The importance of quality control for dramatically growing genetic tests continues to be emphasized with increasing clinical demands. Diagnostic genetics subcommitee of KSQACP performed two trials for cytogenetic study in 2007. Cytogenetic surveys were performed by 42 laboratories and answered correctly in most laboratories except some problems in karyotype nomenclature and the detection of complex cytogenetic abnormalities in hematologic neoplasias. The molecular genetics surveys included many kinds of tests: M. tuberculosis detection, hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) detection and quantification, human papilloma virus (HPV) genotyping, gene rearrangement tests for leukemias and lymphomas, apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotyping, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2), and genetic tests for hereditary conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Huntington disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, spinal muscular atrophy, and Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome. Molecular genetic surveys showed excellent results in most of participants. External quality assessment program for genetic analysis in 2007 was proved to be helpful in continuous education and evaluation of quality improvement.
Apolipoproteins ; Breast ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetics ; Gene Rearrangement ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Huntington Disease ; Karyotype ; Korea ; Leukemia ; Lymphoma ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Molecular Biology ; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Papilloma ; Quality Control ; Spinocerebellar Ataxias ; Tuberculosis ; Viruses

The importance of quality control for dramatically growing genetic tests continues to be emphasized with increasing clinical demands. Diagnostic genetics subcommitee of KSQACP performed two trials for cytogenetic study in 2007. Cytogenetic surveys were performed by 42 laboratories and answered correctly in most laboratories except some problems in karyotype nomenclature and the detection of complex cytogenetic abnormalities in hematologic neoplasias. The molecular genetics surveys included many kinds of tests: M. tuberculosis detection, hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) detection and quantification, human papilloma virus (HPV) genotyping, gene rearrangement tests for leukemias and lymphomas, apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotyping, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2), and genetic tests for hereditary conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Huntington disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, spinal muscular atrophy, and Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome. Molecular genetic surveys showed excellent results in most of participants. External quality assessment program for genetic analysis in 2007 was proved to be helpful in continuous education and evaluation of quality improvement.
Apolipoproteins ; Breast ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetics ; Gene Rearrangement ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Huntington Disease ; Karyotype ; Korea ; Leukemia ; Lymphoma ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Molecular Biology ; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Papilloma ; Quality Control ; Spinocerebellar Ataxias ; Tuberculosis ; Viruses

PURPOSE: Patients with benign thyroid nodules, presenting symptoms such as dysphagia and choking sensation, increasing tendency of nodular size, or failure of medical treatment, may need surgical management. However, the guidelines for surgical management and optimal extent of resection for benign thyroid nodules were not definitely established until yet. The aim of this study is to evaluate the complications related with extent of surgical resection and to determine the optimal surgical procedure for benign thyroid nodules through long-term results. METHODS: Fifty-five cases with benign thyroid nodules who received surgery at Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital Jan. 1993 to Dec. 1996 were retrospectively evaluated. Inclusion of criteria were follows: pathologically benign, with normal on preoperative thyroid function study, follow-up period with 5 years or more. Follow-up studies were consisted of physical examination, neck ultrasonography, thyroid function test, determination of serum PTH-i and serum calcium level, and laryngoscopic examination if necessary. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 1 to 6.8. Fourth and fifth decades occupied majority (58.2%) of patients. The most common symptom at initial diagnosis was palpable mass on the cervical area (90.9%), followed by palpitation (5.6%) and voice change (5.6%) as their complaints in decreasing order. Average follow-up period was 6.3 years, complications after surgery such as hypoparathyroidism were more frequent in total and subtotal thyroidectomy group than lobectomy group. However, nodular recurrence in remanant thyroid tissues was 13.8% in lobectomy and 9% in subtotal thyroidectomy, The significant factors associated with recurrence were absent, except for age. CONCLUSION: Although remnant thyroid tissue have potential of nodular recurrence, total thyroidectomy have a more risk of permanent hypoparathyroidism. Therefore, we would like to recommend that surgical extent for benign thyroid nodules need to be determinated by experience and skill of surgeon and patient's compliance for long-term medication and regular follow-up study to detect nodular recurrence in remanant thyroid earlier.
Airway Obstruction ; Calcium ; Compliance ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypoparathyroidism ; Jeollanam-do ; Male ; Neck ; Physical Examination ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensation ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule* ; Thyroidectomy ; Ultrasonography ; Voice