Co-existence of subacute thyroiditis and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is rarely reported. We have recently experienced interesting cases of subacute thyroiditis, which developed while waiting for elective surgery of thyroid cancer in two patients. Two women, aged 52 and 55 years, suspected or diagnosed as PTC complained of anterior neck pain and febrile sensation several weeks before the scheduled surgery. Both cases showed elevated serum thyroid hormones and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone. Ill-defined hypoechoic lesions on ultrasonography and decreased uptake on Tc-99m pertechnetate scan were noted in both lobes. Total thyroidectomy for PTC was performed after relief of symptoms either by steroid or non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug treatment. Pathologic evaluation of surgical specimen revealed multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear cell infiltration. Pathognomic findings of subacute thyroiditis in addition to PTC were observed in both cases.

Objectives: We investigated the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on tuberculosis (TB) management in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study used nationwide ROK TB notification data (98,346 cases) from 2017 to 2020. The median time from the onset of TB symptoms to treatment initiation and the compliance rates with the required timing for notification and individual case investigations were measured and compared across periods and regions affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. Results: TB diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic was delayed. The median time to TB treatment initiation (25 days) in 2020 increased by 3 days compared to that of the previous 3 years (22 days) (p<0.0001). In the outbreak in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi province during August, the time to TB diagnosis was 4 days longer than in the previous 3 years (p=0.0303). In the outbreak in Daegu and Gyeongbuk province from February to March 2020, the compliance rate with the required timing for individual case investigations was 2.2%p points lower than in other areas in 2020 (p=0.0148). For public health centers, the rate was 13%p lower than in other areas (80.3% vs. 93.3%, p=0.0003). Conclusion TB diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic in the ROK were delayed nationwide, especially for patients notified by public-private mix TB control hospitals. TB individual case investigations were delayed in regional COVID-19 outbreak areas (Daegu and Gyeongbuk province), especially in public health centers. Developing strategies to address this issue will be helpful for sustainable TB management during future outbreaks.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) after thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) is the most sensitive marker for detecting recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). In DTC, Tg production is regulated by TSH; however, TSH values after THW are never identical, even in the same patient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of TSH on Tg levels after THW. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TSH and Tg concentrations were measured twice at 2 and 3 weeks after THW in 309 patients with DTC. TSH and Tg levels at these time points were compared. The percent change in TSH (ΔTSH) and change in Tg level (%ΔTg) from 2 to 3 weeks after THW were calculated, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to determine whether ΔTSH could affect %ΔTg. Tg cutoff value for diagnostic imaging was 2 ng/mL. RESULTS: The TSH and Tg values at 3 weeks were significantly higher than those at 2 weeks after THW. Tg values increased significantly to >2 ng/mL after 1 week in 38.5% of the patients with Tg values of 0.2-2 ng/mL at 2 weeks after THW. In patients with Tg values ≥2 ng/mL at 2 weeks after THW, Tg values increased significantly after an additional week of THW. ΔTSH correlated significantly with %ΔTg. CONCLUSION: TSH values differed according to time after THW, and Tg values differed significantly according to TSH values. Therefore, TSH values should be considered carefully when interpreting the meaning of Tg levels in patients with DTC.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Thyroglobulin* ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyrotropin*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether pathologically proven central or lateral lymph node (LN) metastasis (pN1a or pN1b) could affect ablation success and recurrence after high-dose radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation. We also sought to identify the risk factors for long-term recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 277 patients with pN1 disease who had undergone high-dose RAI ablation (5.55 GBq) between 2000 and 2006 were included in this retrospective study. We compared the ablation success rate and the recurrence rate between patients with pN1a and pN1b disease. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for recurrence. RESULTS: The median duration of follow-up was 10.2 years. The overall ablation success rate was 64%, and the ablation success rate in the pN1b group (49%) was lower than in the pN1a group (74%). The overall recurrence rate was 23%, and the recurrence rate in the pN1b group (30%) was higher than in pN1a group (18%). A higher ratio of metastatic LNs, a higher level of pre-ablation thyroglobulin, and ablation failure were significant risk factors for recurrence by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Patients with pN1b disease experienced a lower ablation success rate and a higher recurrence rate than patients with pN1a disease. However, a higher ratio of metastatic LNs, a higher level of pre-ablation thyroglobulin, and ablation failure were stronger risk factors than the pathological N stage for long term recurrence in patients with node-positive PTC.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iodine ; Lymph Nodes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Neoplasms

