Differentiated thyroid cancer demonstrates a wide range of clinical presentations, from very indolent cases to those with an aggressive prognosis. Therefore, diagnosing and treating each cancer appropriately based on its risk status is important. The Korean Thyroid Association (KTA) has provided and amended the clinical guidelines for thyroid cancer management since 2007. The main changes in this revised 2024 guideline include 1) individualization of surgical extent according to pathological tests and clinical findings, 2) application of active surveillance in low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, 3) indications for minimally invasive surgery, 4) adoption of World Health Organization pathological diagnostic criteria and definition of terminology in Korean, 5) update on literature evidence of recurrence risk for initial risk stratification, 6) addition of the role of molecular testing, 7) addition of definition of initial risk stratification and targeting thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations according to ongoing risk stratification (ORS), 8) addition of treatment of perioperative hypoparathyroidism, 9) update on systemic chemotherapy, and 10) addition of treatment for pediatric patients with thyroid cancer.

Background/Aims: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in tumor cells is associated with a poor biliary tract cancer (BTC) prognosis; tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment are associated with a better prognosis. The effect of PD-L1 expression on immune cells on survival is unclear. We investigated the relationship between PD-L1 expression in immune cells and BTC prognosis. Methods: PD-L1 expression was evaluated using an anti-PD-L1 22C3 mouse monoclonal primary antibody, and its relationships with clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model to investigate the prognostic performance of PD-L1 in BTC. Results: Among 144 analyzed cases, patients with positive PD-L1 expression in tumor cells and negative PD-L1 expression in immune cells showed poorer overall survival rates than those exhibiting other expressions (tumor cells: hazard ratio [HR]=1.023, p<0.001; immune cells: HR=0.983, p=0.021). PD-L1 expression in tumor cells was an independent predictor of poor overall survival (HR=1.024, p<0.001). In contrast, PD-L1 expression in immune cells was a predictive marker of good prognosis (HR=0.983, p=0.018). Conclusions PD-L1 expression in immune cells may be used as an independent factor to evaluate the prognosis of patients with BTC.

Background: Dermatophyte infection is one of the most common skin diseases affecting the skin, hair, and nails. Despite widespread recognition of the disease, missing details and misperceptions are commonplace in the general population. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the public perception and behavior regarding dermatophytosis of the hands and feet. Methods: This results from an online survey conducted between July 2022 and August 2022. The survey included 1,000 Korean participants aged 20 to 69 years, of whom 60% experienced symptoms of tinea pedis or onychomycosis. The questionnaire focused on the awareness and personal experience of tinea pedis and perception of the treatment of dermatophytosis. Results: Of the 1,000 participants, nearly 80% regarded tinea pedis as a common skin condition by which anyone can be affected. Furthermore, 88.4% had heard that the treatment of tinea pedis could be harmful, causing skin rash (60.4%) and worsening liver function (48.5%). Among 896 participants who noticed suspicious symptoms, 81.2% did not visit the clinic because it was not severe (50.1%) and seemed easily manageable (25.7%). Of the respondents, 84.4% preferred to meet dermatologists rather than non-dermatologist doctors regarding skin diseases, mainly because of trust in experts and belief in a faster cure. Conclusion Providing accurate and detailed information via online media, educational campaigns, and medical papers can rectify misconceptions and improve patient appliance, contributing to public skin health.

Background/aims: The appropriate number of band ligations during the first endoscopic session for acute variceal bleeding is debatable. We aimed to compare the technical aspects of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) in patients with variceal bleeding according to the number of bands placed per session. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed multicenter data from patients who underwent EVL for acute variceal bleeding. Patients were classified into minimal EVL (targeting only the foci with active bleeding or stigmata of recent bleeding) and maximal EVL (targeting potential bleeding sources in addition to the aforementioned targets) groups. The primary endpoint was 5-day treatment failure. The secondary endpoints were 30-day rebleeding, 30-day mortality, and intraprocedural adverse events. Results: Minimal EVL was associated with lower rates of hypoxia and shock during EVL than maximal EVL (hypoxia, 0.9% vs 2.9%; shock, 1.3% vs 3.4%). However, treatment failure was higher in the minimal EVL group than in the maximal EVL group (odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 2.41). Age ≥60 years, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score ≥15, Child-Turcotte-Pugh classification C, presence of hepatocellular carcinoma, and systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg at initial presentation were also associated with treatment failure. In contrast, 30-day rebleeding and 30-day mortality did not differ between the minimal and maximal EVL groups. Conclusions Given that minimal EVL was associated with a high risk of treatment failure, maximal EVL may be a better option for variceal bleeding. However, the minimal EVL strategy should be considered in select patients because it does not affect 30-day rebleeding and mortality.

