We investigated the utility of regular radiological follow-up on the early detection of contralateral breast cancer(CBC) and prognosis in patients with metachronous bilateral breast cancer.

Between 1983 and 2010, 49(2.1%) metachronous bilateral breast cancer patients were identified among a total of 2,343 cases of invasive or in situ breast carcinomas. We reviewed the patients' medical records including age, stage, duration between the first and second breast cancer diagnosis, operation method, recurrence, and breast cancer-specific survival.

The mean ages at the first and second breast cancer diagnosis were 43.8 and 49.2 years, respectively. The mean duration between the first and second breast cancer diagnosis was 68.9 months (range, 7–266 months). Regular radiological follow-up with annual mammography(MMG) with or without ultrasonography was conducted in 28 patients (63.6%, Group 1), and no regular follow-up was performed in 12 patients (27.3%, Group 2). The median follow-up duration was 150 months. In a comparative analysis, Group 1 patients exhibited more stage 0 and stage 1 malignancies (82.1% vs. 25%, P =0.006) as second cancer and the same or an improved stage (71.4% vs. 33.3%, P =0.042) of second cancer compared to Group 2 patients. Breast cancer-specific survival rates between the two groups after the first cancer occurrence were higher in Group 1 patients compared to Group 2 patients, although this did not reach statistical significance.

Screening for CBC with regular radiological follow-up could result in early detection of CBC, less invasive surgical procedures, and enhanced breast cancer-specific survival outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of half-dose chest CT using an iterative reconstruction technique in patients with lung malignancies.

The Dual-source CT scans were obtained and half-dose datasets were reconstructed with 5 different strengths in 38 adults with lung malignancies. Two radiologists graded subjective image quality; noise, contrast and sharpness at the central/peripheral lung, mediastinum and chest wall of the reconstructed half-dose images, compared with those of standard-dose images, using a three-point scale. A lesion assessment; lesion conspicuity and diagnostic confidence, was also performed. The quantitative image noises; contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were measured and compared with those of standard-dose images.

The subjective image noise in the half-dose images was less than that of the standard-dose images. The contrast in strengths 2 to 5 was superior, the sharpness of the lung parenchyma in strengths 3 to 5 was inferior, and the CNR/SNR in all strengths were higher than those of standard-dose images (P < 0.05). The improvement of subjective image noise and contrast, the decrease in sharpness, were correlated with strength level (P < 0.05). The lesion conspicuity in half-dose images of strengths 4 and 5 was decreased. The diagnostic confidence of the half-dose images of all strengths was comparable to that of the standard-dose images (P < 0.05).

Half-dose chest CT images using an iterative reconstruction technique show decreased image noise, increased contrast, and diagnostic confidence comparable to standard-dose images. Images reconstructed with strength 2 and 3 appear to be the optimal choice in clinical practice.

This study was investigated the recovery characteristics of propofol-remifentanil and sevoflurane-remifentanil anesthesia for total thyroidectomy

Eighty patients in ASA physical status 1 and 2 scheduled for total thyroidectomy were allocated randomly to either group P (n = 40) or group S (n = 40). Anesthesia was maintained with remifentanil effect site concentration (Ce) 1-3 ng/mL and propofol Ce 2-4 μ g/mL in the group P, and was maintained with remifentanil Ce 1-3 ng/mL and sevoflurane 1.5-2% in the group S. Blood pressure, heart rate, and bispectral (BIS) index were measured during perioperative period. The times from discontinuance of anesthetic agent to eye opening, to extubation, and to stating name were measured. Postoperative complications were evaluated.

This study was investigated the recovery characteristics of propofol-remifentanil and sevoflurane-remifentanil anesthesia for total thyroidectomy

Eighty patients in ASA physical status 1 and 2 scheduled for total thyroidectomy were allocated randomly to either group P (n = 40) or group S (n = 40). Anesthesia was maintained with remifentanil effect site concentration (Ce) 1-3 ng/mL and propofol Ce 2-4 μ g/mL in the group P, and was maintained with remifentanil Ce 1-3 ng/mL and sevoflurane 1.5-2% in the group S. Blood pressure, heart rate, and bispectral (BIS) index were measured during perioperative period. The times from discontinuance of anesthetic agent to eye opening, to extubation, and to stating name were measured. Postoperative complications were evaluated.

There were no significant differences between group P and S on the blood pressure, heart rate, and recovery time. BIS index of group P showed lower than that of group S during operation (P < 0.05). The incidences of side effects were similar in the two groups, though the incidence of nausea was higher in the group S (P < 0.05).

Propofol-remifentanil anesthesia was more advantageous than sevoflurane-remifentanil anesthesia for thyroidectomy in view of side effect incidences.