Most patients with PTMC demonstrate excellent clinical outcomes, and distant metastases rarely occur. However, distant metastasis of PTMC can be fatal. Performing a meticulous pathologic examination of metastatic LNs to identify the presence of extranodal extension and the pathologic subtype of metastatic LNs helps to assess the risk of a distant metastasis in patients with PTMC.

Background: Low serum vitamin D levels have been associated with several autoimmune diseases, but their association with thyroid autoimmunity is unclear. We evaluated the association of serum vitamin D levels with the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Methods: Our cross-sectional study included subjects who underwent routine health checkups, which included assays of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab), as well as thyroid ultrasonography (US) between 2008 and 2012 at the Asan Medical Center. We defined AITD according to the levels of TPO-Ab and US findings. Results: A total of 6685 subjects (58% male; 42% female) were enrolled for this study. Overall prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity and both TPO-Ab/US positivity were 10.1% (6.3% male; 15.3% female) and 5.4% (2.3% male; 9.7% female) respectively. In female subjects, mean serum 25(OH)D3 levels were significantly lower in the TPO-Ab(+) (22.0 vs. 23.5 ng/mL, p = 0.030) and TPO-Ab(+)/US(+) groups (21.6 vs. 23.4 ng/mL, p = 0.027) compared with the control group, respectively. According to the levels of serum 25(OH)D3, the prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity (21.2%, 15.5%, and 12.6% in deficient, insufficient, and sufficient group, respectively; p = 0.001) and both TPO-Ab and US positivity (14.7%, 9.9%, and 7.1% in deficient, insufficient, and sufficient group, respectively; p < 0.001) decreased in female subjects. Interestingly, this pattern was significant only in pre-menopausal women ( p = 0.003 and p < 0.001; respectively), but not in postmenopausal women. Multivariate analysis indicated that the adjusted odds ratios (

A thyroglossAl duct cyst (TGDC), which is found in approximately 7% of the population, originates from the persistent tract formed during migration of the rudimentary thyroid gland between the base of the tongue and the anterior cervical region [1,2]. It is the most common of the congenital anomalies of the neck and represents over 75% of childhood midline neck masses [3,4]. Malignant changes in a TGDC are very rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases [5][6][7]. Approximately 250 cases of TGDC carcinoma have been published in the literature, mainly as single case reports or small case series [1,8] Abstract. Thyroid cancers arising from a thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) are rarely reported. No clear consensus exists regarding optimal management. In this light, TGDC carcinomas recently treated at Asan Medical Center, as well as previously reported cases in the literature, were reviewed. There were ten patients who were diagnosed with TGDC carcinoma at our institution. All patients underwent pre-operative fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Nine patients were suspected of having papillary carcinoma following cytology. The Sistrunk operation (SO) was performed in four patients, SO with total thyroidectomy (SO/TT) was performed in three patients, and SO/TT with neck dissection was performed in three patients. Six patients who received total thyroidectomy underwent radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy and T4 suppression. With a median follow-up period of 28.5 months, two patients showed recurrence and one of them died of the disease. We analyzed 163 cases from 1990 to 2012 with three or more cases TGDC carcinoma, including the present study. Among 48 patients who underwent FNAB, 75% had papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). SO, SO/TT, or SO/TT with neck dissection was performed in 27%, 41%, and 32% of patients, respectively. Among 119 patients who received total thyroidectomy, 36% had concomitant PTC in the thyroid. Among 52 patients who received neck dissection, 69% had cervical nodal involvement. The results of our review suggest that when TGDC carcinoma is suspected, ultrasonography and, if necessary, FNAB should be performed. If these tests reveal a suspected lesion in the thyroid or lymph node, SO/TT and lymph node dissection should be performed.Key words: Thyroglossal cyst, Thyroid neoplasms, Fine-needle biopsy it shows female predominance [5,6].It was generally known that the Sistrunk operation (SO) is the usual recommended treatment for TGDC carcinoma [5,7]. The cure rate for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in TGDC has been reported as 95% when treated by SO [2,5]. Furthermore, in a recent publication, the survival rate was reported as 100% when treated by SO/TT with lymph node dissection [1]. The surgical extent and the use of post-operative radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy remain controversial [4]. Recently, the concept of stratification by risk has been proposed to identify patients who would benefit from more aggressive treatment, i.e. total thyroidectomy and/or neck dissection and RAI therapy [1,9,10].The aims...

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the streamlined liner of the pharynx airway (SLIPA), a new supraglottic airway device (SGA), with the laryngeal mask airway ProSeal™ (PLMA) during general anesthesia.MethodsSixty patients were randomly allocated to two groups; a PLMA group (n = 30) or a SLIPA group (n = 30). Ease of use, first insertion success rate, hemodynamic responses to insertion, ventilatory efficiency and positioning confirmed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy were assessed. Lung mechanics data were collected with side stream spirometry at 10 minutes after insertion. We also compared the incidence of blood stain, incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat and other complications.ResultsFirst attempt success rates were 93.3% and 73.3%, and mean insertion time was 7.3 sec and 10.5 sec in PLMA and SLIPA. There was a significant rise in all of hemodynamic response from the pre-insertion value at one minute following insertion of SLIPA. But, insertion of PLMA was no significant rise in hemodynamic response. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean maximum sealing pressure, gas leakage, lung mechanics data, gastric distension, postoperative sore throat and other complication between the two groups. Blood stain were noted on the surface of the device in 40% (n = 12) in the SLIPA vs. 6.7% (n = 2) in the PLMA.ConclusionsThe SLIPA is a useful alternative to the PLMA and have comparable efficacy and complication rates. If we acquire the skill to use, SLIPA may be considered as primary SGA devices during surgery under general anesthesia.

A nerve block is an effective tool for diagnostic and therapeutic methods. If a diagnostic nerve block is successful for pain relief and the subsequent therapeutic nerve block is effective for only a limited duration, the next step that should be considered is a nerve ablation or modulation. The nerve ablation causes iatrogenic neural degeneration aiming only for sensory or sympathetic denervation without motor deficits. Nerve ablation produces the interruption of axonal continuity, degeneration of nerve fibers distal to the lesion (Wallerian degeneration), and the eventual death of axotomized neurons. The nerve ablation methods currently available for resection/removal of innervation are performed by either chemical or thermal ablation. Meanwhile, the nerve modulation method for interruption of innervation is performed using an electromagnetic field of pulsed radiofrequency. According to Sunderland's classification, it is first and foremost suggested that current neural ablations produce third degree peripheral nerve injury (PNI) to the myelin, axon, and endoneurium without any disruption of the fascicular arrangement, perineurium, and epineurium. The merit of Sunderland's third degree PNI is to produce a reversible injury. However, its shortcoming is the recurrence of pain and the necessity of repeated ablative procedures. The molecular mechanisms related to axonal regeneration after injury include cross-talk between axons and glial cells, neurotrophic factors, extracellular matrix molecules, and their receptors. It is essential to establish a safe, long-standing denervation method without any complications in future practices based on the mechanisms of nerve degeneration as well as following regeneration.

BackgroundCluster headaches (CH) are recurrent severe headaches, which impose a major burden on the life of patients. We investigated the impact of CH on employment status and job burden.MethodsThe study was a sub-study of the Korean Cluster Headache Registry. Patients with CH were enrolled from September 2016 to February 2018 from 15 headache clinics in Korea. We also enrolled a headache control group with age-sex matched patients with migraine or tension-type headache. Moreover, a control group including individuals without headache complaints was recruited. All participants responded to a questionnaire that included questions on employment status, type of occupation, working time, sick leave, reductions in productivity, and satisfaction with current occupation. The questionnaire was administered to participants who were currently employed or had previous occupational experience.ResultsWe recruited 143 patients with CH, 38 patients with other types of headache (migraine or tension-type headache), and 52 headache-free controls. The proportion of employees was lower in the CH group compared with the headache and headache-free control groups (CH: 67.6% vs. headache controls: 84.2% vs. headache-free controls: 96.2%; p = 0.001). The CH group more frequently experienced difficulties at work and required sick leave than the other groups (CH: 84.8% vs. headache controls: 63.9% vs. headache-free controls: 36.5%; p <  0.001; CH: 39.4% vs. headache controls: 13.9% vs. headache-free controls: 3.4%; p <  0.001). Among the patients with CH, sick leave was associated with younger age at CH onset (25.8 years vs. 30.6 years, p = 0.014), severity of pain rated on a visual analogue scale (9.3 vs. 8.8, p = 0.008), and diurnal periodicity during the daytime (p = 0.003). There were no significant differences with respect to the sick leave based on sex, age, CH subtypes, and CH recurrence.ConclusionsCH might be associated with employment status. Most patients with CH experienced substantial burdens at work.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s10194-018-0911-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The presence of a RAS mutation, especially a NRAS codon 61 mutation, was significantly associated with the distant metastasis. The NRAS codon 61 mutation status might be a potential prognostic factor in FTC patients.

Objective To investigate suicidality related to cluster headache and factors associated with increased suicidality in cluster headache patients. Methods In this multicenter study, 193 cluster headache patients were recruited between September 2016 and August 2018. Patients were asked about their suicidality during and between attacks, specifically about passive suicidal ideation, active suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the factors associated with high ictal suicidality (sum of positive response ≥ 2). Patients were followed up when they were in the between-bouts period. Results A total of 175 cluster headache patients in the in-bout period were included in this study. Passive suicidal ideation, active suicidal ideation, suicidal planning, and suicidal attempt were reported by 111 (64.2%), 62 (35.8%), 10 (5.8%), and four (2.3%) patients during attacks; seven (4.0%), six (3.5%), five (2.9%) and two (1.2%) patients interictally; and none (0%), one (1.9%), one (1.9%), and none (0%) among patients in the between-bouts period. Factors associated with high ictal suicidality were longer disease duration, the Headache Impact Test score, and the Patient Health Question-9 score (multivariable OR = 1.90 per 10-year increase in disease duration, 95% CI = 1.18–3.05, p = 0.008; multivariable OR = 3.19 per 10-point increase in HIT-6, 95% CI = 1.73–5.87, p < 0.001; multivariable OR = 2.11 per 10-point increase in PHQ-9, 95% CI = 1.13–3.95, p = 0.020, respectively). Conclusions Cluster headache attack carries a high suicidality compared to the interictal or between-bouts state. An intensive treatment to reduce cluster headache burden may be helpful to alleviate suicide risk in cluster headache patients.