The limitations of current modalities for diagnosis and treatment of various diseases including cancer have led to look for the method with more sensitivity or specificity and lower toxicity. The advance in nanobiotechnology has shown the possibility to get newer and improved diagnostic and treatment method. Especially, gold nanoparticles can be applied diagnostically for early detection of cancer cells by molecular imaging or therapeutically for drug delivery, including chemotherapeutic drugs, photothermal therapy, and ionizing radiation enhancement. This review discusses characteristics, action mechanisms, and clinical application of nanoparticle. Even if the safety of nanoparticles is not yet fully defined, there is no doubt that nanotechnology in the future may play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of various human diseases.
Drug Delivery Systems ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Molecular Imaging ; Nanoparticles ; Nanotechnology ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Sensitivity and Specificity

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: This study aimed at evaluation of the learning curve for laparoscopic colorectal surgery with varied operative procedures. METHODS: From June 2004 to May 2010, 269 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Patients were divided into four groups according to operative methods: right-side colectomy, left-side colectomy, rectal resection, and total colectomy group. Each group was divided into three-early, middle, and late-groups according to operation numbers. Learning curves were generated for each group using moving average methods. Prospective collection and retrospective review of data on operative outcomes, including open conversion, operation time, intra-operative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complication were performed. RESULTS: Operations included 75 right-side colectomies, 12 left-side colectomies, 178 rectal resections, four total colectomies, and seven open conversions (2.6%). The mean operative time for right-side colectomy and rectal resection showed a significant decline from the early group to the middle and late groups, while the left-side colectomy group showed no significant difference. Operation time was platitude after 50 cases of whole laparoscopic colorectal surgery, 11 cases in the right-side colectomy group, eight cases in the left-side colectomy group, and 34 cases in the recto-sigmoid resection group. CONCLUSION: For the surgeon, laparoscopic colorectal surgery can be performed more independently after 50 cases. The learning curve may be determined according to the general skill of laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The question of whether the learning curve is determined by varied operative procedures has not yet been resolved.
Colectomy ; Colorectal Surgery ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Learning ; Learning Curve ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Background: The advance in microsurgical technique has facilitated a proper approach for reconstruction of extensive head and neck defects. For the success of free tissue reconstruction, selection of the recipient vessel is one of the most important factors. However, the vascular anatomy of this region is very complex, and a clear guideline about this subject is still lacking. In this study, we present our 30 years of experiences of free tissue reconstruction for head and neck defects. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed a total of 138 flaps in 127 patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction using free tissue transfer following tumor resection between October 1986 to August 2019. Patients who underwent facial palsy reconstruction were excluded. Medical records including patient’s demographics, detailed operation notes, follow-up records, and photographs were collected and analyzed. Results: Among a total of 127 patients, 10 patients underwent a secondary operation due to cancer recurrence. The most commonly used type of flap was radial forearm flap (n= 107), followed by the anterolateral thigh flap (n= 18) and fibula flap (n= 10). With regard to recipient vessels, superior thyroid artery was most commonly used in arterial anastomosis (58.7%), and internal jugular vein (51.3%) was the first choice for venous anastomosis. The flap survival rate was 100%. Four cases of venous thrombosis were resolved with thrombectomy and re-anastomosis. Conclusion Superior thyroid artery and internal jugular vein were reliable choices as recipient vessels. Proper recipient vessel selection could improve the result of head and neck reconstruction.

Neuroendocrine neoplasm of the larynx is a morphologically heterogeneous group of tumors. This unusual neoplasm includes the four different type of tumors. Paraganglioma is the best-known neural origin tumor. The epithelial origin tumor is further divided based on the degree of differentiation into well, moderately, and poorly differentiated carcinoma. The diverse biological behavior of neuroendocrine neoplasm of larynx makes an accurate diagnosis of paramount importance, since treatment depends on diagnostic accuracy. The diagnosis is based primarily on light microscopy, and immunohistochemical and/or ultrastructural investigations are needed to diagnose correctly. The mainstay of treatment of moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx is surgery. Elective neck treatment should be performed considering the high likelihood of cervical lymph node metastases. The 5-yr survival rate approximates 50%, and 10-yr survival rate is only 30%.
Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Larynx ; Light ; Lymph Nodes ; Microscopy ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paraganglioma ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: To observe MR findings of vascular abnormality in Sturge-Weber syndrome and to determine the value of MRI in diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome (age : 3 months-32 years)were evaluated by MR imaging ; in six and four cases, respectively, the results were correlated with those of CT and angiography. We retrospectively analysed changes in the cortical vein and deep venous system, including the medullary and subependymal vein, as well as an largement of the choroid plexus, leptomeningeal enhancement, and changes in diploic space. RESULTS: In all cases except one, in which non-contrast enhanced study had been performed, varying degrees of leptomeningeal enhancement were seen. In nine cases the cortical vein became smaller; enlargement of the choroid plexus was seen in eight cases, change in the diploic space in seven (including three in which there was angiomatous involvement), and enlargement of the deep venous system in seven. In younger patients, collateral pathways were less developed and leptomeningeal angiomatous changes were more pronounced than in those who were older. CONCLUSION: MRI is a useful modality for the evaluationn of vascular changes in Sturge-Weber syndrome. These changes vary according to a patient's age and the duration of the disease.
Angiography ; Choroid Plexus ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Sturge-Weber Syndrome* ; Veins

Age may be one of the important factors which influence the decision for treatment of thyroid cancer in elderly patients. In addition, although thyroid surgery is generally considered as the procedure with low morbidity, a variety of complications can occur with serious consequences in patients with huge thyroid cancer. We report a case of giant thyroid cancer in elderly patient.
Aged ; Humans ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy

We report a two-generation Korean family in which 2 siblings have congenital cataract and phenotype i. This report is a first case in Korean people and shows the evidence suggesting the linkage of Ii blood group with a recessive form of congenital cataracts.
Cataract* ; Humans ; Phenotype* ; Siblings*

Riedel's thyroiditis is a rare fibrotic condition that results in the destruction of the thyroid and infiltration into surrounding tissues. The exact etiology is not yet clear, although systemic fibrosing disorder, a variant of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a primary inflammatory disorder of the thyroid, and even a manifestation of end-stage subacute thyroiditis has been suggested. Although various treatments have been applied, no definitive treatment has yet been established. We report a case of Riedel's thyroiditis treated without complications using microscopic surgery. A 54-year-old man visited our clinic presenting with neck tightness and a left neck mass. A gun biopsy revealed a benign thyroid mass, although the radiologic findings showed a malignant thyroid tumor with invasion into the trachea and strap muscles. The patient underwent a left hemi-thyroidectomy and shaving of the trachea, esophagus and recurrent laryngeal nerve under microscopy. The final pathology revealed Riedel's thyroiditis combined with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The patient had symptomatic relief without vocal fold paralysis and hypocalcemia. Surgical treatment using microscopic dissection can be considered to be one of treatment option for Riedel's thyroiditis.
Biopsy ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia ; Microscopy ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; Neck ; Paralysis ; Pathology ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis* ; Thyroiditis, Subacute ; Trachea ; Vocal Cords

Carotid body tumor is a rare lesion of the neuroendocrine system. It typically presents as a slow growing, painless neck mass found along the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. We present clinicoradiologic findings of a bilateral carotid body tumor from a 35-year-old woman with a review of literatures. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a vascular mass at the carotid bifurcation, displacing the external and internal carotid arteries. After embolization of feeding vessels using polyvinyl alcohol and gelfoam, we excised the mass without severe bleeding and neurologic symptoms.
Adult ; Angiography ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Carotid Body Tumor* ; Carotid Body* ; Female ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Neurosecretory Systems ; Polyvinyl Alcohol