Comparison of Metastatic Patterns Among Neuroendocrine Tumors, Neuroendocrine Carcinomas, and Nonneuroendocrine Carcinomas of Various Primary Organs

Background@#Both neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) exhibit neuroendocrine differentiation and are classified as neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs).NECs and nonneuroendocrine neoplasms (non-NENs), such as adenocarcinoma, have similar mutational profiles. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in metastatic patterns and to identify the key factor causing these differences by simultaneously comparing the metastatic patterns of NETs, NECs and non-NENs from various primary organs. @*Methods@#We retrieved data for 4,223 patients with NENs and 41,637 patients with non-NENs arising at various primary sites from an institutional database and then compared NET, NEC, and non-NEN metastatic patterns. @*Results@#NETs and NECs showed generally similar metastatic patterns. Most NEN patients had a higher liver organotrophic metastasis rate, lower lung organotrophic metastasis rate, and lower pleural/peritoneal organotrophic metastasis rate than non-NEN patients. Some differences were characteristics of specific organs. Some of these site-specific differences were not caused by NENs but by non-NENs, including a higher bone organotrophic metastasis rate for medullary thyroid carcinoma and a lower bone organotrophic metastasis rate for pulmonary NEN. Other differences were probably caused by NENs, including a higher bone organotrophic metastasis rate for colorectal NETs. Uterine cervical NEC showed unique patterns of metastasis compared to NEN from other sites. @*Conclusion@#Significant differences between the metastatic patterns of NENs and non-NENs were detected. The multigene program that causes neuroendocrine differentiation might be associated with organotropic metastasis.

Interobserver Reproducibility of PD-L1 Biomarker in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Study by 27 Pathologists

BACKGROUND: Assessment of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunohistochemical staining is used for treatment decisions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) regarding use of PD-L1/programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immunotherapy. The reliability of the PD-L1 22C3 pharmDx assay is critical in guiding clinical practice. The Cardiopulmonary Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists investigated the interobserver reproducibility of PD-L1 staining with 22C3 pharmDx in NSCLC samples.METHODS: Twenty-seven pathologists individually assessed the tumor proportion score (TPS) for 107 NSCLC samples. Each case was divided into three levels based on TPS: <1%, 1%–49%, and ≥50%.RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient for TPS was 0.902±0.058. Weighted κ coefficient for 3-step assessment was 0.748±0.093. The κ coefficients for 1% and 50% cut-offs were 0.633 and 0.834, respectively. There was a significant association between interobserver reproducibility and experience (formal PD-L1 training, more experience for PD-L1 assessment, and longer practice duration on surgical pathology), histologic subtype, and specimen type.CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that PD-L1 immunohistochemical staining provides a reproducible basis for decisions on anti–PD-1 therapy in NSCLC.

Secondary Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in a Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia: Case Report

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a rare non-neoplastic bone lesion that involves mostly the long bones and vertebrae and may occur very rarely in the craniofacial bones. ABCs may occur as secondary bony pathologies in association with various benign and malignant bone tumors and with fibrous dysplasia (FD). FD is a common non-neoplastic bony pathology mostly affecting craniofacial bones. Secondary ABC occurring in craniofacial FD is extremely rare, with only approximately 20 cases reported in the literature to date. Here, we report on a case of secondary ABC in a 25-year-old woman who has had a craniofacial deformity for over 10 years and who presented to us with a rapidly growing painful pulsatile mass in the right frontal region that began over 2 months prior to admission. On thorough examination of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging brain scans taken at two-month interval, an aggressive, rapidly enlarging ABC, arising from the right frontal FD, was diagnosed. The patient underwent preoperative embolization followed by gross total resection of the ABC and cranioplasty. The 6-month follow up showed no recurrence of the ABC, nor was any progression of the FD noticed.

Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma from Lung Adenocarcinoma after Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy

No abstract available.

Mixed Carcinoma as an Independent Prognostic Factor in Submucosal Invasive Gastric Carcinoma

Mixed carcinoma shows a mixture of glandular and signet ring/poorly cohesive cellular histological components and the prognostic significance of each component is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the significance of the poorly cohesive cellular histological component as a risk factor for lymph node metastasis and to examine the diagnostic reliability of endoscopic biopsy. Clinicopathologic characteristics of 202 patients who underwent submucosal invasive gastric carcinoma resection with lymph node dissection in 2005-2012 were reviewed. Mixed carcinoma accounted for 27.2% (56/202) of cases. The overall prevalence of lymph node metastasis was 17.3% (35/202). Lymphatic invasion (P < 0.001), family history of carcinoma (P = 0.025), tumor size (P = 0.004), Lauren classification (P = 0.042), and presence of any poorly cohesive cellular histological component (P = 0.021) positively correlated with the lymph node metastasis rate on univariate analysis. Multivariate analyses revealed lymphatic invasion, family history of any carcinoma, and the presence of any poorly cohesive cellular histological component to be significant and independent factors related to lymph node metastasis. Review of preoperative biopsy slides showed that preoperative biopsy demonstrated a sensitivity of 63.6% and a specificity of 100% in detecting the presence of the poorly cohesive cellular histological component, compared with gastrectomy specimens. The presence of any poorly cohesive cellular histological component was an independent risk factor associated with lymph node metastasis in submucosal invasive gastric carcinoma. Endoscopic biopsy had limited value in predicting the presence and proportion of the poorly cohesive cellular histologic component due to the heterogeneity of mixed carcinoma.

Detection of EGFR and KRAS Mutation by Pyrosequencing Analysis in Cytologic Samples of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

EGFR and KRAS mutations are two of the most common mutations that are present in lung cancer. Screening and detecting these mutations are of issue these days, and many different methods and tissue samples are currently used to effectively detect these two mutations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the testing for EGFR and KRAS mutations by pyrosequencing method, and compared the yield of cytology versus histology specimens in a consecutive series of patients with lung cancer. We retrospectively reviewed EGFR and KRAS mutation results of 399 (patients with EGFR mutation test) and 323 patients (patients with KRAS mutation test) diagnosed with lung cancer in Konkuk University Medical Center from 2008 to 2014. Among them, 60 patients had received both EGFR and KRAS mutation studies. We compared the detection rate of EGFR and KRAS tests in cytology, biopsy, and resection specimens. EGFR and KRAS mutations were detected in 29.8% and 8.7% of total patients, and the positive mutation results of EGFR and KRAS were mutually exclusive. The detection rate of EGFR mutation in cytology was higher than non-cytology (biopsy or resection) materials (cytology: 48.5%, non-cytology: 26.1%), and the detection rate of KRAS mutation in cytology specimens was comparable to non-cytology specimens (cytology: 8.3%, non-cytology: 8.7%). We suggest that cytology specimens are good alternatives that can readily substitute tissue samples for testing both EGFR and KRAS mutations. Moreover, pyrosequencing method is highly sensitive in detecting EGFR and KRAS mutations in lung cancer patients.

Expression of Peroxisome Proliferato Activated Receptor gamma in Prostatic Adenocarcinoma

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma), a ligand-activated transcription factor has been investigated as the target for cancer treatment as well as metabolic disorders. Recent studies have demonstrated that PPAR-gamma ligands are anti-tumorigenic in prostate cancer due to anti-proliferative and pro-differentiation effects. The aim of this study was to validate PPAR-gamma expression in malignant and benign prostate tissues by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 730 prostatic adenocarcinomas (PCAs) including 63 whole sections from radical prostatectomy specimens and tissue microarrays containing 667 PCAs were subject to immunostaining for two PPAR-gamma antibodies. Twenty-five benign prostate tissues and PCAs were selected for investigating mRNA expression by quantitative real-time PCR. 10.7% of PCAs (78/730) showed cytoplasmic immunoreactivity of PPAR-gamma and no nuclear immunoreactivity was noted in PCAs. Most benign prostatic glands showed negative immunoreactivity of PPAR-gamma except for variable weak cytoplasmic staining in some glands. Nuclear immunoreactivity of PPAR-gamma was noted some central zone and verumontanum mucosal epithelium. The constitutive PPAR-gamma mRNA showed significantly lower level in PCAs compared to that in the benign tissues. There was no difference of PPAR-gamma mRNA expression between low (7) Gleason score groups. There was no association of PPAR-gamma mRNA level or cytoplasmic immunostaining with Gleason grade or pathologic stage. Our study supported the evidence of extra-nuclear localization and nongenomic actions of PPAR-gamma. Further studies are needed to assess the functional role of PPAR-gamma and to validate its therapeutic implication in prostate cancer.

Clinical Significance of Substaging and HER2 Expression in Papillary Nonmuscle Invasive Urothelial Cancers of the Urinary Bladder

The study aimed to verify the prognostic utility, therapeutic application and clinical benefits of tumor substaging and HER2 status in papillary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Select NMIBC transurethral resection specimens from 141 patients were used to construct tissue microarrays for assessing the substaging, HER2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry (HER2-IHC) and gene amplification by dual-color silver in situ hybridization (HER2-SISH). Substages were identified by the differing depth of tumor invasion (pTa / pT1a / pT1b / pT1c). HER2 protein expression was semiquantitatively analyzed and grouped into negative (score 0, 1+) and positive (score 2+, 3+). Other clinicopathological variables were also investigated. For NMIBC, HER2-IHC and HER2-SISH showed positive results in 6/141 (4.3%) and 4/141 (2.8%) respectively, which correlated well with tumor substaging. In multivariate analysis, substaging, HER2-IHC, and HER2-SISH were found to be independent predictors of progression-free survival (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.031). HER2-IHC was the sole independent predictor of recurrent free survival in NMIBC (P = 0.017). It is suggested that tumor substaging and HER2 status are independent predictive markers for tumor progression or recurrence, and thus could be included in diagnostic and therapeutic management for NMIBC.

Erratum: Correction of Acknowledgments. ERG Immunohistochemistry as an Endothelial Marker for Assessing Lymphovascular Invasion

The Acknowledgments were marked incorrectly.

ERG Immunohistochemistry as an Endothelial Marker for Assessing Lymphovascular Invasion

BACKGROUND: ERG, a member of the ETS family of transcription factors, is a highly specific endothelial marker. We investigated whether the use of ERG immunostaining can help pathologists detect lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and decrease interobserver variability in LVI diagnosis. METHODS: Fifteen cases of surgically resected colorectal cancers with hepatic metastasis were selected and the most representative sections for LVI detection were immunostained with ERG, CD31, and D2-40. Eight pathologists independently evaluated LVI status on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and the corresponding immunostained sections and then convened for a consensus meeting. The results were analyzed by kappa (kappa) statistics. RESULTS: The average rate of LVI positivity was observed in 43% with H&E only, 10% with CD31, 29% with D2-40, and 16% with ERG. Agreement among pathologists was fair for H&E only (kappa=0.27), D2-40 (kappa=0.21), ERG (kappa=0.23), and was moderate for CD31 (kappa=0.55). Consensus revealed that ERG nuclear immunoreactivity showed better visual contrast of LVI detection than the other staining, with improved agreement and LVI detection rate (kappa=0.65, LVI positivity rate 80%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated a superiority with ERG immunostaining and indicated that ERG is a promising panendothelial marker that might help pathologists increase LVI detection and decrease interobserver variability in LVI diagnosis.

A Case of Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome

PURPOSE: To report a patient with Freeman-Sheldon syndrome with blepharophimosis. METHODS: A 4-year-old girl with congenital facial abnormalities consistent with Freeman-Sheldon syndrome presented with complaints of blepharophimosis. The characteristic features of microstomia, down-slanting palpebral fissure, blepharoptosis, and telecanthus were also found. Y-V epicanthoplasty and levator aponeurosis resection were performed. RESULTS: Surgical intervention to correct ptosis and telecanthus led to initially fair cosmetic results, but one month later an unexpected decrease in interpalpebral fissure height was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Freeman-Sheldon syndrome with blepharophimosis is very rare. It was necessary to correct blepharoptosis, telecanthus, and blepharophimosis in the oculoplastic service in this case.

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.

A Case of Nonspecific Orbital Inflammation in Anophthalmia

PURPOSE: We report a case of orbital pseudotumor developed in an anophthalmic socket, presenting no typical symptoms or signs. METHODS: A 67-year-old woman was referred for treatment of necrotizing scleritis of her left eye and painful orbital pseudotumor of her right eye. The right eye had been removed 10 years previously. There was an irregular mass in superomedial portion of anterior orbit. Orbital MRI showed poorly defined T1 iso and low T2 signal intensity of a lesion in the medial anterior portion of the right orbit. Because systemic steroid administration was limited, 2 mg of betamethasone was injected locally, after which the size of the lesion was decreased and the orbital pain improved. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of an orbital pseudotumor developed in an anophthalmic socket may be difficult because of the lack of typical eyeball-related signs or symptoms such as proptosis, red eye, or decreased vision. But, the easy access to the lesion can provide early and effective treatment through direct injection of glucocorticoid.

Increased Activity of Insulin-like Growth Factor binding Protein-4 Protease in H-mole Patients / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: Hydatidiform mole (H-mole) is characterized by the neoplastic proliferation of trophoblasts. Only 1~10% of patients with partial H-mole will develop a trophoblastic tumor, but 18~29% of those with complete H-mole will develop a persistent trophoblastic tumor. Therefore, the early diagnosis and monitoring after operation of an H-mole disease are very important. Recently, the pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) was proved to have a similar role as that of IGF binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) protease, which has shown an increasing function in fetal growth and development by degradation of IGFBP-4 and an increase in IGF in the serum during pregnancy. Our hypothesis is "the H-mole, which shows placental hyperplasia will also have an IGFBP-4 protease activity, which may be used as in the early diagnosis and monitoring of H-mole disease". METHODS: Serum samples from 6 non-pregnant, 18 pregnant (5 in the 1st trimester, 10 in the 2nd, and 3 in the 3rd), 12 postpartum women and 3 H-mole patients(2 with complete H-mole and 1with partial H-mole) were collected and measured for the -HCG, IGF and PAPP-A levels and IGFBP-4 protease activities by a IGF-II ligand blot analysis and electrophoresis method. The IGFBP-4 protease activity of the serum during normal pregnancy was compared with that of H-mole disease. RESULTS: The results from the in vitro protease assays using recombinant IGFBP-4 determined that IGFBP-4 proteolysis was significantly increased during the first (56%) and second trimesters (90%), but reached a plateau by the third trimester (94%). In H-mole disease diagnosed 11 weeks after conception, the IGFBP-4 proteolytic activity was 97%, which was nearly the same as at terminal pregnancy. This activity gradually decreased to 75% at 1 week, 58.7% at 2 and 33% at 3 weeks after the operation. The -HCG was also decreased from 490,400 to 123,822.7, 1,352.3, and 128.5 mIU/mL at 1, 2 and 3 weeks after the operation, respectively. The PAPP-A level also gradually decreased from 34.87 to 25.5, 12.0 and 2.7 g/mL 1, 2 and 3 weeks after the operation, respectively. However, the IGF decreased from 238.3 to 172.9 ng/mL 1 week after the operation, but increased to 251.4 and 295 ng/mL at 2 and 3 weeks after the operation, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that the IGFBP-4 protease activity was significantly increased during pregnancy, and was extremely elevated durimg the early stages of H-mole disease, but gradually decreased after removal of molar tissue. Therefore, measuring the IGFBP-4 protease activity may play an important role in the early diagnosis and monitoring of H-mole disease

Increased Activity of Insulin-like Growth Factor binding Protein-4 Protease in H-mole Patients / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: Hydatidiform mole (H-mole) is characterized by the neoplastic proliferation of trophoblasts. Only 1~10% of patients with partial H-mole will develop a trophoblastic tumor, but 18~29% of those with complete H-mole will develop a persistent trophoblastic tumor. Therefore, the early diagnosis and monitoring after operation of an H-mole disease are very important. Recently, the pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) was proved to have a similar role as that of IGF binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) protease, which has shown an increasing function in fetal growth and development by degradation of IGFBP-4 and an increase in IGF in the serum during pregnancy. Our hypothesis is "the H-mole, which shows placental hyperplasia will also have an IGFBP-4 protease activity, which may be used as in the early diagnosis and monitoring of H-mole disease". METHODS: Serum samples from 6 non-pregnant, 18 pregnant (5 in the 1st trimester, 10 in the 2nd, and 3 in the 3rd), 12 postpartum women and 3 H-mole patients(2 with complete H-mole and 1with partial H-mole) were collected and measured for the -HCG, IGF and PAPP-A levels and IGFBP-4 protease activities by a IGF-II ligand blot analysis and electrophoresis method. The IGFBP-4 protease activity of the serum during normal pregnancy was compared with that of H-mole disease. RESULTS: The results from the in vitro protease assays using recombinant IGFBP-4 determined that IGFBP-4 proteolysis was significantly increased during the first (56%) and second trimesters (90%), but reached a plateau by the third trimester (94%). In H-mole disease diagnosed 11 weeks after conception, the IGFBP-4 proteolytic activity was 97%, which was nearly the same as at terminal pregnancy. This activity gradually decreased to 75% at 1 week, 58.7% at 2 and 33% at 3 weeks after the operation. The -HCG was also decreased from 490,400 to 123,822.7, 1,352.3, and 128.5 mIU/mL at 1, 2 and 3 weeks after the operation, respectively. The PAPP-A level also gradually decreased from 34.87 to 25.5, 12.0 and 2.7 g/mL 1, 2 and 3 weeks after the operation, respectively. However, the IGF decreased from 238.3 to 172.9 ng/mL 1 week after the operation, but increased to 251.4 and 295 ng/mL at 2 and 3 weeks after the operation, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that the IGFBP-4 protease activity was significantly increased during pregnancy, and was extremely elevated durimg the early stages of H-mole disease, but gradually decreased after removal of molar tissue. Therefore, measuring the IGFBP-4 protease activity may play an important role in the early diagnosis and monitoring of H-mole disease

A Case of Severe Thyrotoxicosis Induced by Hydatidiform Mole / 대한내분비학회지

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is one of the glycoproteins families synthesized by the placenta, and consists of 2 noncovalently joined subunits, namely, alpha and beta. The alpha and beta-subunits have a structural homology with the alpha and beta-subunits of TSH and LH. The thyrotropic action of HCG results from its structural similarity to TSH, so beta-HCG can bind to the TSH receptor in the thyroid gland. A high level of HCG, accompanied by an increased thyroid hormone level, can be observed in gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD), such as a hydatidiform mole or a choriocarcinoma. However, the clinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism in GTD are rarely observed. A 27-years-old woman, admitted due to an amenorrhea of 11 weeks duration, with thyrotoxic symptoms, such as weight loss, palpitation, sweating, tremor, heat intolerance and anxiety, was evaluated. Her serum free T4 level was 8 times higher than normal, and her serum beta-HCG level was over 1,000,000IU/L. She had a curettage operation, with the pathological findings of a complete hydatidiform mole. These thyrotoxic symptoms developed due to a hydatidiform mole, and were accompanied with a highly increased serum beta-HCG level. After evacuation of the molar tissue, the thyroid hormone and thyrotoxic symptoms normalized. Here, this case is reported, with brief review of the literature.

The Effects of Fixation Ring on Corneal Centration in LASIK Using Flying Spot Laser

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of centration of ablation zones and visual acuity with two different techniques (fixation ring and patient self-fixation) with flying spot laser to maintain immobilization of the globe during laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: 240 eyes from 124 patients who underwent LASIK by two techniques were studied retrospectively. One technique used a fixation ring to maintain centration of the cornea and the other technique used patient fixation, with no mechanical restraint of the eye. The eyes were treated with the MEL-70 flying spot excimer laser and topographic maps were recorded with the ATLAS(R) (MasterVue(R) software, Zeiss Humphrey, Germany). The amount and direction of decentration were compared between the 2 techniques. The preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity were also compared. RESULTS: Mean amount of decentration in fixation ring using group was 0.59+/-0.39 mm and that of decentration in patient fixation group was 0.61+/-0.42 mm. Between the two groups, no significant difference in amount of decentraion was noted statistically. Most of decentration from the pupil center was located superonasally and inferonasally. Also there was no difference in the mean preoperative best corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, 1 year postoperative best corrected visual acuity between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The fixation ring during LASIK makes no difference with patient self-fixation in amount of decentration of ablation zone in spite of relatively long time of laser shot in flying spot excimer laser.

