Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form of cardiomyopathy in children and often leads to irreversible myocardial dysfunction. To improve the prognosis, it is critical to identify rare but reversible causes. We report a 12-year-old girl referred to the emergency department for dyspnea on exertion and generalized edema that lasted for 1 month. She gained 20 kg over the past 3 years, which had gone uninvestigated. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated left ventricular dysfunction with pericardial effusion. Thyroid function tests revealed concentrations of free T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone of 0.12 ng/dL (reference value, 0.93-1.7) and 86.9 µIU/mL (0.3-4.2), respectively, with anti-thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies elevated, confirming the presence of autoimmune hypothyroidism. We initiated heart failure management alongside levothyroxine replacement therapy. After 5 months of treatment, a follow-up echocardiography showed improved left ventricular and thyroid function.

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) remains a cornerstone of curative treatment for localized and locally advanced prostate cancer. However, dose escalation to improve tumor control is often constrained by the proximity of the rectum, which increases the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary toxicities. Biodegradable rectal spacers inserted between the prostate and rectum have emerged as an effective approach to reduce rectal radiation exposure. This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on indications, contraindications, procedural standards, and clinical management for biodegradable rectal spacer insertion during prostate cancer RT. Materials and Methods: This guideline was developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel through a systematic review of the literature, analysis of international guidelines (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, European Association of Urology, American Society for Radiation Oncology), and expert consensus among radiation oncologists, radiologists, and urologists with clinical experience in spacer insertion. The strength of each recommendation and the level of evidence were classified according to the modified GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) system. Results: Spacer insertion is conditionally recommended (Grade C, Level I) for patients receiving definitive external-beam RT without rectal invasion. It reduces the high-dose rectal irradiation volume (V70–75) by >50%, decreases acute GI toxicity, and helps maintain bowel-related quality of life. However, the benefit for late severe toxicity (grade 2 or higher) remains debated in recent meta-analyses. Contraindications include rectal invasion, anatomical inaccessibility, infection, and material hypersensitivity. Procedures should be performed under local anesthesia in a sterile environment by trained physicians. Short-course antibiotics and simulator-based training, including completion of multiple supervised cases, are advised. Conclusion Biodegradable rectal spacer insertion is clinically validated and effective in reducing acute rectal toxicity. Although pivotal trials demonstrated a favorable procedural safety profile, real-world postmarket data include reports of rare but severe procedural complications. This guideline provides standardized recommendations tailored to Korean clinical practice while remaining consistent with international standards, emphasizing the importance of operator training and careful patient selection.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes and safety profiles of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT)+abiraterone/prednisone with those of ADT+docetaxel in patients with de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Materials and Methods: A web-based database system was established to collect prospective cohort data for patients with mHSPC in Korea. From May 2019 to November 2022, 928 patients with mHSPC from 15 institutions were enrolled. Among these patients, data from 122 patients who received ADT+abiraterone/prednisone or ADT+docetaxel as the primary systemic treatment for mHSPC were collected. The patients were divided into two groups: ADT+abiraterone/prednisone group (n=102) and ADT+docetaxel group (n=20). We compared the demographic characteristics, medical histories, baseline cancer status, initial laboratory tests, metastatic burden, oncological outcomes for mHSPC, progression after mHSPC treatment, adverse effects, follow-up, and survival data between the two groups. Results: No significant differences in the demographic characteristics, medical histories, metastatic burden, and baseline cancer status were observed between the two groups. The ADT+abiraterone/prednisone group had a lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression rate (7.8% vs. 30.0%; p=0.011) and lower systemic treatment discontinuation rate (22.5% vs. 45.0%; p=0.037). No significant differences in adverse effects, oncological outcomes, and total follow-up period were observed between the two groups. Conclusions ADT+abiraterone/prednisone had lower PSA progression and systemic treatment discontinuation rates than ADT+docetaxel. In conclusion, further studies involving larger, double-blinded randomized trials with extended follow-up periods are necessary.

Purpose: In men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), new bone lesions are sometimes not properly categorized through a confirmatory bone scan, and clinical significance of the test itself remains unclear. This study aimed to demonstrate the performance rate of confirmatory bone scans in a real-world setting and their prognostic impact in enzalutamide-treated mCRPC. Materials and Methods: Patients who received oral enzalutamide for mCRPC during 2014-2017 at 14 tertiary centers in Korea were included. Patients lacking imaging assessment data or insufficient drug exposure were excluded. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes included performance rate of confirmatory bone scans in a real-world setting. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed. Results: Overall, 520 patients with mCRPC were enrolled (240 [26.2%] chemotherapy-naïve and 280 [53.2%] after chemotherapy). Among 352 responders, 92 patients (26.1%) showed new bone lesions in their early bone scan. Confirmatory bone scan was performed in 41 patients (44.6%), and it was associated with prolonged OS in the entire population (median, 30.9 vs. 19.7 months; p < 0.001), as well as in the chemotherapy-naïve (median, 47.2 vs. 20.5 months; p=0.011) and post-chemotherapy sub-groups (median, 25.5 vs. 18.0 months; p=0.006). Multivariate Cox regression showed that confirmatory bone scan performance was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval, 0.18 to 0.69; p=0.002). Conclusion Confirmatory bone scan performance was associated with prolonged OS. Thus, the premature discontinuation of enzalutamide without confirmatory bone scans should be discouraged.

Background: Menarche has a significant impact on the progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS); however, studies in this area are insufficient. This study used large-scale school screening data to investigate the relationship between menarcheal age and AIS, especially the severity of scoliosis. Methods: Of 2,326,577 students who participated in school screening for scoliosis (SSS) in South Korea from 2001 to 2021, 38,879 girls with AIS, who experienced menarche, were included. Data including the patient’s demographics, such as menarcheal age, Cobb angle, Risser stage, and the interval between menarche and the time of screening were retrieved from the SSS database.Pearson correlation coefficient was used to identify the changes in menarcheal age according to the birth year and to investigate the relationship between menarcheal age and each variable of interest. Results: Based on the birth year, the mean menarcheal ages in girls with AIS from 1988 to 2008 demonstrated a steadily decreasing trend over time (r = –0.857, p < 0.001). Girls with AIS and late menarche demonstrated a higher Cobb angle at the time of screening (r = 0.095, p < 0.001). Other variables did not significantly correlate with menarcheal age. Conclusions Based on the SSS, a large-scale school screening dataset, menarcheal age in girls with AIS demonstrated an ongoing downward trend in the recent 20 years in South Korea. Notably, girls with AIS and late menarche had a higher Cobb angle at screening. Our findings indicate the need for earlier screening of AIS in girls who have not undergone menarche.

Background: Atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance, contributes to the development of vascular complications. Statin therapy is the primary approach to dyslipidemia management in T2D, however, the role of non-statin therapy remains unclear. Ezetimibe reduces cholesterol burden by inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. Fibrates lower triglyceride levels and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels via peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor alpha agonism. Therefore, when combined, these drugs effectively lower non-HDL-C levels. Despite this, few clinical trials have specifically targeted non-HDL-C, and the efficacy of triple combination therapies, including statins, ezetimibe, and fibrates, has yet to be determined. Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, active-comparator controlled trial involving 3,958 eligible participants with T2D, cardiovascular risk factors, and elevated non-HDL-C (≥100 mg/dL). Participants, already on moderate-intensity statins, will be randomly assigned to either Ezefeno (ezetimibe/fenofibrate) addition or statin dose-escalation. The primary end point is the development of a composite of major adverse cardiovascular and diabetic microvascular events over 48 months. Conclusion This trial aims to assess whether combining statins, ezetimibe, and fenofibrate is as effective as, or possibly superior to, statin monotherapy intensification in lowering cardiovascular and microvascular disease risk for patients with T2D. This could propose a novel therapeutic approach for managing dyslipidemia in T2D.

Background: Numerous studies have investigated methods of predicting postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in lung cancer surgery, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and low forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 ) being recognized as risk factors. However, predicting complications in COPD patients with preserved FEV 1 poses challenges. This study considered various diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO ) parameters as predictors of pulmonary complication risks in mild COPD patients undergoing lung resection. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2019, 2,798 patients undergoing segmentectomy or lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were evaluated. Focusing on 709 mild COPD patients, excluding no COPD and moderate/severe cases, 3 models incorporating DLCO , predicted postoperative DLCO (ppoDLCO ), and DLCO divided by the alveolar volume (DLCO /VA) were created for logistic regression. The Akaike information criterion and Bayes information criterion were analyzed to assess model fit, with lower values considered more consistent with actual data. Results: Significantly higher proportions of men, current smokers, and patients who underwent an open approach were observed in the PPC group. In multivariable regression, male sex, an open approach, DLCO <80%, ppoDLCO <60%, and DLCO /VA <80% significantly influenced PPC occurrence. The model using DLCO /VA had the best fit. Conclusion Different DLCO parameters can predict PPCs in mild COPD patients after lung resection for NSCLC. The assessment of these factors using a multivariable logistic regression model suggested DLCO /VA as the most valuable predictor.