Purpose: To determine the current management pattern for hordeolum and chalazion among members of the Korean Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (KSOPRS). Methods: An anonymous web-based survey was emailed to 260 current members of the KSOPRS. The survey comprised five sections: differential diagnosis, treatment strategies for hordeolum, treatment strategies for chalazion, postsurgical care, and pediatric-specific approaches. Results: Eighty KSOPRS members participated in this study (response rate, 30.8%). Redness, swelling, and pain were the most important factors for differentiating hordeolum from chalazion. For hordeolum, topical antibiotics are preferred by 59 respondents (73.8%), with 49 (83.7%) considering them effective. Most (62 respondents, 77.6%) pursue nonsurgical treatment for 5 to 14 days before considering incision and curettage. For chalazion, treatment practices are split between conservative management and invasive methods. Intralesional steroid injections are recommended by 55 respondents (68.8%), with a preference for diluted triamcinolone acetonide. Relative to hordeolum, chalazion treatment involves less frequent antibiotic use, with only 21 respondents (26.3%) always recommending antibiotic ointments. Tissue biopsy is considered for abnormal changes in the surrounding tissues (72 respondents, 90.0%) and frequent recurrence (46 respondents, 57.5%). The practices differ between pediatric and adult cases among 38 respondents (47.5%), with 31 (81.4%) extending conservative management and delaying surgical interventions in pediatric cases. Anesthesia preferences for pediatric cases varied, with 40 respondents (50.0%) favoring local anesthesia, 19 (23.8%) opting for monitored anesthesia care, and 13 (16.2%) choosing general anesthesia. Conclusions This survey of the management of hordeolum and chalazion by KSOPRS members has revealed several interesting common practices that are considered valuable by current practitioners.

Incidentally detected gallbladder polyps (GBPs) and gallbladder wall thickening (GBWT) are frequently encountered in clinical practice. However, characterizing GBPs and GBWT in asymptomatic patients can be challenging and may result in overtreatment, including unnecessary follow-ups or surgeries. The Korean Society of Abdominal Radiology (KSAR) Clinical Practice Guideline Committee has developed expert recommendations that focus on standardized imaging interpretation and follow-up strategies for both GBPs and GBWT, with support from the Korean Society of Radiology and KSAR. These guidelines, which address 24 key questions, aim to standardize the approach for the interpretation of imaging findings, reporting, imaging-based workups, and surveillance of incidentally detected GBPs and GBWT. This recommendation promotes evidence-based practice, facilitates communication between radiologists and referring physicians, and reduces unnecessary interventions.

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: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a major preventable cause of intellectual disability, particularly in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, who are at increased risk due to hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis immaturity. Early differentiation between transient CH (TCH) and permanent CH (PCH) is crucial to optimize L-thyroxine (LT4) treatment duration. This study aimed to determine the incidence of PCH among Korean VLBW infants and to identify clinical factors that may aid in distinguishing TCH from PCH. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included VLBW infants diagnosed with CH and treated with LT4 at a single tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between 2011 and 2020. Infants requiring LT4 beyond 3 years were classified as PCH, while those who discontinued earlier were considered TCH. Clinical characteristics, neonatal morbidities, and thyroid-related parameters were compared between the groups. Results: Among 1,292 VLBW infants, 122 (9.4%) were diagnosed with CH. After excluding deaths and those lost to follow-up, 73 infants were included in the final analysis (TCH, n=50; PCH, n=23). The PCH group had a significantly higher mean gestational age and greater LT4 requirements at both 12 and 36 months of age. Major anomalies were more frequently observed in PCH infants, including congenital heart defects. In multivariate analysis, higher gestational age, the presence of major anomalies, screening thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) >10 μIU/mL, and higher LT4 dose at 36 months were significantly associated with PCH. Conclusion The incidence of PCH in Korean VLBW infants was relatively higher than that reported in previous studies studies. Screening TSH level and LT4 dose requirements may support individualized follow-up and help distinguish PCH from TCH.

Endometriosis, a prevalent but debilitating condition affecting women, poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management. The current 2024 guideline, developed by the Korean Society of Endometriosis (KSE), builds upon the 2018 KSE guideline. This guideline aims to provide customized recommendations tailored to Korea’s unique clinical aspects and medical environment, and addresses key areas such as diagnosis, medical and surgical management, considerations for special populations, and its complex relationship with cancer.

Background and Objectives: The Korean Organ Transplant Registry (KOTRY) provided data for this third official report on adult heart transplantation (HT), including information from 709 recipients. Methods: Data from HTs performed at seven major centers in Korea between March 2014 and December 2020 were analyzed, focusing on immunosuppression, acute rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), post-transplant survival, and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) usage. Results: The median ages of the recipients and donors were 56.0 and 43.0 years, respectively.Cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease were the most common preceding conditions for HT. A significant portion of patients underwent HT at waiting list status 1 and 0. In the multivariate analysis, a predicted heart mass mismatch was associated with a higher risk of 1-year mortality. Patients over 70 years old had a significantly increased risk of 6-year mortality. The risk of CAV was higher for male donors and donors older than 45 years. Acute rejection was more likely in patients with panel reactive antibody levels above 80%, while statin use was associated with a reduced risk. The employment of left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation increased from 2.17% to 22.4%. Pre-transplant extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation was associated with worse post-transplant survival. Conclusions In this third KOTRY report, we analyzed changes in the characteristics of adult HT recipients and donors and their impact on post-transplant outcomes. The most notable discovery was the increased use of MCS before HT and their impact on post-transplant outcomes.

Background and Objectives: Among various emerging catheter-based treatments for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the spacer device can reduce the regurgitation orifice without manipulating the valve leaflet. However, its clinical application has been hampered by traumatic anchoring to the myocardium and the coaxial alignment of the balloon resulting in insufficient TR reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the early-stage safety, technical feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the novel atraumatic vertical spacer in patients with isolated severe TR. Methods: All procedures were guided by fluoroscopy and transthoracic echocardiography.The maximum device placement time with an inflated balloon was 24 hours. Changes in the amount of TR, right ventricular function, and patient hemodynamics were measured during balloon deployment. Results: A total of 7 patients (median age 74), underwent successful device implantation without procedure-related complications. During balloon inflation (median 25 minutes), there were no symptoms or signs indicative of TR intolerance. TR was reduced by 1 grade or greater in all patients, with 2 patients exhibiting a reduction of 3 grades, from torrential TR to a moderate degree. Mild TR after balloon inflation was achieved in 3 patients with baseline severe TR. The TR reduction observed during initial balloon deployment was sustained during the subsequent balloon maintenance period. Conclusions The Pivot-balloon procedure was safe, technically feasible, and effective in reducing TR in patients with severe TR. No periprocedural complications or adverse cardiovascular events were reported during device placement with TR reduction observed in all patients. However, longer-term follow-up is needed to confirm safety and treatment effect.

Purpose: This study elucidates the mechanism of the physiological effect of cannabidiol (CBD) by assessing its impact on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RWPE-1 cells and prostatitis-induced by 17β-estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in a rat model, focusing on its therapeutic potential for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Materials and Methods: RWPE-1 cells were stratified in vitro into three groups: (1) controls, (2) cells with LPS-induced inflammation, and (3) cells with LPS-induced inflammation and treated with CBD. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and western blots were performed on cellular components and supernatants after administration of CBD. Five groups of six Sprague–Dawley male rats were assigned: (1) control, (2) CP/CPPS, (3) CP/CPPS and treated with 50 mg/kg CBD, (4) CP/CPPS and treated with 100 mg/kg CBD, and (5) CP/CPPS and treated with 150 mg/kg CBD. Prostatitis was induced through administration of 17β-estradiol and dihydrotestosterone. After four weeks of CBD treatment, a pain index was evaluated, and prostate tissue was collected for subsequent histologic examination and western blot analysis. Results: CBD demonstrated efficacy in vivo for CP/CPPS and in vitro for inflammation. It inhibited the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)uclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway by activating the CB2 receptor, reducing expression of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) (p<0.01). CBD exhibited analgesic effects by activating and desensitizing the TRPV1 receptor. Conclusions CBD inhibits the TLR4/NF-κB pathway by activating the CB2 receptor, desensitizes the TRPV1 receptor, and decreases the release of COX2. This results in relief of inflammation and pain in patients with CP/CPPS, indicating CBD as a potential treatment for CP/CPPS.

Background: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition offers potential anticancer effects across diverse cancers due to HDAC's significant role in cancer development and progression. Consequently, we demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of the novel HDAC inhibitor, CG-745, in comparison with existing inhibitors such as suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Methods: CG-745's effect on apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction was investigated using annexin V assay, MitoSoX, and Western blot in human A549 and H460 cells. Additionally, HDAC expression was analyzed through real-time polymerase chain reaction. We also evaluated the inhibitory effect of CG-745 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) via Western blot, scratch analysis, and matrigel invasion analysis. Results: Compared to SAHA, CG-745 inhibited cell viability and mRNA expression of HDACs such as HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, and HDAC8. It also induced apoptosis, ROS, and mitochondrial dysfunction in a concentration-dependent manner. CG-745 reversed EMT triggered by TGF-β1 in A549 and H460 cells, and curtailed the migration and invasion enhanced by TGF-β1. CG-745 has demonstrably inhibited EMT and induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Conclusion CG-745 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for NSCLC treatment.

Purpose: To determine the current management pattern for hordeolum and chalazion among members of the Korean Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (KSOPRS). Methods: An anonymous web-based survey was emailed to 260 current members of the KSOPRS. The survey comprised five sections: differential diagnosis, treatment strategies for hordeolum, treatment strategies for chalazion, postsurgical care, and pediatric-specific approaches. Results: Eighty KSOPRS members participated in this study (response rate, 30.8%). Redness, swelling, and pain were the most important factors for differentiating hordeolum from chalazion. For hordeolum, topical antibiotics are preferred by 59 respondents (73.8%), with 49 (83.7%) considering them effective. Most (62 respondents, 77.6%) pursue nonsurgical treatment for 5 to 14 days before considering incision and curettage. For chalazion, treatment practices are split between conservative management and invasive methods. Intralesional steroid injections are recommended by 55 respondents (68.8%), with a preference for diluted triamcinolone acetonide. Relative to hordeolum, chalazion treatment involves less frequent antibiotic use, with only 21 respondents (26.3%) always recommending antibiotic ointments. Tissue biopsy is considered for abnormal changes in the surrounding tissues (72 respondents, 90.0%) and frequent recurrence (46 respondents, 57.5%). The practices differ between pediatric and adult cases among 38 respondents (47.5%), with 31 (81.4%) extending conservative management and delaying surgical interventions in pediatric cases. Anesthesia preferences for pediatric cases varied, with 40 respondents (50.0%) favoring local anesthesia, 19 (23.8%) opting for monitored anesthesia care, and 13 (16.2%) choosing general anesthesia. Conclusions This survey of the management of hordeolum and chalazion by KSOPRS members has revealed several interesting common practices that are considered valuable by current practitioners.