The Neuroprotective Effect of alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN) in the Argon Laser Induced Retinal Ischemia

PURPOSE: We examined the ability of alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN), an electron spin trapper, to determine the neuroprotective effect in the argon laser induced ischemic rat retina model. METHODS: After ischemic condition of rat retina was induced by argon green laser, PBN was given intraperitoneally at 50 or 100 mg/kg and normal saline was injected to control group. After 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days, the neuroprotective effect of PBN was examined by electroretinogram (ERG) and after 7 days, the enucleation of eyes was performed and histologic findings were compared by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: We found relatively reduced amplitude of ERG wave in the PBN injected group but not so greatly reduced as in normal saline control group. The retinal ganglion cell (RGC) layer and the number of RGCs were affected by acute ischemic changes but in the group of PBN treatment, the cell membrane was well preserved and vecuoles formation, cytoplasmic destructions, nuclear chromatin condensation were reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic administration of PBN can ameliorate an argon laser induced retinal ischemia. Further investigations are necessary to decide effective dose without toxicity and to find more convenient methods of administrations.

The Assessment of Fixation Area and Prognostic Factors in Idiopathic Macular Holes after Vitrectomy with Microperimetry Using Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relation between recovery of visual function and microperimetric fixation area in eyes with idiophthic macular hole after vitrectomy. METHODS: We used SLO (Scanning laser microscope, Rodenstock, Germany) microperimetry to examine foveal retinal function and fixation area in 14 eyes with idiopathic macular hole following pars plana vitrectomy. The relation between those preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity and fixation area was studied. RESULTS: The macular hole size was correlated with preoperative visual acuity (p=0.026) and the closure of hole was related to the size of fixation area (p=0.003). The postoperative visual acuity was related to symptom duration before the vitrectomy (p=0.03), but not related to preoperative macular hole size. The fixation area correlated with the postoperative best corected visual acuity (p=0.043) and the direction of movement was variable. In most eyes, fixation area was located above the horizontal meridian. CONCLUSIONS: The fixation area was correlated with postoperative visual acuity and we think functional macular hole closure as well as anatomical closure were useful parameter of the success of macular hole surgery.

Comparison of Anterior Pituitary Function between Patients with GH-secreting Macroadenoma and those with Nonfunctioning Macroadenoma / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: Some of the deficiencies in anterior pituitary function identified in subjects with macroadenomas appear to represent irrevemible necrosis of normal pituitary cells, and in addition reversible damage to viable glandular tissue and/or incomplete interruption of local circulation by compression of pituitary stalk may also contribute significantly to hypopituitarism. So anterior pituitary function may actually improve in some patients undergoing successful tumor resection or reduction in tumor size. Although direct comparisons of pituitary function among the various pituitary tumors are not presently available it was reported that there is some difference in the degree of pituitary impairment between patients with nonfunctioning macroadenoma(NFMA) and those with GH-secreting macroadenoma(GHMA).In this study, to investigate the difference in the degree of hypopituitarism we compared anterior pituitary function in subjects with NFMA to that in patients with GHMA. METHODS: In this retrospective study, preoperative and postoperative anterior pituitary function was assessed by clinical findings, basal hormone levels and/or combined pituitary stimulation test in 29 subjects with NFMA and in 24 subjects with GHMA. RESULTS: 1. There was no difference in age, sex, tumor size distribution between the two groups. 2. Preoperatively, NFMA patients had a higher prevalence of secondary hypothyroidism(34% vs. 5%; p(0.02) compared to subjects with GHMA. Patients with NFMA also had a higher prevalence of more severe pituitary failure compared with acromegalic patients; 48% of the patients in this group had more than one pituitary hormone axis impaired compared to 17% in the acromegalic group(p0.03). 3. Postoperatively, NFMA patients also had a higher prevalence of secondary hypoadrenalism (52% vs. 11%; p 0.01) compared with acromegalic patients. Additionally, the prevalence who had more than one pituitary hormone axis impaired was still greater in NFMA patients than in the acromegalic group(57% vs. 22%; p=0.054). 4. No correlation was found between the severity of pituitary failure and tumor size or extension in both groups before and after surgery. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that anterior pituitary function is relatively better preserved in patients with GHMA than those with NFMA and that this difference is independent of tumor size and extension. The mechanism underlying the lower rate of hypopituitarism in acromegalics with macroadenoma remains to be elucidated.