PURPOSE: The main issue with the current ultrasonography (US) guidelines is the overestimation of malignant and indeterminate nodules as they do not aid in making decisions to treat patients. To overcome this, new US guidelines for thyroid nodules that have been shown to be better correlated with cytologic results have been proposed. We also suggested specific indications for US-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) using the new US guidelines. METHODS: Clinical and pathologic data from 925 patients and 1,419 thyroid nodules were retrospectively collected. All subjects underwent US- and US-guided FNA at Department of Surgery, Wonju Christian Hospital, between March 2010 and July 2011. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for both the current guidelines and the new guidelines. RESULTS: The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the current guidelines in predicting malignancy were 24.1%, 99.3%, 62.2%, 25.0%, and 99.8%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the new guidelines in predicting malignancy were 66.0%, 96.0%, 86.7%, 47.7%, and 99.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of the new US guidelines allow for a more accurate and specific diagnosis and a better treatment plan than the current guidelines. Additionally, the use of the new FNA guidelines may help prevent unnecessary FNAs and promote cost-effective follow-up for patients.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule

BACKGROUND: Knowing the magnitude of a problem is the first step to improving it, and quantifying the health- related quality of life (HRQOL) allows us to do it with respect to stroke. To identify the HRQOL in patients with ischemic stroke and its affecting factors, and compare it with other clinical and functional scales. METHODS: A consecutive series of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) was recruited. Their HRQOL and utilities were assessed using the EQ-5 Dindex-which evaluates the health profile of an individual in five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activity, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) and three levels (no problem, some/moderate problems, and extreme problems)-at 1 year after stroke. The Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), Barthel Index (BI), and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were used to measure clinical and functional statuses. The EQ-5D index and the clinical and functional statuses were compared by clinical parameters, and the relationships among those scales were examined. Additionally, the EQ-5D index in the patients was compared with that in age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Among 538 patients with AIS or TIA, 465 patients (males, 59.8%; age, 65.3+/-11.8 [mean+/-SD]; TIA, 7.7%; and initial NIHSS, 4.5+/-5.1) were evaluated. The EQ-5D index and the clinical and functional statuses were clearly aggravated by age, but did not differ with most of the risk factors. The EQ-5D index was strongly and significantly correlated with scores on the MRS, BI, and NIHSS. The EQ-5D index was lower in patients (especially older ones) than in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the EQ-5D is a feasible and valid tool for measuring HRQOL in patients with AIS or TIA.
Humans ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Quality of Life ; Resin Cements ; Risk Factors ; Self Care ; Stroke ; Weights and Measures

No abstract available.
Nasal Surgical Procedures*

The salt-sensitivity has been generally accepted as a mechnism of high blood pressure in elderly hypertensive patients, and so it may result in a difference of renal handling of sodium and potassium between normal healthy control and elderly hypertensive patient. So to evaluate an lbove difference, the amount of 24 hours' urinary excretion of Na+ & K+ were measured in healthy normotensive control (10 case) and elderly hypertensive group(10 case) according to normal diet (12-15gm of NaCl) for first 3 days and low salt diet (3~5)gm of NaCi) for next 3 days, also blood rewwure was mintored. The results were followed : 1) 24 hours' urinary excretion of NA+ was increased in hypertensive group more than control group at first day of normal diet and low salt diet significantly. 2) After a replacement of normal diet to low salt diet, a maximal decrement of 24 hours' urinary excretion of Na+ was 25% at first day in control but 40% at second day in hypertensive group only. 3) There was a similar pattern of urinary excretion of K+ as Na+ in hypertensive group, but it was not stastically significant. 4) There was no significant changes of blood pressure, serum electrolyte and BUN/creatinine according to salt intake in both group. From above findings. We can conclude that a urinary excretion of sodium is delayed in elderly hypertensive group, and it is suggested that a delayed excretion of sodium. is associated with retention of sodium in body. So a persistent restriction of sodium is recommended in elderly hypertensive patient.
Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Diet ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Potassium* ; Sodium*

