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Laparoscopic primary repair is one of the main procedures used for perforated gastric ulcers, and this technique requires reproducible and secure suturing. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a novel continuous suture method with barbed sutures during laparoscopic repair for perforated peptic ulcers. Clinical data from 116 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic repair for perforated peptic ulcers were collected between November 2009 and October 2015. Continuous suturing with 15-cm-long unidirectional absorbable barbed sutures was used for laparoscopic repair in the study group, termed group V (n = 51). Patients who underwent laparoscopic repair with conventional interrupted sutures were defined as group C (n = 65). The complication and operative data were compared between groups. Although there was no difference between group V and group C in the overall complication rate (15.7% vs. 24.6%; p = 0.259), the complication rate related to suturing was lower (3.9% vs. 15.4%; p = 0.04) in group V. Group V showed rates of 0% for leakage, 2% for intra-abdominal fluid collection, and 2% for stricture; the corresponding rates in group C were 3.1, 7.7, and 4.6%, respectively. Regarding operative data, the total operation time (V vs. C, 87.7 min vs. 131.2 min), total suture time (7.1 min vs. 25.3 min), and suture time per stitch (1.2 min vs. 6.2 min) were significantly shorter in group V than in group C (p

The da Vinci surgical robot system was developed to overcome the weaknesses of endoscopic surgery. However, whether robotic surgery is superior to endoscopic surgery remains uncertain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the surgical and oncologic outcomes between endoscopic and robotic thyroidectomy using bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA). Between January 2008 and June 2015, papillary thyroid carcinoma patients who underwent thyroidectomy with central neck dissection using endoscopic (n = 480) or robotic (n = 705) BABA were primarily reviewed. We performed 1:1 propensity score matching and 289 matched pairs were yielded. Operation time was significantly longer in the robotic thyroidectomy than in the endoscopic thyroidectomy (184.9 vs. 128.9 min, P

Because laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has a steep learning curve, analyzing experience is important for trainees. Several authors have described the learning curve of LLR, without comparing the learning curves between major and minor LLR.Perioperative data were retrieved from the medical records of 170 consecutive patients who underwent LLR by a single surgeon at a tertiary hospital. Learning curves were generated and compared between major and minor LLR using cumulative sum control charts and the moving average.Major and minor LLR was performed in 96 and 74 patients, respectively. The learning curves showed a steady state after case 50 for major LLR. Because of discordant results in minor LLR, subgroup analyses were performed, showing competency in LLR after cases 25 and 35 for left lateral sectionectomy and tumorectomy, respectively. Transfused red blood cell volume (0.6 versus 2.2 packs, P .001) decreased after achievement of competence in major LLR. Blood loss exceeding 500 mL (odds ratio 2.395, 95% confidence interval 1.096-5.233, P = .028) was independently associated with LLR failure.The number of cases required to accomplish LLR differed according to the extent of resection. Extensive blood loss was independently associated with LLR failure.

The benefits of prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) remain controversial in clinically node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical impact of pCND with a large group of cN0 PTC patients.A total of 11,569 cN0 PTC patients who underwent thyroidectomy between January 1997 and June 2015 were investigated. Using Cox multivariate analysis, the prognostic impact of pCND was assessed using subset analyses according to various clinicopathologic conditions. Using propensity score matching, various surgical morbidities were assessed under adjusted conditions.Of 11,569 cN0 PTC patients, 8,735 (75.5%) underwent pCND. Prophylactic CND did not significantly decrease the risk of locoregional recurrence in cN0 PTC patients (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.874; p = 0.392). In addition, pCND did not significantly decrease the risk of locoregional recurrence in various surgical extents (lobectomy and ipsilateral pCND [adjusted HR = 0.636; p = 0.131], total thyroidectomy and ipsilateral pCND [adjusted HR = 0.775; p = 0.164], and total thyroidectomy and bilateral pCND [adjusted HR = 1.041; p = 0.821]). However, surgical morbidities, such as temporary vocal cord palsy (5.6% vs 2.5%; p = 0.001), temporary hypoparathyroidism (30.8% vs 16.7%; p0.001), and permanent hypoparathyroidism (3.5% vs 1.7%; p0.001) were significantly more frequent in the pCND(+) group.Given the lack of proven benefits and the clear evidence of morbidities, pCND cannot be recommended as a routine procedure. We suggest that CND be reserved for therapeutic situations.

