We report here on a rare case of concurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma on each of the lobes of the thyroid gland. A 43-year-old female presented with a one-week history of throat discomfort. A neck ultrasonogram (US) was done, along with fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the left thyroid nodule, and the results showed papillary cancer. This patient underwent total thyroidectomy and central compartment neck dissection. The pathologic diagnosis of the nodule at the left lobe of the thyroid was papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and the right thyroid nodule was medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
Adult ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Medullary* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Neck ; Neck Dissection ; Pharynx ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyroidectomy ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Despite the fact that the androgen receptor (AR) is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, its prognostic effect remains controversial. In this meta-analysis, we explored AR expression and its impact on survival outcomes in breast cancer. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Ovid databases and references of articles to identify studies reporting data until December 2013. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by extracting the number of patients with recurrence and survival according to AR expression. RESULTS: There were 16 articles that met the criteria for inclusion in our meta-analysis. DFS and OS were significantly longer in patients with AR expression compared with patients without AR expression (odds ratio [OR], 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.90; OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38-0.73, respectively). In addition, hormone receptor (HR) positive patients had a longer DFS when AR was also expressed (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.41-0.98). For patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), AR expression was also associated with longer DFS and OS (OR, 0.44, 95% CI, 0.26-0.75; OR, 0.26, 95% CI, 0.12-0.55, respectively). Furthermore, AR expression was associated with a longer DFS and OS in women (OR, 0.42, 95% CI, 0.27-0.64; OR, 0.47, 95% CI, 0.38-0.59, respectively). However, in men, AR expression was associated with a worse DFS (OR, 6.00; 95% CI, 1.46-24.73). CONCLUSION: Expression of AR in breast cancer might be associated with better survival outcomes, especially in patients with HR-positive tumors and TNBC, and women. Based on this meta-analysis, we propose that AR expression might be related to prognostic features and contribute to clinical outcomes.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Receptors, Androgen* ; Recurrence ; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms

PURPOSE: This report compared the diagnostic effectiveness between ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) and gadolinium (Gd) based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for differentiation of axillary status in breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present authors performed a meta-analysis of previous studies that compared USPIO or Gd based MRI with histological diagnosis after surgery or biopsy. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Ovid databases and references of articles to identify studies reporting data until December 2013. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated for every study; summary receiver operating characteristic and subgroup analysis was done. Analyses of study quality and heterogeneity were also assessed. RESULTS: There were 14 publications that met the criteria for inclusion in our metaanalysis. USPIO based MRI showed 0.83 (95% CI: 0.75-0.89) and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.94-0.98) for pooled sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Gd based MRI represented pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.55-0.67) and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.87-0.92) for each. Overall weighted area under the curve for USPIO and Gd based MRI were 0.9563 and 0.9051, respectively. CONCLUSION: USPIO based MRI had a tendency toward high pooled sensitivity and specificity in detection of axillary metastases for breast cancer. This result may mean that USPIO based MRI could be used as complementary modality to differentiate axillary status more precisely, and assist in the decision-making process regarding possible invasive procedures, such as sentinel node biopsy.
Biopsy ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Diagnosis ; Gadolinium* ; Humans ; Iron ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Nanoparticles ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Population Characteristics ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Totally implantable venous devices are used in medical care for parenteral nutrition, vascular access, administrating chemotherapeutic agents and so on. Although the large variety of catheter complications, catheter fracture is a rare but serious complication. The pinch off syndrome is caused by the compression of the catheter between the clavicle and first rib, and may lead to fracture and possible dislocation of the catheter. We report here the case history of a patient with metastatic breast cancer who developed a rare complication of subclavian catheter fracture as a consequence of pinch off syndrome.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Catheters* ; Clavicle ; Dislocations ; Humans ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Ribs ; Vascular Access Devices

Obesity is increasing globally and represents a significant global health problem because it predisposes towards various diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, degenerative joint disease, and certain types of cancer. Numerous studies have shown that bariatric surgery reduces body mass and ameliorates obesity-related complications, such as hypertension and hyperglycemia, suggesting that surgery is the most effective therapeutic option for severely obese and obese diabetic patients. Recent international guidelines recommend surgical treatment for diabetic patients with class III obesity (body mass index [BMI] >40 kg/m²), regardless of their level of glycemic control or the complexity of their glucose-lowering regimens, and for patients with class II obesity (BMI 35.0 to 39.9 kg/m²) and hyperglycemia that is poorly controlled despite appropriate lifestyle and pharmacological therapy. The most popular procedures are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, but new procedures with better outcomes have been reported. For optimal surgical outcome, comprehensive management including assessments of a medical condition, nutrition, mental health, and social support is needed before and after surgery. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding metabolic surgery in Korea. Therefore, this article reviews indications for metabolic surgery in patients with a specific focus on the situation in Korea.
Bariatric Surgery* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Gastrectomy ; Gastric Bypass ; Global Health ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypertension ; Joint Diseases ; Korea* ; Life Style ; Mental Health ; Obesity

Schwannoma, also known as a neurilemmoma, is a benign neurogenic tumor that arises from Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. Usually, it occurs as a slowly-growing, well-circumscribed solitary nodule on the head and neck, trunk, or extremities. However, it is rare on the oral mucosa, especially on the lip. Histologically, the lesion is characterized by an encapsulated nodule that consists of Antoni A cellular tissues with verocay bodies, and Antoni B loose myxoid tissues. Herein, we report a case of a schwannoma of the upper lip, which is a rare location
Extremities ; Head ; Lip ; Mouth Mucosa ; Neck ; Neurilemmoma ; Schwann Cells

Epileptic nystagmus is defined as a quick, repetitive jerky movement of the eyeball associated with seizure activity. In cases of epileptic nystagmus associated with ictal discharge from multiple brain areas, localization of the exact epileptogenic zone could be extremely difficult. In a nine-year-old patient with epileptic nystagmus and vertigo associated with bilateral temporal and frontal lobe epilepsy, we could infer the epileptic focus by interpreting the patient's clinical picture, characteristics of nystagmus, and findings of electroencephalography.
Brain ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe* ; Frontal Lobe* ; Humans ; Nystagmus, Pathologic ; Seizures ; Vertigo*

PURPOSE: Widely used fiberglass splints are made from straight-form material. These prove difficult to mold at joints and form wrinkles, causing complications such as pain, pressure sores, and peripheral nerve palsy. We compared the usefulness of wave-form splints with straight-form splints and the level of satisfaction of these designs from care providers and wearers. METHODS: Eighty-nine (n=89) emergency physicians and orthopedic surgeons participated in this study. The subjects (acting as care providers and mock patients) used wave-form and straight-form material to construct and wear short leg splints, long arm splints, and sugar tong splints. The clinicians were surveyed on their satisfaction as providers and wearers. All questions were measured on scores from 0 and 10(10=maximum score). After splints were removed, subjects were surveyed on the extent of splint wrinkling with scores from 1 to 3(3=maximum wrinkling). RESULTS: Provider satisfaction scores for wave-form splints versus straight-form splints in short leg splint applications were 7.76+/-1.30 vs 6.74+/-1.25 (p=0.000). Provider satisfaction scores for wave-form splints versus straight-form splints in long arm splint applications were 7.73+/-1.33 and 6.73+/-1.59 (p=0.004), respectively. The subjects felt more comfortable wearing wave-form splints, compared to straight-form splints (7.79+/-1.49 vs. 6.79+/-1.58, respectively; p=0.004) and more satisfied (8.03+/-1.35 vs. 7.18+/-1.33, respectively; p=0.003). The frequencies of wrinkle occurrence in wave-form and straight-form splints were 29.7% and 42.2%, respectively (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Wave-form splints may be more practical for molding and wearing than traditional straight-form splints.
Arm ; Casts, Surgical ; Emergencies ; Fungi ; Glass ; Immobilization ; Joints ; Leg ; Orthopedics ; Paralysis ; Peripheral Nerves ; Pressure Ulcer ; Splints

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability and the second-leading cause of death in Korea. It is also the third-leading cause of death in the United States, leading to a serious demand for new interventions to improve the quality of life in stroke survivors. To this end, direct cortical stimulation using an epidural electrode has been reported with promising results in animal and human studies, showing the potential for enhancing the recovery in chronic stroke patients. For optimal results, doctors must be able to modify the stimulation pattern as frequently as needed over a period of time for a given patient. However, severe aftereffects caused by stroke limit patients' activities, making regular doctor visits for treatment difficult. This study aims to develop a prototype of a telemedicine system to enhance stroke recovery by using a ZigBee-based wireless neuro-stimulator. The ZigBee is a stable platform for many low-power wireless applications. To allow stroke patients to remotely obtain neuro-stimulation treatments from their doctors, we connected the ZigBee to the internet. The system also allows doctors to personalize treatment based on the history of the stimulation parameters. The system developed here can also be beneficial as a common platform for a wide range of brain diseases and clinical care for which electric stimulation is used.
Adult ; Animals ; Brain Diseases ; Cause of Death ; Electric Stimulation ; Electrodes ; Humans ; Internet ; Korea ; Quality of Life ; Stroke ; Survivors ; Telemedicine ; United States

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Educational interventions targeted food selection perception, knowledge, attitude, and behavior. Education regarding irradiated food was intended to change food selection behavior specific to it. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: There were 43 elementary students (35.0%), 45 middle school students (36.6%), and 35 high school students (28.5%). The first step was research design. Educational targets were selected and informed consent was obtained in step two. An initial survey was conducted as step three. Step four was a 45 minute-long theoretical educational intervention. Step five concluded with a survey and experiment on food selection behavior. RESULTS: As a result of conducting a 45 minute-long education on the principles, actual state of usage, and pros and cons of irradiated food for elementary, middle, and high-school students in Korea, perception, knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding the irradiated food was significantly higher after the education than before the education (P < 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The behavior of irradiated food selection shows high correlation with all variables of perception, knowledge, and attitude, and it is necessary to provide information of each level of change in perception, knowledge, and attitude in order to derive proper behavior change, which is the ultimate goal of the education.
Education* ; Food Irradiation* ; Food Preferences ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Korea ; Research Design