Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma with Gross Internal Jugular Vein Invasion and Multiple Lung Metastases / 대한갑상선학회지

A rare case of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) with gross intraluminal invasion to the internal jugular vein whose clinical manifestation was multiple lung metastases is described. A 66-year-old man was referred to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine, hemato-oncology subdivision for multiple lung nodules found by his regular health check-up. These lung nodules showed variable sizes with irregular shapes, and typical distributions throughout the parenchyma, which were consistent with metastatic nodules. Ultrasonography revealed a 4.5 cm sized hypoechoic mass with irregular shape in his left thyroid lobe and a huge thrombus in the left internal jugular vein. PDTCs associated with gross intraluminal invasion to the great cervical vein and multiple lung nodules as their first clinical manifestation are extremely rare. We would emphasize the importance of preoperative detailed evaluation of the disseminated disease by ultrasonography in suspected patients.

Regional Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Cancer / 대한갑상선학회지

Papillary thyroid cancer is a common endocrine cancer and commonly presents with lymph node metastases. It has been generally accepted that lymphatic drainage occurs from the thyroid primarily to the central lymphatic compartment and secondarily to the lateral compartment nodes. Recently, improvements in the resolution of imaging studies and the availability of highly sensitive thyroglobulin assays have highlighted the importance of identifying disease in the pre-operative assessment and dealing effectively with metastatic regional disease in order to prevent recurrence. However, there are limitations to diagnosing central lymph node metastases. With unreliable imaging modalities, prophylactic central lymph node dissection should be performed on all patients with papillary thyroid cancer. In comparison with the central compartment, prophylactic lateral node dissection has little or no effect on improving the prognosis of patients with papillary thyroid cancer. Therefore, lateral node dissection is recommended only as a part of the therapeutic procedure. The extension of lateral neck dissection is recommended a comprehensive selective neck dissection of levels IIa, III, IV, and Vb. The rich lymphatic supply of the thyroid gland coupled with the propensity for nodal metastases in papillary thyroid cancer require the modern thyroid surgeon to be familiar with the indications for and techniques of regional lymph node dissection.

Bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in patients on long-term suppressive levothyroxine therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer

PURPOSE: Current management for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer includes near total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy followed by administration of supraphysiological doses of levothyroxine (L-T4). Although hyperthyroidism is a well known risk factor for osteoporosis, the effects of L-T4 treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with thyroid cancer do not appear to be as significant as with endogenous hyperthyroidism. In this study, we evaluated the impact of long-term suppressive therapy with L-T4 on BMD and bone turn over markers in Korean female patients receiving L-T4 suppressive therapy. METHODS: We enrolled 94 female subjects (mean age, 50.84 +/- 11.43 years) receiving L-T4 after total or near total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer (mean follow-up period, 12.17 +/- 4.27 years). The subjects were divided into three groups by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level (group 1 with TSH level 0.17 microIU/mL) and four groups by quartile of free T4 level. L-T4 dosage, BMD (examined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), and bone turnover markers were evaluated according to TSH and free T4 levels. RESULTS: No significant decrease was detected in BMD or bone turnover markers according to TSH level or free T4 level. Also, the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was not different among groups. CONCLUSION: Long-term L-T4 suppressive therapy after thyroid cancer management did not affect bone density or increase the prevalence of osteoporosis even though TSH levels were supraphysiologically suppressed.

Ultrasonographic guideline for thyroid nodules cytology: single institute experience / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: The main issue with the current ultrasonography (US) guidelines is the overestimation of malignant and indeterminate nodules as they do not aid in making decisions to treat patients. To overcome this, new US guidelines for thyroid nodules that have been shown to be better correlated with cytologic results have been proposed. We also suggested specific indications for US-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) using the new US guidelines. METHODS: Clinical and pathologic data from 925 patients and 1,419 thyroid nodules were retrospectively collected. All subjects underwent US- and US-guided FNA at Department of Surgery, Wonju Christian Hospital, between March 2010 and July 2011. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for both the current guidelines and the new guidelines. RESULTS: The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the current guidelines in predicting malignancy were 24.1%, 99.3%, 62.2%, 25.0%, and 99.8%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the new guidelines in predicting malignancy were 66.0%, 96.0%, 86.7%, 47.7%, and 99.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of the new US guidelines allow for a more accurate and specific diagnosis and a better treatment plan than the current guidelines. Additionally, the use of the new FNA guidelines may help prevent unnecessary FNAs and promote cost-effective follow-up for patients.