The use of radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation in patients with intermediate-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who show microscopic extrathyroidal extension (ETE), regional lymph node (LN) metastasis, tumors with aggressive histology, or vascular invasion has been debated due to the lack of data regarding long-term prognosis in this risk group. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to resolve the controversy surrounding the prognostic benefit of RAI ablation, especially in intermediate-risk PTC patients. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 8297 intermediate-risk PTC patients who underwent primary total thyroidectomy with or without neck dissection at the Thyroid Cancer Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea, between January 1997 and June 2015. Of these 8297 patients, 7483 (90.2%) received RAI ablation. After adjusting for clinicopathological characteristics, RAI ablation did not significantly decrease the risk of loco-regional recurrence (LRR) (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.852, P 0.413). Moreover, RAI ablation did not decrease the risk of LRR even in intermediate-risk PTC patients with aggressive features such as BRAF positivity (adjusted HR 0.729, P 0.137), tumor size >1 cm (adjusted HR 0.762, P 0.228), multifocality (adjusted HR 1.032, P 0.926), ETE (adjusted HR 0.870, P 0.541), and regional LN metastasis (adjusted HR 0.804, P 0.349). Furthermore, high-dose RAI ablation (>100 mCi) did not significantly decrease the risk of LRR (adjusted HR 0.942, P 0.843). Therefore, RAI ablation in intermediate-risk PTC patients should be considered on the basis of tailored risk restratification.

The failure to preserve parathyroid function in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy is of major concern, because hypocalcemia is difficult to prevent and remains a common postoperative complication. Here, we describe procedures designed to preserve the vasculature supplying the parathyroid glands and examine both recent outcomes and retrospective reports of results obtained prior to the application of these preservation techniques.Our technique for preserving parathyroid function during thyroidectomy was adopted in 2009 and involves separating a relatively long segment of a vessel distally from the thyroid gland. We reviewed the medical records of 1,411 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, with or without lateral neck dissection, at the Samsung Medical Center from January 2006 through June 2014 to determine outcomes. Patients were divided into three groups according to the time period during which the surgery took place: Group A, 2006-2008 (before the vasculature-preserving technique was applied); Group B, 2009-2011 (the time when the technique was first adopted); and Group C, 2012-2014 (more recent results of the technique). We analyzed the incidence of hypoparathyroidism in the three groups, as well as risk factors that influenced its development.The rates of transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism in Group A were 25.4 and 4.3 %, respectively. However, the incidence of hypoparathyroidism decreased significantly over time after the vasculature-preserving procedure was adopted. Transient hypoparathyroidism developed in 4.8 % of Group C patients, and only four (0.7 %) of the 565 patients in this group required calcium supplementation, despite the fact that a greater number of patients were included who underwent total thyroidectomy combined with lateral neck dissection. Although female sex and lateral neck dissection tended to increase the rate of transient hypoparathyroidism, multivariate analysis showed that the vasculature-preserving procedure was the only significant risk factor related to postoperative hypoparathyroidism.The blood flow of the final branch to the parathyroid gland is mostly in the lateral-to-medial direction; therefore, mobilization and preservation of the vessels lateral to the gland is essential to prevent devascularization of the parathyroid gland.

Background Laryngeal ultrasonography (LUS) is a new method of vocal cord (VC) evaluation in patients with risk of vocal cord palsy (VCP). The previously described anterior-approach LUS reportedly, however, has high failure rate of VC visualization in male patients. We devised a novel lateral-approach LUS to overcome this limitation. Methods A total of 382 (82 male, 300 female) consecutive LUS and direct laryngoscopy (DL) examinations were performed on perioperative thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy patients. The anterior-approach LUS was used for female patients whereas the lateral-approach LUS was used for male patients. Findings were cross-validated independently with DL examinations. Results Both anterior and lateral LUS methods had 100% visualization rate (no failed visualization) with an overall sensitivity of 100% (23/23) and specificity of 99.2% (356/359) for VCP. Among the 300 female patients, 18 patients had VCP. Sensitivity and specificity of anterior-approach LUS were 100% (18/18) and 99.3% (280/282), respectively. Among the 80 male patients, 5 patients had VCP. Sensitivity and specificity of lateral-approach LU were 100% (5/5) and 98.7% (76/77), respectively. Conclusion The new LUS approach significantly enhances the visualization of vocal cords and, therefore, overall diagnostic efficacy of LUS in male patients.

Background The extent of surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is associated strongly with disease persistence, recurrence, and mortality. It is difficult, however, to determine the optimal extent for surgery. The BRAF mutation is well known for its diagnostic and prognostic value in PTC. Among the variants of PTC, the clinical importance of the BRAF mutation has been associated particularly with conventional PTC. The goal of this study was to clarify the role of the BRAF mutation as a determinant for the operative extent in conventional PTC. Methods Histopathology and BRAF mutation status of 3,019 patients with conventional PTC were analyzed. With regard to the extent of surgery in PTC, focus was given to the factors of tumor bilaterality, central lymph node metastasis (CLNM), and lateral lymph node metastasis. In addition, the prognostic impact of BRAF mutation on loco-regional recurrence was investigated. Results The BRAF mutation was found to be an independent indicator of tumor bilaterality (odds ratio [OR] 1.484, P = .010); however, it was not an independent indicator of CLNM (OR 1.167, P = .254) or lateral lymph node metastasis (OR 0.647, P = .384). Moreover, it was not an independent indicator of CLNM in either the therapeutic or prophylactic central neck dissection. Finally, BRAF mutation positivity did not increase the risk of loco-regional recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.829, P = .523). Conclusion The BRAF mutation is a possible indicator for determining the extent of thyroidectomy required but not for the extent of lymph node dissection and prognosis in patients with conventional PTC.

Introduction During examination of the vocal cords (VC) using transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography (TLUSG), 3 sonographic landmarks (namely, false VC [FC], true VC [TC], and arytenoids [AR]) are often seen. However, it remains unclear which landmark provides a more reliable assessment and whether seeing more landmarks improves the diagnostic accuracy and reliability. Methods We evaluated prospectively 245 patients from 2 centers. One assessor from each center performed all TLUSG examinations and their findings were validated by direct laryngoscopy. All 3 sonographic landmarks were routinely visualized whenever possible. The rate of visualization and diagnostic accuracy between the 3 landmarks were compared. Results Eighteen patients suffered postoperative VC palsy (VCP). Both centers had comparable visualization or assessability rate of ≥1 sonographic landmark (94.9 and 95.3%; P = 1.000) and 100% sensitivity on postoperative TLUSG. The rates of FC, TC, and AR visualization were 92.7%, 36.7%, and 89.8%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy and the proportion of true positives, false positives, and true negatives between using 1, 2, landmarks and 3 landmarks were comparable (P > .05). Conclusion Each sonographic landmark had similar reliability and diagnostic accuracy. Identifying all 3 sonographic landmarks was not mandatory and visualizing normal movement in one of the sonographic landmarks would be sufficient to exclude VCP.

