• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 1999

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the methods of diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods : We performed a clinical review of patients with thyroid nodules, who were surgically treated at the Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Chosun University from January 1996 to December 1998. Results: 1) The patients were divided into two groups; 65 patients(80.2%) with benign nodular disease and 16 patients(19.8%) with malignant disease. 2) The sex distribution showed a preponderance of females with a ratio of 5.2:1 in benign nodular disease and 3:1 in malignant disease. Benign nodules were more prevalent in patients in their 40's as compared to malignant nodules in patients in their 50's and 60's. 3) The most common duration of illness was 3 months, occurring in 45.7% of the total cases. 4) The most prominent symptom and sign was a palpable nodule in the anterior aspect of the neck. 5) The location of the nodule was ; 41 cases in the right lobe, 29 cases in the left lobe, and 11 cases in both lobes. 6) Thyroid scanning of 40 patients revealed cold nodules in 90.6% of benign nodules and in all malignant disease. 7) Fine needle aspiration cytology were performed in 32 cases of the 81 patients. Comparing with postoperative pathological findings, the results were the same in 87.5% of 32 cases. 8) Intra-operative frozen section study was performed in 56 cases of the 81 patients. Comparing with postoperative pathological finding, the results were same in 96.4% of the 56 cases. 9) The histopathological classification revealed that adenomatous goiters were the most common benign disease and papillary carcinomas were the most common malignant disease. 10) The most frequently employed operation for benign nodules and malignant disease was unilateral total lobectomy. When the metastasis was confirmed, lymphadenectomy and radical neck dissection was performed in malignant disease. 11) Important postoperative complications were transient hoarseness, transient hypocalcemia, hypothyroidism, wound bleeding, and hoarseness. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that palpable nodules in anterior aspect of neck is revealed cold nodule by thyroid scanning and malignancy by fine needle aspiration cytology, which should be removed surgically. There is no difference in complication and survival rate with type of operation and lymphatic dissection. Therefore, procedure of operation is dependent on the site of nodule and involvement of lymph node.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2011

Background and Objectives : Papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC) frequently metastasize to the regional neck, however, lateral neck lymph node metastasis is less common. The aim of this study is to investigate clinical and immunohistochemical features of PTC with lateral LN metastasis, and determine the predictive factors for lateral LN metastases. Material and Methods : We undertook a retrospective study of 83 patients treated between January 2007 and December 2009 for PTC by thyroidectomy with or without lateral neck dissection. The following criteria were used to study the clinical predictive value of lateral LN. metastases : sex, age, tumor size, multifocality, extracapsular spread(ECS) and lymphovascular emboli. Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF-A, VEGF-C, Bax, Bcl-2, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, $p27^{kip1}$ and $p57^{kip2}$ was performed, and quantified blindly by three pathologists who had no clinical information of the patients. Immunohistochemical expression was scored as high(>50% of cells stained) or low(0-49%). Results : With use of univariate and multivariate analysis, tumor size(>2cm) and ECS were independent correlates of lateral LN metastasis in PTC. Expression of VEGF-C, Bax, and Cyclin D1 in the PTC with lateral LN metastasis was scored higher than in PTC without lateral LN metastasis(p<0.05). Conclusion : The important risk factors for lateral LN metastasis in PTC are primary tumor size and the presence of ECS. And expression of VEGF-C, Bax and cyclin D1 may be considered of lateral LN metastatic potential in PTC.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.415-421
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• 2008

Pro-inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandin $E_2$ (PGE2), nitric oxide (NO), and cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2), play pivotal roles in normal as well as transformed cells. Previous studies have shown that Euphorbiae humifusae Wind exhibits anti-proliferative and antioxidant activities. However, the it's anti-inflammatory properties are unclear. In this study, we examine the effects of water extract of E. humifusae (WEEH) on the expression of COX-2 and the production of $PGE_2$ in human lymphatic U937 cells. Treatment of phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) significantly induced COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production in U937 cells. However, pretreatment WEEH markedly inhibited the PMA-induced COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, WEEH prevented the elevated early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) expression and nuclear factor-kappaB ($NF{-\kappa}B\; p65$) nuclear translocation stimulated by PMA treatment. Taken together, the present data indicate that WEEH exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes through the $NF{-\kappa}B$ and Egr-1 signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 1998

Objectives: Papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid was evaluated as to the effectiveness of diagnostic modalities, lymphatic spread pattern, and therapeutic decision according to tumor size. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a clinicopathologic findings of 72 papillary microcarcinoma patients who were treated at the over 11 years between 1985 and 1995. The authors divided papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid into two subgroups according to tumor size: $0{\leqq}5mm$ and $5<0{\leqq}10mm$. An analysis including age and gender distribution, diagnostic tools(thyroid sonogram, thyroid scan, thyroid function test, fine needle aspiration cytology, frozen section), pathological examination of lymphnode, and surgical procedures was carried out in each subgroups. Results: The carcinoma of smaller than 5mm were found in 32 patients, and of 6 -10mm were in 40 patients. The average age of patients was 45years and all of them were female. Cold nodules on thyroid scan were noticed in 53 patientss and normal findings were in 15 patients. Suspicious malignant lesions(fine calcification, solid mass, irregular margin) on thyroid sonography were detected in 23 patients and the sonography was more useful in detecting $0{\leqq}5mm$ small sized lesions than other diagnostic methods. FNAC were performed in 17 patients, and 7 patients were diagnosed as having thyroid papillary cancer. But diagnotic rate in $0{\leqq}5mm$ small sized lesions was very low(one of eights).Frozen section were performed in all patients, among these 15 patients were diagnosed as being benign diseases and false negative rates were higher in $0{\leqq}5mm$ small sized lesions than in $5<0{\leqq}10mm$ sized lesions(p-value<0.006). Only thyroidectomies were performed in 24 patients and thyroidectomy with node dissections in 48 patients. The lymphnode metastatic rates were much higher in multifocal lesions(61.5%) than in single lesion. The incidence of cervical lymphnode metastasis was 19.4% in $0{\leqq}5mm$ sized lesions and 47.9% in $5<0{\leqq}10mm$ sized lesions. Postoperative management were performed with TSH suppression therapy(T4, synthroid) in all patients and RI therapy in 29 patients. Conclusion: On the basis of our study, improved preoperative diagnostic tools for papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid was helpful in the choice of surgical treatment. As a result of techninological progress(ultrasonography, FNAC), the pencentage of the discovery of papillary microcarcinoma has been increased. The thyroid ultrasonography was useful in detecting small sized lesions($0{\leqq}5mm$), but FNAC may not be beneficial in detecting small sized lesions($0{\leqq}5mm$). In the surgical procedure, thyroid lobectomy alone should be avoided because of the high rate of bilaterality and multifocality.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.3
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• pp.180-187
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• 2011

Background: In mediastinal lymph node sampling in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) it is important to determine the appropriate treatment as well as to predict an outcome. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a recently developed, accurate, safe technique in patients with NSCLC for sampling mediastinal lymph nodes. We sought to determine the usefulness of EBUS-TBNA in mediastinal staging with NSCLC considered to be operable. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 142 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA for mediastinal staging in the Asan Medical Center, Korea from July 2008 to July 2010. If patients were in an operable state, they underwent subsequent surgical staging. Diagnoses based on biopsy results were compared with those based on surgical results. Results: We performed EBUS-TBNA in 184 mediastinal lymph nodes in 142 NSCLC patients. Almost all of the EBUS-TBNA samples were from the lower paratracheal (112, 60.9%) and subcarinal (57, 31.0%) lymph nodes. In 142 patients, 51 patients (35.9%) were confirmed with malignant invasion of the mediastinal lymph node by EBUS-TBNA and 91 (64.1%) patients were not confirmed. Among the 91 patients, 64 patients (70.3%) underwent surgical staging. 3 patients (4.7%) who were misdiagnosed by the EBUS-TBNA were confirmed by surgery. After Diagnostic sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA, the prediction of mediastinal metastatsis was 94.4% and specificity was 100%. The procedures were performed safely and no serious complications were observed. Conclusion: We demonstrated the high diagnostic value of EBUS-TBNA for mediastinal staging.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.5 no.3 s.19
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• pp.186-190
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• 2005

Purpose: Intraoperative assessment of lymph node status is important when performing limited surgery in gastric cancer patients. Currently available techniques are frozen section, imprint cytology, and other molecular methods, and most current studies use the frozen section method. In the present study, the authors focused on the accuracy and the feasibility of imprint cytology as a tool to assess the lymph node status intraoperatively in gastric cancer surgery. Materials and Methods: Between April 2001 and March 2003, we performed imprint cytology of the sentinel nodes of 260 consecutive patients. After review by an experienced cytopathologist, the sensitivity, the specificity and the overall accuracy were determined. Results: The time required for intraoperative imprint cytology was 8 minutes, and the sensitivity, the specificity and the overall accuracy were 52.2%, 88.8%, and 73.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Imprint cytology can be a useful technique for assessing lymph node status intraoperatively if the sensitivity and the specificity can be improved to an acceptable level.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2007

