1.Unraveling the diagnostic odyssey: stimulator of interferon gene-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy in a 30-year-old female
Hae Ryung KIM ; Seon Hee LIM ; Ji Soo PARK ; Dong In SUH ; Seungbok LEE ; Soo Yeon KIM ; Jong Hee CHAE ; Seong Heon KIM
Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 2024;31(3):182-187
Stimulator of interferon gene (STING)-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI) is an extremely rare autoinflammatory disease. We present the case of a female Korean patient with early-onset interstitial lung disease who was initially suspected to have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but was ultimately diagnosed with SAVI. The patient exhibited signs of interstitial lung disease and cutaneous manifestations before the age of 1 year and continued to have recurrent fever accompanied by pulmonary infiltrates. Based on positive findings for antibodies associated with SLE, such as antinuclear antibodies and anti-double-stranded DNA, the pulmonary involvement was considered a manifestation of SLE. Another significant symptom was recurrent skin ulceration, which led to partial spontaneous amputation of most of the toes due to inflammation. Given the early onset of interstitial lung disease, severe skin ulcers, and symptoms resembling SLE, autoinflammatory syndrome, especially SAVI was suspected.Following confirmation by genetic testing at age 29 years, the patient was started on tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor. Despite the prolonged use of multiple immunosuppressive therapies, the patient’s lung condition continued to worsen, ultimately requiring lung transplantation. This observational report highlights the importance of considering SAVI as a potential diagnosis when manifestations of interstitial lung disease are observed during infancy. Early proactive treatment is crucial for lung involvement, as this can have long-term effects on patient’s prognosis.
2.Prognostic Significance Of Sequential 18f-fdg Pet/Ct During Frontline Treatment Of Peripheral T Cell Lymphomas
Ga-Young SONG ; Sung-Hoon JUNG ; Seo-Yeon AHN ; Mihee KIM ; Jae-Sook AHN ; Je-Jung LEE ; Hyeoung-Joon KIM ; Jang Bae MOON ; Su Woong YOO ; Seong Young KWON ; Jung-Joon MIN ; Hee-Seung BOM ; Sae-Ryung KANG ; Deok-Hwan YANG
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2024;39(2):327-337
Background/Aims:
The prognostic significance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) in peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are controversial. We explored the prognostic impact of sequential 18F-FDG PET/CT during frontline chemotherapy of patients with PTCLs.
Methods:
In total, 143 patients with newly diagnosed PTCLs were included. Sequential 18F-FDG PET/CTs were performed at the time of diagnosis, during chemotherapy, and at the end of chemotherapy. The baseline total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) was calculated using the the standard uptake value with a threshold method of 2.5.
Results:
A baseline TMTV of 457.0 cm3 was used to categorize patients into high and low TMTV groups. Patients with a requirehigh TMTV had shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than those with a low TMTV (PFS, 9.8 vs. 26.5 mo, p = 0.043; OS, 18.9 vs. 71.2 mo, p = 0.004). The interim 18F-FDG PET/CT response score was recorded as 1, 2–3, and 4–5 according to the Deauville criteria. The PFS and OS showed significant differences according to the interim 18F-FDG PET/CT response score (PFS, 120.7 vs. 34.1 vs. 5.1 mo, p < 0.001; OS, not reached vs. 61.1 mo vs. 12.1 mo, p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The interim PET/CT response based on visual assessment predicts disease progression and survival outcome in PTCLs. A high baseline TMTV is associated with a poor response to anthracycline-based chemotherapy in PTCLs. However, TMTV was not an independent predictor for PFS in the multivariate analysis.
3.Analysis of Prognoses according to Breast MRI Results in Patients with Axillary Lymph Node Metastases from an Unknown Primary Origin
E-Ryung CHOI ; Ok Hee WOO ; Eun Young KO ; Boo-Kyung HAN ; Ji Soo CHOI ; Eun Sook KO ; Haejung KIM ; Myoung Kyoung KIM ; Jeong Eon LEE
Yonsei Medical Journal 2023;64(10):633-640
Purpose:
To compare the prognosis of patients with axillary adenocarcinoma from an unknown primary (ACUPax) origin with negative MRI results and those with MRI-detected primary breast cancers.