In the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines, either lobectomy or total thyroidectomy was recommended for thyroid cancer4 cm without extrathyroidal extension (ETE) and lymph node (LN) metastasis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate factors predictive of bilaterality in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with tumor size4 cm.This study retrospectively reviewed 3296 conventional PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection and/or lateral neck dissection between January 2008 and June 2015.In overall conventional PTC patients, per 10-year age increment (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.153, p 0.001), BRAF mutation positivity (adjusted OR = 1.447, p = 0.002) and multifocality (adjusted OR = 3.895, p 0.001) were independent predictors for bilaterality. In conventional PTC patients with tumor size 1-4 cm, per 10-year age increment (adjusted OR = 1.289, p 0.001), BRAF mutation positivity (adjusted OR = 1.560, p = 0.012), multifocality (adjusted OR = 4.220, p 0.001), and N1b (adjusted OR = 1.570, p = 0.007) were independent predictors for bilaterality. In conventional PTC patients with tumor size1 cm, BRAF mutation positivity (adjusted OR = 1.327, p = 0.042) and multifocality (adjusted OR = 3.530, p 0.001) were found to be independent predictors for bilaterality.When multifocality and BRAF mutation positivity are observed in PTC patients with tumor size4 cm, total thyroidectomy may be considered. If lobectomy is performed in PTC patients with multifocality and BRAF mutation positivity, meticulous follow-up is needed to detect hidden malignancies in the contralateral lobe.

Background Laryngeal ultrasound is a new method of vocal cord evaluation in patients at risk for vocal cord palsy. However, the previously described laryngeal ultrasound reportedly has a high failure rate of vocal cord visualization in male patients. We compared 2 ultrasound frequencies in laryngeal ultrasound to improve on the limitations of this method. Method A total of 301 (55 male, 246 female) consecutive laryngeal ultrasound and direct laryngoscopy exams were performed for patients with thyroidectomy and other neck operations. High-frequency transducer (12–5 MHz broad band spectrum) and low-frequency transducer (9–3 MHz broad band spectrum) were used for all laryngeal ultrasound. Findings were independently cross-validated with direct laryngoscopy. Results High-frequency and low-frequency laryngeal ultrasound had 88.4% and 97.7% visualization rates, respectively. In addition, low-frequency laryngeal ultrasound showed improved sensitivity of 97.6% and specificity of 96.5%, compared with a sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 86.5% for high-frequency laryngeal ultrasound in vocal cord evaluation. Conclusion The low-frequency laryngeal ultrasound method significantly enhances the visualization of vocal cords, especially in patients who have diffuse thyroid cartilage calcification interrupting laryngeal ultrasound, and therefore enhances the overall efficacy of laryngeal ultrasound as a perioperative diagnostic tool for vocal cord palsy. Hence, we recommend using a low-frequency transducer (about 9–3 MHz) for laryngeal ultrasound if it is available.

There was a difficulty for detecting Central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to design a nomogram for predicting CLNM.A total of 10,763 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection (CND) in Samsung Medical Center were randomly assigned to the training set (n = 7,535) and to the internal validation set (n = 3,228). And, a total of 2,514 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with CND at Seoul National University Hospital were assigned to the external validation set.The values of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in the training set, internal validation set, and external validation set were 0.721 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.709-0.732), 0.706 (95%CI, 0.688-0.724), and 0.706 (95%CI, 0.685-0.727), respectively.We recommend the use of our nomogram to enable clinicians and patients to easily personalize and quantify the probability of CLNM during the both pre- and postoperative period. Clinicians may consider the prophylactic CND and meticulous postoperative evaluation in PTC patients with a high nomogram score. J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:266-272. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Only about half of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cases are classified as conventional PTC (CV-PTC), whereas various histologic variants constitute the remaining cases. Since controversies about the clinical behavior and outcomes of PTC variants continue, the purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients with PTC variants who were treated at a large tertiary referral center in Korea.The medical records for 15,598 CV-PTCs, 435 follicular variants of PTC (FV-PTCs), and 66 diffuse sclerosing variants of PTC (DSV-PTCs) were retrospectively reviewed. Loco-regional recurrences (LRR) among PTC variants were compared using propensity score matching.Analysis I compared CV-PTC with FV-PTC. After rigorous matching, 367 pairs were established. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates in CV-PTC were 96.1% at 5 years, 92.2% at 10 years, and 92.2% at 15 years, while those for FV-PTC were 98.8% at 5 years, 98.8% at 10 years, and 98.8% at 15 years (p = 0.026). Analysis II compared CV-PTC with DSV-PTC. Rigorous matching yielded 56 pairs. RFS rates for CV-PTC were 87.4% at 5 years, 87.4% at 10 years, and 87.4% at 15 years, while those for DSV-PTC were 68.9% at 5 years, 57.5% at 10 years, and were not available at 15 years (p = 0.013).Compared with CV-PTC, FV-PTC showed less aggressive behaviors and more favorable outcomes. However, DSV-PTC showed more aggressive behaviors and a less favorable outcome than CV-PTC did. Therefore, the management strategy and follow-up plan for PTC should be differentiated according to the histologic variant.

