BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Follicular tumors can present a difficult diagnostic challenge for cytological evaluation and ultrasound findings. Therefore, new methods which could help distinguish follicular adenoma from follicular carcinoma simply and accurately are greatly desired. This study investigated the usefulness of immnunohistochemical expression of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and galectin-3 as marker of differentiated thyroid carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of CXCR4 and galectin-3 were examined immunohistochemically in the 60 paraffin embedded tissues which were already diagnosed as follicular adenoma (n=20), follicullar carcinoma (n=20), and papillary carcinoma (n=20) of thyroid. RESULTS: Galatin-3 was expressed significantly high in follicular carcinoma than follicular adenoma (p=0.022). CXCR4 was also expressed significantly high in follicular carcinoma than follicular adenoma (p=0.027). The sensitivity of CXCR4 and galectin-3 was 70% and 80% and specificity, 65% and 60% for differential diagnosis of follicular tumors. CONCLUSION: An immunohistochemical panel, including galatin-3 and CXCR4, could be useful in the differential diagnosis between follicular adenoma from follicular carcinoma.
Adenoma ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Galectin 3 ; Paraffin ; Receptors, CXCR ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland

The autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS) are groups of syndromes comprising a combination of endocrine and nonendocrine autoimmune diseases. Among of those four types of APS, the main characteristics of the 3 APS are autoimmune thyroid diseases associated to other autoimmune diseases, excluding Addison's disease. Type 3 APS are also subdivided into 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. Recently, we experience a case of APS manifesting 3A, 3C, and 3D subtype. A 28-year-old woman developed type I diabetes. According to her medical history, she had Graves' disease, vitiligo, auimmune hemolytic anemia and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The antoantibodies associated with Graves' disease, SLE, and type I diabetes showed positive findings. We report this case with literatures review.
Addison Disease ; Adult ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Female ; Graves Disease ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Thyroid Diseases ; Vitiligo

Gastroparesis is a syndrome characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction of the stomach. Approximately 20∼40% of patients with a long course of diabetes mellitus and/or other complications, especially neurologic dysfunction, develop diabetic gastroparesis. Diabetic gastroparesis has been thoroughly investigated; however, few reports have considered an associated episodic cyclic vomiting pattern. We present a literature review and report the case of our recent experience with a 29-year-old male patient who presented with a cyclic vomiting pattern associated with diabetic gastroparesis.
Adult ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Gastric Emptying ; Gastroparesis* ; Humans ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Stomach ; Vomiting*

We report the case of a 53-year-old man who presented with obstructive pneumonitis and broncholithiasis. We attempted to remove the broncholith with forceps through a flexible endoscope, but the potential for bleeding due to partial synechia did not allow this. We succeeded in removing it with cryotherapy. The histopathological diagnosis was thoracic actinomycosis associated with broncholithiasis. Endobronchial actinomycosis with a broncholith is very rare. We successfully treated a patient with endobronchial actinomycosis with a broncholith by administering short-term antibiotics after broncholithectomy via cryotherapy through a flexible bronchoscope.
Actinomycosis* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bronchoscopes* ; Bronchoscopy ; Cryotherapy* ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopes ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; Surgical Instruments

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare palliative treatments such as chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy with best supportive care in patients with inoperable advanced esophageal cancer. METHODS: A total of 67 patients with inoperable advanced esophageal cancer visiting Kosin University Gospel Hospital between January 2000 and July 2010 were included in a retrospective analysis. Patients were categorized as having palliative treatment or best supportive care to compare their prognosis. RESULTS: The median survival was 6.4 months in 67 patients. There was significant difference in median survival between the palliative and best supportive treatment (9.8 months vs. 4.5 months, p=0.01). The patients who underwent palliative treatment had superior 1-year and 3-year overall survival rate than those with best supportive treatment (27%, 10% vs. 5%, 5%, respectively). The 1-year and 3-year overall survival rate of palliative treatment was 18% (1-year overall survival rate) in chemotherapy, 33% (1-year overall survival rate) in radiotherapy, 45% and 9% in concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and 20% and 20% in sequential chemoradiotherapy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results may suggest that palliative treatments are more effective than best supportive care. Further prospective studies are still needed to elucidate beneficial effect of palliative treatments on inoperable advanced esophageal cancer.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms/mortality/*therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; *Palliative Care ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies