PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Chuen Hsueh

Publications and source records attributed to Chuen Hsueh.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Diagnosis and therapeutic strategy for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

HYPOTHESIS: Total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine I 131 treatment is effective in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTM) with lymph node or extrathyroid invasion. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Chang Gung Medical Center, Linkou, Taiwan. PATIENTS: A total of 227 patients with PTM, categorized into high-risk (n = 12) and low-risk (n = 215) groups according to age, metastases, extent, and size criteria. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnosis and treatment of PTM. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time and method of diagnosis, operative method, metastases, and survival. RESULTS: In 51 patients, PTM was identified on preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology; in 75 patients, diagnosed in frozen sections during operation; and in 101 patients, diagnosed incidentally in the final histopathological examination. Among these 3 groups, 18% (9/51), 17% (13/75), and 78% (79/101), respectively, underwent subtotal thyroidectomy or lobectomy for tumors. Four cases (1.8%) displayed distant metastases at diagnosis. Only 0.9% of patients with PTM (2 of 227) died of thyroid cancer. One hundred eighty-nine cases of PTM were confined to the thyroid, 22 had lymph node metastases, and 16 showed extrathyroid extension, including soft-tissue invasion and distant metastases. Sex, operative methods, follow-up status, and mortality showed differences in these groups. Five of 227 patients remained in non-disease-free status at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 10% of PTMs exhibited progressive clinical courses, while less than 1% resulted in mortality. Age, sex, and postoperative thyroglobulin level were the main prognostic factors in the high-risk group of patients with PTM. Conservative treatment of the incidental finding of PTM after suitable postoperative assessment is justified.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗

Extrathyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) tumor--a new case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: We report a case of extrathyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) tumor. METHODS: A 47-year-old man had a left neck mass that gradually enlarged over approximately 3 months. Sonography and CT scans showed a soft tissue mass located at the left parapharyngeal space with displacement of left carotid artery and submandibular gland. RESULTS: After total excision, the pathologic diagnosis was CASTLE tumor. The patient then received radiotherapy with a total dosage of 6600 cGy. After 21 months of postoperative follow up, there was no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Generally, the treatment of choice is surgical excision with or without radiotherapy. Because CASTLE tumors have been reported to be radiosensitive, however, and because local recurrence is common, surgical excision with postoperative radiotherapy is suggested.

CD5 Antigens↗

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of renal pelvis presenting with prolonged fever and abdominal pain in children: report of 1 case and review of literature.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a reactive proliferative lesion that occurs extremely rarely in the renal pelvis, especially during childhood. We report 1 such case that occurred in a child who presented with prolonged fever and abdominal pain. Ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography revealed a left renal pelvic mass. She received conservative surgical treatment. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathological and immunohistochemical studies. Distinguishing inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor from other malignant renal pelvic tumors in children is essential to preventing unnecessary nephrectomy.

Abdominal Pain↗

Renal metastasis from papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Papillary or follicular microcarcinoma of the thyroid comprises 10-20% of all thyroid malignancies. Most of these diseases exhibit slow progression and have a favorable prognosis. Distant metastasis caused by thyroid microcarcinoma is uncommon, and is usually found in the lung or bone. Thyroid microcarcinoma with metastasis to the kidney has not previously been reported. Clinically detectable well-differentiated metastatic thyroid carcinoma to the kidney is rare, and only 16 cases have been reported. Herein we describe a case of metastatic papillary thyroid microcarcinoma to the kidney in a patient with a pelvic fracture and pulmonary metastasis. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy, radiotherapy, ablation treatment with 131I and thyroxine suppressive therapy. In conclusion, microcarcinoma cannot be ignored. Although uncommon, metastases may arise.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Thyroid cancer in the thyroid nodules evaluated by ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology.

Thyroid nodule is common disorder in endocrine clinics. In Taiwan, thyroid ultrasonography with fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is the first-line examination procedure. Data in large series on the incidence of thyroid malignancy presenting with thyroid nodules are lacking in this area. To determine the incidence of malignancy in thyroid nodules and compare the results with other populations, this investigation retrospectively reviewed 21,748 subjects who were examined in one medical center from January 1986 to December 1999. All patients underwent thyroid ultrasonography studies using a real-time ultrasonographic machine and a 10-MHz transducer. Fine-needle aspirations were made in the suspected thyroid nodule and stained using the Romanowsky- based method developed by Liu. By the end of 2002, some 3629 patients (16.7%) had thyroid nodules after surgical treatment. This group comprised 3011 women with a mean age of 41.5 +/- 13.9 years, and 618 men with a mean age of 45.7 +/- 14.9 years. Of patients undergoing surgical treatment, 2761 (76.1%) patients were diagnosed with benign nodules, 858 (23.6%) with malignant nodules, and 10 (0.3%) with atypical adenoma (7 follicular and 3 Hürthle cells). The percentages of thyroid malignancy in each age group revealed two peaks in both genders, namely in patients aged 20 to 29 years and in elderly patients (aged over 65 years). The peak age for thyroid malignancy in both genders was 41 to 60 years (male) and 21 to 40 years (female). The highest ratio of malignancy occurred in the elderly group (37.2%) receiving surgical treatment. In young patients (below 19 years) the percentage of malignancy was no greater than for the whole age group (20.2% versus 25.6%). Anaplastic and metastatic cancers affecting the thyroid were the main subjects in the age group. The present results demonstrated a younger distribution for well-differentiated thyroid cancer, particularly papillary thyroid carcinoma, compared to previous studies. This outcome may have resulted from the routine application of ultrasonography with FNAC in assessing the thyroid nodules, possibly helping to achieve more timely detection. The incidence of thyroid malignancy in young patients was no higher than in adults. Early detection of thyroid malignancy may be the main reason for this phenomenon. Male subjects with thyroid nodules displayed a higher incidence of this malignancy than females. Aging subjects with thyroid nodules suffered a higher rate of malignancy and were poorly differentiated. In conclusion, this retrospective large-series study demonstrated that 3.9% (858/21,748 cases) of patients with thyroid nodules showed histopathologically proven malignancy. Thyroid cancer detected by ultrasonography with FNAC occurred an average of 10 years younger than in prior studies.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Primary pituitary lymphoma presenting as hypophysitis.

A 47-year-old man had suffered from prolonged fever for two months without clinical evidence of infection. Blood biochemistry and endocrine dysfunction indicated that he had pituitary insufficiency. Thorough whole body imaging studies merely identified a 22 x 14 mm mass lesion in the sella turcica. Tumor pathology and special cell marker study revealed the infiltration of atypical T-lymphoid cells and concomitant presence of some B-lymphoid cells. The fever subsided gradually following subtotal tumor resection and steroid supplementation. However, the mass lesion had invaded the cavernous sinus and optic chiasma shortly after surgery. Six months after his initial visit, metastasis lesions in the liver, the left adrenal gland, and retroperitoneal lymph nodes were discovered. In contrast to cells in the pituitary, the pathological investigation of the liver mass confirmed it to be exclusively of T-cell origin. Therefore, it is plausible that the pituitary dysfunction was related to an inflammatory process, namely hypophysitis, as well as the T-cell lymphoma. This case exemplifies the rarely noted condition of primary pituitary lymphoma with concomitant hypophysitis. Clinical diagnosis is indiscernible until the occurrence of systemic tumor metastasis.

Fever of Unknown Origin↗

Anorectal-vestibular fistula without an imperforate anus in female infants: report of three cases.

An anorectal-vestibular fistula without an imperforate anus in female infants is a rare clinical condition. This report is based on a series of 3 female infants who had fistulous communication between the bowel and the vestibule coexisting with a normal anus. Redness of the external genitalia over the labia major was the initial symptom in all 3 cases, and a suppurative discharge of pus mixed with stools was also found at the orifice of the fistula. Based on our experience, initial surgery with a double-barrel colostomy followed by a sequential fistulectomy might be safe and curative. We also review the related literature for the pathogenesis.

Anal Canal↗

Irregular connexin43 expressed in a rare cardiac hamartoma containing adipose tissue in the crista terminalis.

Cardiac hamartomas are very rare and are demarcated masses of enlarged, hypertrophied, mature myocytes and collagen tissue. Cardiac hamartomas are generally circumscribed in the right ventricle or atrium, but not reported in the crista terminalis (CRT). The CRT is crucial in electrophysiology, is related to arrhythmogenesis, and is targeted by radiofrequency catheter procedures. Previous works only described the benign natures of prominent CRT using non-invasive methods. This study describes an unusual cardiac hamartoma originating from the CRT and extending toward the tricuspid valve. Microscopically, this hamartoma comprised dense collagen and adipose tissue, mixed with hypertrophy, but with disarrayed cardiomyocytes. An irregular gap junction, connexin43, was demonstrated in this cardiac hamartoma.

Adipose Tissue↗

Prevalence of LMP-1 gene in tonsils and non-neoplastic nasopharynxes by nest-polymerase chain reaction in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) in tonsils and non-neoplastic nasopharynxes in Taiwan. METHODS: Nest-polymerase chain reaction (nest-PCR) was used to examine the presence of LMP-1 gene in lymphoid hyperplasia from non-neoplastic tonsillar and nasopharyngeal tissues and in tonsillar cancers. RESULTS: In 152 cases, 64 biopsy tissues were obtained from lymphoid hyperplasia of nasopharynxes, 57 from tonsillectomy of non-neoplastic tonsils, and 31 from tonsillar cancers. LMP-1 was detected in 43.4% of the study group. Nineteen (29.7%) and 29 (50.9%) lymphoid hyperplasias from normal nasopharynxes and tonsils, respectively, and 18 (58.1%) biopsies from tonsillar cancers had positive LMP-1. The 30-base pair (bp) deleted variant was detected in 89.5% and 82.8% of normal nasopharynxes and tonsils, respectively, and in 66.7% of biopsies from tonsillar cancers (p =.198). CONCLUSION: This study found that the 30-bp variant was the predominant type of LMP-1 from a healthy population in Taiwan.

Asian People↗

Papillary thyroid carcinomas with lung metastases.

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available on the presentation, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors of papillary thyroid carcinoma with lung metastases. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the data of 2003 patients with thyroid cancer who were treated and followed up at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from January 1979 to December 2002. In total, 1516 papillary thyroid carcinomas were enrolled. One hundred two (6.7%) papillary thyroid carcinomas with lung metastases were followed including 57 women with mean age of 41.7 +/- 17.3 years and 45 men with mean age of 49.6 +/- 17.2 years. These patients included 52 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who presented with lung metastases at the time of diagnosis. The 102 cases of papillary thyroid carcinomas with lung metastases included 72 cases with lung metastases only, and 30 cases with other organ involvement. RESULTS: After mean follow-up periods of 8.8 +/- 0.6 years, 28 (27.5%) of the patients with lung metastasis died, while 6 improved to clinical stage I. The 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year survival rates in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma without distant metastasis and in the lung metastases groups were 99.0%, 98.5%, 98.0%, 98.0%, and 91.3%, 75.0%, 64.0%, 51.2%, respectively. Comparing the Kaplan-Meier survival curves between the patients with papillary thyroid carcinomas with lung metastases only and those with multiorgan metastases demonstrates no statistically significant difference in mortality rates. However, age, gender, postoperative thyroglobulin (Tg) level and tumor size displayed statistically significant differences between the lung metastases and no distant metastasis groups. Fifty of the 102 patients with papillary thyroid carcinomas with lung metastases developed lung metastases during follow-up. Larger amounts of remnant thyroid tissues with higher Tg levels were noted in these patients compared to those without distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma with lung metastases at time of diagnosis is the same as for those whose lung metastases are discovered later. Survival analysis demonstrates no difference between lung metastases and multiorgan metastases.

Adult↗

Simultaneous development of bilateral retrobulbar and intradural spinal masses following donor lymphocyte infusions for acute lymphoblastic leukemia relapsing after bone marrow transplantation.

The authors describe a 6-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in relapse after bone marrow transplantation. Complete remission was obtained after reinduction chemotherapy followed by donor lymphocyte infusions. Ten months later, right-sided proptosis and exotropia developed, with back pain and leg paralysis. Computed tomography revealed bilateral orbital masses. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated abnormal signal intensity in the T4-6 vertebral bodies and an intradural mass on the left posterior side of the spinal canal. Although bone marrow aspiration was negative, orbital mass biopsies revealed CD10-positive lymphoblasts. Chimerism analysis of bone marrow and peripheral blood showed full donor alleles. Local radiotherapy and chemotherapy resulted in neurologic improvement.

Bone Marrow↗

Follicular thyroid carcinomas with lung metastases: a 23-year retrospective study.