Because of the limitations in ultrasonography (US), the advantages of computed tomography (CT) for detecting central lymph node (LN) metastasis have been suggested in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).First, we compared the diagnostic accuracy of US and CT for detecting central LN metastasis in 6577 central neck levels from 3668 PTC patients. Second, to examine the clinical impact of CT-detected central LN metastasis (CT cN1a) in PTC patients with clinically node negative in US (US cN0), we selected two groups: group I comprised 1245 US cN0 PTC patients who did not have CT scans and did not undergo central neck dissection (CND), while group II comprised 348 US cN0 and CT cN1a PTC patients who underwent CND. After propensity score matching, 254 matched pairs were yielded.For detecting central LN metastasis, CT showed significantly higher sensitivity (38.9 vs. 27.5 %; p 0.001) and accuracy (66.1 vs. 63.2 %; p 0.001) than US. Furthermore, US + CT showed significantly higher sensitivity (47.8 vs. 27.5 %; p 0.001) and accuracy (69.0 vs. 63.2 %; p 0.001) than US. After matching, radioactive iodine ablation (81.5 vs. 85.8 %; p = 0.235) and locoregional recurrence (p = 0.663) were not significantly different between groups I and II.Despite the diagnostic advantages of preoperative CT, 'CT-based CND' in US cN0 PTC patients did not significantly influence postoperative management and locoregional recurrence. The strategy for the management of central neck in PTC patients can be sufficiently determined by US only.

Previous studies have examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the behavior of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC). However, the results are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between PTC behavior and anthropometric parameters including BMI and body surface area (BSA).This study retrospectively reviewed 5081 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with bilateral central neck dissection between January 2002 and June 2015. Because of sexual dimorphism in obesity, analyses were conducted separately for men and women. The World Health Organization BMI classification was used to classify patients as normal (18.5 ≤ BMI25 kg/m(2)), overweight (25 ≤ BMI30 kg/m(2)), or obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m(2)). Since no consensus for BSA categorization exists, enrolled patients were grouped into BSA quartiles by sex: women BSA1 (BSA1.52 m(2)), BSA2 (1.52 ≤ BSA1.59 m(2)), BSA3 (1.59 ≤ BSA1.67 m(2)), and BSA4 (BSA ≥1.67 m(2)); and men BSA1 (BSA1.77 m(2)), BSA2 (1.77 ≤ BSA1.86 m(2)), BSA3 (1.86 ≤ BSA1.96 m(2)), and BSA4 (BSA ≥1.96 m(2)).In women, overweight (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.187, p = 0.042) and obese (adjusted OR = 2.231, p 0.001) were independent predictors for multiplicity. Furthermore, overweight (adjusted OR = 1.237, p = 0.012) and obese (adjusted OR = 1.789, p = 0.005) were independent predictors for extrathyroidal extension (ETE). However, higher BMI was not an independent predictor for bilaterality or central lymph node metastasis (CLNM). In addition, higher BSA-BSA3 (adjusted OR = 1.205, p = 0.049) and BSA4 (adjusted OR = 1.524, p 0.001)-was an independent predictor for multiplicity. However, higher BSA was not a predictor for bilaterality, ETE, or CLNM. In men, higher BMI and BSA were not predictors for multiplicity, bilaterality, ETE, or CLNM.In women with PTC, higher BMI was an independent predictor for multiplicity and ETE. Furthermore, higher BSA was an independent predictor for multiplicity. However, BMI and BSA were not predictors for the PTC behavior in men.

Because lymph node (LN) metastasis has been proven to be a predictor for locoregional recurrence (LRR) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), better knowledge about the predictors for LN metastasis in PTMC is required. We retrospectively reviewed 5656 PTMC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection and/or lateral neck dissection between January 1997 and June 2015. Male gender (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.332), conventional variant (adjusted OR 4.266), tumor size >0.5 cm (adjusted OR 1.753), multiplicity (adjusted OR 1.168), bilaterality (adjusted OR 1.177), and extrathyroidal extension (ETE) (adjusted OR 1.448) were independent predictors for high prevalence of central LN metastasis (CLNM), whereas per 10-year age increment (adjusted OR 0.760) and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (adjusted OR 0.791) were independent predictors for low prevalence of CLNM. In addition, male gender (adjusted OR 1.489), tumor size >0.5 cm (adjusted OR 1.295), multiplicity (adjusted OR 1.801), ETE (adjusted OR 1.659), and CLNM (adjusted OR 4.359) were independent predictors for high prevalence of lateral LN metastasis (LLNM), whereas per 10-year age increment (adjusted OR 0.838) was an independent predictor for low prevalence of LLNM. There was a statistically significant difference in LRR with regard to nodal stage (p

Bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) robotic thyroidectomy (RT) is proven to be a feasible method for the treatment of well-differentiated thyroid cancers in terms of oncology as well as cosmesis. However, BABA RT causes postoperative sternal discomfort and needs an incision over the nipple areolar area. Here, we suggest a novel robotic surgical technique for thyroid surgery that does not need a breast incision—bilateral axillary approach (BAA). We recruited 51 patients who were willing to undergo the novel BAA robotic thyroid surgery. We performed a propensity score-matched analysis to compare the BAA robotic thyroid surgery group (BAA group) with the conventional open thyroid surgery group (open group). Mean operation time in the BAA group (129.7 min) was significantly longer than that in the open group (103.1 min) (p

Although BCL2 has occasionally been suggested as a candidate prognostic factor for breast cancer, it is still not accepted as a prognostic factor. We attempted to validate the role of BCL2 as a prognostic factor of breast cancer. Data on 7,230 primary breast cancer patients from the Seoul National University Hospital Breast Care Center were analyzed. Three current prognostic models, including the St. Gallen model, the Nottingham prognostic index (NPI) model and the TNM model, were used for analysis of the prognostic influence of BCL2. The positive BCL2 group showed more favorable features with regard to clinicopathologic parameters than the BCL2 negative group and a strong correlation was observed between BCL2 and the hormonal receptor. The positive BCL2 group showed better prognosis in overall survival and disease free survival (log-rank test, both p < 0.001), even in all subgroups, than the BCL2 negative group. BCL2 was a significant prognostic factor in both univariate (hazard ratio [HR], 0.361; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.306–0.426; p < 0.001) and multivariate analyses (HR, 0.417; 95% CI, 0.417–0.705; p < 0.001). BCL2 had a strong influence on the established prognostic models, including the St. Gallen model, the NPI model and the TNM model. BCL2 was a powerful independent prognostic factor for breast cancer and had a strong influence on the current prognostic models. Favorable clinicopathologic features and a strong correlation with the hormonal receptor are suggested as the causes of superior survival in patients with BCL2 positive breast cancer.

It has been reported that papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) is less associated with extrathyroidal extension (ETE), advanced tumor stage and lymph node (LN) metastasis. Other studies have suggested that concurrent CLT could antagonize PTC progression, even in BRAF-positive patients. Since the clinical significance of the BRAF mutation has been particularly associated with conventional PTC, the purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of CLT according to BRAF mutation status in conventional PTC patients. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 3332 conventional PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with bilateral central neck dissection at the Thyroid Cancer Center of Samsung Medical Center between January 2008 and June 2015. In this study, the prevalence of BRAF mutation was significantly less frequent in conventional PTC patients with CLT (76.9% vs 86.6%). CLT was an independent predictor for low prevalence of ETE in both BRAF-negative (OR=0.662, P=0.023) and BRAF-positive (OR=0.817, P=0.027) conventional PTC patients. In addition, CLT was an independent predictor for low prevalence of CLNM in both BRAF-negative (OR=0.675, P=0.044) and BRAF-positive (OR=0.817, P=0.030) conventional PTC patients. In conclusion, BRAF mutation was significantly less frequent in conventional PTC patients with CLT. However, CLT was an independent predictor for less aggressiveness in conventional PTC patients regardless of BRAF mutation status.

