PURPOSE: Absorbable retaining thread (ART) needle localization utilizes a guiding needle with a thread; this technique was invented to reduce patient discomfort and wire migration. We investigated the feasibility of ultrasound (US)-guided ART needle localization for nonpalpable breast lesions. METHODS: ART needle localization was performed for 26 nonpalpable breast lesions in 26 patients who were scheduled to undergo surgical excision the day after localization. Seventeen breast lesions were initially diagnosed as invasive ductal carcinoma, six as ductal carcinomas in situ, and one as fibrocystic change. The other two cases without an initial pathologic diagnosis had suspicious US features, and excision was planned concomitantly with contralateral breast cancer surgery. The primary outcome was the technical success rate of ART needle localization confirmed by US immediately after the procedure, and the secondary outcomes were the percentage of clear margins on pathology and the complication rate of ART needle localization. RESULTS: The technical success rate of ART needle localization was 96.2% (25 of 26 patients), and the ART was located 1 cm away from the mass in one patient (3.8%). The lesions were successfully removed with clear margins in all 26 patients. No significant complications related to ART needle localization were observed. CONCLUSION: ART needle localization can be an alternative to wire needle localization for nonpalpable breast lesions.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Needles ; Pathology ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Ultrasonography

From January 2008 to January 2013, 11 patients with central renal tumors underwent ultrasound-guided open nephron sparing surgery (ONSS) without renal artery occlusion. We removed the lesions, and the cut edges of the tumors were negative. Thus, we deduced that ultrasound-guided ONSS is suitable for the cases with obscure tumor boundary or multiple lesions. It could achieve the purpose of thoroughly removing lesions, as well as to expand the application range of nephron sparing surgery.
Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Nephrons ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Renal Artery ; pathology ; surgery ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; adverse effects ; methods ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate sequential changes in laboratory markers after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the relationship of these changes to the severity of the underlying liver disease. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 65 patients (44 males, 21 females) who underwent RFA of HCC. Hematologic and biochemical markers were assessed at the pre-RFA period and 1 day, 2-3 days, and 1-2 weeks after RFA. We classified the subjects into two groups: Child-Pugh A (n=41) and Child-Pugh B (n=24). The ablative margin volume (AMV) of each patient was measured. We analyzed the changes in laboratory profiles from the baseline, and investigated whether these laboratory changes were correlated with the AMV and the Child-Pugh classification. RESULTS: Most of the laboratory values peaked at 2-3 days after RFA. AMV was significantly correlated with changes in WBC count, hemoglobin level, and serum total bilirubin level (Pearson's correlation coefficient, 0.324-0.453; P<0.05). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level varied significantly over time (P=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the measured laboratory markers changed from baseline, peaking at 2-3 days. The ALT level was the only parameter for which there was a significant difference after RFA between Child-Pugh A and B patients: it increased significantly more in the Child-Pugh A patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Bilirubin/blood ; Biomarkers/metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology/*surgery/ultrasonography ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology/*surgery/ultrasonography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in designing the indication, treatment protocol and operational skills for patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) near the liver surface.

METHODSSixty-one HCC patients with 69 lesions, confirmed by clinical examination and pathology, underwent percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. The study included 40 cases of liver function Child-Pugh grade A and 21 cases of grade B. The average size of tumors was (3.8 ± 1.2) cm, tumor diameter ≥ 4 cm accounted for 39.1% (27/69 lesions), and the average age was 58.2 years (range, 35-76 years). Taking comprehensive measures, such as intraperitoneal injection of saline adjacent to the tumor before RFA, increasing the puncture sites on the surface of tumor to avoid overlapping of the central portion of tumor, repeated ablation of the needle track to reduce needle tract metastasis, avoid vertical puncture, and other additional measures, to improve the inactivation of tumors adjacent to the liver surface. Enhanced CT/MRI was performed to evaluate the curative effect at 1, 3, 6 and 24 months after the treatment.

RESULTSThe inactivation rate of tumor was 98.6% (68/69 lesions) and local recurrence rate was 5.8%(4/69) after RFA. The tumor-related marker AFP was 1 000-1 500 ng/ml before and reduced to (98.5 ± 42.5) ng/ml after radiofrequency ablation, among them returned to normal in 13 cases (21.3%). Since the ablation area was rather small, the level of serum alanine aminotransferase was elevated only to (148.5 ± 38.5) U/ml at one week after RFA and returned to normal at (1.8 ± 0.6) week after RFA. No patient experienced severe liver dysfunction. The local HCC recurrent rate after RFA was 5.8%(4/69 lesions) and intrahepatic heterotopic recurrence rate was 24.6% (15/61). The 20-61 months follow-up showed that the 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rate was 83.6%, 57.3% and 44.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSUltrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation provides an effective minimally invasive treatment for primary HCC near the liver surface. Taking some additional measures such as intraperitoneal injection of saline, increase of percutaneous puncture sites, and avoiding vertical needle puncture, may reduce complications and improve the therapeutic outcome. RFA is one of effective and minimally invasive treatment and causing less liver damage for primary HCC near the liver surface.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; pathology ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Burden ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic impact of tumor size, ultrasonography, central neck lymph node involvement, and age of patients in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).