Limited clinical information is specified in the presentations, results of treatment and prognostic factors of follicular thyroid carcinoma with lung metastases. In order to better characterize the information, we retrospectively analyzed the data of 2,003 thyroid cancer patients who received treatment and follow-up at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital during the period from January 1979 to December 2002. There were 1,516 cases of papillary and 272 cases of follicular thyroid carcinomas. In the study, lung metastases of the follicular thyroid carcinomas were defined as post-operative or follow-up chest X-ray, diagnostic or therapeutic (131)I scan with positive finding of lung metastases. Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels under thyroxine treatment of patients with lung metastases had to be over 1.5 ng/mL. Of the follicular thyroid carcinomas, there were 70 (25.7%) with lung metastases including 50 females (mean age 54.1 +/- 12.6 years old) and 20 males (mean age 59.4 +/- 12.0 years old). Of the 70 patients, there were 53 patients (75.7%) who presented with lung metastases at the time of diagnosis. Of the 70 patients of follicular thyroid carcinoma with lung metastases, 30 patients (42.9%) died at the end of the follow-up, and only 4 patients improved to disease free status. The 5, 10, 15, and 20 year survival rates in these patients were 68.5%, 54.0%, 41.6%, 27.7%, respectively. Age, post-operative Tg level and tumor size are important prognostic factors which are demonstrated to be significantly different statistically between lung metastases group and the group of the patients without distant metastasis. Otherwise, only the tumor size and accumulative dose of (131)I therapy demonstrate a significant difference between survival and mortality groups. Seventeen of the 70 patients developed lung metastases during the follow-up period. Mean period between diagnosis and recurrence of these patients was 3.6 +/- 0.9 years. Over 75% of follicular thyroid carcinoma with lung metastases was diagnosed at the time of presentation. Forty percent (28/70 cases) of the follicular thyroid carcinoma with lung metastases had history of thyroid surgery in this study. If lung metastases are diagnosed in follicular thyroid carcinoma, it will be followed by a poor prognosis. Older patients, higher postoperative Tg, and larger tumor size in follicular thyroid carcinoma need aggressive postoperative treatment.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Ultrasonography-guided core-needle biopsy of parotid gland masses.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An accurate diagnosis of a parotid gland mass is essential for adequate management. We determined the clinical efficacy of USCNB in diagnosing parotid gland masses by using cutting needles of different bores. METHODS: We reviewed records for 40 benign and 13 malignant parotid lesions. USCNB was performed by using 14-20-gauge needles (mean, 16.6 gauge) with one to five (mean, 2.43) passes and a 15-mm throw or specimen notch. Final diagnoses were established on the basis of surgicopathologic results in 31 cases, and on the basis of histopathologic analysis of biopsy specimens, clinical data, and/or imaging studies in 22, with a follow-up of 12.2-77.5 months (mean, 33.6 months). RESULTS: Compared with surgicopathology, USCNB had a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 100%, and an accuracy of 97% in providing specific tissue diagnoses and in differentiating malignant from benign masses. Its positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 96%, respectively, in diagnosing malignancy. One patient (2%) had a local hematoma without sequela after surgical removal of a Warthin tumor. Core biopsy results were completely concordant with surgical findings in 30 (97%) of 31 cases. CONCLUSION: USCNB is a safe and efficient diagnostic procedure with an accuracy of 97% in the pathologic diagnosis of parotid masses. It can be performed in an outpatient clinic and enables specific tissue diagnosis to obviate intraoperative frozen biopsy and unnecessary surgery. An 18-gauge needle is sufficient for accurate and specific tissue diagnosis of parotid masses.

Adolescent↗

Intra-abdominal cystic lymphangiomas in infancy and childhood.

BACKGROUND: Cystic lymphangiomas (CL) rarely present as intra-abdominal masses. Abdominal CL is often discussed in conjunction with mesenteric cysts; however, their histology, location and age of presentation differ significantly. In an attempt to establish a best diagnostic and treatment modality, we report our experience dealing with intra-abdominal CL during a 5-year period. METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2003, 12 patients, 7 boys and 5 girls, with a diagnosis of CL were reviewed. Modes of clinical presentation, location of CL, methods of diagnosis, surgical intervention and histological examination were all analyzed. RESULTS: The ages of the 12 patients ranged from 8 days to 6 years. Eleven of the 12 patients were symptomatic with abdominal pain, abdominal distention or palpable mass , dysuria and severe acute abdominal pain mimicking appendicitis. Abdominal ultrasound was done preoperatively in all patients. At laparotomy, 5 CL were located in the omentum, 5 in the mesentery, and another 2 in the retroperitoneum. All omental CL were completely excised without difficulty. CL removal required resection of both the cyst and intestine in 2 patients. One of 2 retropritoneal CL was removed with small areas of the posterior wall of the cyst remaining on the inferior vena cava (IVC). There were no major postoperative complications, deaths, or recurrences in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-abdominal CL are usually involved in young children and are usually symptomatic. A preoperative diagnosis is possible with ultrasound study. Complete excision of the cysts with or without intestinal resection is mandatory to prevent recurrence. The long-term prognosis is excellent.

Abdomen↗

Extramedullary relapse in the left proximal femur with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

We describe a rare presentation of extra-medullary relapse in an adolescent boy with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia who had undergone allogeneic bone marrow transplantation after first remission. In spite of enduring bone marrow remission, the patient experienced a local relapse in the left proximal femur within 3 years of the transplant. The findings from radiography, bone scintigraphy, and chimerism analysis with short tandem repeats as well as bone marrow aspirates taken via the iliac crests were indeterminate. Magnetic resonance imaging at the onset of hip pain was characterized by decreased signal intensity of the left proximal femur, a finding characteristic of bone marrow edema. Confirmation of extra-medullary relapse of the proximal femur was delayed until histologic proof of the computed tomography-guided biopsy samples was obtained. Overt bone marrow relapse was identified 14 months later. Reestablishment of normal donor hematopoiesis was achieved with reinduction chemotherapy.

Acute Disease↗