Comparative Analysis of the Results between the Early Period and the Midterm Period of a Single Surgeon’s Experience in the Treatment of Hallux Valgus Using Scarf Osteotomy / 대한족부족관절학회지

Purpose@#This study evaluated the results of two groups—the early group and midterm group—comparatively in the treatment of hallux valgus using a scarf osteotomy. @*Materials and Methods@#From January 2005 to December 2009 (Group 1) and from January 2010 to December 2013 (Group 2), this study compared hallux valgus cases treated by a scarf osteotomy by a single surgeon with at least a five-year follow-up. @*Results@#The average ages of Group 1 and Group 2 were 50.5 and 51.7 years old, respectively. The average follow-up of Groups 1 and 2 were 7.4 and 6.2 years, respectively. Groups 1 and 2 had 86 cases (53 patients) and 93 cases (64 patients) with at least a five-year followup, respectively. The average hallux valgus angle (HVA) and 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA) of Group 1 were improved from 31.3° and 13.9° preoperatively to 11.3° and 6.8° at the final follow-up, respectively (p<0.001). The average HVA and 1-2 IMA of Group 2 were improved from 31.7° and 13.4° preoperatively to 8.9° and 6.6° at the final follow-up, respectively (p<0.001). The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score of both groups increased from 48.5 and 45.0 points preoperatively to 73.7 and 82.4 points at the final follow-up, respectively. The numbers of patient-assessed subjective satisfaction of Groups 1 and 2 at the final follow-ups were as follows: excellent, 27 and 36 (31.4%, 38.7%); good, 34 and 49 (39.5%, 52.7%); fair, 13 and 5 (15.1%, 5.4%); poor, 12 and 3 (13.9%, 3.2%);respectively. Neither troughing nor stress fractures occurred in both groups. @*Conclusion@#Scarf osteotomy for treating hallux valgus is an excellent surgical method with a relatively low incidence of complications.The results in Group 2 were better than those in Group 1, showing that more surgical experience and evolution of the techniques provided better results.

Comparative Analysis of the Results between the Early Period and the Midterm Period of a Single Surgeon’s Experience in the Treatment of Hallux Valgus Using Scarf Osteotomy / 대한족부족관절학회지

Purpose@#This study evaluated the results of two groups—the early group and midterm group—comparatively in the treatment of hallux valgus using a scarf osteotomy. @*Materials and Methods@#From January 2005 to December 2009 (Group 1) and from January 2010 to December 2013 (Group 2), this study compared hallux valgus cases treated by a scarf osteotomy by a single surgeon with at least a five-year follow-up. @*Results@#The average ages of Group 1 and Group 2 were 50.5 and 51.7 years old, respectively. The average follow-up of Groups 1 and 2 were 7.4 and 6.2 years, respectively. Groups 1 and 2 had 86 cases (53 patients) and 93 cases (64 patients) with at least a five-year followup, respectively. The average hallux valgus angle (HVA) and 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA) of Group 1 were improved from 31.3° and 13.9° preoperatively to 11.3° and 6.8° at the final follow-up, respectively (p<0.001). The average HVA and 1-2 IMA of Group 2 were improved from 31.7° and 13.4° preoperatively to 8.9° and 6.6° at the final follow-up, respectively (p<0.001). The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score of both groups increased from 48.5 and 45.0 points preoperatively to 73.7 and 82.4 points at the final follow-up, respectively. The numbers of patient-assessed subjective satisfaction of Groups 1 and 2 at the final follow-ups were as follows: excellent, 27 and 36 (31.4%, 38.7%); good, 34 and 49 (39.5%, 52.7%); fair, 13 and 5 (15.1%, 5.4%); poor, 12 and 3 (13.9%, 3.2%);respectively. Neither troughing nor stress fractures occurred in both groups. @*Conclusion@#Scarf osteotomy for treating hallux valgus is an excellent surgical method with a relatively low incidence of complications.The results in Group 2 were better than those in Group 1, showing that more surgical experience and evolution of the techniques provided better results.

Efficacy of Ilizarov External Fixation and Autologous Bone Grafting for Performing Arthrodesis on the Ankle Arthropathy with Risk Factors / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE@#The aim of this study is to evaluate if the Ilizarov external fixation procedure with axial compression can help to obtain fusion across the ankle joint in patients with a high risk of nonunion.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#From January 2006 to December 2015, the study reviewed 17 patients who underwent ankle arthropathy with a high risk of nonunion and who underwent ankle fusion using the Ilizarov external fixator with axial compression and auto bone grafting. After the lateral surface of the ankle joint was exposed through a lateral trans-fibular approach, massive removal of the articular cartilage and excision of any loose or avascular bone were done. With the cortical bone harvested from the pelvis as corticocancellous bone blocks, we inserted the two cortical blocks longitudinally into the anterior and posterior part of the free ankle space from lateral to medial to make the rectangular chamber to fill the cancellous bones. After the Ilizarov external fixator was equipped, we tightened the frame by 5 mm to compress the bone graft space. We accessed the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score both preoperatively and postoperatively.@*RESULTS@#The average age at the time of operation was 63.4 years (range, 47~78 years). The mean frame time was 17.4 weeks (range, 15~23 weeks). The average follow-up period was 3.7 years (range, 2~6 years). Osseous fusion was obtained in 15 patients (88.2%). There were two stable pseudarthroses among the rheumatoid arthritis patients, and we continued their follow-up. The mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot score improved from 48.5 to 73.7 points.@*CONCLUSION@#Ankle arthrodesis using the Ilizarov external fixation with axial compression and auto bone grafting on the ankle arthropathy that had difficult conditions to achieve union is considered one of the useful methods with a correspondingly low incidence of complications.

Factors Affecting the Extent of Graft Tendon Synovialization after Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Based on Second-Look Arthroscopic Findings

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the factors that influence synovialization of the grafted tendon after double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction based on second-look arthroscopic findings. METHODS: Out of 205 knees that were treated between August 2008 and May 2016 with double-bundle ACL reconstruction using bio-absorbable cross-pins and Endobuttons for femoral tunnel fixation, we enrolled 65 knees (64 patients) that underwent second-look arthroscopy with hardware removal at 1 year postoperatively. Measured clinical outcomes included the Lysholm score and Tegner activity score that were evaluated preoperatively and during the final follow-up. We analyzed the relationship between synovial coverage and patient age, length of the preserved remnant tissue on the tibial side, type of bundle (anteromedial or posterolateral), type of graft (autograft or allograft), and time from injury to surgery. RESULTS: The area of synovial coverage showed a significant statistical correlation with patient age and the length of the preserved remnant tissue on the tibial side. The average synovial coverage was significantly better for the anteromedial bundle than for the posterolateral bundle, better for the autograft than for the allograft reconstruction, and better when treated in the acute stage than in the chronic stage. However, synovialization of grafted tendon did not correlate to clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: While we were able to identify several factors influencing synovialization of the grafted tendon after double-bundle ACL reconstruction, including patient age, length of preserved remnant tissue of the torn ACL, type of bundle, type of graft, and time from injury to surgery, we found no evidence that increased synovialization improves clinical outcomes at 1 year postoperatively.

Surgical Treatment of Chronic Tophaceous Gout in the 1st Metatarso-Phalangeal Joint / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: Chronic tophaceous gout is a painful and disabling inflammatory disease. Surgical treatment for chronic tophaceous gout is very difficult with many complications. This study evaluated the efficacy of shortening scarf osteotomy on the treatment of chronic tophaceous gout in the 1st metatarso-phalangeal (MTP) joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2015, 14 patients (19 cases) who underwent axial shortening scarf osteotomy for chronic tophaceous gout were reviewed. All patients were male. The average age at the time of surgery was 59.6 years (42~66 years). The minimum follow-up was 24 months. Total removal of the tophi mass with the adhered medial capsule of the 1st MTP joint was attempted. Axial shortening scarf osteotomy was done on the 1st metatarsal shaft. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot score was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. The range of motion (ROM) of the 1st MTP joint was also compared pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The average size of the extracted tophaceous mass was 32 mm. The mean amount of the length of metatarsal shortening was 4.9 mm. The mean ROM of the 1st MTP joint was improved from 30.4° to 62.3°. The mean AOFAS forefoot score improved from 51.4 to 86.6 points. The mean VAS for pain improved from 4.6 to 0.3 points. CONCLUSION: The axial shortening scarf osteotomy used on chronic tophaceous gout could reconstruct the 1st MTP joint with an improved ROM and was free of pain. Axial shortening scarf osteotomy is suggested as a useful and effective method for the treatment of chronic tophaceous gout.

Results of Autologous Osteochondral Transplantation of the Ostochondral Lesion on the Talus: A Comparison Study between Medial Malleolar Osteotomy Approach and Anterior Arthrotomy Approach / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: Osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) has traditionally been treated using an autologous osteochondral graft via the medial malleolar approach. Here, we compare the traditional method with the anterior arthrotomy approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and June 2015, 24 cases of patients who received autologus osteochondral graft for OLT and with at least 2 years of follow-up were evaluated. They were divided into two groups; one group receiving autologous osteochondral graft via the medial malleolar osteotomy approach (group 1, n=9) and another group via the anterior arthrotomy approach (group 2, n=15). The clinical outcomes were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. RESULTS: In all cases, the size of the subchondral cyst of the talus decreased, if not disappeared on the final follow-up radiograph. All osteochondral grafts were united. The mean AOFAS score increased from 61.5 preoperatively to 84.9 at the final follow-up. The mean AOFAS score of group 1 increased from 60.3 preoperatively to 78.0 (p=0.007) at the final follow-up, and the mean AOFAS score of group 2 also increased from 62.2 to 89.1 (p=0.006). The AOFAS score was statistically better in group 2 than in group 1 (p=0.034) at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Autologous osteochondral graft of the OLT yields satisfactory radiologic and clinical outcomes. Especially, better clinical outcome was observed in the group using the anterior arthrotomy approach (group 2) than in the group using the medial malleolar osteotomy approach (group 1).

Painful Osteochondroma of the Hallucal Sesamoid: A Case Report / 대한족부족관절학회지

Osteochondroma is one of the most common bone tumors. It can occur anywhere, although it is most frequent mainly around the metaphysis of long bones. Prediction sites are distal femur, proximal humerus, proximal tibia, and so on. However, osteochondroma in sesamoid is very rare. Herein, we report a case of a 56-year-old woman with symptomatic extra-articular osteochondroma in hallucal sesamoid with a brief literature review.

Shortening Scarf Osteotomy for Treatment of Hallux Rigidus Deformity / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of shortening scarf osteotomy on pain relief and range of motion (ROM) of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in hallux rigidus patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three cases of 19 patients who had been treated with shortening scarf osteotomy for the hallux rigidus between January 2007 and December 2013 were reviewed. The mean follow-up period was 21.4 months, and the mean age was 59.2 years. The first metatarsal bone was shortened until the ROM of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was greater than 80° or 40° of dorsiflexion. The length shortened by scarf osteotomy was measured. The authors also measured and compared the joint interval difference of the standing foot using an anteroposterior radiography. Moreover, the difference of ROM of the first metatarsophalangeal joint between the preoperative and final follow-up periods was also compared. The clinical results were evaluated and compared using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system and visual analogue scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: The mean shortening length was about 6.5 mm (range, 4∼9 mm). The joint space has been increased to 1.8 mm, and the ROM of the first metatarsophalangeal joint has also been increased to 18.4° after the operation. In three cases, the postoperative ROM has been decreased to less 10°. The AOFAS score has been improved from 41.7 (range, 32∼55) to 86.2 (range, 65∼95), and the VAS score was also decreased from 3.7 (range, 3∼5) to 1.3 (range, 0∼3). Two cases have shown no decrease in pain even after the operation. CONCLUSION: Shortening scarf osteotomy was found to decrease joint pain by decompressing the pressure of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. This osteotomy also helped improve the ROM of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Shortening scarf osteotomy can be considered one of the effective methods for joint preservation.

Glomus Tumor in a Extradigital Lesion of Forearm: A Case Report

A 36-year-old man presented with a hard mass on the right forearm. He had no specific symptom, but wanted surgical excision for cosmetic purpose. On the physical examination, the mass was located on the ulnar side of forearm, presented mild tenderness. Ultrasound examination showed a hypoechoic mass, 1.3 x 1 cm mass in the subcutaneous tissues. Under the local anesthesia, the patient underwent an excisional biopsy of the lesion. The histopathology and the immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the tumor to be a glomus tumor. The extradigital glomus tumors are sparsely reported apart from pain. The patients can present with subcutaneous nodule, or with discoloration of the skin. These atypical symptoms make difficult to diagnose extradigital glomus tumors. In the current study, we report the case of a patient with asymptomatic glomus tumor in a extradigital lesion of forearm.

Persistent Positional Vertigo in a Patient with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Case Report

Because inner ear organs are interconnected through the endolymph and surrounding endolymphatic membrane, the patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) often complain of vertigo. In this study, we report a patient with SSNHL accompanied by persistent positional vertigo, and serial findings of head-roll tests are described. At acute stage, head-roll test showed persistent geotropic direction-changing positional nystagmus (DCPN), which led to a diagnosis of SSNHL and ipsilateral light cupula. Although vertigo symptom gradually improved, positional vertigo lasted for more than 3 weeks. At this chronic stage, persistent apogeotropic DCPN was observed in a head roll test, which led to a diagnosis of the heavy cupula. Although the mechanism for the conversion of nystagmus direction from geotropic to apogeotropic persistent DCPN is unclear, the change of specific gravity of the endolymph might be one of the plausible hypothetical explanations.

A Comparison of Clinical Results and Second-Look Arthroscopic Findings between Early and Delayed Reconstruction in Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted for comparison of clinical and second look arthroscopic results between early and delayed reconstruction of acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients who underwent ACL reconstruction between March 2008 and October 2011 were enrolled in this study. We divided the patients into two groups, those in the early reconstruction group underwent surgery before one week, and those in the delayed reconstruction group underwent surgery after three weeks, before six weeks. We checked clinical results and second look arthroscopic results and analyzed correlation of clinical and second look arthroscopic results. RESULTS: At the final follow up, the Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee, and Tegner score were not statistically different between the two groups (p=0.173, p=0.154, p=0.109). No difference for the range of motion (p=0.808, p=0.680), Lachman test (p=0.377), and pivot shift test (p=0.894) was observed between the groups. In the results of second look arthroscopy, there was no difference in graft continuity (p=0.936), tension (p=0.944) and synovial coverage (p=0.789). No statistical clinical correlation was observed between clinical and second look arthroscopic results (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: We obtained satisfactory clinical and second look arthroscopic results in both the early and delayed ACL reconstruction groups. Therefore, early reconstruction of ACL performed before one week could be a treatment options for acute ACL injury.

Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Patient with Polycythemia Vera Who Underwent Hip Surgery: A Case Report / 대한고관절학회지

A 68-year-old woman who suffered from polycythemia vera presented at our clinic with the chief complaints of pain, swelling, and a warm sensation in her left thigh. She had undergone a left bipolar hemiarthroplasty following a hip fracture 24 days prior to this presentation. Her erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were elevated. In addition, a postoperative infection was suspected in the 3-phase bone scan; therefore, she received intravenous antibiotic therapy. This approach proved to be ineffective and she was subsequently diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis via color Doppler ultrasonography. It is interesting to note that a deep vein thrombosis can present with symptoms similar to those of a postoperative infection. Furthermore, an elevated CRP level is frequently observed in patients suffering from polycythemia vera. Therefore, the two conditions, which require completely different treatments, can be confused. We report on this case with a review of the relevant literature.

Posttraumatic Chronic Volar Instability of the Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint

Posttraumatic volar instability of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint with hyperextensile laxity makes pain and weakness during pinch or grip exercise. Several surgical procedures have been described to eliminate thumb metacarpophalangeal joint hyperextension. We treated a patient who had suffered from volar instability with pain for 17 years using volar plate repair and capsulodesis with suture anchor. The result was successful with satisfactory recovery of the hand function.

Follicular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Clinical Manifestation and Prognosis / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite relatively high incidences of follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FV-PTC), there is a continuous debate regarding the clinical behavior, treatment outcome, prognostic variables and survival of this disease. We performed this study for the purpose of getting further understanding and more supporting ideas for the treatment of FV-PTC. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A clinicopathologic analysis of 116 patients who underwent a thyroidectomy with a final diagnosis of FV-PTC divided the patients into three groups: the FV-PTC only group (group A, n=78), the FV-PTC group who developed classical papillary thyroid carcinoma (C-PTC) (group B, n=38) and the C-PTC only (group C, n=320, 2003, Korea Cancer Center Hospital). The three groups were compared with respect to the following various clinicopathological characteristics: age at diagnosis, tumor size, stage of tumor, capsular invasion, age, metastasis, extent, size score, multifocality of tumor, LN metastasis, treatment, and recurrence. RESULTS: The mean tumor sizes, disease stage, and type of initial surgery were similar in three groups. However, the prevalence of nodal disease and capsular invasion were significantly higher in the groups B and C compared to the patients of group A. The 8-year disease-free survival rate was 93.7% in the patients with FV-PTC only, 90.4% in the patients with C-PTC only and 88.2% in the patients with FV-PTC group, who developed C-PTC (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical behavior and prognosis of PTC and FV-PTC groups did not differ significantly. In treating FV-PTC, we find that it is desirable to choose a similar strategy as that used to treat C-PTC.

Photodynamic Therapy for Recurrent Head and Neck Malignancy / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As a preliminary study, authors tried to verify clinical and side effects of Radachlorin in a photodynamic therapy for recurrent head and neck malignancy. Radachlorin shows an absorption peak at 662 nm, which indicates that it penetrates up to 10 mm. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We treated 12 sites for 9 treatments in 6 recurrent head and neck malignacies, 4 cases of squamous cell cancers and each of adenoid cystic cancer, and undifferentiated nasopharyngeal cancer. A dose of 1 mg/kg or 2-5 mL of Radachlorin was i.v. injected into the mass according to the mass size. We used a diode laser, MILON-662 (Milon Laser Company, Russia) and Medlight cylindrical 10/20 radial diffuser and frontal diffuser as light delivery devices. About 3 hrs after intravenous injection, or 30 min after intralesional injection, a light dose of 200-300 J/cm2 or cm of laser was irradiated onto the tumor or intralesionally with the light dose of 200-300 J/cm2, or cm. RESULTS: There was partial tumor regression in three of the five primary tumors. In one case of metastatic node treated by intralesional injection and irradiation, tumor showed complete necrosis. But there was no effect in 2 cases of subcutaneous metastases. There were no side effects such as fever, chill and photosensitivity in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: The clinical effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using Radachlorin with 662 nm of laser light is not clear yet, but it seems to be a safe treatment for head and neck malignancy. We need to investigate the effect of this PDT system in untreated head and neck malignancies.

Clinical Menifestation and Anaylsis of Thyroid Follicular Carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is the second most common thyroid malignancy after papillary thyroid carcinoma. We performed this study to obtain further understanding and more supporting ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid follicular carcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Over a 12-year period, 126 patients surgically treated for FTC with an average follow-up of 57.5 months were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: Eighteen (14.3%) patients had distant metastasis at presentation and completion thyroidectomy was performed for 58 patients (46%) after partial thyroidectomy. This implies how difficult it is to diagnosis this type of cancer at the preoperative or intra-operative stage of treatment. Fine-needle aspiration cytology has been shown to be an ineffective method for the diagnosis of FTC. Five patients developed recurrent distant metastasis 6 month after their initial treatment and 3 patients died of persistent distant metastatic disease. The 10-year overall survival rate were 97.6%, and 10-year disease free survival rate was 82.5%. The patients with minimally invasive follicular carcinoma (n=92) and low risk group according to AMES classification, stage IV in TNM classification had more favorable prognosis. But the results showed no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Several staging systems can be applied specifically to patients with FTC. The distinction of FTC in minimally invasive and widely invasive carcinoma, analysis of prognostic factor (recurrence, local invasion, distant metastasis, age, tumor size) is important in identifying low risk patients for a more conservative treatment.

Clinical Assessment and Management of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Coexistent Hashimoto's Thyroiditis / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The frequency of co-occurence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and papillary thyroid carcinoma has been variously reported to range from 0.3% to 38%, and the association of these two diseases is still controversial. The aim of our study is to determine the relationship between these two entities, and in this paper, we compare the clinical characteristics of patients with and without histopathological evidence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Among 366 patients treated for thyroid nodules (including benign nodules and thyroid cancers) during the period of July 2004-June 2005, 278 patients (male versus female=1 : 7.9) with papillary thyroid carcinoma were included in this study. RESULTS: Hashimoto's thyroiditis co-occurred with papillary thyroid carcinoma in 68 of 278 patients (24.5%), compared with 0 of 21 patients (0%) with other thyroid malignancies. The age at presentation (median, 43.9 years), tumor size (median, 1.31 cm), methods of diagnostic evaluation, and the extent of surgery had not influenced by the presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. However, TNM stage, AMES stage, MACIS score were slightly lower and the proportion of female patients (1 : 67) was higher in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that patients who have papillary thyroid carcinoma may have more favorable prognosis in the co-ocurring Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Further studies are required to confirm the long-term prognostic association between these two diseases.

The Reverse Sural Artery Flap for Soft Tissue Defect of Foot and Ankle in Diabetic Patient / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: A reverse sural artery flap is a useful method for the soft tissue coverage of the lower leg, around the foot and ankle. We present our experience with the reverse sural artery flap for the coverage of a soft tissue defect due to ulceration, necrosis, and trauma in diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 5 diabetic patients who showed soft tissue defects around their lower leg, foot and ankle. The causes of the soft tissue defect were an ulcer and infection in 4 cases, and trauma in 1 case. The sites of the soft tissue defect were around the ankle in 2 cases. In the other cases, the defect site were the lower third of the leg, the hind foot, the foot dorsum. The mean follow up period was 12.4 months. The size of the soft tissue defect ranged from 4 x 3 cm to 15 x 10 cm. RESULTS: All the flaps survived. The donor site was covered with a split thickness skin graft. There was no recurrence of the soft tissue defect during the follow-up period. Conclusion: The reverse sural artery flap is a valuable method for covering certain types soft tissue defect of foot and ankle in diabetic patients.

Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Larynx: Four Cases / 대한이비인후과학회지

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx arise from APUD (amine precursor uptake and decarboxylase) cells. Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx canbe divided into those of epithelial or neural origin. The latter consists of paragangliomas while the group of the epithelial origin can be further divided into typical and atypical carcinoids, and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, which consist of the oat cell type, the intermediate cell type and the combined cell type. There are now over 500 cases of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx reported in the literature. The diagnosis is primarily based on light microscopy and; in some instances, it may be supported by special histochemical studies. It should be confirmed by immunocytochemical and/or ultrastructural investigation. The different biological behavior of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx makes a specific diagnosis of paramount importance, since treatment depends on accurate diagnosis. We experienced 4 cases of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx, and which we report with a review of literatures.

A Clinical Analysis of Recurrence in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is a known malignant tumor arising from the follicular epithelium in thyroid gland. Although the prognosis for patients with DTC is generally good, appropriate surgical management can further reduce recurrence and cancer death rates significantly. The therapeutic methods performed are total thyroidectomy plus radioactive iodine (131I) therapy and life-long thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression. Histopathologically, DTC contains papillary and follicular adenocarcinoma. In numerous studies, staging systems-AMES, AGES, MACIS, etc-have been created to evaluate prognostic outcome. By applying staging systems, we have treated 394 patients with DTC since 1998. The purpose of our study was to analyze characteristics of recurrent cases and evaluate remission rates of recurrent cases according to diagnostic methods. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From January 1998 to December 2001, we performed 630 thyroidectomies and 487 malignant tumors (421 papillary, 28 follicular, 20 medullary, 12 undifferentiated carcinoma and 6 other malignant tumors). We analyzed 394 DTC cases; excluding other malignancy, 65 cases were recurrent cancer (58 papillary and 7 follicular carcinoma). The medical records of 394 patients with DTC treated at our hospital were reviewed retrospectively. We analyzed impact of primary surgery on recurrence in 65 recurrent patients and compared the remission rates of those patients using physical examination with those using laboratory tests and imaging studies. RESULTS: 347 patients with DTC were treated initially in our hospital and 18 patients showed recurrence. Among them, lobectomy was performed as a primary surgery in 69 patients of whom one (1.4%) had recurrence. Forty-seven patients with DTC treated initially in other hospitals were referred to our hospital. Lobectomy was performed as a primary surgery in 23 patients (54.7%). Recurrence of 32 patients was detected by palpation. Of these patients, the remission rate was 25.0%, whereas patients diagnosed by laboratory tests and imaging systems showed 53.3% remission rate (p=0.056). CONCLUSION: The extent of primary thyroid resection appeared to have significant impact on the recurrence of DTC. In view of this, we should apply staging system strictly in treating DTC-total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection in high-risk groups. In following up patients, we should check the thyroglobulin level and use image tests like computed tomography and positron emission tomography to detect recurrence earlier.