• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1011-1018
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• 1997

Background : To evaluate how efficaciously and safely we can make transthoracic lung biopsy with an 18-gauge automated biopsy device. Methods : We performed 130 transthoracic needle biopsies including 16 repeat biopsies in 114 patients with a pulmonary mass using an l8-gauge biopsy device (ASAP 18, Microvasive-. Eighty-three biopsies were performed by an experienced radiologist and 47 by several less experienced radiologists. All biopsies were guided by biplane fluoroscopy. Results : We successfully obtained sufficient tissue(>2-mm in the length) in 128(985) of 130 biopsies. Biopsy provided the specific diagnosis in 97 (85%) of 114 patients including 78 (88%) of 89 patients with a malignant tumor and 19 (90%) of 21 patients with a benign condition. The diagnosis could not be made in the remaining four patients. Of interest to note was the superb capability (74/74) of biopsy to make a distinction between small cell carcinoma and non-small cell carcinoma. There was no significant difference in the diagnostic yields between the experienced and less experienced radiologists. Of the total 130 biopsies, pneumothorax appeared in 13 (10%), among which treatment was required in 2 (2%), Mild, self-limiting hemoptysis was nod in seven (5%), but in no case was the treatment required. Conclusion : We conclude transthoracic lung biopsy with an 18-gauge automated device is an effective procedure for the specific diagnosis of benign and malignant lung disease. It is safe with the complication rate comparable to that of fine-needle aspiration biopsy as well.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.72-81
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• 1992

Thyroid cancer, the most common cancer of endocrine neoplasms, has tremendous variation in tumor biologic behavior. There is no consensus about treatment mode to prevent recurrences despite of recent advance in understanding characteristics of thyroid cancer. So, we have made a clinical analysis and follow-up study of recurred 27 cases among 189 cases treated under the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma in the department of surgery, Chonnam University Hospital from February, 1982 to February, 1992 to clarify our experience about the characteristics of recurred thyroid cancer. The results were as follow: According to the pathological classification of recurred thyroid cancer, recurrence rate was 11.6% in papillary carcinoma, 15.6% in follicular carcinoma, 37.5% in medullary carcinoma, 66.7% in undifferentiated carcinoma, respectively, and the mean recurrence rate of thyroid cancer was 14.3%. The recurrence rate according to age was 28.6% in 8th decade and 17.9% in 4th decade. The recurrence rate according to sex was not singificant(15.6% in male: 14% in female). The mean period to relapse was 4 years 6 months in papillary carcinoma, 2 years 5 months in follicular carcinoma, 2 years 1 months in medullary carcinoma, 2 years 6 months in undifferentiated carcinoma. The recurrence rate according to previous operating methods, such as performing lymph node dissection or not, mode of thyridectomy, type of lymph node dissection was statisfically non-specific. Common recurrent sites of papillary and follicular carcinoma was cervical lymph node and remained thyroid tissue. Medullary and undifferentiated carcinoma was noted in multiregional or systemic involvement Reoperation was performed with complete resection of recurred or metastatic mass, such as radical neck dissection or mass extirpation from involved organs as possible. The postoperative complications were 2 cases of horseness, and 1 case with hematoma, transient hypocalcemia, wound infection, and pulmonary insufficency, respectively. 5-year survival rate was 85.5% in papillary carcinoma, 66.7% in follicular carcinoma. 50% in medullary carcinoma, and 50% in undifferentiated carcinoma. We concluded that recurrence in thyroid cancer give a reconsideration to previous conservative therapy and more extensive surgical procedures for thyroid cancer including lymphatic dissection are recommanded to prevent recurrences in selected cases if possible.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.3
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• pp.141-145
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• 2014

Although endobronchial hamartoma is a rare benign tumor, most patients with endobronchial hamartoma have respiratory symptoms such as obstructive pneumonia, hemoptysis, cough, or dyspnea due to bronchial obstruction. It can cause irreversible post-obstructive pulmonary destruction, thus early diagnosis and treatment is very important. Recently, there have been cases of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and electrocautery procedures for bronchoscopic treatment of malignant or benign central airway obstruction with comparable therapeutic efficacy and few complications. Bronchoscopic cryotherapy is a newly developed technique for management of central airway obstruction. Moreover, it provides diagnostic methods with improving diagnostic yield and safety. We report two cases of endobronchial hamartoma, each diagnosed and definitively treated with bronchoscopic techniques. Endobronchial biopsy and removal was successfully performed by cryotherapy via flexible bronchoscopy without notable complications. Follow-up bronchoscopic examinations excluded residual or recurrent disease.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.64-67
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• 2005

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) is a common disease in the field of otorhinolaryngology and is characterized by repeated upper airway occlusions occurring during sleep. OSAS can occur due to various etiologies of the nasal, oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal airway in adults. Nasal obstruction can be caused by septal deviation, nasal polyps, concha bullosa, choanal atresia, neoplasms, foreign body, postoperative/post-traumatic synechiae, various rhinitis and so on. There are various kinds of surgical treatment of OSAS including nasal surgery, LAUP, UPPP, surgery of tongue base, tracheostomy and so on, but the effect of nasal surgery on snoring and OSAS is controversial. The authors report the case of a patient who had experienced nasal obstruction, moderate snoring and OSAS and who improved after septoplasty and turbinoplasty.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2011

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have demonstrated their potential as biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis. In recent years, miRNAs have been found in body fluids such as serum, plasma, urine and saliva. Circulating miRNAs are highly stable and resistant to RNase activity along with, extreme pH and temperatures in serum and plasma. In this study, we investigated serum miRNA profiles that can be used as a diagnostic biomarker of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We compared the expression profile of miRNAs in the plasma of patients diagnosed with lung cancer using an miRNA microarray. The data from this assay were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: Six miRNAs were overexpressed and three miRNAs were underexpressed in both tissue and serum from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients. Sixteen miRNAs were overexpressed and twenty two miRNAs were underexpressed in both tissue and serum from adenocarcinoma (AC) patients. Of the four miRNAs chosen for qRT-PCR analysis, the expression of miR-23a was consistent with microarray results from AC patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were done and revealed that the level of serum miR-23a was a potential marker for discriminating AC patients from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Conclusion: Although a small number of patients were examined, the results from our study suggest that serum miR-23a can be used in the diagnosis of AC.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.304-309
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• 2006

Background: Interstitial pneumonia is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer but the outcome of surgical resection in this setting is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between pre-operative interstitial pneumonia (IP) and post-operative respiratory failure. Material and Method: A retrospective review of 672 patients with lung cancer who underwent curative pulmonary resection at the Hospital of Catholic University Medical College between 1997 and 2005 was undertaken. The patients were divided into two groups according to preexisting interstitial pneumonia and not by the pre-operative chest HRCT or findings of pathologic papers. The pre-operative data and cancer-related findings were analyzed between the IP group and non-IP group, and between the respiratory failure group and non-failure group in IP patients. Result: Twenty-eight patients (4.2%) of the developed post-operative respiratory failure and this proved to be fatal in 21 of these patients. We could find preoperative interstitial pathology in 53 patients (7.9%) among the 672 patients. The incidences of respiratory failure were 11.3% (6/53 cases) and 3.6% (22/619 cases) in IP group and non-IP group respectively, Conclusion: Interstitial pneumonia was considered one of the risk factors for developing postoperative acute respiratory failure in patients with lung cancer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2022

Background: We compared the safety and effectiveness of robotic anatomical resection and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of the records of 4,283 patients, in whom an attempt was made to perform minimally invasive anatomical resection for lung cancer at Seoul National University Hospital from January 2011 to July 2020. Of these patients, 138 underwent robotic surgery and 4,145 underwent VATS. Perioperative outcomes were compared after propensity score matching including age, sex, height, weight, pulmonary function, smoking status, performance status, comorbidities, type of resection, combined bronchoplasty/angioplasty, tumor size, clinical T/N category, histology, and neoadjuvant treatment. Results: In total, 137 well-balanced pairs were obtained. There were no cases of 30-day mortality in the entire cohort. Conversion to thoracotomy was required more frequently in the VATS group (VATS 6.6% vs. robotic 0.7%, p=0.008). The complete resection rate (VATS 97.8% vs. robotic 98.5%, p=1.000) and postoperative complication rate (VATS 17.5% vs. robotic 19.0%, p=0.874) were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The robotic group showed a slightly shorter hospital stay (VATS 5.8±3.9 days vs. robotic 5.0±3.6 days, p=0.052). N2 nodal upstaging (cN0/pN2) was more common in the robotic group than the VATS group, but without statistical significance (VATS 4% vs. robotic 12%, p=0.077). Conclusion: Robotic anatomical resection in lung cancer showed comparable early outcomes when compared to VATS. In particular, robotic resection presented a lower conversion-to-thoracotomy rate. Furthermore, a robotic approach might improve lymph node harvesting in the N2 station.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.201-205
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• 2009

Background: Cryosurgery has been used to treat primary malignant pulmonary tumors at our institute since November 2004. In this study we analyzed our treatment results and complication rates. Material and Method: A retrospective study using medical charts and imaging data was conducted involving 17 patients with a total of 17 malignant pulmonary tumors who were treated between November 2004 and March 2007. Fourteen patients were males and 3 were females. The median age of the patients was 64 years (range, $54{\sim}77$ years). The average size of the tumors was 48.8mm (range, $36{\sim}111mm$) in diameter. The patients were followed with chest CT scans 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. PET scans were obtained between 6 and 9 months postoperatively. The treatment response was analyzed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. Result: Six months after treatment, 6 tumors (35.3%) showed a complete response, 4 (23.5%) had a partial response, 3 (17.6%) had stable disease, and 4 (23.5%) showed disease progression. In tumors <4 cm in diameter, a complete response was reported in 50% of the tumors. A $x^2$-test showed that in tumors <4 cm in diameter, the p-value for results better than a partial response was 0.034. With respect to procedural complications, there was 1 case of blood-tinged sputum which resolved spontaneously within 1 or 2 days, a spontaneously relieved case of subcutaneous emphysema, and 1 patient with a fever. There were no mortalities and the average hospital stay was 6.3 days. Conclusion: The effects of cryosurgery on primary lung cancer is greatest in patients with small tumors. Considering the facts that cryosurgery is minimally invasive, has a low complication rate, and can be performed repetitively, we believe that it may play an important role in the treatment of high risk lung cancer patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.6 s.251
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• pp.428-433
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• 2005

Advanced age in Esophagectomy increases the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, the recent development of operative technique and perioperative care might have decreased the postoperative morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy. Material and Method: From March 2001 to July 2004, 174 patients underwent esophageal resection for esophageal cancer in the Center for Lung Cancer, National Cancer Center. The patients were divided into two groups : group 1 consisted of 27 patients aged 70 years or more, and group 2 consisted of 147 patients under 70 years of age. The two groups were compared according to preoperative risk factors, postoperative morbidity, operative mortality and survival. Result: The mean age was 63_4. There were 159 men. On histopathological examination, $93.1\%$ had squamous cell carcinoma. On the locations, $78.7\%$ were in mid and lower esophagus. Curative resections for esophageal cancer were possible in $162(93.1\%)$ patients. Mean hospital stay was 19.4 days with out difference between the groups. The overall postoperative morbidity were occurred in 61 patients $(35.1\%)$. The most frequent morbidity was pulmonary complication in $30(17.2\%)$. Preoperative incidence of hypertension, cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction were more common in Group I. However, there was no difference in overall postoperative morbidity, operative mortality and survival rate between the two groups. Conclusion: Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer could be carried out safely in patients over 70 years of age with satisfactory short-term results. Advanced age is no longer a risk factor for esophagectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.2 s.259
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• pp.106-110
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• 2006

Background: Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is an uncommon primary malignancy of the lung, and it accounts for $2{\~}14\%$ of all pulmonary malignancies. According to World Health Organization (WHO) categorisation, BAC is a subtype of adenocarcinoma. The current definition of BAC includes the following: malignant neoplasms of the lung that have no evidence of extrathoracic primary adenocarcinoma, an absence of a central bronchogenic source, a peripheral parenchymal location, and neoplastic cells growing along the alveolar septa. Previous reports had demonstrated a better prognosis following surgery for patients affected by BAC than those affected by other type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aim to analyse Asan Medical Center experiences of BAC. Material and Method: Between 1990 and 2002, 31 patients were received operations for BAC. We analyse retrosepectively sex, age, disease location, preoperative clinical stage, postoperative pathologic stage & complications, survival according to medical record. Result: There were 12 men and 19 women, the average age was 61.09$\pm$10.63 ($31{\~}79$) years. Tumor locations were 7 in RUL, 1 in RML, 4 in RLL, 8 in LUL, 11 in LLL. Operations were 28 lobectomies, 2 pneumonectomies. Postoperative pathologic stage were 12 T1N0M0, 15 T2N0M0, 1 T1N1M0, 1 T1N2M0, 1 T2N2M0, 1 T1N0M1. Mortality were 4 cases ($12.9\%$) and there were no early mortality. Cancer free death was 1 cases, other 3 were cancer related deaths. All of them were affected by distal metastasis and received chemotherapy and each metastatic locations were right rib, brain, and both lung field. The average follow up periods were 50.87$\pm$24.77 months. The overall 3, 5-year survival rate among all patients was $97.1\%,\;83.7\%$, stage I patients overall 2, 5year survival rate was $96.3\%$. The overall disease free 1, 2, 5-year survival rate among all patients was $100\%,\;90\%,\;76\%$ and 2, 5-year survival rate in cases of stage I was $96.4\%,\;90.6\%$. 7 cases ($22.58\%$) were chemotherapies, 1 case ($3.22\%$) was radiation therapy, and 2 cases ($6.45\%$) were chemoradiation therapies. Metastatic locations were 3 cases in lung, 1 case in bone, 1 cases in brain. Conclusion: BAC has a favourable survival and low recurrence rate compare with reported other NSCLC after operative resections.