Background: Although almost all interventional pulmonologists agree that rigid bronchoscopy is irreplaceable in the field of interventional pulmonology, less is known about the types of diseases that the procedure is used for and what difficulties the operators face during the procedure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate what diseases rigid bronchoscopy is used for, whether it is widely used, and what challenges the operators face in Korea. Methods: We enrolled 14 hospitals in this retrospective cohort of patients who underwent rigid bronchoscopy between 2003 and 2020. An online survey was conducted with 14 operators to investigate the difficulties associated with the procedure. Results: While the number of new patients at Samsung Medical Center (SMC) increased from 189 in 2003–2005 to 468 in 2018–2020, that of other institutions increased from 0 to 238.The proportion of SMC patients in the total started at 100% and steadily decreased to 59.2%.The proportion of malignancy as the indication for the procedure steadily increased from 29.1% to 43.0%, whereas post-tuberculous stenosis (25.4% to 12.9%) and post-intubation stenosis (19.0% to 10.9%) steadily decreased (all P for trends < 0.001). In the online survey, half of the respondents stated that over the past year they performed less than one procedure per month. The fewer the procedures performed within the last year, the more likely collaboration with other departments was viewed as a recent obstacle (Spearman correlation coefficient, r s = −0.740, P = 0.003) and recent administrative difficulties were encountered (r s = −0.616, P = 0.019). Conclusion This study demonstrated that the number of patients undergoing rigid bronchoscopy has been increasing, especially among cancer patients. For this procedure to be used more widely, it will be important for beginners to systematically learn about the procedure itself as well as to achieve multidisciplinary consultation.

Breast metastases from extramammary malignancies are rare. Here, we report a case of breast metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after breast mass excision in a 63-year-old woman. A new breast nodule was noticed after transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial radioembolization, and stereotactic body radiation therapy for HCC. Breast ultrasound and core needle biopsy were performed to differentiate between the breast tumors. The biopsy result was invasive breast carcinoma, and wide excision of the breast was performed. The final pathological diagnosis was HCC breast metastasis based on histological findings and immunohistochemical staining results. After 9 months of follow-up, HCC and breast metastasis recurred. Despite palliative treatment, the patient died due to complications and general health deterioration. Although breast metastasis due to HCC is very rare, HCC breast metastasis should be considered when a new breast mass is discovered in a patient with a history of HCC for effective treatment and management.

Purpose: To confirm that the phaco chop method using an illuminated chopper (iChopper; Oculight, Seongnam, Korea) can reduce cataract surgery complications, and that even beginners can safely and effectively perform phaco chop. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of the first 30 phaco chop cases using illuminated chopper of four cataract surgeons. Four ophthalmologists had a variety of empirical backgrounds, from those who have experienced more than 10,000 cataract surgery, to beginners who have experienced 20 cataract surgery. Results: Of the total 120 eyes, two eyes (1.67%) had posterior capsule rupture. The chopping method was changed from phaco chop to stop and chop in three eyes (2.5%) including one eye with brown cataract with pseudoexofoliation syndrome and two eyes with nuclear opacity grade ≥5. Conclusions The rates of posterior capsule rupture of phaco chop using an illuminated chopper were very low in four surgeons with various experiences and who became proficient shortly in phaco chop.

Purpose: To minimize ultrasound power use and surgical phaco time in illuminated chop cataract surgery. Methods: The charts of patients who underwent senile cataract surgery by a single surgeon were reviewed retrospectively. A conventional intracameral endoilluminator was used in a Stop & Chop group (n = 45), while an illuminated chopper was used in an illuminated chop (I-Chop) group (n = 71). EFX, a unitless value that roughly correlates with ultrasound energy during phacoemulsification, surgical phaco time, and changes in endothelial cell count were compared between the two groups and the ratio of zero phacoemulsification in the I-Chop group was evaluated. Results: EFX of the Stop & Chop and I-Chop groups was 18.08 ± 16.15 and 0.82 ± 3.53, respectively (p = 0.001), while the surgical phaco time was 185.08 ± 41.42 and 162.04 ± 49.65 seconds (p = 0.01). However, the endothelial loss did not differ in the two groups (7.03 ± 7.89 vs. 7.13 ± 9.47%, p = 0.76). In the I-Chop group, 56 (86%) eyes had zero phaco energy and patients with EFX >1 (n = 6) had more severe nuclear sclerosis grading (2.90 ± 0.71 vs. 4.5 ± 1.0; p = 0.001). Conclusions The I-Chop group had lower EFX and shorter surgical phaco time than the Stop & Chop group. Illuminated chop using an illuminated chopper is one way to attain minimal phacoemulsification.

In 2016, the World Health Organization revised the diagnostic criteria for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) based on the discovery of disease-driving genetic aberrations and extensive analysis of the clinical characteristics of patients with MPNs. Recent studies have suggested that additional somatic mutations have a clinical impact on the prognosis of patients harboring these genetic abnormalities. Treatment strategies have also advanced with the introduction of JAK inhibitors, one of which has been approved for the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis and those with hydroxyurea-resistant or intolerant polycythemia vera. Recently developed drugs aim to elicit hematologic responses, as well as symptomatic and molecular responses, and the response criteria were refined accordingly. Based on these changes, we have revised the guidelines and present the diagnosis, treatment, and risk stratification of MPNs encountered in Korea.

Placental chorioangioma is a benign non-trophoblastic tumor of the placenta that can have various adverse effects on the mother and fetus depending on its size. Chorioamniotic membrane separation is rare condition of detachment between the amniotic membrane and chorionic membrane. Chorioamniotic membrane separation after the second trimester of pregnancy is usually occurs after invasive procedures or may occur spontaneously; it is mostly associated with fetal abnormalities. Here, we report a case of chorioamniotic membrane separation that might be occurred caused by the seromucinous secretion from a placental chorioangioma.
Amnion ; Chorion ; Female ; Fetus ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Membranes* ; Mothers ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second

PURPOSE: To assess the changes in mean corneal refractive power (DeltaK) following pterygium surgery and to predict DeltaK in cases of combined cataract and pterygium surgery. METHODS: Thirty-seven eyes of unilateral pterygium patients who underwent pterygium surgery were analyzed retrospectively with at least more than 1 month of follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative 1 month corneal refractive power was measured using auto-keratometer (RK-F1, Canon, Tokyo, Japan). Pterygium horizontal extension, width, and area were measured and correlation with DeltaK before and after surgery analyzed. We also compared DeltaK of the contralateral normal eye. RESULTS: The mean corneal refractive (Km) power measured before and 1 month after surgery was 43.30 +/- 1.66 D and 44.07 +/- 1.42 D, respectively. The Km significantly increased at 4 weeks after surgery (p < 0.001). However, postoperative Km was not significantly different when compared with the contralateral normal eye (43.86 +/- 1.34 D; p = 0.59). All parameters of pterygium size including horizontal extension, width, and area were positively correlated with the mean DeltaK. Among parameters, horizontal extension was best correlated with mean DeltaK (p < 0.001). The mean DeltaK with horizontal extension was predicted using linear regression (2.5 mm to 1 D, 4.0 mm to 1.8 D). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend contralateral corneal refractive power or prediction of corneal refractive power using linear regression with pterygium horizontal extension for determining intraocular lens power in cases of combined cataract and pterygium surgery.
Cataract ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Linear Models ; Pterygium* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer has gained acceptance and popularity worldwide. However, laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer is still controversial. Therefore, we propose this prospective randomized controlled multi-center trial in order to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopy assisted D2-gastrectomy for advanced stage gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer staged cT2/3/4 cN0/1/2/3a cM0 by endoscopy and computed tomography are eligible for enrollment after giving their informed consent. Patients will be randomized either to laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy or open distal gastrectomy. Sample size calculation revealed that 102 patients are to be included per treatment arm. The primary endpoint is the non-compliance rate of D2 dissection; relevant secondary endpoints are three-year disease free survival, surgical and postoperative complications, hospital stay and unanimity rate of D2 dissection evaluated by reviewing the intraoperative video documentation. DISCUSSION: Oncologic safety is the major concern regarding laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. Therefore, the non-compliance rate of clearing the N2 area was chosen as the most important parameter for the technical feasibility of the laparoscopic procedure. Furthermore, surgical quality will be carefully reviewed, that is, three independent experts will review the video records and score with a check list. For a long-term result, disease free survival is considered a secondary endpoint for this trial. This study will offer promising evidence of the feasibility and safety of Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.Trial Registration: NCT01088204 (international), NCCCTS-09-448 (Korea).
Arm ; Disease-Free Survival ; Endoscopy ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies ; Sample Size ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: The survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases is reported to be 3~6 months even with aggressive treatment. Some patients have very short survival after aggressive treatment and reliable prognostic scoring systems for patients with cancer have a strong correlation with outcome, often supporting decision making and treatment recommendations. METHODS: A total of one hundred twenty two NSCLC patients with brain metastases who received gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) were analyzed. Survival analysis was calculated in all patients for thirteen available prognostic factors and four prognostic scoring systems: score index for radiosurgery (SIR), recursive partitioning analysis (RPA), graded prognostic assessment (GPA), and basic score for brain metastases (BSBM). RESULTS: Age, Karnofsky performance status, largest brain lesion volume, systemic chemotherapy, primary tumor control, and medication of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor were statistically independent prognostic factors for survival. A multivariate model of SIR and RPA identified significant differences between each group of scores. We found that three-tiered indices such as SIR and RPA are more useful than four-tiered scoring systems (GPA and BSBM). CONCLUSION: There is little value of RPA class III (most unfavorable group) for the same results of 6-month and 1-year survival rate. Thus, SIR is the most useful index to sort out patients with poorer prognosis. Further prospective trials should be performed to develop a new molecular- and gene-based prognostic index model.
Brain ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Decision Making ; Humans ; Karnofsky Performance Status ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Outpatients ; Prognosis ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Radiosurgery ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Survival Rate

Biliary papillomatosis is a rare disease with a high risk of recurrence and malignant transformation. Therapeutic options include partial hepatectomy, Whipple's procedure and liver transplantation. If there is no surgical option left due to several reasons, local palliative procedures such as biliary stenting and drainage for the treatment of cholestasis are considered, but tumor growth cannot be influenced. Photodynamic therapy might be a new additional, palliative option for patients with biliary papillomatosis who are not eligible for surgery. Benign biliary stricture is a rare complication of photodynamic therapy. We report here a case of a 63-year-old male who developed benign biliary stricture after photodynamic therapy using the photosensitizer photofrin.
Cholestasis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dihematoporphyrin Ether ; Drainage ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Papilloma ; Photochemotherapy ; Rare Diseases ; Recurrence ; Stents