Cribriform Morular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Patient with an Incidental Neck Lump: a Case Report and Review of the Literature

The cribriform morular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (CMV-PTC) is a rare morphologic entity that is associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). We report a case of a young lady with an incidentally discovered right-sided neck nodule on ultrasonography with a diagnosis of CMV-PTC confirmed on thyroidectomy and review the literature associated with the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, pathological findings and the association with FAP.     

Drugs for hyperlipidaemia may slow down the progression of hearing loss in the elderly: A drug repurposing study

Hearing loss in the elderly causes communication difficulties, decreased quality of life, isolation, loneliness and frustration. The aim of this study was to identify the modifiable variables that may affect the progression of hearing loss in the elderly. A case‐control study was conducted using two data sets. Data were extracted from the health examination survey of Ajou University Hospital (2010‐2014) and the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009‐2012) data sets. Audiometry data were evaluated according to variables such as age, sex and drug use for underlying diseases. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the entire study population, and middle‐aged and elderly groups using odds ratios (ORs). Factors including older age, female gender and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with hearing levels in all age groups (OR [95% confidence interval, 95% CI], 0.375 [0.388‐0.415], 1.202 [1.195‐1.208], and 1.427 [1.183‐1.721], respectively). However, when the results from the middle‐aged and elderly groups were compared, medication for hyperlipidaemia had a significantly positive effect on the preservation of hearing in the elderly group (OR [95% CI], 0.713 [0.567‐0.897]), but not in the middle‐aged group (OR [95% CI], 0.967 [0.791‐1.183]). People, especially those in the elderly group, exposed to medication for hyperlipidaemia are likely to have better hearing than those not exposed to such drugs. Thus, drugs prescribed for hyperlipidaemia may maintain hearing in the elderly. However, to overcome potential confounding—by unmeasured variables—that is present in this study, further studies must be performed with more elaborate research design and methodology.     

Comparison of diameters of ipsilateral and contralateral internal mammary arteries by breast MRI in patients with unilateral breast cancer

Purpose

We compared maximal diameters of ipsilateral (IMA) and contralateral (IMA) internal mammary arteries in patients with unilateral breast cancer and analyze the implications of enlargements of ipsilateral or contralateral IMAs in relation to histopathologic factors.

Materials and methods

Of 568 women who underwent breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations from January 2009 to May 2012, 196 had unilateral, histologically proven breast cancer. In 156 women, maximal IMA diameters in the second intercostal space were measured by two blinded radiologists in left and right sides using nonenhanced axial T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequence images.

Results

In the 156 study patients, mean maximal diameter of ipsilateral IMAs (2.37 ± 0.60 mm) was significantly larger than that of contralateral IMAs (2.03 ± 0.58 mm) (p = 0.00). Ipsilateral IMA enlargement was present in 66.7 % of the patients (104 of 156). Furthermore, ipsilateral IMA enlargement was found to be significantly associated with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) expression (p = 0.039).

Conclusions

Maximal IMA diameter was significantly greater in ipsilateral sides in breast cancer patients. Findings suggest ipsilateral IMA enlargement detected by MRI might be a useful additional predictor of HER-2 expression in unilateral breast cancer.