No abstract available.
Neck*

Background: Cleft lip and cleft palate are the most frequent congenital craniofacial deformities, with an incidence of approximately 1 per 700 people. Postoperative palatal fistula is one of the most significant long-term complications. This study investigated the incidence of postoperative palatal fistula and its predictive factors based on 25 years of experience at our hospital. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 636 consecutive palatal repairs performed between January 1996 and October 2020 by a single surgeon. Data from patients’ medical records regarding cleft palate repair were analyzed. The preoperative extent of the cleft was evaluated using the Veau classification system, and the cleft palate repair technique was chosen according to the extent of the cleft. SPSS version 25.0 was used for all statistical analyses, and exploratory univariate associations were investigated using the t-test. Results: Fistulas occurred in 20 of the 636 patients; thus, the incidence of palatal fistula was 3.1%. The most common fistula location was the hard palate (9/20, 45%), followed by the junction of the hard and soft palate (6/20, 30%) and the soft palate (5/20, 25%). The cleft palate repair technique significantly predicted the incidence of palatal fistula following cleft palate repair (P=0.042). Fistula incidence was significantly higher in patients who underwent surgery using the Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty technique (12.1%) than in cases where the Busan modification (3.0%) or two-flap technique (2.0%) was used. Conclusions The overall incidence of palatal fistulas was 3.1% in this study. Moreover, the technique of cleft palate repair predicted fistula incidence.

PURPOSE: There are relatively few results from studies on nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In addition, some Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients present with irregular symptoms, making the distinction from malignant thyroid nodule difficult. Therefore, we performed analyses on ultrasonographic findings of nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis. METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study was performed on 76 patients (88 nodules) diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis after undergoing fine needle aspiration biopsy from January 2009 to December 2010. A frequency analysis was performed to investigate the most common ultrasonographic findings of nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In addition, patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of extensive Hashimoto's thyroiditis on the parenchyma, and ultrasonographic findings were compared and analyzed for nodules in each group. RESULTS: The study was performed on 76 patients and 88 nodules. The majority of nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis were found to be solid on ultrasonography, and echogenicity was mostly hypoechoic, with prominent hypoechoic findings being more common. Most nodules did not have a rim surrounding the margins, and absence of accompanying calcification was also noted. The comparison and analysis of ultrasonographic findings of two patient groups that were divided based on the presence or absence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis across the parenchyma, revealed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Most nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis cases do not present with calcification or rims and frequently present as solid and hypoechoic. It can be concluded that such findings are consistent regardless of whether there is accompanying extensive changes at the thyroid parenchyma associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hashimoto Disease* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyroiditis ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor originating from the thyroid. The recent increase in frequency of thyroid ultrasonography is increasing the diagnostic rate of thyroid cancer, especially of the small-sized cancer. The appropriate extent of surgery for thyroid micropapillary carcinoma is still under debate, and bilaterality of the tumor may be an important factor determining the extent. Therefore, this study analyzed the clinicopathologic factors related to tumor bilaterality in order to help decide the extent of treatment. METHODS: Subjects included 134 patients who received total thyroidectomy and central neck lymph node dissection at Wonju Christian Hospital under the diagnosis of thyroid micropapillary cancer from January 1(st), 1994 to December 31(st), 2009. The frequency of bilateral tumor among the subjects were studied, and the relationship between bilaterality and clinicopathologic factors, including patients' gender, age, tumor size, multiple mass in single lobe, capsule invasion, extrathyroidal extension, lymphovascular space invasion, central neck node invasion and lateral neck node invasion was analyzed. RESULTS: There were 32 cases (23.9%) of bilateral tumor. Statistically significant factors related to bilaterality included two or more mass in a single lobe, perithyroidal soft tissue invasion. CONCLUSION: When we plan thyroidectomy for thyroid micropapillary cancer, one cannot rule out the possibility of bilateral thyroid micropapillary cancer in patients with clinicopathologic factors related to bilaterality. Closer preoperative examination is thought to be required for such patients.
Carcinoma, Papillary* ; Diagnosis ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Neck ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) plays a controversial role in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer. We reviewed the outcomes of patients at our institution who had been treated with EBRT for advanced differentiated thyroid cancer. METHODS: Subjects included 35 patients who received thyroidectomy and EBRT at Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju Christian Hospital under the diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer from January 1989 to September 2011. RESULTS: The 5 year overall locoregional control rate was 74.4%. No significant differences were found in locoregional progression- free survival for patients with complete resection, microscopic residual disease, or gross residual disease. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that EBRT is effective for locoregional control of selected locally advanced papillary thyroid cancer, even with gross residual disease.
Diagnosis ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Radiotherapy* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy

PURPOSE: Recently, the change to a more complex social structure has led to an increased frequency of traumas due to violence, accident and so on. In addition, the severity of the traumas and the frequency of penetrating injuries have also increased. Traumas to cervical and abdominal areas, what are commonly seen by general surgeons, can have mild to fatal consequences because in these areas, various organs that are vital to sustaining life are located. The exact location and characteristics of the injury are vital to treating patients with the trauma to these areas. Thus, with this background in mind, we studied, compared, and analyzed clinical manifestations of patients who were admitted to Wonju Christian hospital for penetrating injuries inflicted by themselves or others. METHODS: We selected and performed a retrospective study of 64 patients who had been admitted to Wonju Christian Hospital from January 2005 to December 2009 and who had cervical or abdominal penetrating injuries clearly inflicted by themselves or others. RESULTS: There were 51 male (79.7%) and 13 female (20.3%) patients, and the number of male patients was more dominant in this study, having a sex ratio of 3.9 to 1. The range of ages was between 20 and 86 years, and mean age was 43.2 years. There were 5 self-inflicted cervical injuries, and 19 self-inflicted abdominal injuries, making the total number of self-inflicted injury 24. Cervical and abdominal injuries caused by others were found in 11 and 29 patients, respectively. The most common area involved in self-inflicted injuries to the abdomen was the epigastric area, nine cases, and the right-side zone II was the most commonly involved area. On the other hand, in injuries inflicted by others, the left upper quadrant of the abdomen was the most common site of the injury, 14 cases. In the neck, the left-side zone II was the most injured site. In cases of self-inflicted neck injury, jugular vein damage and cervical muscle damage without deep organ injury were observed in two cases each, making them the most common. In cases with abdominal injuries, seven cases had limited abdominal wall injury, making it the most common injury. The most common deep organ injury was small bowel wounds, five cases. In patients with injuries caused by others, six had cervical muscle damage, making it the most common injury found in that area. In the abdomen, small bowel injury was found to be the most common injury, being evidenced in 13 cases. In self-inflicted injuries, a statistical analysis discovered that the total duration of admission and the number of patients admitted to the intensive care unit were significantly shorter and smaller, retrospectively, than in the patient group that had injuries caused by others. No statistically significant difference was found when the injury sequels were compared between the self-inflicted-injury and the injury-inflicted-by-others groups. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that, in self-inflicted abdominal injuries, injuries limited to the abdominal wall were found to be the most common, and in injuries to the cervical area inflicted by others, injuries restricted to the cervical muscle were found to be the most common. As a whole, the total duration of admission and the ICU admission time were significantly shorter in cases of self-inflicted injury. Especially, in cases of self inflicted injuries, abdominal injuries generally had a limited degree of injury. Thus, in our consideration, accurate injury assessment and an ideal treatment plan are necessary to treat these patients, and minimally invasive equipment, such as laparoscope, should be used. Also, further studies that persistently utilize aggressive surgical observations, such as abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography, for patients with penetrating injuries are needed.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Injuries ; Abdominal Wall ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Jugular Veins ; Laparoscopes ; Male ; Muscles ; Neck ; Neck Injuries ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Ratio ; Violence