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether pathologically proven central or lateral lymph node (LN) metastasis (pN1a or pN1b) could affect ablation success and recurrence after high-dose radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation. We also sought to identify the risk factors for long-term recurrence in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 277 patients with pN1 disease who had undergone high-dose RAI ablation (5.55 GBq) between 2000 and 2006 were included in this retrospective study. We compared the ablation success rate and the recurrence rate between patients with pN1a and pN1b disease. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for recurrence. RESULTS: The median duration of follow-up was 10.2 years. The overall ablation success rate was 64%, and the ablation success rate in the pN1b group (49%) was lower than in the pN1a group (74%). The overall recurrence rate was 23%, and the recurrence rate in the pN1b group (30%) was higher than in pN1a group (18%). A higher ratio of metastatic LNs, a higher level of pre-ablation thyroglobulin, and ablation failure were significant risk factors for recurrence by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Patients with pN1b disease experienced a lower ablation success rate and a higher recurrence rate than patients with pN1a disease. However, a higher ratio of metastatic LNs, a higher level of pre-ablation thyroglobulin, and ablation failure were stronger risk factors than the pathological N stage for long term recurrence in patients with node-positive PTC.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iodine ; Lymph Nodes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Consensus ; Hyperthyroidism ; Thyroid Gland

Primary meningeal melanomatosis is a rare, aggressive variant of primary malignant melanoma of the central nervous system, which arises from melanocytes within the leptomeninges and carries a poor prognosis. We report a case of primary meningeal melanomatosis in a 17-year-old man, which was diagnosed with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) PET/CT, and post hoc F-18 FDG PET/MRI fusion images. Whole-body F-18 FDG PET/CT was helpful in ruling out the extracranial origin of melanoma lesions, and in assessing the therapeutic response. Post hoc PET/MRI fusion images facilitated the correlation between PET and MRI images and demonstrated the hypermetabolic lesions more accurately than the unenhanced PET/CT images. Whole body F-18 FDG PET/CT and post hoc PET/MRI images might help clinicians determine the best therapeutic strategy for patients with primary meningeal melanomatosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Neoplasms/*diagnosis/radionuclide imaging ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/diagnostic use ; Humans ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Melanoma/*diagnosis/radionuclide imaging ; Meningeal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/radionuclide imaging ; *Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Radiopharmaceuticals/diagnostic use ; Whole Body Imaging

Radioactive iodine (131I) therapy is a well established treatment modality for patient with hyperthyroidism and differentiated thyroid cancer after total thyroidectomy. Patients may sometimes need to be hospitalized to reduce radiation exposure of other people and relatives from radioactive patients receiving 131I therapy. This review was prepared to present suggestions and recommendations to health providers with reasoned instructions on radiation safety for patients, their families, caregivers, and the public after 131I therapy. The recommendations should help to ensure compliance and reduce the potential for harmful radiation exposure to others, and also to recognize that required actions may differ when attaining compliance with existing local regulations of other jurisdictions. Most of reported suggestions and recommendations are based on data derived from relevant measurements of radiation exposure, 131I clearance and excretion, and reports of the impact of precautions in limiting radiation exposure. We have quoted many descriptions from American Thyroid Association Guidelines in this review, which was published recently and emphasize the roles of the treating physician and the radiation safety officer in individualizing the precautions for each patient while allowing the referring physician to assist in preparing appropriate and adequate pre- and post-therapy actions. We tried to summarize the reported scientific papers and recommendations to provide general principle of radiation protection and some delicate issues in radiation safety after radioiodine therapy for the thyroid disease, to lower radiation exposure from patients to public and medical.
Caregivers ; Compliance ; Dietary Sucrose ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Iodine ; Radiation Protection ; Social Control, Formal ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy

No abstract available.
Humans ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule

No abstract available.
Humans ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule