• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.935-940
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• 2013

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of conventional ultrasonography and real time ultrasound elastography in differentiating degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy from papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed conventional ultrasonographic and elastographic characteristics of 19 degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy in 19 patients, with 30 surgically confirmed PTCs as controls. Based on size, the nodules had been grouped into less than 10mm (group A) and greater than 10 mm (group B). We evaluated conventional parameters and elasticity pattern. Color-scaled elastograms were graded as to stiffness of nodules using an elasticity pattern from I (soft) to IV (stiff). Results: Degenerating cystic thyroid nodules were similar to PTCs in conventional ultrasonographic findings, but the former frequently showed oval to round in shape (group A, 69.2% vs 18.8%, P=0.017; group B, 66.7% vs 7.14%, P=0.017) and punctuate hyperechoic foci (group A, 61.5% vs 0, P<0.001; group B, 50% vs 0, P<0.001). On real time ultrasound elastography, 7 of 13 degenerating cystic thyroid nodules in group A were pattern I, 5 were pattern II, 1 was pattern III. One degenerating cystic thyroid nodule in group B was pattern II, 5 were pattern III. The area under the curve for elastography was 0.98 in group A (sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 100%, P = 0.002), and 0.88 in group B (sensitivity 16.7%, specificity 100%, P = 0.014). Conclusions: As a dependable imaging technique, elastography helps increase the performance in differential diagnosis of degenerating cystic thyroid nodule and malignancy.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.947-955
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• 2019

Degenerating nodules (DNs), which primarily manifest as benign thyroid nodules, are one of the main causes of discordance in ultrasonography (US) and cytological assessments. Intranodular hemorrhage is one of the mechanisms contributing to discordant nodules, and an impaired blood supply may explain further DN shrinkage and infarction. The surgical specimens can be divided into acute and chronic stages based on the histological changes, which usually mimic the US features of malignant tumors. Serial US follow-up should be recommended instead of other unnecessary procedures. However, repeated fine-needle aspiration, diagnostic surgery, or core-needle biopsy may still be necessary for indeterminable or highly suspicious DNs.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.69-72
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• 2011

Eosinophilic granuloma is a common hypersensitive inflammatory skin disease in cats, and rare in dogs and horses. The skin biopsies of 5 years old female Cocker spaniel and 2 years old female mixed dog had the clinical signs of skin nodules with alopecia were submitted for diagnosis. Solitary skin nodules and papillary nodules were presented on the left external ear and back of Cocker spaniel and on the external ear of mixed dog, respectively. Histopathologically, epidermis of skin showed mild to severe hyperplasia with multifocal ulceration. Small to large irregular, brightly eosinophilic foci with degenerating eosinophils and homogeneous degenerated collagens were existed in the dermis of both ear and back skin. Typical 'flame figures', a mixture of degenerated collagen and degranulated eosinophils, were observed in both cases. Based on the histopathologic findings and special staining characters, 2 cases were diagnosed as canine eosinophilic granuloma. This is the first report for the eosinophilic granuloma of dogs in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 1997

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis of any degree of severity or duration may develop necrotizing granulomatous pleuritis, a morphologic replica of the inflammatory reaction characteristic of rheumatoid synovitis and rheumatoid nodules. The principal feature is the background composed of granular, amorphous, particulate material or debris of various hues. The material is sometimes eosinophilic sometimes more cyanophilic, or even green in the Papanicolaou stain. Within this background are elongated, fibroblast-like epithelioid cells, numerous multinucleated giant cells and degenerating leukocytes. The combination of the debris, spindle epithelioid ceils, and multinucleated giant cells in fluid is pathognomonic for rheumatoid pleuritis. We experienced a hcase of rheumatoid pleuritis showing these characteristic cytologic findings. The patient was a 63 year-old man with positive rheumatoid factor. The pleual fluid specimen revealed elongated epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells on a background of amorphous granular material.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.19-30
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• 1985

Morphogenesis of rat spleen was studied by light and electron microscope from the fetal stage till the newborn or adult stages. The results indicate as follows: at the 14th day of gestation rat spleen, as an early form, consists of intercellular spaces and mesenchymal cells. And at this stage the spleen is in a premature state, then it appears its adult condition in structures after the 7th postnatal day. Erythropoiesis is shown to be an active process in rat spleen beginning about the 18th day of gestation, and once established the process continues at least till the 7th postnatal day. At the 20th day of gestation, there are splenic nodules, trabeculae, venous sinus, and granular leucocytes such as neutrophils and basophils in rat spleen. Lymphocytes appeared to be well differentiated at the 7th postnatal day and were present till the adult stage. While degenerating erythrocytes are phagocytosed by macrophages. In conclusion, rat spleen started to be appeared from the 14th day of gestation and erythropoiesis in rat spleen was carried out for about 10 days between prenatal and postnatal stage. Erythrophagocytosis was accomplished by macrophages and it is suggested that the proper functions of rat spleen set off from the 7 th postnatal day when its structures are similar to the adult's.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.569-572
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• 2013

Dirofilariasis is a rare disease in humans. We report here a case of a 48-year-old male who was diagnosed with pulmonary dirofilariasis in Korea. On chest radiographs, a coin lesion of 1 cm in diameter was shown. Although it looked like a benign inflammatory nodule, malignancy could not be excluded. So, the nodule was resected by video-assisted thoracic surgery. Pathologically, chronic granulomatous inflammation composed of coagulation necrosis with rim of fibrous tissues and granulations was seen. In the center of the necrotic nodules, a degenerating parasitic organism was found. The parasite had prominent internal cuticular ridges and thick cuticle, a well-developed muscle layer, an intestinal tube, and uterine tubules. The parasite was diagnosed as an immature female worm of Dirofilaria immitis. This is the second reported case of human pulmonary dirofilariasis in Korea.