• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.99-105
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• 2014

Isolating total DNA from small samples using traditional methods is difficult and inefficient mainly due to loss of DNA during filtration and precipitation. With advances in molecular pathology, DNA extraction from micro-dissected cells has become essential in handling clinical samples. Genomic DNA extraction using small numbers of cells can be very important to successfully PCR amplify DNA from small biopsy specimens. We compared our experimental genomic DNA extraction method (A) with two other commercially available methods: using spin columns (B), and conventional resins (C), and determined the efficacy of DNA extraction from small numbers of cells smeared on a glass slide. Approximately 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 cells were isolated from fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) slides aspirated from histologically proven papillary thyroid carcinoma masses. DNA was extracted using the three techniques. After measuring DNA quantity, PCR amplification was performed to detect the ${\beta}$-globin and $BRAF^{V600E}$ gene mutations. DNA extracted by method (A) showed better yield than the other methods in all cell groups. With our method, a suitable amount of genomic DNA to produce amplification was extracted from as few as 50 cells, while more than 100 to 200 cells were required when methods (B) or (C) were applied. Our genomic DNA extraction method provides high quality and improved yields for molecular analysis. It will be especially useful for paucicellular clinical samples which molecular pathologists often confront when handling fine needle aspiration cytology, exfoliative cytology and small biopsy specimens.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2005

Carcinoid tumors of the thymus are vanishingly rare, and the characteristic cytologic findings of this condition have never before been reported in Korea. Recently, we encountered a 58-year-old woman who had been suffering from general weakness and weight loss for several months. Radiological imaging revealed a large anterior mediastinal mass. A fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the mass showed predominantly scattered single cells, as well as some loose clusters of small cells with scanty cytoplasm. Some of these small cells exhibited plasmacytoid features, with moderately granular cytoplasm. We also discuss the cytological differential diagnosis between thymic carcinoid and other mediastinal tumors.

• 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.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1225-1232
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• 1990

From March 1986 to June 1990, the percutaneous Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy[FNAB] of 102 thoracic lesions were performed with Westcott needle [slotted 20G or 22G thin needle], for the purpose of identifying and diagnosing thoracic lesions. There were 94 lung lesions [67 malignant tumors, 27 benign lesions] and 8 mediastinal and chest wall lesions. The results of FNAB were compared with sputum cytology and bronchoscopic examinations. The sputum cytologic examinations were performed in 54 cases of malignant lung tumor and the malignant cell was found at the 18 cases [33%]. We bronchoscopic examinations were performed in 24 cases and the malignant cell was found at the 12 cases [55%]. The positive diagnostic rate of malignancy was 100% by FNAB. Among them, 55 cases [82%] were diagnosed by cytologic examinations and 43 cases[64%] by both. The specific diagnoses for benign lung lesions in 15 cases[55%] and for mediastinal and chest well lesions in 5 cases[62%]. The 7 patients[6.9%] developed the pneumothorax and 5 of them required the treatment. Therefore, the FNAB of thoracic lesions may be a preferred diagnostic method because of its safety, simplicity and accuracy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3611-3615
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• 2012

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish the diagnostic accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC) for intra-oral tumors, comparing with histopathology as the gold standard. Materials and methods: Forty cases of FNA cytology from intraoral tumors was performed in AFID along with the demographic data and clinical information and then diagnosed at AFIP, Rawalpindi. Then the cytology results obtained per FNAC were compared with the histopathological biopsy results of the same lesions. The following variables were recorded for each patient: Age, gender, site of biopsy, diagnosis. The data were entered and analyzed using Open-epi version 2.0. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated. Cohen Kappa was further applied to compare the agreement between the biopsy and FNAC diagnoses. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Among the total patients included in the study there were 24 males and 16 females, with a ratio of 1.5:1. Age of the patients ranged from 24 to 80 years with a mean of 52 years. A total of six sites were aspirated from the oral cavity with maximum (11) aspirates taken from alveolar ridge. The results of FNAC revealed that there were 32 malignant and 8 benign aspirates. Confirmation through histopathological analysis came for 31/32 malignant cases while one was falsely given positive for malignancy on FNAC. Among a total of 40 cases, 31(77%) cases diagnosed were found to be malignant and remaining 9(23%) were benign. The FNAC results revealed 32 malignant and 8 benign lesions. Histopathology of the subsequent surgically excised specimen showed malignant lesions in 31(77%) and benign in 9(23%) patients. As a whole, it was found that the absolute sensitivity for introral FNAC was 100% and specificity 89% with positive predictive value of 97% and negative predictive value of 100%. Conclusion: Cytological diagnosis was almost corroborative with final histopathological diagnosis in all cases, with very few exceptions, exhibiting high diagnostic accuracy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.5
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• pp.267-272
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• 2010

Background: Pulmonary sarcoidosis often involves mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes in the lung parenchyma. Mediastinoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis, but it is invasive and expensive. Transbronchial needle aspiration using conventional bronchoscope is less invasive than mediastinoscopy, but its diagnostic accuracy is in question due to the blind approach to targeting lymph nodes. Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) via endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) has high diagnostic value due to direct visualization of lymph nodes and to its relatively safeness. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Methods: Twenty-five patients with symptoms of sarcoidosis were enrolled into this study. Core tissue was obtained for a definitive diagnosis. Endobronchial biopsy, transbronchial lung biopsy, and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed to verify diagnosis. For patients without a confirmed diagnosis after the above procedures were performed, the additional procedures of mediastinoscopy or video-associated thoracoscopic surgery were performed to confirm a final diagnosis. Results: A total 25 EBUS procedures were done and 50 lymph nodes were aspirated. Thirty-three (37) out of 50 lymph nodes were consistent with non-caseating granuloma, confirming sarcoidosis as the final diagnosis. Sarcoidosis was the final diagnosis for all 25 patients, and 21 required EBUS-TBNA for a final diagnosis. There were no complications associated with the procedure. Conclusion: EBUS-TBNA is already a well-known procedure for diagnosing mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. We used EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis and our results showed 84% diagnostic accuracy and no complications related to the procedure. EBUS-TBNA is a reliable and practical diagnostic modality in the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.39-42
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• 2004

Thymolipoma is a rare benign mediastinal tumor, composed of mature fatty and thymic tissues. A 9-year-old boy was referred with a one-month history of neck swelling. Preoperative computed tomography scan and fine needle aspiration biopsy suggested thymolipoma. Despite it being rare, thymolipoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumors. Characteristics of its clinical feature and radiological findings that can differentiated it from other mediastinal tumors are discussed with a review of the literatures.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1116-1120
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• 1992

Posterior mediastinal goiter extending to carotid sheath posteriorly is rare repoted case. Recently we experienced huge posterior mediastinal goiter with compressin of trachea in 57-year old male, The patient that complained of dyspnea referred to our hospital for further evaluation of mediasitnal tumor. We confirmed huge secondary posterior mediastinal intrathoracic goiter with diagnostic methods following by chest X-ray, thyroid scan, chest CT, and CT guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in this patient, and performed operation for excision Exision of posterior mediasitnal goiter performed through initial transeverse cervical incision and additional median sternotomy, and the mass removed completely without any complications. The postoperative course were uneventful.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.17-21
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• 2008

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has been developed for the diagnosis of various gastrointestinal diseases or extra-gastrointestinal diseases, and extended to interventional approach. In fields of mediastinal diseases, EUS is an effective diagnostic method for the staging of esophageal cancer, lung cancer and other mediastinal diseases. Recently, EUS guided fine needle aspiration or biopsy makes the histologic diagnosis possible in various mediastinal diseases, and would reserve many avoidable surgical cases.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 1990

The authors report 16 cases of mediastinal fine-needle aspiration cytology from Jan. 1985 to Mar. 1988 at the Seoul National University Hospital. Among them, diagnostic material were obtained in fifteen cases, establishing the diagnosis of 7 thymomas, 2 germinomas, 2 neurogenic tumosr, 1 lymphoma, and 3 meastatic carcinomas. The 9 cytologic diagnoses could be confirmed by histologic examination in 8 patients and by another cytologic method in one patient, allowing concordance rate of 77%.