Background and Objectives: Various distinct types of tumors can develop in the auricles; however, those have not been thoroughly studied clinically. The aim of the study is to assess the clinical nature of auricular tumors.Subjects and Method We retrospectively reviewed medical records and pathological findings in patients with auricular tumors who underwent surgical interventions at a single institution from January 2011 to October 2023. Cases in which the location of the tumor could be identified and pathological results were confirmed were included. We analyzed age, sex, tumor location and size, tumor occurrence period and causes, recurrence, and pathological results. Results: A total of 98 auricular tumors were included in the study. Auricular tumors were most commonly found on the lobule (32.3%), followed by the helix (30.1%) and the posterior auricle (15.1%). The most prevalent pathological type of auricular tumors was an epidermal cyst (45.2%), followed by keloid (21.5%). A single case of squamous cell carcinoma was reported. Eight tumors recurred following surgical resection, with five cases of keloid, two cases of epidermal cyst, and one case of squamous cell carcinoma, with an average recurrence interval of 6.1 months. Conclusion The present study assessed the largest number of auricular tumors collected in a single institution. Tumors with diverse clinical characteristics can develop in the auricle, and cosmetic considerations must be taken into account before undergoing surgical treatment. The findings of the present study could provide proper approaches to the auricular tumors.

Background: Despite the critical importance of sleep medicine within neurology, notable gaps in education and clinical practice persist among neurologists. This study aims to explore the extent of involvement and the challenges faced by Korean neurologists in sleep medicine, focusing on awareness of polysomnography training program, the operation of sleep study facilities, and educational exposure. Methods: An online survey collected responses from 233 neurologists, focusing on their demographics, knowledge of and involvement in sleep medicine, operation of sleep study facilities, and participation in residency training. Results: The findings indicated that 84.9% of neurologists were aware of polysomnography training program, primarily through professional societies. Nonetheless, 15.1% reported unfamiliarity with these initiatives, with 72.7% of this subgroup expressing interest in sleep medicine yet lacking access to information. In terms of clinical practice, 74 neurologists operated sleep study facilities, with 63% intending to expand. Key operational challenges included staff management, maintaining patient volumes, and inadequate institutional support. Among respondents from teaching hospitals, only 36 out of 114 reported active resident involvement in sleep study interpretations, predominantly hindered by excessive workloads and insufficient staffing. Conclusions A significant number of neurologists have an interest in sleep medicine; however, substantial challenges impede effective education and clinical practice. These results underscore the need for improved educational resources and institutional support to enhance the growth and effectiveness of sleep medicine practices among neurologists.

Background and Objectives: The risk profiles, procedural characteristics, and clinical outcomes for women undergoing bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not well defined compared to those in men. Methods: COronary BIfurcation Stenting III (COBIS III) is a multicenter, real-world registry of 2,648 patients with bifurcation lesions treated with second-generation drug-eluting stents.We compared the angiographic and procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes based on sex. The primary outcome was 5-year target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. Results: Women (n=635, 24%) were older, had hypertension and diabetes more often, and had smaller main vessel and side branch reference diameters than men. The pre- and post-PCI angiographic percentage diameter stenoses of the main vessel and side branch were comparable between women and men. There were no differences in procedural characteristics between the sexes. Women and men had a similar risk of TLF (6.3% vs. 7.1%, p=0.63) as well as its individual components and sex was not an independent predictor of TLF. This finding was consistent in the left main and 2 stenting subgroups. Conclusions In patients undergoing bifurcation PCI, sex was not an independent predictor of adverse outcome.

Background and Objectives: Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain.We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment. Methods: A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or ischemia-driven any revascularization) at 3 years. Results: The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p=0.001). At 3 years, the conservative group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than the aggressive group (13.8% vs. 9.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.21; p=0.049), mainly driven by revascularization of target intermediate lesion (6.5% vs. 1.1%; HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.20–14.73;p<0.001). Between 1 and 3 years after the index procedure, compared to the aggressive group, the conservative group had significantly higher incidence of cardiac death or MI (3.2% vs.0.7%; HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.24–15.22; p=0.022) and ischemia-driven any revascularization. Conclusions For intermediate lesions, medical therapy alone, guided only by angiography, was associated with a higher risk of MACE at 3 years compared with performing PCI, mainly due to increased revascularization.

Purpose: Pediatric papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is recommended to perform aggressive surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.This study was designed to evaluate the concurrent association between multifocality, bilaterality, and the risk of recurrence in pediatric PTC. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pediatric patients (age <19 years) who underwent total thyroidectomy for PTC between 1996 and 2014 in a single tertiary center. Clinicopathological parameters were analyzed to evaluate the prevalence of multifocality, bilaterality, recurrence, and their association. Results: We analyzed 58 pediatric patients with PTC. There was no factor related to the presence of multifocality or bilaterality in multivariate analysis. Also, in univariate analysis, multifocality and bilaterality were not independent risk factors of each other’s presentation (p=0.061 and p=0.061, respectively). Recurrence was observed in 19 (32.8%) patients. In multivariate analysis of recurrence, clear cell subtype, multifocality, and gross extrathyroidal extension (ETE) were independent risk factors (p=0.027, p=0.035, and p=0.038, respectively). Most recurrences (68.4%) happened during the first 4 years of follow-up after the initial thyroidectomy. Conclusion Multifocality and bilaterality were not independent risk factors of each other’s presentation; however, multifocality was the risk factor for recurrence in pediatric PTC. For pediatric PTC, close monitoring for recurrence within the initial 4 years is recommended, particularly in patients with clear cell subtype, multifocality, and gross ETE.

Aortic regurgitation (AR) in children is usually caused by congenital valve anomalies, and Behçet syndrome (BS) can be suspected in cases of isolated AR. Patients with BS undergoing aortic valve surgery due to aortic valve invasion have a high risk of complications, such as leakage around the valve and dehiscence. Cardiovascular involvement occurs in 7%–46% of adult patients with BS and is the main cause of mortality; however, its prevalence is unclear and rare in children. A 12-year-old boy was diagnosed with severe AR associated with BS. A progressive subaortic pseudoaneurysm was observed after aortic valve replacement. The periaortic intracardiac pouch was at risk of rupture; therefore, the patient underwent a Bentall operation. After the Bentall procedure, a newly developed subaortic pseudoaneurysm was detected below the prosthetic valve. However, the risk of rupture reduced as the subaortic pseudoaneurysm regressed with anti-inflammatory drugs alone without reoperation. Repeated surgery is inevitable in patients with BS undergoing aortic valve surgery due to the progressive chronic inflammatory reactions that present with a pseudoaneurysm. Here, we report an 8-year follow-up of a pediatric case of BS with subaortic pseudoaneurysm, highlighting the importance of close follow-up, medical management, and early diagnosis in treating this condition.

Background and Objectives: Various distinct types of tumors can develop in the auricles; however, those have not been thoroughly studied clinically. The aim of the study is to assess the clinical nature of auricular tumors.Subjects and Method We retrospectively reviewed medical records and pathological findings in patients with auricular tumors who underwent surgical interventions at a single institution from January 2011 to October 2023. Cases in which the location of the tumor could be identified and pathological results were confirmed were included. We analyzed age, sex, tumor location and size, tumor occurrence period and causes, recurrence, and pathological results. Results: A total of 98 auricular tumors were included in the study. Auricular tumors were most commonly found on the lobule (32.3%), followed by the helix (30.1%) and the posterior auricle (15.1%). The most prevalent pathological type of auricular tumors was an epidermal cyst (45.2%), followed by keloid (21.5%). A single case of squamous cell carcinoma was reported. Eight tumors recurred following surgical resection, with five cases of keloid, two cases of epidermal cyst, and one case of squamous cell carcinoma, with an average recurrence interval of 6.1 months. Conclusion The present study assessed the largest number of auricular tumors collected in a single institution. Tumors with diverse clinical characteristics can develop in the auricle, and cosmetic considerations must be taken into account before undergoing surgical treatment. The findings of the present study could provide proper approaches to the auricular tumors.

With the increasing emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in organizations and institutions, academic societies in gastroenterology and hepatology are beginning to take actionable steps toward achieving DEI. The successful implementation of DEI initiatives leads to excellence in the field, improved patient outcomes, particularly in areas where health disparities are prevalent, and advances in the gastrointestinal discipline. Such implementation also results in a workforce that better reflects the growing diversity of the population. This review defines DEI and introduces the DEI policies and strategies adopted by the academic societies of gastroenterology in other countries. This paper proposes strategies to integrate DEI better into the Korean Society of Gastroenterology, emphasizing the importance of embedding DEI into the culture and strategic framework. The key strategies include establishing a DEI committee, setting clear targets, and conducting formal assessments to measure DEI progress. This study focused on enhancing workforce diversity, particularly among women and young doctors, and advocates for the need to support their academic development through male allyship and the promotion of equitable and inclusive academic cultures.

Background/Aims: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) frequently occurs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly when influenced by factors such as abdominal infections, IBD flare-ups, or surgical procedures. The implications of PVT range from immediate issues such as intestinal ischemia to long-term concerns including portal hypertension and its complications. However, there is a notable gap in comprehensive studies on PVT in IBD, especially with the increasing incidence of IBD in Asia. This research aimed to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of PVT in patients with IBD at a leading hospital in South Korea. Methods: This retrospective analysis reviewed adult patients diagnosed with both IBD and PVT from 1989 to 2021 at a renowned South Korean medical center. The study focused on patient characteristics, specifics of PVT, administered treatments, and outcomes, all confirmed through enhanced CT scans. Results: A total of 78 patients met the study’s criteria. Notably, only 20.5% (16/78) were treated with oral anticoagulants; however, a vast majority (96.2%; 75/78) achieved complete radiographic resolution (CRR). When comparing patients receiving anticoagulants to those who did not, a significant preference for anticoagulant use was observed in cases where the main portal vein was affected, as opposed to just the left or right veins (p = 0.006). However, multivariable analysis indicated that neither anticoagulant use nor previous surgeries significantly impacted CRR. Conclusions Patients with IBD and PVT generally had favorable outcomes, regardless of anticoagulant use.