Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in adults, associated with hyperuricemia and the chronic deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. Hyperuricemia results from increased production of uric acid and decreased excretion by the kidneys and intestines. Urate excretion is regulated by a group of urate transporters, and decreased renal or intestinal excretion is the primary mechanism of hyperuricemia in most people. Genetic variability in these urate transporters is strongly related to variances in serum urate levels. Not all individuals with hyperuricemia show deposition of MSU crystals or develop gout. The initiation of the inflammatory response to MSU crystals is mainly mediated by the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-, leucine-rich repeat- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. The activated NLRP3 inflammasome complex cleaves pro-interleukin-1β (IL-1β) into its active form, IL-1β, which is a key mediator of the inflammatory response in gout. IL-1β leads to the upregulation of cytokines and chemokines, resulting in the recruitment of neutrophils and other immune cells. Neutrophils recruited to the site of inflammation also play a role in resolving inflammation. Aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) trap and degrade cytokines and chemokines through NET-bound proteases, promoting the resolution of inflammation. Advanced gout is characterized by tophi, chronic inflammatory responses, and structural joint damage. Tophi are chronic foreign body granuloma-like structures containing collections of MSU crystals encased by inflammatory cells and connective tissue. Tophi are closely related to chronic inflammation and structural damage.

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in adults, associated with hyperuricemia and the chronic deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. Hyperuricemia results from increased production of uric acid and decreased excretion by the kidneys and intestines. Urate excretion is regulated by a group of urate transporters, and decreased renal or intestinal excretion is the primary mechanism of hyperuricemia in most people. Genetic variability in these urate transporters is strongly related to variances in serum urate levels. Not all individuals with hyperuricemia show deposition of MSU crystals or develop gout. The initiation of the inflammatory response to MSU crystals is mainly mediated by the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-, leucine-rich repeat- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. The activated NLRP3 inflammasome complex cleaves pro-interleukin-1β (IL-1β) into its active form, IL-1β, which is a key mediator of the inflammatory response in gout. IL-1β leads to the upregulation of cytokines and chemokines, resulting in the recruitment of neutrophils and other immune cells. Neutrophils recruited to the site of inflammation also play a role in resolving inflammation. Aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) trap and degrade cytokines and chemokines through NET-bound proteases, promoting the resolution of inflammation. Advanced gout is characterized by tophi, chronic inflammatory responses, and structural joint damage. Tophi are chronic foreign body granuloma-like structures containing collections of MSU crystals encased by inflammatory cells and connective tissue. Tophi are closely related to chronic inflammation and structural damage.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in adults, associated with hyperuricemia and the chronic deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. Hyperuricemia results from increased production of uric acid and decreased excretion by the kidneys and intestines. Urate excretion is regulated by a group of urate transporters, and decreased renal or intestinal excretion is the primary mechanism of hyperuricemia in most people. Genetic variability in these urate transporters is strongly related to variances in serum urate levels. Not all individuals with hyperuricemia show deposition of MSU crystals or develop gout. The initiation of the inflammatory response to MSU crystals is mainly mediated by the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-, leucine-rich repeat- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. The activated NLRP3 inflammasome complex cleaves pro-interleukin-1β (IL-1β) into its active form, IL-1β, which is a key mediator of the inflammatory response in gout. IL-1β leads to the upregulation of cytokines and chemokines, resulting in the recruitment of neutrophils and other immune cells. Neutrophils recruited to the site of inflammation also play a role in resolving inflammation. Aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) trap and degrade cytokines and chemokines through NET-bound proteases, promoting the resolution of inflammation. Advanced gout is characterized by tophi, chronic inflammatory responses, and structural joint damage. Tophi are chronic foreign body granuloma-like structures containing collections of MSU crystals encased by inflammatory cells and connective tissue. Tophi are closely related to chronic inflammation and structural damage.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.