METHODSTwo hundred and fifty-four patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection for PTMC between 2012 and 2014 were included in this retrospective study. Statistical correlation between tumor size and various clinicopathological parameters was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. The ultrasound findings were also evaluated.

RESULTSA total of 254 patients (199 females and 55 males) were included in this study. PTMC showed a predilection for female patients, 41-50 years of age (43.3% of all cases, 110/254), and ultrasound showed hypoechoic nodules. Statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between central neck lymph node involvement and the following factors: age and tumor size. A tumor diameter greater than 0.5 mm (67.3% of all cases) most commonly occurred in patients older than 41 years, and was associated with a higher risk of metastatic central neck lymph node involvement (P<0.05). Hashimoto's thyroiditis was noted in the background in 39.4%(100/254) of cases.

CONCLUSIONSTumor size appears to have a prognostic impact in PTMC, and larger size is more likely to be associated with a higher risk of central neck lymph node involvement. It is controversial whether the etiology of papillary thyroid carcinoma is related to Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Analysis of Variance ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Hashimoto Disease ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Neck Dissection ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; Tumor Burden ; Ultrasonography

Charcoal can be used for preoperative localization of metastatic lymph nodes in the neck. Charcoal remains stable without causing foreign body reactions during as hort period. However, foreign body reactions may develop if charcoal is left in situ for more than 6 months. We reported a case of charcoal granuloma mimicking local recurrence on fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography and ultrasonography in a 47-year-old woman who had cervical lymph node dissection due to metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.
Breast Neoplasms/pathology/surgery/therapy ; Carcinoma/*pathology/surgery/therapy ; Cervix Uteri/pathology/ultrasonography ; Charcoal/toxicity ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/diagnostic use ; Granuloma/*diagnosis/pathology ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes/*surgery/ultrasonography ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Radiopharmaceuticals/diagnostic use ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of loco-regional, recurrent, and well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five recurrent well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas (RTC) in 32 patients were treated with RFA, between March 2008 and October 2011. RTCs were detected by regular follow-up ultrasound and confirmed by biopsy. All patients had fewer than 3 RTCs in the neck and were at high surgical risk or refused to undergo repeated surgery. Average number of RFA sessions were 1.3 (range 1-3). Post-RFA biopsy and ultrasound were performed. The mean follow-up period was 30 months. Pre- and post-RFA serum thyroglobulin values were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with 33 RTCs were treated with RFA only, whereas 1 patient with 2 RTCs was treated with RFA followed by surgery. At the last follow-up ultrasound, 31 (94%) of the 33 RTCs treated with RFA alone completely disappeared and the remaining 2 (6%) RTCs showed decreased volume. The largest diameter and volume of the 33 RTCs were markedly decreased by 93.2% (from 8.1 +/- 3.4 mm to 0.6 +/- 1.8 mm, p < 0.001) and 96.4% (from 173.9 +/- 198.7 mm3 to 6.2 +/- 27.9 mm3, p < 0.001), respectively. Twenty of the 21 RTCs evaluated with post-RFA biopsies (95%) were negative for malignancy. One (5%) showed remaining tumor that was removed surgically. The serum thyroglobulin was decreased in 19 of 26 patients (73%). Voice change developed immediately after RFA in 6 patients (19%) and was spontaneously recovered in 5 patients (83%). CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation can be effective in treating loco-regional, recurrent, and well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma in patients at high surgical risk.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma/*pathology/surgery/ultrasonography ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Thyroglobulin/blood ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*pathology/surgery/ultrasonography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the retrieval rate and accuracy of ultrasound (US)-guided 14-G semi-automated core needle biopsy (CNB) for microcalcifications in the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: US-guided 14-G semi-automated CNB procedures and specimen radiography were performed for 33 cases of suspicious microcalcifications apparent on sonography. The accuracy of 14-G semi-automated CNB and radiology-pathology concordance were analyzed and the microcalcification characteristics between groups with successful and failed retrieval were compared. RESULTS: Thirty lesions were successfully retrieved and the microcalcification retrieval rate was 90.9% (30/33). Thirty lesions were successfully retrieved. Twenty five were finally diagnosed as malignant (10 invasive ductal carcinoma, 15 ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS]) and five as benign. After surgery and mammographic follow-up, the 25 malignant lesions comprised 12 invasive ductal carcinoma and 13 DCIS. Three lesions in the failed retrieval group (one DCIS and two benign) were finally diagnosed as two DCIS and one benign after surgery. The accuracy of 14-G semi-automated CNB was 90.9% (30/33) because of two DCIS underestimates and one false-negative diagnosis. The discordance rate was significantly higher in the failed retrieval group than in the successful retrieval group (66.7% vs. 6.7%; p < 0.05). Punctate calcifications were significantly more common in the failed retrieval group than in the successful retrieval group (66.7% vs. 3.7%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: US-guided 14-G semi-automated CNB could be a useful procedure for suspicious microcalcifications in the breast those are apparent on sonography.
Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle/*methods/standards ; Breast/*pathology ; Breast Diseases/pathology/radiography ; Breast Neoplasms/*pathology/surgery/ultrasonography ; Calcinosis/*pathology/ultrasonography ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/*pathology/ultrasonography ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/*pathology/radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; *Ultrasonography, Interventional/standards ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been accepted as a standard treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC). However, the indication of ESD in undifferentiated-type EGC was controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of ESD in undifferentiated-type EGC according to expanded indication. METHODS: At Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, a total of 82 lesions in 81 patients with undifferentiated-type EGC were treated with ESD. The therapeutic outcomes of ESD were evaluated by resection method (en bloc resection; piecemeal resection), histologic curative resection, complications and recurrence rates after ESD. RESULTS: The rate on en bloc resection and complete resection rate were 87.8% (72/82) and 80.5% (66/82), respectively. In signet ring cell carcinoma, the complete resection rate was higher than those in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet ring cell features, but there was no statistical significance (89.3% vs. 75.0%, 76.7%; p=0.347). The lateral margin positivity rate in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, signet ring cell carcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet ring cell features were 12.5%, 3.6% and 13.3%, respectively (p=0.395). The vertical margin positivity rate were 12.5%, 3.6% and 10.0%, respectively (p=0.485). The overall recurrence rate was 3.0% during a mean follow-up period of 37.4 months. CONCLUSIONS: ESD may be considered as a feasible treatment for undifferentiated-type EGC according to expanded indication. The therapeutic outcome of ESD in undifferentiated-type EGC is likely to be favorable, though further longer follow-up studies are needed.
Adenocarcinoma/pathology/*surgery/ultrasonography ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell/pathology/*surgery/ultrasonography ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology/*surgery/ultrasonography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of selective neck dissection in patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma who have a high-risk of lateral neck lymph node metastasis.

METHODSSixty three patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma who have a high-risk of lateral neck lymph node metastasis were prospectively studied at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between August 2006 and June 2011. The patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma easy to occur neck lymph node metastasis include: The maximum diameter of primary tumor is ≥ 2 cm; The primary tumor invaded the thyroid capsule; Lymph node metastasis in level VI is found; Lymph node enlargement in level III or/and IV were detected preoperatively by ultrasonography, but not considered as metastasis. The surgical procedure is that the selective neck dissection in level III and IV is performed depending on the collar incision of thyroid surgery. The lymph node chosen from the specimen has a frozen section. If lymph node metastasis is found in the frozen section, a functional neck dissection should be performed through prolonging the collar incision.

RESULTSAll cases were pathologically confirmed as thyroid papillary carcinoma. The occult metastasis rate of lateral neck lymph nodes was 39.7%. According to the univariate analysis, the patients with thyroid capsule invasion and lymph node metastasis in level VI were more likely to have lateral neck lymph node metastasis, and the occult metastasis rate was 46.9% and 54.3%, respectively (P = 0.028, P = 0.008), and there were statistically no significant difference in the primary tumor size and the preoperative neck lymph node status by ultrasonography with occult metastasis of lateral neck lymph nodes (P = 0.803 and P = 0.072). According to the multivariate analysis, there was a significant correlation only between the lymph node metastasis in level VI and occult metastasis of lateral neck lymph nodes (P = 0.017), but there was no significant correlation with the thyroid capsule invasion, primary tumor size and neck lymph node status by preoperative ultrasonography in prediction of occult metastasis of lateral neck lymph nodes (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSelective neck dissection is feasible for the patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma who have a high-risk lateral neck lymph node metastasis and the lateral occult metastatic lymph node can be promptly found and removed. We suggest that the selective neck dissection for level III and IV should be routinely performed in cN0 thyroid carcinoma patients with thyroid capsule invasion and lymph node metastasis in level VI.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Tumor Burden ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult