• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.6-10
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• 2015

Background and Objective : Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC) is known as slow growing cancer with good prognosis. However, extrathyroidal extension may increase the risk of cervical lymph node metastasis and local invasion to surrounding structures. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristic features of the tumor invading the posterior thyroid capsule. Material and Methods : We made a retrospective review of 123 PTMC patients with thyroid capsule invasion, pathologically staged as T3 or T4. 74 patients (60.2%) had invasion to posterior thyroid capsule (group A) while 49 patients (39.8%) had invasion to-anterior thyroid capsule or anterior wall of trachea (group B). We assessed the clinicopathologic factors of the patients according to the location of capsular invasion of PTMC. Results : There was no difference regarding age, gender, T and N classification and incidence of lymph node metastasis between two groups. Local invasion rate to recurrent laryngeal nerve was 6.8% in patients with posterior thyroid capsule invasion, while the incidence was zero in those with capsular invasion to other locations Conclusion : Increased risk of local invasion to the recurrent laryngeal nerve should be considered in patients with PTMC presenting invasion of the posterior capsule.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.161-164
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• 2007

Thyroid hemiagenesis is a rare anomaly, which is the result of failure of embryologic development of a lobe of thyroid gland. It is more frequently found in the left lobe and in female patients. We, herein, report an extremely rare case of thyroid hemiagenesis associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma. A 69-year-old female presented with an incidentally discovered thyroid nodule in the right thyroid during a routine medical check-up. Ultrasonography(US) and computed tomography(CT) disclosed $0.7{\times}0.5cm\;and\;2.8{\times}2.2cm$ sized nodules in the right thyroid. The left thyroid, however, was not seen in the imaging studies of US and CT. Fine-needle aspiration of the small and large nodules showed papillary thyroid carcinoma and adenomatous hyperplasia, respectively. The patient underwent a right total thyroidectomy with central compartment node dissection. The operative findings and histologic examination confirmed the absence of the left thyroid associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma and ademonatous hyperplasia of the right thyroid.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2013

The Korean Thyroid Association recommends fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for nodules more than 0.5 cm in diameter. But nodules, smaller than 0.5 cm have been found in papillary carcinomas of the thyroid (PTC) at the health promotion center at SMC. We wanted to evaluate the ultrasonographic findings according to size of nodule in proven PTCs by FNAB, especially less than 0.5 cm. All nodules were classified into three groups by their longest diameter : less than 0.5 cm, more than 0.5 cm but less than 1 cm, and more than 1 cm. Sonographic findings suggesting malignancy were analyzed according to their size groups. Of 288 malignant nodules, 21.5 % (62/288) were less than 0.5 cm, 54.9 % (158/288) were more than 0.5 cm but less than 1 cm, 23.6 % (68/288) exceeded 1 cm. A taller-than-wide shape was observed in 90.3 % (56/62) of nodules less than 0.5 cm, and 48.5 % (33/68) of nodules exceeding 1 cm (p<0.001). There were no well-defined smooth nodules among nodules less than 0.5 cm, and spiculated or irregular margin nodules increased as the size increased (p=0.024). Nodules of size less than 0.5 cm did not showed hyper or isoechogenicity. Hypoechogenicity was greater than the marked hypoechogenicity in each group (p=0.034). Micro- or macro-calcifications were not founded in 77.4 % (48/62) of the nodule group sized less than 0.5 cm. From the small size of the group, micro- or macrocalcifications were observed 21.0 % (13/62), 48.1 % (76/158), 64.7 % (44/68), so the number of nodules containing micro- or macro-calcification increased as size increased (p<0.001). PTCs less than 0.5 cm in size on ultrasonography had taller than-wide shape, spiculated or irregular and ill-defined margins, and exhibited hypo and markedly hypoechogenicity, but microor macro-calcifications were not common. These ultrasonographic features of nodules less than 0.5 cm can be useful in reporting and guiding FNABs or follow-up exams.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.16-20
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• 2015

Background and Objectives : In papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), multiplicity and central or lateral lymph node metastases significantly affect the recurrence. This study was carried out to evaluate the clinical and histological characteristics of PTC according to the tumor size. Materials and Method : Between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2014, 12,269 PTC patients underwent thyroid surgery at the Thyroid Cancer Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea. We analyzed pathologic findings and clinical features according to the size of tumor Results : The mean size of tumor was $0.89{\pm}0.70cm$. The Central and lateral compartment metastases were observed 64.7% and 37.6% on the range that the primary tumor size is 1cm. There was a significant association between the PTC primary tumor size and multiplicity and cervical neck metastasis (p<0.001). Conclusion : The PTC primary tumor size for prediction of multiplicity and neck node metastasis can be helpful in optimization of the surgical extent for each patient.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.38-41
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• 2011

Background and Objectives : Although it is well established that patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) have a highly favorable prognosis, the extent of thyroid surgery for PTMC remains unclear. According to the 2011 revised Korean Thyroid Association guideline, the choice of surgical strategy(total thyroidectomy versus lobectomy) for PTMC depends on solely preoperative diagnostic scrutinies-ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration cytology. We want to know how accurately these preoperative diagnostic scrutinies define the choice of surgical strategy for PTMC. Materials and Methods : For 119 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection for PTMC, retrospectively, we compared the choice of surgery according to preoperative work up and postoperative pathologic findings. Results : Overall accuracy of the choice of surgery by preoperative work up was 61%. Among patients recommended lobectomy on preoperative work up, completion thyroidectomy on postoperative pathology might be necessary for 60% of patients and hidden central node metastasis was revealed in 31% of patients. Conclusions : The results of this study compel us to reinvestigate the current treatment guideline for PTMC. On current guideline according to the sonography and fine needle aspiration cytology, it might be thought to be better to choose more aggressive surgical strategy.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.8-11
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• 2009

Background and Objectives : In the TNM 6th classification system, extrathyroidal invasion of differentiated thyroid carcinoma has been classified into T3(minimal invasion), T4a(extended invasion), and T4b(more extensive unresectable invasion) according to the degree and it has been recognized as an important prognostic factor. In this study, we investigated the prognostic significances of minimal extrathyroidal invasion in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC). Material and Methods : We retrospectively studied 221 patients who are underwent thyroidectomy due to PTC from September 2003 to December 2006. Fifty-four(24.4%) patients had a PTC with minimal extrathyroidal invasion(Group A) and 167(75.6%) patients had a PTC without extrathyroidal invasion(Group B). The existence of minimal extrathyroidal invasion was based on operative and pathological findings. Results : Minimal extrathyroidal invasion in PTC was related to tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and operative method(p<0.001). But, there is no significant difference in age, gender, and multifocality between Group A and B. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was observed more frequently in Group B(p=0.019). Conclusion : These findings suggest that minimal extrathyroidal invasion is related to poor prognostic factors in PTC. Therefore, aggressive surgical approach is required when there is evidence of minimal extrathyroidal invasion in preoperative radiologic examination or operative finding.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.198-203
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• 2011

Background and Objectives : Distinguishing benign from malignant lesion in thyroid noddex is important but clinically difficult. FNAB is the first investigation of choice. However, cytologic results are often indeterminable. In those cases, additional molecular biologic tests are helpful. If serologic tests are available to predict malignancy, it can be useful to fortify accurate diagnosis. We analyzed whether TSH or FreeT4 level could be used as a predictor of malignancy. Materials and Methods : From January 2008 to March 2009, 540 patients received one of thyroidectomy in a single center. We only included 167 patients from 18 to 65 years old without cardiopulmonary or renal disorders. All the patients were in euthyroid state and took no medications, which affect the thyroid function. We reviewed charts retrospectively to find out differences in TSH level and FreeT4 level between the benign and malignant groups. Results : In this study, all the patients with malignancy had the papillary cancer. In benign group, average TSH level came out to be 1.48mU/L, whereas the average TSH level of malignant group was 1.98 mU/L. Moreover, the higher the cancer stage was, the higher the TSH level was. Although we have adjusted factors that can affect TSH level(age, sex, race, goiter type), we still received the same result. The risk of malignant cancer increased in proportion with TSH level within the normal range. In free T4 level, there was no difference between benign and malignant group. Conclusion : We propose that TSH level can play a role as one of the predictors for thyroid cancer. However, there is limitation because all the patients with malignancy in this study have papillary cancer. Thus, we can apply this result only in papillary cancer, and we need more study for other types of thyroid cancer.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.69-73
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• 1996

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.74-78
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• 2014

갑상선 암 진단과 치료기술이 발전하면서 최근 그 수술 건 수가 급격하게 증가하고 있다. 하지만이와 관련된 합병증과 부작용을 면밀하게 평가해야 할 필요 역시 점차 늘어나고 있다. 갑상선 암 수술 후 발생할 수 있는 드문 합병증의 하나로 횡격막 신경마비(phrenic nerve paralysis)가 있다. 이러한 횡격막신경마비는 대부분 증상이 경미하고 쉽게 호전되어 임상적으로 크게 중요하게 다루어지지 않았다. 하지만, 갑상선 수술 후 갑작스런 호흡곤란이 발생한다면 횡격막 신경마비에 의한 횡격막 마비(diaphragmatic paralysis)와 관련되었을 가능성을 놓치지 말아야 한다. 저자들은 최근 갑상선암 수술 후 발생한 호흡곤란으로 2년 동안 심각한 호흡곤란을 호소하던 73세 여자환자에서 투시촬영(fluoroscopy) 상 편측으로 상승되고 운동성이 저하된 횡격막을 확인하여 일측성 횡격막신경마비(Unilateral phrenic nerve paralysis)를 확진 하였다. 갑상선수술 후 발생하는 일측 횡경막 신경마비는 임상에서 드물게 관찰되는 수술 합병증이기에 환자는 상당기간 이에 대한 감별이 제대로 이루어지지 않았다. 우리는 횡격막 마비의 조기 진단과 적극적인 치료를 통하여 심한 호흡곤란을 호소하는 환자의 증상 및 병의 경과를 호전 시킬 수 있었다.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.50-53
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• 2007

Adrenal metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma is extremely rare. We present herein a patient with adrenal metastases from recurrent papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. A 54 year-old woman had received a total thyroidectomy and postoperative radioactive iodine therapy for locally advanced papillary thyroid carcinoma. One year after initial surgery, distant metastases to multiple organs including right cervical lymph nodes, left upper lung, left 2nd and 3rd ribs, 2nd thoracic vertebra and left adrenal gland were found by 18-FDG-PET-CT whole body scan. She underwent right modified neck dissection, partial resection of left 2nd and 3rd ribs, posterior arch of 2nd thoracic vertebra, left upper lobectomy of lung, and left adrenalectomy. On histologic examination, metastases to the left adrenal gland and cervical lymph nodes were papillary thyroid carcinomas, while other metastatic sites turned out to be anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. Despite aggressive surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy, her general clinical conditions were getting worse day by day due to regrowing of the anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in Korea.