To assess vocal cord (VC) movement with transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasound (TLUSG), three maneuvers, namely passive (quiet respiration), active (phonation), and Valsalva maneuvers have been described. It remains unclear which maneuver or using more maneuvers provides better visualization and assessment accuracy. We prospectively evaluated 342 post-thyroidectomy patients from two centers. They underwent TLUSG with direct laryngoscopic (DL) validation afterwards. During TLUSG, patients were instructed to perform all three maneuvers (passive, active, and Valsalva). VC visualization rate and accuracy between three maneuvers were compared. Visualization rate tended to be higher in Valsalva maneuver than that in other two maneuvers (92.1% vs. passive: 91.5%; active: 89.8%). While 19 patients had post-operative VC palsy, passive maneuver had lower test specificity than active (94.3 vs. 97.6%, p = 0.01) and Valsalva maneuvers (94.3 vs. 97.4%, p = 0.02). In assessable VCs, passive maneuver has a higher ability to differentiate between mobile VCs and VC palsy (Area under ROC curve--passive: 0.942, active: 0.863, Valsalva: 0.893). TLUSG with more maneuvers did not improve sensitivity or specificity. On applying TLUSG as a screening tool (i.e., only selected patient with "unassessable" VCs or VCP on TLUSG for DL), Valsalva maneuver (85.96%) saved more patients from DL than passive (81.87%) or active (84.81%) maneuver. Passive maneuver has a higher ability to differentiate VC palsy from normal. Using TLUSG as a screening tool, Valsalva was the preferred maneuver as it was more specific, had high visualization rate, and saved more patients from DL.

Although ultrasonography (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the most reliable diagnostic modality for evaluating thyroid nodules, 10% to 40% of FNAB samples yield indeterminate findings. The BRAF V600E mutation, a highly specific molecular marker for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), well known for its prognostic value, has dubious diagnostic value because of its low sensitivity. Novel strategies are clearly needed to distinguish PTC, which represents the majority of thyroid malignancies, from other thyroid nodules. The records of 3297 patients with surgically proven PTC were retrospectively reviewed. A prediction table and nomogram were designed using a combination of diagnostic parameters for US, FNAB, and the BRAF V600E mutation. For the nomogram, parameters were proportionally assigned 0 to 100 points according to their regression coefficient for PTC. The probability of PTC for thyroid nodules with intermediate-risk (IR) US and atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) FNAB was significantly dependent on BRAF V600E mutation status based on our prediction table (negative, 29.2% vs positive, 87.5%; P

The necessity of prophylactic central neck dissection is one of debating issues in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). In a previous study, the predictive value of BRAF mutation for lymph node metastasis was only significant in 0.5 to 1.0 cm PTC. Thus, we assess the predictive value of BRAF mutation for central lymph node metastasis according to tumor size.Medical records of 3107 patients with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy with central neck dissection were retrospectively reviewed.BRAF mutation was a predictor for central lymph node metastasis in 2.0 to 4.0 cm PTC (odds ratio [OR] = 3.494; p = .002). Although BRAF mutation was associated with central lymph node metastasis in 0.5 to 1.0 cm PTC in univariate analysis (OR = 1.334; p = .047), this significance was not observed in multivariate analysis (OR = 1.232; p = .163). BRAF mutation was not associated with central lymph node metastasis in other tumor sizes.Prophylactic central neck dissection could be considered in 2.0 to 4.0 cm PTC with positive BRAF mutation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1203-E1209, 2016.