1.2024 KSoLA Consensus on the Management of Secondary Dyslipidemia
Hoyoun WON ; Jae Hyun BAE ; Hyunjung LIM ; Minji KANG ; Minjoo KIM ; Sang-Hak LEE ;
Korean Journal of Medicine 2025;100(1):5-18
Secondary dyslipidemia, characterized by elevated blood cholesterol and triglycerides, arises from various underlying conditions. The identification and appropriate handling of these causes is crucial for effective treatment. Major contributors include unhealthy diets, diseases impacting lipid metabolism, and medication side effects. Prioritizing the correction of secondary causes before initiating conventional lipid-lowering therapies is essential. Subsequent lipid profiles guide the selection of appropriate guideline-based lipid-lowering interventions.
2.Imaging Findings of Complications of New Anticancer Drugs
Ji Sung JANG ; Hyo Jung PARK ; Chong Hyun SUH ; Sang Eun WON ; Eun Seong LEE ; Nari KIM ; Do-Wan LEE ; Kyung Won KIM
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(2):156-168
The anticancer drugs have evolved significantly, spanning molecular targeted therapeutics (MTTs), immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Complications associated with these drugs vary widely based on their mechanisms of action. MTTs that target angiogenesis can often lead to complications related to ischemia or endothelial damage across various organs, whereas non-anti-angiogenic MTTs present unique complications derived from their specific pharmacological actions. ICIs are predominantly associated with immunerelated adverse events, such as pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, thyroid disorders, hypophysitis, and sarcoid-like reactions. CAR-T therapy causes unique and severe complications including cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. ADCs tend to cause complications associated with cytotoxic payloads. A comprehensive understanding of these drug-specific toxicities, particularly using medical imaging, is essential for providing optimal patient care. Based on this knowledge, radiologists can play a pivotal role in multidisciplinary teams. Therefore, radiologists must stay up-to-date on the imaging characteristics of these complications and the mechanisms underlying novel anticancer drugs.
3.Frequently Asked Questions on Imaging in Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy Clinical Trials
Sang Eun WON ; Eun Sung LEE ; Chong Hyun SUH ; Sinae KIM ; Hyo Jung PARK ; Kyung Won KIM ; Jeffrey P. GUENETTE
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(5):471-484
Clinical trials for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy are in the early stages but are expected to progress alongside new treatment approaches. This suggests that imaging will play an important role in monitoring disease progression, treatment response, and treatment-related side effects. There are, however, challenges that remain unresolved, regarding imaging in CAR T-cell therapy. We herein discuss the role of imaging, focusing on how tumor response evaluation varies according to cancer type and target antigens in CAR T-cell therapy. CAR T-cell therapy often produces rapid and significant responses, and imaging is vital for identifying side effects such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. Radiologists should be aware of drug mechanisms, response assessments, and associated toxicities to effectively support these therapies. Additionally, this article highlights the importance of the Lugano criteria, which is essential for standardized assessment of treatment response, particularly in lymphoma therapies, and also explores other factors influencing imaging-based evaluation, including emerging methodologies and their potential to improve the accuracy and consistency of response assessments.
4.Primary Cholangiocarcinoma of the Liver Presenting as a Complicated Hepatic Cyst: A Diagnostic Challenge
Chang Won HA ; Sang Deok SHIN ; Myung Ji GOH ; Byeong Geun SONG ; Wonseok KANG ; Dong Hyun SINN ; Geum-Youn GWAK ; Yong-Han PAIK ; Moon Seok CHOI ; Joon Hyeok LEE
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology 2025;85(1):83-88
Primary cholangiocarcinoma is a rare bile duct epithelial neoplasm that can present with atypical clinical manifestations, complicating its diagnosis. A 62-year-old male showed symptoms suggestive of a complicated hepatic cyst that was later identified as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The patient presented with abdominal discomfort without fever. Imaging revealed a large cystic lesion in the liver. Despite the initial treatment for a presumed abscess, a biopsy confirmed cholangiocarcinoma. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of distinguishing between benign complicated hepatic cysts and malignancies, particularly when typical markers of infection are absent. Early biopsy and vigilant assessments are crucial in such presentations to avoid a delayed diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment.
5.Miliary Tuberculosis Initially Presenting as an Isolated Hepatic Abscess
Chang Won HA ; Sang Deok SHIN ; Myung Ji GOH ; Byeong Geun SONG ; Wonseok KANG ; Dong Hyun SINN ; Geum-Youn GWAK ; Yong-Han PAIK ; Moon Seok CHOI ; Joon Hyeok LEE
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology 2025;85(1):78-82
Hepatic tuberculosis, typically associated with miliary tuberculosis, can occasionally present as localized liver lesions. This case report describes a 77-year-old male presenting with persistent abdominal pain and fever, following an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for bile duct sludge removal. Subsequent computed tomography revealed focal liver lesions. Despite initial treatment with antibiotics for a suspected inflammatory liver abscess, his condition did not improve. A liver biopsy was performed, revealing caseous granulomas, and the tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction result was positive. The patient was diagnosed with primary hepatic tuberculosis, which later disseminated. Oral anti-tuberculosis therapy was initiated and is currently being closely monitored. This case emphasizes the importance of considering hepatic tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of liver lesions, particularly in cases involving cholestatic liver function tests, and persistent symptoms unresponsive to conventional antibiotics.
6.Imaging Findings of Complications of New Anticancer Drugs
Ji Sung JANG ; Hyo Jung PARK ; Chong Hyun SUH ; Sang Eun WON ; Eun Seong LEE ; Nari KIM ; Do-Wan LEE ; Kyung Won KIM
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(2):156-168
The anticancer drugs have evolved significantly, spanning molecular targeted therapeutics (MTTs), immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Complications associated with these drugs vary widely based on their mechanisms of action. MTTs that target angiogenesis can often lead to complications related to ischemia or endothelial damage across various organs, whereas non-anti-angiogenic MTTs present unique complications derived from their specific pharmacological actions. ICIs are predominantly associated with immunerelated adverse events, such as pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, thyroid disorders, hypophysitis, and sarcoid-like reactions. CAR-T therapy causes unique and severe complications including cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. ADCs tend to cause complications associated with cytotoxic payloads. A comprehensive understanding of these drug-specific toxicities, particularly using medical imaging, is essential for providing optimal patient care. Based on this knowledge, radiologists can play a pivotal role in multidisciplinary teams. Therefore, radiologists must stay up-to-date on the imaging characteristics of these complications and the mechanisms underlying novel anticancer drugs.
7.Frequently Asked Questions on Imaging in Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy Clinical Trials
Sang Eun WON ; Eun Sung LEE ; Chong Hyun SUH ; Sinae KIM ; Hyo Jung PARK ; Kyung Won KIM ; Jeffrey P. GUENETTE
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(5):471-484
Clinical trials for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy are in the early stages but are expected to progress alongside new treatment approaches. This suggests that imaging will play an important role in monitoring disease progression, treatment response, and treatment-related side effects. There are, however, challenges that remain unresolved, regarding imaging in CAR T-cell therapy. We herein discuss the role of imaging, focusing on how tumor response evaluation varies according to cancer type and target antigens in CAR T-cell therapy. CAR T-cell therapy often produces rapid and significant responses, and imaging is vital for identifying side effects such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. Radiologists should be aware of drug mechanisms, response assessments, and associated toxicities to effectively support these therapies. Additionally, this article highlights the importance of the Lugano criteria, which is essential for standardized assessment of treatment response, particularly in lymphoma therapies, and also explores other factors influencing imaging-based evaluation, including emerging methodologies and their potential to improve the accuracy and consistency of response assessments.
8.Primary Cholangiocarcinoma of the Liver Presenting as a Complicated Hepatic Cyst: A Diagnostic Challenge
Chang Won HA ; Sang Deok SHIN ; Myung Ji GOH ; Byeong Geun SONG ; Wonseok KANG ; Dong Hyun SINN ; Geum-Youn GWAK ; Yong-Han PAIK ; Moon Seok CHOI ; Joon Hyeok LEE
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology 2025;85(1):83-88
Primary cholangiocarcinoma is a rare bile duct epithelial neoplasm that can present with atypical clinical manifestations, complicating its diagnosis. A 62-year-old male showed symptoms suggestive of a complicated hepatic cyst that was later identified as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The patient presented with abdominal discomfort without fever. Imaging revealed a large cystic lesion in the liver. Despite the initial treatment for a presumed abscess, a biopsy confirmed cholangiocarcinoma. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of distinguishing between benign complicated hepatic cysts and malignancies, particularly when typical markers of infection are absent. Early biopsy and vigilant assessments are crucial in such presentations to avoid a delayed diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment.
9.Miliary Tuberculosis Initially Presenting as an Isolated Hepatic Abscess
Chang Won HA ; Sang Deok SHIN ; Myung Ji GOH ; Byeong Geun SONG ; Wonseok KANG ; Dong Hyun SINN ; Geum-Youn GWAK ; Yong-Han PAIK ; Moon Seok CHOI ; Joon Hyeok LEE
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology 2025;85(1):78-82
Hepatic tuberculosis, typically associated with miliary tuberculosis, can occasionally present as localized liver lesions. This case report describes a 77-year-old male presenting with persistent abdominal pain and fever, following an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for bile duct sludge removal. Subsequent computed tomography revealed focal liver lesions. Despite initial treatment with antibiotics for a suspected inflammatory liver abscess, his condition did not improve. A liver biopsy was performed, revealing caseous granulomas, and the tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction result was positive. The patient was diagnosed with primary hepatic tuberculosis, which later disseminated. Oral anti-tuberculosis therapy was initiated and is currently being closely monitored. This case emphasizes the importance of considering hepatic tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of liver lesions, particularly in cases involving cholestatic liver function tests, and persistent symptoms unresponsive to conventional antibiotics.
10.The Older the Patients, the More Aggressive the Prostate Cancer Detected Even Among Those With a Prostate-Specific Antigen Level Below the Low-Risk Threshold: Analysis Using Nationwide Korean Data
Jong Hyun PYUN ; Young Hwii KO ; Sang Won KIM ; Sung Gu KANG ; Nak-Hoon SON
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(15):e57-
Background:
To investigate the clinicopathologic pattern of prostate cancer (PCa) in elderly patients compared with their younger counterparts with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level below the low-risk threshold (< 10 ng/mL), which is often a deciding factor for biopsy.
Methods:
A nationwide database of PCa at the time of biopsy from 2010 to 2020 was constructed from 39 hospitals. Patients were categorized into age groups of < 64 years, 65–69 years, 70–74 years, and ≥ 75 years considering guidelines that recommend PSA testing only for those aged 55–69 years during the study period, the average age of Korean PCa registrants of 70.3 years (2010–2020), and the average life expectancy of Korean males of 80.3 years (2020).
Results:
The mean ± standard deviation age was 70.3 ± 8.2 years, which was normally distributed (kurtosis = 0.095). Among 14,548 subjects, 54.1%, 39.5%, and 6.4% of them had high-risk disease, intermediate-risk disease, and low-risk disease, respectively. Based on three risk parameters, a marked increase in high-risk cancer was observed in the oldest age group (linear combination, P < 0.001). The same pattern was observed among patients with low-risk disease (PSA < 10 ng/mL), who were divided into PSA tiers as follows: 4–5 ng/mL (P < 0.001), 5–6 ng/mL (P < 0.001), 6–7 ng/mL (P < 0.001), 7–8 ng/mL (P < 0.001), 8–9 ng/mL (P = 0.009), and 9–10 ng/mL (P < 0.001). In all PSA tiers between 4 and 10 ng/mL, multivariate analysis demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of high-risk cancer in the oldest age group than in the youngest age group. In the lowest tier (4–5 ng/mL), 35.2% of those aged over 75 years had high-risk PCa.
Conclusion
The older the patient, the more aggressive the PCa. Moreover, there was an increase in high-risk PCa in older males compared with younger males even with a PSA level below the low-risk threshold of 10 ng/mL, suggesting the need to strengthen cancer screening policies in the older population.

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