A Case of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Combined with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Thyroid / 대한내분비학회지

Metastasis to the thyroid from distant cancer is rarely diagnosed clinically and renal cell carcinoma is the most common group of neoplasm to metastasize to the thyroid. Papillary thyroid carcinoma is known as the most frequent primary thyroid cancer. But coexistence with metastatic renal cell carcinoma to thyroid and papillary thyroid carcinoma is very rare. We are reporting this highly unusual case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma to thyroid, which harbored papillary thyroid cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in Korea. A 57-year-old woman presented with hoarseness and palpable anterior neck mass. She had a history of renal cell carcinoma of right kidney, which had been resected 10 years previously and had undergone lower anterior resection due to sigmoid colon cancer 2 months before. Fine needle aspiration cytology suggested follicular neoplasm, and total thyroidectomy was performed. The pathology from the thyroid nodules showed papillary thyroid cancer combined metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Characteristics of necrotizing fasciitis in three university hospitals in Korea / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening severe soft tissue infection primarily involving the fascia and the subcutaneous tissue with thrombosis of the cutaneous microcirculation. The purpose of the study was to analyze the microbiological and clinical characteristics of necrotizing fasciitis in Korea and to suggest adequate antibiotic therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of three Soonchunhyang University Hospitals in Seoul, Bucheon and Cheonan. Patients admitted for skin graft or secondary treatment were excluded. Blood cultures were obtained at the time of admission and pus cultures were obtained at the time of first operative debridement. RESULTS: Twenty two patients (16 males, 6 females, 16~82 years old, median age: 59 years old) were enrolled for this study. Fourteen pateints underwent surgical treatment and 2 of them died of necrotizing fasciitis. Gram positive organisms were isolated in 13 cases and gram negative organisms were isolated in 11 cases. Third generation cephalosporin resistant gram negative organisms were isolated in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggest that characteristics of necrotizing fascitis in Korea were; high proportion of aged person, predominance of type 2 necrotizing fascitis and increasing tendency of third generation cephalosporin resistant gram negative bacterial infections. Consequently, initial choice of empirical antibiotics for necrotizing fasciitis should consider 3rd generation cephalosporin resistant gram negative organisms. Prompt surgical debridement and adequate antimicrobial therapy are mandatory for improved survival.