OBJECTIVE: To seek for the ultrasound (US) findings of partially cystic thyroid nodules that are associated with malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the US characteristics of 22 surgically confirmed partially cystic papillary carcinomas, and compared them with those of 80 benign partially cystic nodules. The review cases were selected in a random order from a total of 1029 partially cystic nodules that were diagnosed with an US-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy over a period of 8 years (June 2003 to October 2010) at our institution. RESULTS: In partially cystic thyroid nodules, a taller-than-wide shape (100%, p < 0.001) and spiculated or microlobulated margin (58.3%, p = 0.003) were significantly associated with malignancy. In terms of internal solid portion of the nodule, eccentric configuration (68.0%, p < 0.001), non-smooth margin (81.3%, p < 0.001), hypoechogenecity (30.0%, p < 0.042), and microcalcification (89.5%, p < 0.001) were more frequently demonstrated in malignant nodules than benign ones. CONCLUSION: In partially cystic thyroid nodules, understanding the characteristics of US findings is important to make a precise diagnosis of malignant nodules.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Papillary/pathology/surgery/*ultrasonography ; Case-Control Studies ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Cysts/pathology/surgery/*ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology/surgery/*ultrasonography ; Thyroid Nodule/pathology/surgery/*ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to assess the need for surgical excising papillary lesions of the breast that were diagnosed upon sonographically guided 14-gauge core needle biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine women (age range: 25-74 years, mean age: 51.7 years) with 69 papillary lesions (4.9%) were diagnosed and followed after performing sonographically guided 14-gauge core needle biopsies. Surgical excision was performed for 44 (64%) of 69 papillary lesions, and 25 lesions were followed with imaging studies (range: 6-46 months, mean: 17.9 months). The histologic findings upon core biopsy were compared with the surgical, imaging and follow-up findings. RESULTS: Core needle biopsies of 69 lesions yielded tissue that was classified as benign for 43 lesions, atypical for 18 lesions and malignant for eight lesions. Of the 43 lesions that yielded benign papilloma upon core needle biopsy, one had intraductal papillary carcinoma found upon surgery. An immediate surgical biopsy was recommended for this lesion because of the imaging-histologic discordance. No additional carcinoma was found during the imaging follow-up. Surgical excision was performed for 17 atypical papillary lesions, and this revealed intraductal (n = 6) or invasive (n = 2) papillary carcinoma in 8 (47%) lesions. Of the seven intraductal papillary carcinomas, surgery revealed invasive papillary carcinoma in one (14%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that papillary lesions of the breast that are diagnosed as benign upon sonographically guided 14-gauge core needle biopsy can be followed when the results are concordant with the imaging findings.
Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Breast/*pathology/surgery ; Breast Neoplasms/*pathology/surgery ; Carcinoma/pathology/surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Papilloma, Intraductal/*pathology/surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; *Ultrasonography, Interventional

PURPOSE: Absorbable retaining thread (ART) needle localization utilizes a guiding needle with a thread; this technique was invented to reduce patient discomfort and wire migration. We investigated the feasibility of ultrasound (US)-guided ART needle localization for nonpalpable breast lesions. METHODS: ART needle localization was performed for 26 nonpalpable breast lesions in 26 patients who were scheduled to undergo surgical excision the day after localization. Seventeen breast lesions were initially diagnosed as invasive ductal carcinoma, six as ductal carcinomas in situ, and one as fibrocystic change. The other two cases without an initial pathologic diagnosis had suspicious US features, and excision was planned concomitantly with contralateral breast cancer surgery. The primary outcome was the technical success rate of ART needle localization confirmed by US immediately after the procedure, and the secondary outcomes were the percentage of clear margins on pathology and the complication rate of ART needle localization. RESULTS: The technical success rate of ART needle localization was 96.2% (25 of 26 patients), and the ART was located 1 cm away from the mass in one patient (3.8%). The lesions were successfully removed with clear margins in all 26 patients. No significant complications related to ART needle localization were observed. CONCLUSION: ART needle localization can be an alternative to wire needle localization for nonpalpable breast lesions.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Needles ; Pathology ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Ultrasonography

A diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma is uncommon and has a tendency for rapid growth and a higher incidence of cervical lymph node metastases. We experienced a case of a diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma in a 48-year-old man. This case showed benign features on initial ultrasonography and positron emission tomography (PET) scan. A new nodule was detected on follow-up ultrasonography that showed rapid enlargement. This case was confirmed by surgical excision. We herein describe the initial and follow-up ultrasonographic findings of a diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Papillary/pathology/surgery/*ultrasonography ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology/surgery/*ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Medullary/*diagnosis/surgery/ultrasonography ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/diagnosis ; Gastric Mucosa/pathology/surgery ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins/metabolism ; Male ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis/surgery/ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been accepted as a standard treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC). However, the indication of ESD in undifferentiated-type EGC was controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of ESD in undifferentiated-type EGC according to expanded indication. METHODS: At Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, a total of 82 lesions in 81 patients with undifferentiated-type EGC were treated with ESD. The therapeutic outcomes of ESD were evaluated by resection method (en bloc resection; piecemeal resection), histologic curative resection, complications and recurrence rates after ESD. RESULTS: The rate on en bloc resection and complete resection rate were 87.8% (72/82) and 80.5% (66/82), respectively. In signet ring cell carcinoma, the complete resection rate was higher than those in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet ring cell features, but there was no statistical significance (89.3% vs. 75.0%, 76.7%; p=0.347). The lateral margin positivity rate in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, signet ring cell carcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet ring cell features were 12.5%, 3.6% and 13.3%, respectively (p=0.395). The vertical margin positivity rate were 12.5%, 3.6% and 10.0%, respectively (p=0.485). The overall recurrence rate was 3.0% during a mean follow-up period of 37.4 months. CONCLUSIONS: ESD may be considered as a feasible treatment for undifferentiated-type EGC according to expanded indication. The therapeutic outcome of ESD in undifferentiated-type EGC is likely to be favorable, though further longer follow-up studies are needed.
Adenocarcinoma/pathology/*surgery/ultrasonography ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell/pathology/*surgery/ultrasonography ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology/*surgery/ultrasonography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

No abstract availble.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Esophagectomy ; Esophagus/*pathology/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Male ; Mucous Membrane/pathology

Hepatocellular adenoma (HA) is a benign hepatic lesion that predominantly occurs in young women. Most hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) arise in a cirrhotic liver during the fifth or sixth decades. There have been several reported cases of HCC developing from HA in female patients. However, there are rare cases about HCC arising in HA in a non-cirrhotic male patient. We have recently encountered a 53-year-old man who had a liver mass in a non-cirrhotic liver, and the liver mass was compatible with HA on the pre-operative computed tomography. The mass was completely resected and the histopathology revealed a focus of HCC arising in HA. We report here on this case along with a brief review of the relevant literature
Adenoma, Liver Cell/*pathology/surgery ; Adult ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*pathology/surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*pathology/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions/*pathology/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively investigate the feasibility of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using standard ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA.

METHODSA total of 655 patients with unresectable advanced HCC underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA therapy at our institution between July 2000 to September 2001. Ninety-two of those patients, representing 136 tumors, were selected for analysis based on the following criteria: presence of UICC/AJCC-TNM (6th edition) stage III and IV advanced HCC, (III: n=82 patients, with 126 tumors; IV: n=10 patients, with 10 tumors); extensive portal vein or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus; extrahepatic metastasis after surgical resection; and complete follow-up data. Follow-up consisted of enhanced computed tomography (CT) performed at one month post-RFA treatment, then every three months. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed in 51 (55.4%) patients before RFA. The standard treatment using optimal strategies were applied in (72.8%) 67 patients. The established strategies included: (1) select RFA indications based on CEUS results; (2) design radical protocols based on invasive range showed by CEUS; (3) multiple overlapping ablations based on mathematical protocols; (4) two or three bipolar RFA electrodes with three-dimensional localization; (5) color ultrasound-guided percutaneous ablation of tumor feeding artery (PAA)/transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) + RFA for HCC with rich supply. The other 25 patients (27.2 %) were treated with conventional RFA protocols. The ablation procedure was considered a success if no abnormal enhancement or wash-out was detected in the treated area on the CT scan at one month. All patients had received liver protection treatments following RFA. Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test were used to compare the early complete tumor necrosis rates and the local recurrence rates. Survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. P less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTSThe RFA-treated tumors ranged in size from 1.5 to 7.0 cm (average: 4.5 cm). Fifty-nine patients had solitary tumor, and the remaining 33 had multiple tumors (2 to 4 tumors). Patients were classified by Child-Pugh score as A (n=58), B (n=32) and C (n=2). Early complete tumor necrosis rate after initial RFA was 90.4% (123/136 tumors). Serious complications developed in two patients (2.2%). No treatment-related death occurred. Follow-up ranged from 3-134 months. Local recurrence rate was 16.9% (23/136 tumors). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 83.3%, 48.3% and 21.9%, respectively, and the median survival time was 35 months. Stratification analysis indicated the early complete tumor necrosis rate was higher in groups of patients with Child-Pugh A score (98.3%) , CEUS administration (98.0%), and standard treatment (97.0%). The local recurrence rate was lower in groups of patients with tumors less than or equal to 3.0 cm (5.9%), CEUS administration (11.8%), and standard treatment (16.4%). The 5-year survival was significantly higher in patients with Child-Pugh A, tumors less than or equal to 3.0 cm, CEUS administration, and standard treatment (all, P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRFA treatment of patients with advanced HCC, tumors less than 7.0 cm, and without thrombosis in the main vessels was efficacious. The RFA treatment strategy and subsequent liver protection therapy in RFA may improve survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of enhanced ultrasonography before and after ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatomas.

METHODSEighteen patients with 17 primary hepatocellular carcinoma and 1 hepatic metastasis were studied. Sixteen were confirmed by operation or needle puncture biopsy, 2 by clinical examinations including CT scanning, MRI etc. New contrast agent, SonoVue, Technos DU6 and Contrast Tuned Imaging (CnTI) technique were adopted. Enhanced ultrasonography was performed before or after the RFA procedure.

RESULTSTwenty-six lesions were observed with enhanced ultrasonography before RFA, 24 of which showed ball-carrying sign or diffuse enhancement at the early artery phase favoring the fast diagnosis; 9 lesions showed feeding vessels; twelve of the 26 lesions (46.2%) tended to be larger, especially those with unclear margins (78.6%, 11/14) and those without halo sign (68.8%, 11/16). Enhanced ultrasonography revealed 13 satellite foci in four cases which had been undetectable with routine ultrasound, CT scanning or MRI. The final diagnosis of either inactivation or residual disease would rely upon more than two kinds of images, levels of tumor marks, biopsy pathology and more than 7 months of follow-up. Twenty-two lesions were observed with enhanced ultrasonography after RFA, with an accuracy of 95.5% (21/22), being similar to the enhanced CT and was significantly superior to the routine color ultrasonography whose accuracy was only 63.6% (14/22).

CONCLUSIONEnhanced ultrasonography may provide more information on the characters, size, number and feeding vessels of the tumor before radiofrequency ablation, thus helping choose the indicator, establish and carry out the treatment protocol. This technique may also help to assess the therapeutic response to RFA.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography