An auricular pseudocyst is an uncommon, benign cystic lesion that frequently occurs in the auricles of middle-aged male patients, characterized histologically by an intracartilaginous, non-epithelial-lined cystic space. This report presents two cases of auricular pseudocysts successfully treated using deroofing procedures, with excellent long-term outcomes observed at 6-month and 5-year follow-up, respectively. Although various treatment modalities may be employed for these lesions, surgical deroofing is considered a conventional and reliable option that provides low recurrence rates and superior aesthetic outcomes.

Fecal impaction (FI) is a potentially fatal condition characterized by the accumulation of large, hardened fecal masses in the large intestine, resulting in mechanical obstruction. This condition is commonly observed in older adults but can also affect younger populations, particularly patients with psychiatric conditions who face increased risk due to medication side effects, autonomic dysfunction, and inadequate bowel management. This report describes two forensic autopsy cases of fatal FI in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. The first case involved a 52-year-old man with mild intellectual disability who had received long-term psychiatric treatment. Autopsy findings included marked colonic dilation (maximum diameter >10 cm), ischemic mucosal changes, and a large fecal mass (~2,200 g) obstructing the sigmoid and descending colon. The second case involved a 25-year-old man with severe intellectual disability. Autopsy revealed severe colonic dilation (maximum diameter of 12 cm), extensive FI along rectum and descending colon, and no evidence of alternative causes of death. In both cases, death was attributed to mechanical intestinal obstruction secondary to FI. These cases highlight the forensic significance of FI as a cause of sudden death in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. Symptoms such as paradoxical diarrhea may be misinterpreted, and the inadvertent use of contraindicated medications (e.g., antidiarrheals) can worsen the condition, contributing to fatal outcomes. Furthermore, forensic evaluation must assess whether inadequate medical intervention or neglect played a role in the progression of FI. Early recognition, proactive bowel management, and interdisciplinary collaboration are critical to preventing fatal events in high-risk patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a cytokine within the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is involved in various malignancies, withimplications in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Elevated GDF-15 levels are correlated with unfavorable prognosis, tumor progression, and chemotherapy resistance, and the protein has been identified as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Personalized treatment strategies based on GDF-15 expression could improve treatment outcomes.

Chronic recurrent sialadenitis is characterized by repeated inflammation of the salivary glands, leading to ductal structural abnormalities and salivary stasis, often resulting in megaducts. This study evaluates the efficacy of ultrasonography as a diagnostic and follow-up tool for the management of chronic recurrent sialadenitis. Three patients underwent sialendoscopy, which involved ductal dilation, removal of mucous plugs, and steroid administration. Ultrasonography was used postoperatively to monitor changes in ductal structure, including megaduct size, and to assess clinical outcomes.All three cases showed marked improvement in clinical symptoms after treatment. Ultrasonography demonstrated a reduction in megaduct size and provided real-time visualization of ductal and glandular changes. Compared to traditional imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging or sialography, ultrasonography offered a practical and safe option for follow-up assessment. This study highlights the utility of ultrasonography as an accessible, non-invasive, and effective tool for evaluating treatment outcomes in chronic recurrent sialadenitis. By offering detailed visualization of ductal changes and facilitating longitudinal follow-up, ultrasonography can optimize the management of this condition.

Purpose: We aimed to derive insights by analyzing the results of a patient safety awareness survey conducted by the Regional Patient Safety Center of the Korean Medical Association. Methods: Survey questions were developed in three domains: sociodemographic characteristics, patient safety awareness, and patient safety education needs. An online anonymous survey targeting Korean physicians was conducted annually from 2021 to 2023. Chi-square tests were used to verify differences in responses by year and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: A total of 774 physicians participated in the survey over the three-year period. Approximately half of the participants were still assessed to have insufficient knowledge about patient safety, and no clear year-over-year improvement was observed. Additionally, while patient safety incidents appeared common, the proportion of respondents who reported incidents remained around 20%. However, participants showed high levels of agreement or engagement in patient participation activities related to patient safety (over 90%), with 60% having previously received patient safety-related education, and nearly 90% expressing willingness to participate in future education. The findings also highlighted a particular urgency in improving patient safety awareness among clinic-based physicians. Conclusion Promoting awareness of patient safety incident reporting methods and encouraging clinic-based physicians to report incidents should be prioritized. The study’s findings will provide a foundation for more effectively fostering physician engagement in patient safety improvement activities.

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is an aggressive cancer with a high recurrence risk due to micrometastases. Standard treatment, neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy, is not suitable for all patients, with many being ineligible or experiencing recurrence, alongside significant toxicity concerns.Current Concepts: The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) into the perioperative setting —including neoadjuvant ICI use in cisplatin-ineligible patients, adjuvant ICI use in high-risk individuals, and chemoimmunotherapy in either the preoperative or postoperative period—has demonstrated promising clinical outcomes. Additionally, bladder preservation strategies are currently under investigation in select patients who exhibit favorable treatment responses, aiming to maintain quality of life without compromising oncologic outcomes. Nevertheless, challenges such as overtreatment, long-term toxicity, and immune-related adverse events remain significant, underscoring the necessity for precise patient selection.Discussion and Conclusion: To personalize perioperative management of MIBC, it is essential to develop and clinically implement robust predictive biomarkers. Assessment of molecular residual disease using circulating tumor DNA is emerging as a promising method to stratify risk, guide adjuvant treatment decisions, and monitor therapeutic response in real time. Future research should prioritize the validation of these biomarkers, refinement of patient selection criteria for bladder preservation strategies, and evaluation of novel therapeutic agents such as antibody-drug conjugates and fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors in the perioperative setting. Ultimately, adopting a precision oncology approach will be critical for balancing oncologic efficacy with toxicity management and achieving patient-centered outcomes.

Metastatic bladder cancer has historically been treated with platinum-based chemotherapy as the standard firstline therapy. Since the introduction of cisplatin-based regimens, advancements in treatment strategies have been limited. However, the recent emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) has significantly transformed the treatment landscape. Notably, the combination of enfortumab vedotin (EV) and pembrolizumab has demonstrated considerable clinical benefits, challenging traditional chemotherapy. This review aims to provide an overview of recent advancements in the treatment of metastatic bladder cancer.Current Concepts: Recent phase III clinical trials, notably EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 and CheckMate 901, have reshaped the first-line management. EV combined with pembrolizumab has shown superior progression-free survival and overall survival compared to platinum-based chemotherapy, establishing it as a new standard of care. Patients ineligible for this regimen due to underlying comorbidities or toxicity may still benefit from alternative options. Such alternatives include platinum-based chemotherapy with ICI maintenance therapy, including avelumab or nivolumab. The selection of treatments should be individualized, taking into account specific patient factors, particularly platinum eligibility, renal function, and performance status.Discussion and Conclusion: The incorporation of ICIs and ADCs into the therapeutic landscape for metastatic bladder cancer has significantly improved patient outcomes. EV plus pembrolizumab has demonstrated substantial survival benefits, establishing it as a preferred first-line regimen for eligible patients. However, not all patients are candidates for this combination, emphasizing the necessity of individualized treatment strategies. Future research should focus on managing treatment-related adverse events and developing personalized therapies to maximizing efficacy while minimizing toxicity.

Purpose: Immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (iFOBT) have been utilized as the primary method for colorectal cancer screening within Korea's National Cancer Screening Program. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the accreditation program for clinical laboratories and external quality assessment (EQA) programs on colorectal cancer screening. Methods: We analyzed the false-positive rates of iFOBT in colorectal cancer screening from 2016 to 2020 according to participation and performance in the Outstanding Laboratory Accreditation Program (OLAP) conducted by the Laboratory Medicine Foundation, and the External Quality Assessment programs run by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service. Results: False-positive rates of iFOBT were lower among institutions accredited by OLAP (2.35%) compared with non-accredited (3.04%) and non-participating institutions (5.60%). Similarly, institutions participating in the EQA program exhibited lower false-positive rates (3.79%) compared to non-participants (7.04%). Within the iFOBT-specific EQA program, institutions that passed demonstrated the lowest false-positive rate (3.37%), while failing institutions showed the highest rate (9.07%), surpassing even non-participating institutions (6.44%). Conclusion Participation in quality management programs such as OLAP and EQA was associated with lower false-positive rates in iFOBT for colorectal cancer screening. These findings suggest that quality management initiatives can increase the accuracy of iFOBT, potentially improving the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening programs, and reducing unnecessary follow-up procedures and associated healthcare costs.

Purpose: We report the diagnosis and conservative treatment of a patient with dacryocystitis accompanied by a congenital lacrimal sac diverticulum.Case summary: An 11-year-old boy presented with itching and redness in his right eye. His best-corrected visual acuity was 0.8 in the right eye and 1.2 in the left. Physical examination revealed redness, swelling, and tenderness around the right lacrimal sac area. Probing of the nasolacrimal duct showed no obstruction. Additional tests were performed under the diagnosis of acute dacryocystitis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging suggested inflammation of the soft tissue with abscess formation around the right orbit, with inflammation extending to the lower eyelid. After 7 days of inpatient treatment, the symptoms improved. Dacryocystography performed after the symptoms improved showed a small amount of residual contrast in a space near the lacrimal sac, leading to the diagnosis of a right lacrimal sac diverticulum. Conclusions In patients with dacryocystitis without nasolacrimal duct obstruction, congenital lacrimal diverticulum should be suspected.