Predictive factors for extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid carcinoma based on preoperative sonography.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance and predictive factors of extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid carcinoma based on preoperative sonography. METHODS: Preoperative sonography was performed for 568 patients who underwent surgery for papillary thyroid cancer between May 2009 and December 2010. Patients' T stages based on preoperative sonography were compared with their T stages based on pathologic examination, and we statistically analyzed the discriminatory performance of sonography. Among the 568 patients enrolled in this study, we selected 320 patients in whom extrathyroidal extension was suspected on sonography. We analyzed several predictive factors for extrathyroidal extension. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-five of the 568 patients were proven to have pathologic extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer after surgery (75.9% diagnostic accuracy, 83.3% sensitivity, 68.9% specificity, 71.6% positive predictive value, and 81.5% negative predictive value). Of 320 patients with sonographically suspected extrathyroidal extension, a larger lesion size (P < .001) and a higher lymph node stage on sonography (P = .004) were the best predictors of extrathyroidal extension among the features that we measured. There were no significant differences in terms of the lesion site or thyroid parenchymal background echogenicity. Thyroid capsular protrusion had a higher predictive value than the abutting ratio (P = .001). However, increasing the abutting ratio enabled the prediction of extrathyroidal extension on sonography (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative sonography is a helpful tool for predicting pathologic extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer. In particular, clinicians should focus on the lesion size, nodal stage, and abutment or capsular protrusion of the lesion while performing sonography because these are the most useful predictive factors for extrathyroidal extension.

Focal nodular hyperplasia with retraction of liver capsule: a case report.

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is characterized by the presence a central scar with radiating fibrous septa. Our case had a capsular retraction, which was the result of an extension of the central scar to the surface. In addition, a hypointense scar on the T2-weighted image and a minimal enhancing central scar on the enhanced T1-weighted image, which was due to dense, sclerotic collagenous tissue, were observed. We report the first case of FNH with a capsular retraction.

Transcatheter ovarian vein embolization using coils for the treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of ovarian vein embolization using coils for pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS), a common cause of chronic pelvic pain in multiparous women. METHODS: Between November 1998 and June 2005, 67 patients were diagnosed with PCS and underwent ovarian vein coil embolization. Through medical records and telephone interviews, the pre-embolization pain level and post-embolization pain control were assessed. In addition, in those cases where pain persisted after embolization or where patients were dissatisfied with the procedure, additional treatments and subsequent changes in pain scores were also analyzed. Evaluation after coil embolization was performed within 3-6 months (n = 3), 6 months to 1 year (n = 7), 1-2 years (n = 13), 2-3 years (n = 7), 3-4 years (n = 7), 4-5 years (n = 13), or 5-6 years (n = 17). RESULTS: Among a total of 67 patients, 82% (55/67) experienced pain reduction after coil embolization, were satisfied with the procedure, and did not pursue any further treatment. Twelve patients (18%, 12/67) responded that their pain level had not changed, or had become more severe. Among them, 9 patients were treated surgically and the remaining 3 patients remained under continuous drug therapy. CONCLUSION: Ovarian vein embolization using coils is a safe and effective therapeutic method for treatment of PCS. It is thought that surgical treatment should be considered in cases where embolization proves ineffective.