Materials and Methods:
The breast MRI images of 32 patients with ACUPax without signs of primary breast cancer on mammography and ultrasound (US) were analyzed. Spot compression-magnification mammography and second-look US were performed for the area of MRI abnormality in patients with positive results; any positive findings corresponding to the MRI abnormality were confirmed by biopsy. If suspicious MRI lesions could not be localized on mammography or US, MR-guided biopsy or excision biopsy after MR-guided localization was performed. We compared the prognosis of patients with negative breast MRI with that for patients with MRI-detected primary breast cancers.
Results:
Primary breast cancers were confirmed in 8 (25%) patients after breast MRI. Primary breast cancers were not detected on MRI in 24 (75%) patients, including five cases of false-positive MRI results. Twenty-three patients underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) followed by whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT) and chemotherapy (n=17) or subsequent chemotherapy only (n=2). Recurrence or distant metastasis did not occur during follow up in 7/8 patients with MRI-detected primary breast cancers and 22/24 patients with negative MRI results. Regional recurrence or distant metastasis did not occur in any MR-negative patient who received adjuvant chemotherapy after ALND and WBRT.
Conclusion
The prognoses of MR-negative patients with ACUPax who received ALND and WBRT followed by chemotherapy were as good as those of patients with MRI-detected primary breast cancers.
4.Surgical Experience of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Analysis of Postoperative Outcomes
Hee Jeong KANG ; Hee Ryung KIM ; Ha Na LEE ; Chang Myeon SONG ; Yong Bae JI ; Kyung TAE
Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 2021;64(4):252-257
Background and Objectives:
The standard surgical procedure for primary hyperparathyroidism is the bilateral exploration. However, the unilateral exploration and direct focused parathyroidectomy have been performed to reduce surgical morbidity. The purpose of this study was to report the surgical outcomes and efficacy of the bilateral exploration, unilateral exploration, and direct focused approaches for primary hyperparathyroidism.Subjects and Method We retrospectively analyzed the surgical outcomes of 87 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism from January 2007 to December 2017. We compared the operative time, complication and recurrence rate between the three operative methods.
Results:
The most common histopathology was parathyroid adenoma, which was found in 73 cases (83.9%), followed by hyperplasia. In terms of complications, there were two cases of transient vocal cord palsy, one case of hematoma, one case of hypocalcemia and one case of hungry bone syndrome. Recurrence occurred in two (2.3%) out of 87 cases. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between the three surgical approaches.
Conclusion
The success rate of surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism is high. Direct focused parathyroidectomy may be a good option for parathyroid adenoma if the localization tests localize the lesion. The bilateral exploration is effective for parathyroid hyperplasia.
5.A Case of Pediatric Follicular Lymphoma in the Parotid Gland
Hee Ryung KIM ; Jae Young JEONG ; Ye Seul KIM ; Kyung TAE
Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 2021;64(6):439-443
Pediatric follicular lymphoma (PFL) is rare, and it has distinctive characteristics compared to adult-type follicular lymphoma. PFL mainly occurs in males and is likely to be localized to cervical lymph nodes and tonsils. Extranodal type PFL also occurs in the testis, epididymis, skin, gastrointestinal tract, and parotid gland, etc. The prognosis of PFL is better than adulttype follicular lymphoma. Surgical excision is a good option, and the majority of PFL cases show complete remission after surgery. We have encountered a case of PFL of the parotid gland in a 12-year-old boy. Here, we report this case with a review of the literature.