Korean Thyroid Association Guidelines for Patients Undergoing Radioiodine Therapy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancers (First Edition, 2012) / 대한갑상선학회지

No abstract available.

Association of BRAF(V600E) Mutation with Poor Clinical Prognostic Factors and Ultrasonographic Findings in Cases of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the association of the BRAF(V600E) mutation with known prognostic factors and ultrasonographic characteristics in cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Subjects included 169 patients who received thyroidectomy at Wonju Christian Hospital under the diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer from February 2010 to October 2011. RESULTS: Of the total patients who received thyroidectomy, there were 128 cases (75,7%) of BRAF(V600E) mutation. Neither age nor sex were associated with the BRAF(V600E) mutation. Tumor size, shape, margin, extrathyroidal extension, central node metastasis and lateral node metastasis were found not to be associated with the BRAF(V600E) mutation. Tumor calcification, echogenicity and vascularity were also not associated with the mutation. CONCLUSION: As debate remains about the association between the BRAF(V600E) mutation and clincopathologic factors and ultrasonographic characteristics in cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma, further study is needed.

Role of External Beam Radiotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Papillary Thyroid Cancer / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) plays a controversial role in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer. We reviewed the outcomes of patients at our institution who had been treated with EBRT for advanced differentiated thyroid cancer. METHODS: Subjects included 35 patients who received thyroidectomy and EBRT at Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju Christian Hospital under the diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer from January 1989 to September 2011. RESULTS: The 5 year overall locoregional control rate was 74.4%. No significant differences were found in locoregional progression- free survival for patients with complete resection, microscopic residual disease, or gross residual disease. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that EBRT is effective for locoregional control of selected locally advanced papillary thyroid cancer, even with gross residual disease.

Neuron-Like Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

PURPOSE: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent and give rise to distinctly differentiated cells from all three germ layers. Neuronal differentiation of MSC has great potential for cellular therapy. We examined whether the cluster of mechanically made, not neurosphere, could be differentiated into neuron-like cells by growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: BMSCs grown confluent were mechanically separated with cell scrapers and masses of separated cells were cultured to form cluster BMSCs. As described here cluster of BMSCs were differentiated into neuron-like cells by EGF, HGF, and VEGF. Differentiated cells were analyzed by means of phase-contrast inverted microscopy, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence, and immunocytochemistry to identify the expression of neural specific markers. RESULTS: For the group with growth factors, the shapes of neuron-like cells was observable a week later, and two weeks later, most cells were similar in shape to neuron-like cells. Particularly, in the group with chemical addition, various shapes of filament structures were seen among the cells. These culture conditions induced MSCs to exhibit a neural cell phenotype, expressing several neuro-glial specific markers. CONCLUSION: bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) could be easily induced to form clusters using mechanical scraping, not neurospheres, which in turn could differentiate further into neuron-like cells and might open an attractive possibility for clinical cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. In the future, we consider that neuron-like cells differentiated from clusters of BMSCs are needed to be compared and analyzed on a physiological and molecular biological level with preexisting neuronal cells, and studies on the possibility of their transplantation and differentiation capability in animal models are further required.

Hungry bone syndrome after parathyroidectomy of a minimally invasive parathyroid carcinoma / 대한외과학회지

The prognosis of parathyroid carcinoma varies significantly between numerous studies. Therefore, many attempts have been made to grade the degree of parathyroid carcinoma, and recently, classifying parathyroid carcinomas into either minimally invasive or widely invasive carcinoma- similar to follicular carcinoma of the thyroid- has led to a more reliable prediction of the prognosis. Hungry bone syndrome can occur if parathyroidectomy is performed due to primary hyperparathyroidism regardless of the cause of the disease. Hungry bone syndrome is characterized by postoperative a hypocalcemic state due to remineralization of various minerals, including calcium, of the bone; this syndrome requires a long-term supplementation of calcium. The authors aim to report, along with a review of related literatures, 1 case of a 29-year-old female patient diagnosed with minimally invasive parathyroid carcinoma who fell into hungry bone syndrome after parathyroidectomy.

Hungry bone syndrome after parathyroidectomy of a minimally invasive parathyroid carcinoma / 대한외과학회지

The prognosis of parathyroid carcinoma varies significantly between numerous studies. Therefore, many attempts have been made to grade the degree of parathyroid carcinoma, and recently, classifying parathyroid carcinomas into either minimally invasive or widely invasive carcinoma- similar to follicular carcinoma of the thyroid- has led to a more reliable prediction of the prognosis. Hungry bone syndrome can occur if parathyroidectomy is performed due to primary hyperparathyroidism regardless of the cause of the disease. Hungry bone syndrome is characterized by postoperative a hypocalcemic state due to remineralization of various minerals, including calcium, of the bone; this syndrome requires a long-term supplementation of calcium. The authors aim to report, along with a review of related literatures, 1 case of a 29-year-old female patient diagnosed with minimally invasive parathyroid carcinoma who fell into hungry bone syndrome after parathyroidectomy.

Sonographic Analysis of the Nodular Form of Hashimoto Thyroiditis / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: There are relatively few results from studies on nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In addition, some Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients present with irregular symptoms, making the distinction from malignant thyroid nodule difficult. Therefore, we performed analyses on ultrasonographic findings of nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis. METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study was performed on 76 patients (88 nodules) diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis after undergoing fine needle aspiration biopsy from January 2009 to December 2010. A frequency analysis was performed to investigate the most common ultrasonographic findings of nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In addition, patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of extensive Hashimoto's thyroiditis on the parenchyma, and ultrasonographic findings were compared and analyzed for nodules in each group. RESULTS: The study was performed on 76 patients and 88 nodules. The majority of nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis were found to be solid on ultrasonography, and echogenicity was mostly hypoechoic, with prominent hypoechoic findings being more common. Most nodules did not have a rim surrounding the margins, and absence of accompanying calcification was also noted. The comparison and analysis of ultrasonographic findings of two patient groups that were divided based on the presence or absence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis across the parenchyma, revealed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Most nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis cases do not present with calcification or rims and frequently present as solid and hypoechoic. It can be concluded that such findings are consistent regardless of whether there is accompanying extensive changes at the thyroid parenchyma associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Clinical Analysis of Patients with Abdomen or Neck-penetrating Trauma

PURPOSE: Recently, the change to a more complex social structure has led to an increased frequency of traumas due to violence, accident and so on. In addition, the severity of the traumas and the frequency of penetrating injuries have also increased. Traumas to cervical and abdominal areas, what are commonly seen by general surgeons, can have mild to fatal consequences because in these areas, various organs that are vital to sustaining life are located. The exact location and characteristics of the injury are vital to treating patients with the trauma to these areas. Thus, with this background in mind, we studied, compared, and analyzed clinical manifestations of patients who were admitted to Wonju Christian hospital for penetrating injuries inflicted by themselves or others. METHODS: We selected and performed a retrospective study of 64 patients who had been admitted to Wonju Christian Hospital from January 2005 to December 2009 and who had cervical or abdominal penetrating injuries clearly inflicted by themselves or others. RESULTS: There were 51 male (79.7%) and 13 female (20.3%) patients, and the number of male patients was more dominant in this study, having a sex ratio of 3.9 to 1. The range of ages was between 20 and 86 years, and mean age was 43.2 years. There were 5 self-inflicted cervical injuries, and 19 self-inflicted abdominal injuries, making the total number of self-inflicted injury 24. Cervical and abdominal injuries caused by others were found in 11 and 29 patients, respectively. The most common area involved in self-inflicted injuries to the abdomen was the epigastric area, nine cases, and the right-side zone II was the most commonly involved area. On the other hand, in injuries inflicted by others, the left upper quadrant of the abdomen was the most common site of the injury, 14 cases. In the neck, the left-side zone II was the most injured site. In cases of self-inflicted neck injury, jugular vein damage and cervical muscle damage without deep organ injury were observed in two cases each, making them the most common. In cases with abdominal injuries, seven cases had limited abdominal wall injury, making it the most common injury. The most common deep organ injury was small bowel wounds, five cases. In patients with injuries caused by others, six had cervical muscle damage, making it the most common injury found in that area. In the abdomen, small bowel injury was found to be the most common injury, being evidenced in 13 cases. In self-inflicted injuries, a statistical analysis discovered that the total duration of admission and the number of patients admitted to the intensive care unit were significantly shorter and smaller, retrospectively, than in the patient group that had injuries caused by others. No statistically significant difference was found when the injury sequels were compared between the self-inflicted-injury and the injury-inflicted-by-others groups. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that, in self-inflicted abdominal injuries, injuries limited to the abdominal wall were found to be the most common, and in injuries to the cervical area inflicted by others, injuries restricted to the cervical muscle were found to be the most common. As a whole, the total duration of admission and the ICU admission time were significantly shorter in cases of self-inflicted injury. Especially, in cases of self inflicted injuries, abdominal injuries generally had a limited degree of injury. Thus, in our consideration, accurate injury assessment and an ideal treatment plan are necessary to treat these patients, and minimally invasive equipment, such as laparoscope, should be used. Also, further studies that persistently utilize aggressive surgical observations, such as abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography, for patients with penetrating injuries are needed.

The Correlation between the Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and Histology of Patients Who Have Undergone Thyroidectomy / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has become a standard diagnostic tool for thyroid nodules. The purpose of this study is to analyze the correlation between FNAC and the final histology to improve the diagnostic value. METHODS: We collected 792 patients who had undergone thyroidectomy, and we selected 549 patients who had undergone preoperative FNAC. The FNAC results were classified as non-diagnostic, malignancy, indeterminate and benign. The final pathologic reports were classified into two categories: malignant or benign. The individual histology was also identified. We retrospectively analyzed the pathologic result, the sensitivity, the specificity and the predictive value of the FNAC. RESULTS: Among 549 patients, their FNACs showed 47 non diagnostic results, 189 malignancies,136 indeterminate results and 177 benign results. The false positive rate was 1.1% and the false negative rate was 12.9%. The final pathology reports were 262 malignancies and 287 benign lesions. There were 42 (30.9%) malignancies among the 136 indeterminate cases. Adenomatous hyperplasia was the most common benign lesion and papillary carcinoma (containing micropapillary carcinoma) was the most common benign lesion. CONCLUSION: FNAC is an easy and safe diagnostic tool, but it still has many limitations. It is necessary to reduce the number of non diagnostic results. Technical advances, classification of the advanced categories of cytology and other staining methods can provide more specific results, and this can reduce the rate of performing unnecessary surgery.

The Prognostic Factors and Therapeutic Strategy for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to define the prognostic factors of papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid (PMCT), to analyse their histopathologic and epidemiologic characteristics and to investigate the optimal therapeutic management. METHODS: Our series included 254 consecutive patents who were affected by PMCT and who were operated on by the same surgeon between 1985 and 2002 among a total of 3,100 patients who underwent thyroid surgery. All the surgical specimens were examined in the same Department of Pathology. The prognostic factors were evaluated by uniand multivariate statistical analyses. RESULTS: The histopathologic characteristics such as vascular extension, infiltration into the adjacent parenchyma, a larger primary tumor (size ≥5 mm) or tumor in the thyroid capsule were all indicative of a poor prognosis. For the patents with poor prognostic factors and who were treated by partial thyroidectomy alone, the prevalence of recurrent disease was higher than that for the patients who were with treated by total thyroidectomy and 131 iodine administration. CONCLUSION: According to the prognostic factors, different therapeutic modalities could be proposed to treat patients with pillary thyroid microcarcinoma. It is reasonable to perform total thyroidectomy and 131 iodine therapy for patients with PMCT and who have high risk factors.

Predicting Hypocalcemia after Total Thyroidectomy in Patients with Thyroid Carcinoma / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Postoperative hypocalcemia is a common complication compared with the other complications following total thyroidectomy due to thyroid carcinoma. We evaluated the incidence of transient and permanent hypocalcemia and the preservation status of the parathyroid glands following total thyroidectomy due to thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 145 cases of total thyroidectomy due to thyroid carcinoma. The preservation status of the prarathyroid glands after total thyroidectomy was classified as intact preservation or ischemic change, according to the number of intact preserved parathyroid glands in group 1 (more than 2), group 2 (1) or group 3 (0). RESULTS: Permanent hypocalcemia was not found in group 1. The rate of transient or permanent hypocalcemia was significantly lower in group 2 than that in group 3 (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The parathyroid glands should be preserved to minimize the occurrence of hypocalemia after performing total thyroidectomy. The number of intact preserved parathyroid glands can be a good indicator for predicting the occurrence of post-total thyroidectomy hypocalcemia.

Clinical Analysis of Death in Trauma Patients

PURPOSE: Trauma is the 5th most common leading cause of death in Korea, but there has been no appropriate management system for patients until now. We analyzed the main causes of death in trauma patients by comparing the characteristics of those patients with the characteristics of patients who survived. We feel this analysis should have a positive effect on the development of an appropriate trauma management system in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed trauma patients who had been admitted to the Department of General Surgery from February 2002 to February 2007. We compared several expected risk factors between the mortality and the survival group. Data on the transportation, arrival time at the emergency center, amount of transfusion, initial shock index, cause of death, and initial physical condition according to RTS (Revised trauma score), ISS (Injury severity score) and TRISS (Trauma and Injury Severity Score) were collected. Patients with ISS lower than 12 were excluded. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-six(366) patients with multiple injuries were included. There were 40 patients in the mortality group and 326 patients in the survival group. The mean arrival time (minutes) to emergency center was longer in the mortality group (137.6 vs 93.6 p 0.04). The total amount of transfusion (ml) was larger in the mortality group (7139 vs 2470 p 0.01). The initial shock index was higher in the mortality group (1.45 vs 1.17 p<0.01). The RTS, ISS, and TRISS were not statistically different between the groups. In the multivariate analysis, mean arrival time and initial shock index were important factors for survival. CONCLUSION: If the mortality rate of trauma patients is to be reduced , the arrival time at the emergency center should be minimized. Improvement of the emergency medical transfer service system is very important for achieving that.

Correlation Between the Academic Score, the Trial Examination Score, and the Korean Medical Licensing Examination Score / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: We analyzed the correlation between the year-end student academic scores (grade score), the trial examination scores, and the Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE) score by correlation analysis and multiple regression method. METHODS: Our subjects included 217 graduates between the years 2002 and 2003. Yearly, trial examinations, composed according to the principles of KMLE setting, are performed four times. For correlation and regression analysis, all scores were transformed to the standard score according to the standard score norm. RESULTS: In the regression analysis among each grade scores, the lower grade score always affected the higher grade score. Also all academic grade scores correlated significantly with the trial examination scores and KMLE score in bivariate correlation analysis (P< 0.05). But only grade score during the senior years (5th and 6th) affected the trial examination and KMLE score in multiple regression. According to the multiple regressions by each grade score and trial examination score, the 6th grade score and trial exanimation score except the 1st trial examination score have a significant effect on the KMLE score. And we can also establish the regression formula such as [KMLE score]=11.377+0.752*[mean of trail examination] with significant high power of explanation (R (2) =0.709, P< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results show that previous scores always affect the latter scores; and the last score in time sequence is a result of the accumulation of previous education and learning. From this point of view, the trial examination is a useful tool for not only the final assessment of medical achievements but also for preparing for the KMLE.

A Results of Surgical Treatment of Patients with Thyroid Nodules by Difference of First Visiting Department

PURPOSE: Although thyroid diseases have a high prevalence, controversy over their diagnosis and treatment continues owing to the difficulties in the differentiation between malignant and benign states in the thyroid nodule and in the decision of medical treatment, surgical intervention, and surgical method and extent. METHODS: We researched the clinical features, prevalence of malignant thyroid cancer and difference of prognosis between two groups of patients: group 1 was treated primarily with TSH suppression management or observation and then surgery, while group 2 underwent immediate surgery. In addition, we studied the proper management and diagnostic method for patients with thyroid nodule. RESULTS: The research comparison between group 1 (301 cases) and group 2 (920 cases) produced the following results. There was a relatively high prevalence of malignancy in group 1 managed improper TSH suppression as compared with group 2, postoperatively (38.9: 18.7%). AMES classification showed a high ratio of the high risk group in group 1 (papillary cancer, 47.6: 28.4%; follicular cancer, 41.7: 18.4%) and a prolonged treatment period in group 1 (64.6: 20.8 days). In addition, group 1 required a more aggressive operation method (bilateral thyroidectomy, 49.2: 37.2%). CONCLUSION: These data confirm that the accurate and early diagnosis of patients with thyroid nodule is essential to decide the management method and the patient prognosis, and emphasize the importance of the decision for proper treatment course. We therefore concluded that to decide the management course for patients with thyroid nodule, the selection of high risk group patients through routine examination and fine needle aspiration is very important. Furthermore, for patients with a very hard nodule, consideration should be given to enlarged nodule, past history of irradiation, status of attachment on the local tissue, and cervical lymph node enlargement. Finally, after the selection of the patient group, proper surgical management should be considered primarily.

Effect after Change of Evaluation Method in Surgical Clerkship Program / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: Since 2002, Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine attempted to revise the evaluation method of surgical clerkship program. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect after change of evaluation method. METHODS: Major changes in current revisions were summarized as follows; (1) multiple evaluator, (2) student's attitude evaluated by rating scale method, (3) attendance and procedure evaluation were measured in numbers according to the fixed criteria, (4) addition of clinic-based items such as problem-solving items in the final written examination. We compared the measurement of revised evaluation at 2002 with those at 1999. And the correlation or simple linear regression analysis between score of clerkship and student academic grade score were taken. RESULTS: The clerkship score of students at 2002 showed more powerful discrimination between high performance group and poor group than that of 1999's. Even though the subject score of clerkship was significantly correlated with grade score regardless of evaluation method of clerkship, the subject score of clerkship at 2002 was more closely correlated with a grade score than 1999's. The score of knowledge-based items from final written examination is not correlated with clerkship score, but on the other hands, there was significant correlation between score of clinic-based items and clerkship score. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, variable measurements under the exact guideline and principle are more reliable method in evaluation of surgical clerkship.

A Case of Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism Combined with Thyroid Papillary Carcinoma / 대한이식학회지

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is the condition which leads to excessive production of the parathyroid hormone secreted to compensate for longstanding hypocalcemia in chronic renal failure. After restoration of normal renal function, some patients continue to have autonomous parathyroid hyperfunction. In 1963 St. Goar termed it tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Hyperparathyroidism in the chronic renal failure is mostly well managed medically, but sometimes may require surgical intervention in refractory hyperparathyroidism. Recently, we have experienced a female patient diagnosed as tertiary hyperparathyroidism with persistent hypercalcemia after renal transplantation and report the results of subtotal parathyroidectomy and thyroid right lobectomy due to hyperparathyroidism and thyroid papillary carcinoma found coincidentally.