Purpose: The guidelines for pathological evaluation of early gastric cancer (EGC) recommend wider section intervals for surgical specimens (5–7 mm) than those for endoscopically resected specimens (2–3 mm). Studies in surgically resected EGC specimens showed not negligible lymph node metastasis risks in EGCs meeting the expanded criteria for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 401 EGC lesions with an endoscopic size of ≤ 30 mm detected in 386 patients. Pathological specimens obtained by ESD or surgery were cut into 2-mm section intervals for reference. Submucosal or lymphovascular invasion (LVI) was evaluated arbitrarily in 4- or 6-mm section intervals. McNemar's tests compared the differences between submucosal and LVI. Results: Submucosal invasion was detected in 29.2% (117/401) and LVI in 9.5% (38/401) at 2-mm interval. The submucosal invasion detection rates in 4-mm intervals decreased to 88.0% or 90.6% (both P<0.001), while the LVI detection rates decreased to 86.8% or 57.9% (P=0.025 and P<0.001, respectively). In 6-mm intervals, the submucosal and LVI detection rates decreased further to 72.7–80.3% (P<0.001 for all three sets) and 55.3–63.2% (P<0.001 for all three sets), respectively. Among 150 out-of-indication cases at 2-mm interval, 4–10 (2.7%–6.7%) at 4-mm intervals, and 10–17 (6.7%–11.3%) at 6-mm intervals were misclassified as lesions meeting the curative resection criteria due to the underestimation of submucosal or LVI. Conclusions After ESD, the 2-mm wide section interval was suitable for the pathological evaluation of focal submucosal or LVI. Thus, if an EGC lesion meets the expanded criteria for the ESD specimen pathological evaluation, it could be safely followed up.

Purpose: Recently, non-exposure simple suturing endoscopic full-thickness resection (NESSEFTR) was developed to prevent tumor exposure to the peritoneal cavity. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of NESS-EFTR with sentinel basin dissection for early gastric cancer (EGC). Materials and Methods: This was the prospective SENORITA 3 pilot. From July 2017 to January 2018, 20 patients with EGC smaller than 3 cm without an absolute indication for endoscopic submucosal dissection were enrolled. The sentinel basin was detected using Tc 99m -phytate and indocyanine green, and the NESS-EFTR procedure was performed when all sentinel basin nodes were tumor-free on frozen pathologic examination. We evaluated the complete resection and intraoperative perforation rates as well as the incidence of postoperative complications. Results: Among the 20 enrolled patients, one dropped out due to large tumor size, while another underwent conventional laparoscopic gastrectomy due to metastatic sentinel lymph nodes. All NESS-EFTR procedures were performed in 17 of the 18 other patients (94.4%) without conversion, and the complete resection rate was 83.3% (15/18). The intraoperative perforation rate was 27.8% (5/18), and endoscopic clipping or laparoscopic suturing or stapling was performed at the perforation site. There was one case of postoperative complications treated with endoscopic clipping; the others were discharged without any event. Conclusions NESS-EFTR with sentinel basin dissection is a technically challenging procedure that obtains safe margins, prevents intraoperative perforation, and may be a treatment option for EGC after additional experience.

Purpose: To observe results in drusen patients with epiretinal membrane after a vitrectomy and membrane peeling. Methods: This retrospective, observational study included drusen patients diagnosed with epiretinal membrane after vitrectomy with membrane peeling. Twenty eyes had epiretinal membrane with drusen (group 1) and 112 eyes had epiretinal membrane without drusen (group 2). At the 6 month follow-up, central foveal thickness and changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. In Group I, the results with drusen size <65 μm and size >65 μm were compared. The largest drusen size change was measured and compared according to the existence of preoperative intraretinal cysts or ellipsoid zone disruption. Results: Preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively, the average size of the largest drusen was 198.23 ± 27.34 and 192.23 ± 26.12 μm, respectively, and there was no significant change during the follow-up period. Group I patients with intraretinal cysts and ellipsoid zone disruption experienced low BCVA during the preoperative period; the BCVA had improved postoperatively at 6 months, but with limitations. Conclusions Postoperatively at 6 months, no significant change was observed in the largest drusen size after vitrectomy and membrane peeling. Thus, drusen patients with epiretinal membrane, as well as intraretinal cysts or ellipsoid zone disruption can expect an extended recovery period and slow BCVA improvement.

Purpose: To observe results in drusen patients with epiretinal membrane after a vitrectomy and membrane peeling. Methods: This retrospective, observational study included drusen patients diagnosed with epiretinal membrane after vitrectomy with membrane peeling. Twenty eyes had epiretinal membrane with drusen (group 1) and 112 eyes had epiretinal membrane without drusen (group 2). At the 6 month follow-up, central foveal thickness and changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. In Group I, the results with drusen size <65 μm and size >65 μm were compared. The largest drusen size change was measured and compared according to the existence of preoperative intraretinal cysts or ellipsoid zone disruption. Results: Preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively, the average size of the largest drusen was 198.23 ± 27.34 and 192.23 ± 26.12 μm, respectively, and there was no significant change during the follow-up period. Group I patients with intraretinal cysts and ellipsoid zone disruption experienced low BCVA during the preoperative period; the BCVA had improved postoperatively at 6 months, but with limitations. Conclusions Postoperatively at 6 months, no significant change was observed in the largest drusen size after vitrectomy and membrane peeling. Thus, drusen patients with epiretinal membrane, as well as intraretinal cysts or ellipsoid zone disruption can expect an extended recovery period and slow BCVA improvement.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical results of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in eyes previously implanted with a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (PIOLs). Methods: The medical records of 27 eyes were retrospectively reviewed. Each eye had history of implantation of posterior chamber PIOLs and newly got FLACS. Complications of intraoperative anterior capsulotomy and lens fragmentation were investigated. Uncorrected and corrected visual acuities (UCVA and BCVA), keratometric and manifest refraction (MR) values were compared preoperatively and postoperatively 1 day, 2 months and 6 months. Results: All eyes completed anterior capsulotomy without any intraoperative complication. However, 13 eyes out of 18 eyes experienced incomplete lens fragmentation. Vaultings of 5 eyes with complete lens fragmentation were 460.40 ± 199.11 μm (0.84 ± 0.35 corneal thickness [CT]) and vaultings of the other 13 eyes with incomplete lens fragmentation were 225.85 ± 151.2 μm (0.43 ± 0.29 CT). 2 eyes with vaultings of 460 μm and 412 μm failed to complete lens fragmentation due to corneal opacity. All eyes could be completed whole surgery without additional complications. Conclusions FLACS in eyes with posterior chamber PIOLs is useful to execute anterior capsulotomy. However, there is a limitation in doing lens fragmentation because of bubble accumulated under PIOLs.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity level can be used as a diagnostic marker for anticholinesterase pesticide poisoning. In this study, we aimed to establish a baseline level of normal brain AChE activity in wild birds. AChE activity was measured in the brains of 87dead wild birds (26 species). The level of AChE activity ranged from 6.40 to 15.9 µmol/min/g of brain tissue in normal wild birds. However, the brain tissue AChE activity level in wild birds exposed to organophosphate (OP) pesticide was 48.0%–96.3% of that in the normal birds. These results may serve as reference values to facilitate routine diagnosis and monitoring of OP-poisoned wild birds.
Acetylcholinesterase ; Birds ; Brain ; Diagnosis ; Organophosphates ; Poisoning ; Reference Values