Purpose: Evaluating the clinicopathologic characteristics of recurred gastric cancer is essential for early detection of the recurrence and for better clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to establish the patterns of the recurrence, the timing of the recurrence, and the clinical result after recurrence according to the clinicopathologic characteristics of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: From June 1992 to December 2005, of the 1338 gastric cancer patients who underwent a curative gastric resection, 241 patients who recurred during the follow-up period were selected and their cases were analyzed. The clinicopathologic characteristics of the patients, the time to recurrence after operation and survival were determined retrospectively according to the type of recurrence. Results: For the recurrent group, the numbers of total gastrectomies, advanced stages, lymphatic and/or venous infiltrations, whole stomach cancer cases, large tumors, undifferentiated tumors, and Borrmann type 4 tumors were higher than they were for the non-recurrent group, and the differences were statistically significant. When the recurrence types were classified as peritoneal seeding, hematogenous recurrence, and locoregional recurrence, independent risk factors were female gender, stage III, upper third, and whlole stomach cancer, and undifferentiated- type, diffuse-type, and Borrmann type 4 tumors for peritoneal seeding; early gastric cancer, stage I for hematogenous recurrence; and Borrmann type 1, 2, and 3 tumors for locoregional recurrence. Survival duration after detection of the recurrence was shorter for peritoneal seeding than for hematogenous or locoregional recurrence (7.0 months vs. 9.5 months and 12.5 months). Conclusion: For early detection of the recurrence after curative surgery for gastric cancer, it is important to recognize that the high risk factors for recurrence vary with the clinicopathologic data for the patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.980-985
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• 2000

A 52-year-old woman was presented with 2-week history of increasing dyspnea and dry cough. The chest radiograph revealed bilateral reticular infiltrates. Radiographic infiltrates were rapidly progressed and symptoms from hypoxemia were aggravated. The patient was intubated and bronchoscopy with transbronchial lung biopsies was performed. Biopsies revealed lymphatic vessels plugged by nests of metastatic adenocarcinoma. She died 11 days after admission despite of intensive ventilatory support. We had difficulties in the diagnosis of lymphangitic lung carcinomatosis at initial presentation of her illness because the progression was unusually rapid. Lymphangitic lung carcinomatosis shoud should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients showing rapidly progressive interstitial radiographic findings. Also, transbronchial biopsy may be a useful tool to confirm the diagnosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2003

Background : Lymphangioma of the mediastinum is an uncommon benign tumor of lymphatic origin that is most often seen in children, is very rare in adults and is frequently discovered incidentally on chest x-ray exams. While radiology (CT and MRI) may suggest the diagnosis and allow an assessment of the operative difficulties, the histology of the surgical specimen is required for precise diagnosis. Complete resection is the only treatment; however, in some patients resection was incomplete because of the infiltrating character of these tumors, leading to recurrence. We report three cases of mediastinal lymphangioma with a review of the literature.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1983.05a
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• pp.14.4-15
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• 1983

The laryngeal carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumor in the E.N.T. field. In the surgical treatment of laryngeal carcinoma, in 1873, Billroth performed the first total laryngectomy, and in 1863, H. B. Sands performed the first partial laryngectomy. Recently general advances (antibiotic therapy, blood trasfusion, and safer anesthesia) result in the improvement of postoperative prognosis. Because the laryngeal lymphatic system has the characteristic compartmentation, this serves the anatomic basis for performing the partial laryngectomy. Although the indications of partial laryngectomy are different from that of total laryngectomy, the partial laryngectomy has the advantage of not only removal of all malignant disease, but also maximum preservation of respiratory, phonatory, and sphincteric function of the larynx. In the latest, surgical treatment decreased the frequency of recurrence, and also increased the 5 year survival rate with combination of the chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The authors have experienced 8 cases of partial laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma at the department of otolaryngology, Korea University Hospital from 1980 to 1982. Among the total 8 cases, 2 cases were involved only in the epiglottis, 2 cases in the anterior 1/3 of both vocal cords with ant. comissure, 2 cases in the middle 1/3 of Lt. vocal cord, 1 case in the anterior 1/3 of Rt. vocal cord with ant. comissure, and another 1 case in the Rt. ventrical. So authors report these cases with review of the literature.