with polyarteritis nodosa and who suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis.

A Case of Exit-Site Infection and Abscess by Mycobacterium Abscessus in a CAPD Patient / 영남의대학술지

Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections are a rare, but clinically important cause of infections in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This is typically suspected when a patient does not respond to treatment with the usual antibiotics. We describe here a case of Mycobacterium abscessus exit site infection with abdominal wall abscess formation that was associated with CAPD, which required peritoneal catheter removal, surgical debridement of the abscess and long term antibiotic therapy.

A Case of Primary Unclassified Spindle Cell Sarcoma of the Left Atrium / 영남의대학술지

Primary cardiac tumors are very uncommon. Seventy five percent of them are benign tumors and these are mostly myxomas. The malignant cardiac tumors, the majority of which are undifferentiated sarcomas, comprise up to 25% of all cardiac tumors. A primary malignant sarcoma of the myocardium is exceedingly rare. Thus, there have been very few such cases reported in the literature. We present here a case of a 15 year old man who had complaints of orthopnea and increasing exercise intolerance over a one month period. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a well demarcated huge mass with left ventricular inflow obstruction on the posterior wall of the left atrium. The patient's symptoms were relieved by surgery. The histological diagnosis was an unclassified spindle cell sarcoma.

A Case of Huge Thrombus in the Aortic Arch with Cerebrovascular Embolization

Pedunculated thrombus in the aortic arch that is associated with cerebral infarction is very rare requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent occurrence of another devastating complication. Transesophageal echocardiography is useful for detecting source of embolism including aortic thrombi. The treatment options of aortic thrombi involves anticoagulation, thrombolysis, thromboaspiration, and thrombectomy. Here we report a case of huge thrombus in the aortic arch, resulting in acute multifocal cerebellar embolic infarct in patient without any risk factors for vascular thrombosis. Thrombi in the aortic arch were diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography and treated with anticoagulants successfully.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Severe Pulmonary Hypertension: A Case Report / 영남의대학술지

Pulmonary hypertension is an increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein or pulmonary capillaries. Depending on the cause, pulmonary hypertension can be a severe disease with markedly decreased exercise tolerance and right-sided heart failure. Pulmonary hypertension can present as one of five different types: arterial, venous, hypoxic, thromboembolic, or miscellaneous. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with severe pulmonary hypertension is a rare disease. A 52-year-old man presented with a complaint of aggravating dyspnea. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 61.5 mmHg by Doppler echocardiogram. The patient was prescribed diuretics, digoxin, bronchodilator, sildenafil, bosentan and an oxygen supply. However, he ultimately died of cor pulmonale. Thus, diagnosis and early combination therapy are important.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Depression in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Due to the irreversible nature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the treatment aim in patients with COPD is not to cure but to reduce the symptoms, increase lung function, and improve the quality of life. It has been suggested that depression is a common emotional disturbance in patients with COPD who are faced with a major physical impairment and embarrassing symptoms. This study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: A total of 59 patients with a registered diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were selected. Depression was assessed using the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. The quality of life was assessed using the Korean version of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was 17.0%. In the correlation model, the interaction of the FEV1% over predicted value and SGRQ score(symptom, activity, impact, overall score) was statistically significant. The interaction of the FEV1% over predicted value and depression scale(CES-D) was also statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between the SGRQ scores(symptom, activity, impact, overall score) and the depression scale. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is relatively high. The pulmonary function and the living standards were found to be significant risk factors for depression.

Color Doppler Imaging of Hepatic Tumors

PURPOSE: To evaluate the color Doppler imaging patterns of hepatoma, hemangioma, and metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 37 patients with liver mass lesions: 12 patients had hepatoma, 15 had hemangiomas and10 had metastatic liver cancers. All 37, who showed hepatic mass on gray scale ultrasonogrphy, were analyzed prospectively. Color mapping of tumors was performed for these patients, and the fastest or next fastest vessel was spectrally analysed to show blood pattern and to measure peak velocity. RESULTS: In all the 12 patients with hepatoma, spectral analysis revealed exteusive pulsating arterial blood flow within the tumor ; peak velocities were 7~65cm/sec(mean 34cm/sec). In ten hemangiomas(66%) color mapping revealed blood flow within the tumor and spectral analysis revealed this possibility in eight of the ten tumors. In none of these patients was a pulsating continous wave observed ; peak velocity was 5~21cm/sec(mean 12.8cm/sec). In no mestastatic tumors was blood flow observed. CONCLUSION: Color Doppler imaging is helpful in the differentiation of hepatoma, hemangioma, and metastatic tumor in the liver.