6.Change of Therapeutic Response Classification According to Recombinant Human Thyrotropin‑Stimulated Thyroglobulin Measured at Different Time Points in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Jang Bae MOON ; Subin JEON ; Ki Seong PARK ; Su Woong YOO ; Sae‑Ryung KANG ; Sang‑Geon CHO ; Jahae KIM ; Changho LEE ; Ho‑Chun SONG ; Jung‑Joon MIN ; Hee‑Seung BOM ; Seong Young KWON
Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2021;55(3):116-122
Purpose:
We investigated whether response classification after total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy could be affected by serum levels of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH)-stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) measured at different time points in a follow-up of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
Methods:
A total of 147 PTC patients underwent serum Tg measurement for response assessment 6 to 24 months after the first RAI therapy. Serum Tg levels were measured at 24 h (D1Tg) and 48–72 h (D2-3Tg) after the 2nd injection of rhTSH. Responses were classified into three categories based on serum Tg corresponding to the excellent response (ER-Tg), indeterminate response (IR-Tg), and biochemical incomplete response (BIR-Tg). The distribution pattern of response classification based on serum Tg at different time points (D1Tg vs. D2-3Tg) was compared.
Results:
Serum D2-3Tg level was higher than D1Tg level (0.339 ng/mL vs. 0.239 ng/mL, P < 0.001). The distribution of response categories was not significantly different between D1Tg-based and D2-3Tg-based classification. However, 8 of 103 (7.8%) patients and 3 of 40 (7.5%) patients initially categorized as ER-Tg and IR-Tg based on D1Tg, respectively, were reclassified to IR-Tg and BIR-Tg based on D2-3Tg, respectively. The optimal cutoff values of D1Tg for the change of response categories were 0.557 ng/mL (from ER-Tg to IR-Tg) and 6.845 ng/mL (from IR-Tg to BIR-Tg).
Conclusion
D1Tg measurement was sufficient to assess the therapeutic response in most patients with low level of D1Tg. Nevertheless, D2-3Tg measurement was still necessary in the patients with D1Tg higher than a certain level as response classification based on D2-3Tg could change.
7.Balloon dilation with triamcinolone intralesional injection successfully treated rectal stricture in a three-month kitten
Hee-ryung LEE ; Gareeballah Osman ADAM ; Sei-jin LEE ; Shang-jin KIM
Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 2020;60(1):39-42
This report describes a three-month-old Korean domestic kitten presented with dehydration and poor body condition.Physical examination revealed abdominal distension. Rectal diagnosis was unachievable due to the small rectum diameter. X-ray radiography and endoscopy confirmed presence of abdominal distension and indicated a stricture located 1.5 cm from the anus. A balloon was gently inserted into the rectum and inflated several times followed by triamcinolone injection. Four months later, same procedures were repeated. This report is the first to describe the use of balloon dilation of a rectal stricture followed by intralesional triamcinolone injection in a small cat with poor condition.
8.Clinical Impact of F-18 FDG PET-CT on Biopsy Site Selection in Patients with Suspected Bone Metastasis of Unknown Primary Site
Su Woong YOO ; Md. Sunny Anam CHOWDHURY ; Subin JEON ; Sae-Ryung KANG ; Changho LEE ; Zeenat JABIN ; Jahae KIM ; Sang-Geon CHO ; Ho-Chun SONG ; Hee-Seung BOM ; Jung-Joon MIN ; Seong Young KWON
Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2020;54(4):192-198
Purpose:
We investigated the clinical role of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography(PET-CT) in the identification of the primary site and the selection of the optimal biopsy site in patients with suspectedbone metastasis of unknown primary site.
Methods:
The patients with suspected bone metastasis who underwent PET-CT for evaluation of primary site were enrolled inthis study. The primary sites were identified by the histopathologic or imaging studies and were classified according to the FDGuptake positivity of the primary site. To evaluate the guiding capability of PET-CT in biopsy site selection, we statisticallyanalyzed whether the biopsy site could be affected according to the presence of extra-skeletal FDG uptake.
Results:
Among 74 enrolled patients, 51 patients had a metastatic bone disease. The primary site was identified in 48 of 51patients (94.1%). Forty-six patients were eligible to test the association of clinical choice of biopsy site with PET positivity ofextra-skeletal lesion. The extra-skeletal biopsies were done in 42 out of 43 patients with positive extra-skeletal uptake lesions.Bone biopsies were inevitably performed in the other three patients without extra-skeletal uptake lesions. The association cameout to be significant (Fisher’s exact test, P< 0.001).
Conclusion
F-18 FDG PET-CT significantly contributed not only to identify the primary site but also to suggest optimal biopsysites in patients with suspected bone metastasis.
9.SUVmax Predicts Disease Progression after Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy in Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Yoo-Kang KWAK ; Hee Hyun PARK ; Kyu Hye CHOI ; Eun Young PARK ; Soo Yoon SUNG ; Sea-Won LEE ; Ji Hyun HONG ; Hyo Chun LEE ; Ie Ryung YOO ; Yeon Sil KIM
Cancer Research and Treatment 2020;52(1):85-97
Purpose:
Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) is gaining evidence as a predictive factor in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is the standard treatment in early-stage NSCLC when a patient is unsuitable for surgery. We performed a study to assess the prognostic clinical significance of PET-CT after SABR in early-stage NSCLC.
Materials and Methods:
Seventy-six patients with stage I NSCLC treated with SABR were investigated. Total radiation dose ranged from 36 to 63 Gy in three to eight fractions depending on tumor location and size. Respiratory motion control was implemented at simulation and during treatment. PET-CT prior to SABR was performed in 66 patients (86.8%).
Results:
Median follow-up time was 32 months (range, 5 to 142 months). Local control rate at 1, 2, and 5 years were 95.9%, 92.8%, and 86.7%, respectively. Overall survival (OS) at 1, 2, and 5 years were 91.0%, 71.3%, and 52.1% respectively. Cause-specific survival at 1, 2, and 5 years were 98.6%, 93.1%, and 84.3% respectively. Tumor size and pre-SABR maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) demonstrated statistical significance in the Kaplan-Meier survival analyses with log-rank test. In multivariate analyses pre-SABR SUVmax remained statistically significant in correlation to OS (p=0.024; hazard ratio [HR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 8.8) and with marginal significance in regards to regional progression-free survival (p=0.059; HR, 32.5; 95% CI, 2.6 to 402.5).
Conclusion
Pre-SABR SUVmax demonstrated a predictive power in statistical analyses. Tumors with SUVmax above 6 at diagnosis were associated with inferior outcomes.
10.The Influence of Current Mood States on Screening Accuracy of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire
Hee Ryung WANG ; Won-Myong BAHK ; Bo-Hyun YOON ; Moon-Doo KIM ; Young-Eun JUNG ; Kyung Joon MIN ; Jeongwan HONG ; Young Sup WOO
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2020;18(1):25-31
Objective:
In this study we investigated whether current mood states of patients with bipolar disorder have an influence on the screening accuracy of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ).
Methods:
A total of 452 patients with mood disorder (including 192 with major depressive disorder and 260 with bipolar disorder completed the Korean version of the MDQ. Patients with bipolar disorder were subdivided into three groups (bipolar depressed only, bipolar euthymic only, bipolar manic/hypomanic only) according to current mood states. The screening accuracy of the MDQ including sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were evaluated according to current mood states.
Results:
The optimal cutoff of MDQ was 5 in this study sample. Sensitivity and specificity were not significantly different according to current mood states. Significant differences in AUCs of four independent ROC curves were not found (ROC 1st curve included all bipolar patients; ROC 2nd curve included only bipolar depressed patients; ROC 3rd curve included only bipolar manic/hypomanic patients; ROC 4th curve included only bipolar euthymic patients).
Conclusion
The study results showed that current mood states (either euthymic state, depressed or manic/hypomanic) did not significantly influence the screening accuracy of the MDQ suggesting that the MDQ could be a useful screening instrument for detecting bipolar disorder in clinical practice regardless of the current mood symptoms of subjects.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail