Poremećaji cirkulacije u krvnim žilama orbite dijagnosticirani obojenim dopplerovim ultrazvukom kod bolesnika s ranim stadijem distiroidne optičke neuropatije

Thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) is a common manifestation of Graves’ disease. Th e aim of the study was to assess the six percent of patients with TAO that develop dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON), which is the most serious complication of TAO. As DON can cause permanent damage, it is essential to detect DON early when visual loss is still reversible. Color Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive diagnostic method, which may be useful in early detection of DON. Th irty-six patients with confi rmed Graves’ disease and active TAO were included, 21 (58%) of them with early DON (eDON) and 15 (42%) free from any signs of eDON. All study patients underwent Doppler ultrasound examination to determine the blood fl ow rates in the internal carotid artery, ophthalmic artery, and central retinal artery. Study results showed color Doppler ultrasound examination to have a potential to detect orbital blood fl ow changes in patients with eDON. Early detection of DON may result in earlier treatment and prevention of permanent optic nerve damage.Problemi štitnjače i povezane orbitopatije (TAO) najčešća su manifestacija Gravesove bolesti. Cilj ove studije bio je objasniti 6% bolesnika s TAO kod kojih se razvila distiroidna optička neuropatija (DON), koja je ujedno najozbiljnija komplikacija TAO. S obzirom na to da DON može izazvati trajno oštećenje vida, vrlo ga je važno rano prepoznati dok je vidna funkcija još očuvana i reverzibilna. Obojeni Dopplerov ultrazvuk je neinvanzivna dijagnostička metoda koja je vrlo djelotvorna u ranom otkrivanju DON-a. U studiju je bilo uključeno 36 bolesnika s dijagnosticiranom Gravesovom bolesti i TAO-om, od kojih je 21 (58%) bolesnik imao rani DON (early DON, eDON), dok 15 (42%) bolesnika nije imalo znakova eDON-a. Svakom ispitaniku učinjen je obojeni Dopplerov ultrazvuk kako bi se odredio stupanj protoka krvi (cirkulacije) u unutarnjoj karotidnoj arteriji, oftalmičkoj arteriji i središnjoj retinalnoj arteriji. Rezultati su pokazali da pregled obojenim Dopplerovim ultrazvukom ima visok potencijal u ranoj dijagnostici promjena cirkulacije u orbiti kod bolesnika s ranim eDON-om. Rano otkrivanje DON-a može pomoći u ranijem liječenju i prevenciji trajnog oštećenja vidnoga živca

Fractionated Illumination Improves the Outcome in the Treatment of Precancerous Lesions with Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive therapy for non-melanoma skin cancer. The aim of this study was comparison of efficacy between fractioned versus single dose illumination in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of actinic keratosis (AK) and Bowen’s disease (BD). Fifty-one patients (36 AK and 15 BD) were treated with PDT. They were randomly arranged in two treatment groups. Group one included 26 patients (20 AK and 6 BD) that, after five hours of incubation with 20% 5-ALA, were treated with a single illumination of 100 Jcm–2 at fluence rate of 30 mWcm–2. Group two included 25 patients (16 AK and 9 BD) that, after 16 hours of incubation with 20% 5-ALA, were treated with two light fractions (50 plus 50 Jcm–2) at same fluence rate with dark interval of two hours between fractions. Twenty-four weeks later, a treated area was incubated for four hours again with 5-ALA in order to detect occult areas of abnormal skin with possible remaining tumor tissue. In case of fluorescence, histological examination was performed. In the group one, fluorescence at the end of the session was absent in 19 (73%) or very weak in 7 (27%). Residual tumor was found in 15 (75%) AK and in 4 (66.6%) BD. In the group two, fluorescence at the end of second session was more intense; in one patient (4%) was absent, very weak in 5 (20%) and weak in 19 (76%) of patients. In this group histology revealed remaining tumor tissue in only 2 (12.5%) AK and 2 (22.2%) BD. Among the patients in the first group, the remaining tumor tissue was significantly bigger (p=0.005). The treatment response with clearing of tumor tissue was significantly higher in fractionated illumination than in a single dose illumination group. Fractionated illumination scheme with 16 hours of incubation separated by two hours dark interval significantly improves the therapeutic outcome in tumor eradication

EFFICIENCY OF ISHIHARA PSEUDOISOCHROMATIC PLATES AS A METHOD OF COLOR VISION TESTING IN CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Cilj istraživanja bio je testiranje dviju skupina djece s pseudoizokromatskim tablicama po Ishihari, te utvrditi razliku u obliku težine interpretacije, tj. vremena čitanja tablica u djece s posebnim potrebama i zdrave djece. U istraživanje bilo je uključeno 56 ispitanika koji su bili podijeljeni u 2 skupine od 28 ispitanika. U kontrolnoj skupini bilo je 14 dječaka i 14 djevojčica, dok je u eksperimentalnoj skupini bilo 16 dječaka i 12 djevojčica. Ustroj istraživanja je presječno istraživanje, a mjestA istraživanja Osnovna škola „Spinut“ i Centar za odgoj i obrazovanje „Slava Raškaj“ u Splitu. Glavna mjera ishoda je vrijeme potrebno za čitanje, tj. interpretaciju pseudoizokromatskih tablica po Ishihari u obje ispitivane skupine. Od svih ploča Ishihara tablice, najviše se griješilo na pločama broj 7 i 13. Nije dokazana statistički značajna razlika u broju pogrešaka na ploči broj 7 između zdrave djece i djece s posebnim potrebama (The aim of the study was testing two groups of children with Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates that can give difference in the form of hard interpretation, in other words, the possibility of slower plate reading speed for children with special needs as opposed to healthy children. Subjects: The study included 56 subjects divided into two groups of 28 subjects. Control group had 14 boys and 14 girls, while experimental group had 16 boys and 12 girls. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Spinut Elementary School and Slava Raškaj Education and Development Center in Split. The main outcome measurement was the time needed to read/interpret Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates in both groups tested. Results: Out of all Ishihara plates, most errors were made on plates 7 and 13. There was no statistically signifi cant difference in the number of errors on plate 7 between healthy children and children with special needs

EFFICIENCY OF ISHIHARA PSEUDOISOCHROMATIC PLATES AS A METHOD OF COLOR VISION TESTING IN CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Cilj istraživanja bio je testiranje dviju skupina djece s pseudoizokromatskim tablicama po Ishihari, te utvrditi razliku u obliku težine interpretacije, tj. vremena čitanja tablica u djece s posebnim potrebama i zdrave djece. U istraživanje bilo je uključeno 56 ispitanika koji su bili podijeljeni u 2 skupine od 28 ispitanika. U kontrolnoj skupini bilo je 14 dječaka i 14 djevojčica, dok je u eksperimentalnoj skupini bilo 16 dječaka i 12 djevojčica. Ustroj istraživanja je presječno istraživanje, a mjestA istraživanja Osnovna škola „Spinut“ i Centar za odgoj i obrazovanje „Slava Raškaj“ u Splitu. Glavna mjera ishoda je vrijeme potrebno za čitanje, tj. interpretaciju pseudoizokromatskih tablica po Ishihari u obje ispitivane skupine. Od svih ploča Ishihara tablice, najviše se griješilo na pločama broj 7 i 13. Nije dokazana statistički značajna razlika u broju pogrešaka na ploči broj 7 između zdrave djece i djece s posebnim potrebama (The aim of the study was testing two groups of children with Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates that can give difference in the form of hard interpretation, in other words, the possibility of slower plate reading speed for children with special needs as opposed to healthy children. Subjects: The study included 56 subjects divided into two groups of 28 subjects. Control group had 14 boys and 14 girls, while experimental group had 16 boys and 12 girls. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Spinut Elementary School and Slava Raškaj Education and Development Center in Split. The main outcome measurement was the time needed to read/interpret Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates in both groups tested. Results: Out of all Ishihara plates, most errors were made on plates 7 and 13. There was no statistically signifi cant difference in the number of errors on plate 7 between healthy children and children with special needs

Importance of Circulating Platelet Aggregates and Haemodynamic Changes in Ophthalmic Artery and Progression of Visual Field Loss at Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

The aim of this work is to examine the role of circulating platelet aggregates (CPA) at pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG), haemodynamic changes in the ophthalmic artery by ultrasonic color Doppler, searching for visual field progression. Vascular component at PXG and its role in VF progression dynamics has not been sufficiently explained, as well as CPA influence to ischaemic events related to optic nerve damage and VF progression. The examination included 80 patients, where of 35 (44%) men average age 68.3±7.0 and 45 (56%) women average age 65.7±7.0 (t=1.66; p=0.101). Forthy of them suffered from primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) as a control group (healthy), and 40 from pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG) as an experimental group. All the examinees underwent complete ophthalmological examination: visual acuity, ocular fundus, intraocular pressure measured, anterior eye segment biomicroscopy with gonioscopy performed. Also VF examination was performed three times at 6 months intervals. Laboratory testing of CPA proportion values was performed by means of Wu an Hoak method and ultrasonic measurement of blood perfusion in the carotid tree, particularly concerning ophthalmic artery by means of color Doppler. Obtained decreased values of CPA proportion resulted in hypercoagulability of blood in PXG group. At PXG were also found increased blood flow resistivity indexes in ophthalmic artery (RI AO) and internal carotid artery (RI ACI), resulting with ischemia and hypoxia and finally progression of the visual filed damage. In conclusion, our study shows that examining CPA and ultrasonic monitoring of vascular parameters in ophthalmic artery with color Doppler may be the way of better understanding the vascular role in PXG prognosis

PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF OPHTHALMIC ARTERY COLOR DOPPLER SONOGRAPHY FOR PROGRESSION TO GLAUCOMA IN VITILIGO PATIENTS

Cilj rada bio je ispitati prognostičku vrijednost, tj. ulogu hemodinamske promjene u arteriji oftalmici (AO) ultrazvučnim obojenim doplerom (CDI) kod bolesnika s vitiligom za nastanak primarnog glaukoma otvorenog kuta (PGOK), te skrenuti pažnju kliničarima dermatolozima i oftalmolozima na važnost ispitivanja i vaskularne komponente u rutinskoj obradi bolesnika zbog moguće povezanosti vitiliga i očnih promjena suspektnih za PGOK. Naše kliničko zapažanje i istraživanje da se kod bolesnika koji se liječe od vitiliga relativno često dijagnosticira ili uoči već ranije dijagnosticirani PGOK potaknulo nas je i na ispitivanje vaskularne komponente kao eventualne moguće poveznice vitiliga i PGOK. Vaskularna komponenta kod PGOK i njezina uloga u dinamici nastanka bolesti nije dovoljno razjašnjena i još je kontraverzna, a posljedična ishemijska događanja vezana su primarno za oštećenje vidnog živca (NO). U našem kontinuiranom dvogodišnjem istraživanju od ožujka 2008. do ožujka 2010. godine u specijalističkoj dermatovenerološkoj ambulanti Klinike za kožne i spolne bolesti pregledano je 42 bolesnika s vitiligom. Nakon kliničkog pregleda i uz pomoć Woodove lampe, zbog sumnje na glaukom upućeni su u ambulantu za glaukom Klinike za očne bolesti zbog detekcije ili kontrole primarnog glaukoma otvorenog kuta (PGOK). Svim se bolesnicima učinilo ultrazvuk arterije oftalmike oba oka na Klinici za unutarnje bolesti KBC-a Split u svrhu ispitivanja hemodinamike. Svim ispitanicima učini se kompletan oftalmološki pregled: vidna oštrina, pregled fundusa oka, mjerenje očnog tlaka, biomikroskopija prednjeg segmenta oka s gonioskopijom i vidno polje (VP). Naša studija pokazuje da se ultrazvučnim ispitivanjem i praćenjem vaskularnih parametara u arteriji oftalmici obojenim doplerom može bolje spoznati vaskularna uloga u diferencijalnoj dijagnozi i isključiti je kao poveznicu ili potencijalnog čimbenika rizika povezanog s vitiligom i PGOK. Dakle, bolesnici koji se liječe od vitiliga bez obzira na dob, spol, zahvaćenost, lokalizaciju i trajanje bolesti trebali bi se prema našem mišljenju redovito podvrgavati kompletnom oftalmološkom pregledu s posebnim osvrtom na dijagnosticiranje POAG. S obzirom na relativno mali uzorak i razdoblje ispitivanja može se već sada gotovo argumentirano potvrditi da ta povezanost nije slučajna. Buduća istraživanja na većem broju bolesnika s vitiligom i PGOK trebalo bi dati definitivan odgovor o povezanosti tih dviju bolesti i polučiti definitivni zaključak uz ispitivanje i drugih hematoloških faktora vezano za hiperkoagubilnost krvi kako bi se mogla bolje spoznati uloga vaskularne komponente.The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value, i.e. the role of hemodynamic changes in the ophthalmic artery determined by color Doppler imaging in patients with vitiligo in relation to the occurrence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and to call attention to the importance of examination of the vascular component in routine examinations of patients by clinical dermatologists and ophthalmologists, due to the possible correlation of vitiligo and ophthalmologic changes indicating POAG. Clinical observations and research have shown that patients treated for vitiligo are often diagnosed with POAG or have confirmed diagnosis in their medical history. These findings motivated the research of the vascular component as a possible correlation between vitiligo and POAG. The vascular component of POAG and its role in the dynamics of glaucoma progression has not been fully explained and is still somewhat controversial, and the resulting ischemic disorders are primarily related to optical nerve damage. During the course of a continuous two-year research started in March 2008 and completed in March 2010, a total of 42 patients with vitiligo were examined in the specialist dermatovenereology unit of the Department of Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Following clinical examination and Wood’s lamp examination, patients with suspected glaucoma were referred to the glaucoma unit of the Department of Ophthalmology to detect or check the progression of POAG. At the Department of Internal Medicine, Split University Hospital Center, color Doppler imaging of ophthalmic artery was performed in all patients on both eyes to examine its hemodynamics. All study participants underwent complete ophthalmologic examination: visual acuity, fundus of the eye, eye pressure measurement, anterior eye segment biomicroscopy with gonioscopy and visual field. In conclusion, our study showed color Doppler imaging and investigation of vascular parameters in ophthalmic artery to provide an insight into the vascular function in differential analysis and can be determined as a correlation or potential risk factor related to vitiligo and POAG. For this reason, we suggest that patients treated for vitiligo, irrespective of their age, sex, affected area, localization and duration of the disease, should regularly undergo complete ophthalmologic examination with special emphasis on POAG diagnosis. Considering the relatively limited sample and trial period, we can already substantiate and confirm that the correlation is not random. Future research in a larger number of vitiligo and POAG patients should provide definitive answer concerning correlation between the two diseases and lead to final conclusion, along with investigation of other hematologic factors related to blood hypercoagulability in order to reach better understanding of the vascular component function

PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF OPHTHALMIC ARTERY COLOR DOPPLER SONOGRAPHY FOR PROGRESSION TO GLAUCOMA IN VITILIGO PATIENTS

Cilj rada bio je ispitati prognostičku vrijednost, tj. ulogu hemodinamske promjene u arteriji oftalmici (AO) ultrazvučnim obojenim doplerom (CDI) kod bolesnika s vitiligom za nastanak primarnog glaukoma otvorenog kuta (PGOK), te skrenuti pažnju kliničarima dermatolozima i oftalmolozima na važnost ispitivanja i vaskularne komponente u rutinskoj obradi bolesnika zbog moguće povezanosti vitiliga i očnih promjena suspektnih za PGOK. Naše kliničko zapažanje i istraživanje da se kod bolesnika koji se liječe od vitiliga relativno često dijagnosticira ili uoči već ranije dijagnosticirani PGOK potaknulo nas je i na ispitivanje vaskularne komponente kao eventualne moguće poveznice vitiliga i PGOK. Vaskularna komponenta kod PGOK i njezina uloga u dinamici nastanka bolesti nije dovoljno razjašnjena i još je kontraverzna, a posljedična ishemijska događanja vezana su primarno za oštećenje vidnog živca (NO). U našem kontinuiranom dvogodišnjem istraživanju od ožujka 2008. do ožujka 2010. godine u specijalističkoj dermatovenerološkoj ambulanti Klinike za kožne i spolne bolesti pregledano je 42 bolesnika s vitiligom. Nakon kliničkog pregleda i uz pomoć Woodove lampe, zbog sumnje na glaukom upućeni su u ambulantu za glaukom Klinike za očne bolesti zbog detekcije ili kontrole primarnog glaukoma otvorenog kuta (PGOK). Svim se bolesnicima učinilo ultrazvuk arterije oftalmike oba oka na Klinici za unutarnje bolesti KBC-a Split u svrhu ispitivanja hemodinamike. Svim ispitanicima učini se kompletan oftalmološki pregled: vidna oštrina, pregled fundusa oka, mjerenje očnog tlaka, biomikroskopija prednjeg segmenta oka s gonioskopijom i vidno polje (VP). Naša studija pokazuje da se ultrazvučnim ispitivanjem i praćenjem vaskularnih parametara u arteriji oftalmici obojenim doplerom može bolje spoznati vaskularna uloga u diferencijalnoj dijagnozi i isključiti je kao poveznicu ili potencijalnog čimbenika rizika povezanog s vitiligom i PGOK. Dakle, bolesnici koji se liječe od vitiliga bez obzira na dob, spol, zahvaćenost, lokalizaciju i trajanje bolesti trebali bi se prema našem mišljenju redovito podvrgavati kompletnom oftalmološkom pregledu s posebnim osvrtom na dijagnosticiranje POAG. S obzirom na relativno mali uzorak i razdoblje ispitivanja može se već sada gotovo argumentirano potvrditi da ta povezanost nije slučajna. Buduća istraživanja na većem broju bolesnika s vitiligom i PGOK trebalo bi dati definitivan odgovor o povezanosti tih dviju bolesti i polučiti definitivni zaključak uz ispitivanje i drugih hematoloških faktora vezano za hiperkoagubilnost krvi kako bi se mogla bolje spoznati uloga vaskularne komponente.The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value, i.e. the role of hemodynamic changes in the ophthalmic artery determined by color Doppler imaging in patients with vitiligo in relation to the occurrence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and to call attention to the importance of examination of the vascular component in routine examinations of patients by clinical dermatologists and ophthalmologists, due to the possible correlation of vitiligo and ophthalmologic changes indicating POAG. Clinical observations and research have shown that patients treated for vitiligo are often diagnosed with POAG or have confirmed diagnosis in their medical history. These findings motivated the research of the vascular component as a possible correlation between vitiligo and POAG. The vascular component of POAG and its role in the dynamics of glaucoma progression has not been fully explained and is still somewhat controversial, and the resulting ischemic disorders are primarily related to optical nerve damage. During the course of a continuous two-year research started in March 2008 and completed in March 2010, a total of 42 patients with vitiligo were examined in the specialist dermatovenereology unit of the Department of Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Following clinical examination and Wood’s lamp examination, patients with suspected glaucoma were referred to the glaucoma unit of the Department of Ophthalmology to detect or check the progression of POAG. At the Department of Internal Medicine, Split University Hospital Center, color Doppler imaging of ophthalmic artery was performed in all patients on both eyes to examine its hemodynamics. All study participants underwent complete ophthalmologic examination: visual acuity, fundus of the eye, eye pressure measurement, anterior eye segment biomicroscopy with gonioscopy and visual field. In conclusion, our study showed color Doppler imaging and investigation of vascular parameters in ophthalmic artery to provide an insight into the vascular function in differential analysis and can be determined as a correlation or potential risk factor related to vitiligo and POAG. For this reason, we suggest that patients treated for vitiligo, irrespective of their age, sex, affected area, localization and duration of the disease, should regularly undergo complete ophthalmologic examination with special emphasis on POAG diagnosis. Considering the relatively limited sample and trial period, we can already substantiate and confirm that the correlation is not random. Future research in a larger number of vitiligo and POAG patients should provide definitive answer concerning correlation between the two diseases and lead to final conclusion, along with investigation of other hematologic factors related to blood hypercoagulability in order to reach better understanding of the vascular component function

COMPARATIVE FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF UNSELECTED MALE POPULATION WITH CONGENITAL DEFECTIVE COLOR VISION FROM INLAND AND MEDITERRANEAN AREAS OF CROATIA

Cilj našeg desetogodišnjeg istraživanja, provedenog od kraja 1998. do kraja 2008. godine, bio je ispitati zastupljenost kongenitalnih diskromatopsija neselektirane i zdrave muške populacije u dobi od 15 do 45 godina na području dviju hrvatskih regija. Prva regija je kontinentalni dio Hrvatske (KH), a druga mediteranski dio Hrvatske (MH). Rezultati tih dviju regija su uspoređivani, te su doneseni odgovarajući zaključci. Rezultati, tj. zaključci se prvenstveno odnose na zastupljenosti kolornih poremećaja vida, te na njihove razlike prema glavnim kolornim skupinama (dikromati i anomalni trikromati) i podskupinama (protanopi, deuteranopi, protanomali, deuteranomali i dr.). Takav tip istraživanja tijekom dugog razdoblja i na tako velikom uzorku ispitanika nije dosada rađen ni na širem području jugoistočne Europe. Kolorni vid ispitivan je, poslije kompletnog oftalmološkog pregleda, svakom muškom kandidatu koji se javio na pregled zbog pohađanja škole za vozače amatere. Kolorni vid se ispitivalo pseudoizokromatskim tablicama Ishihara, anomaloskopom Nagel II i Panel D-15 testom u ordinacijama medicine rada i klinikama za očne bolesti dviju regija. Broj ispitanika u KH iznosio je 12.974, a u MH 9.974. Rezultati su potvrdili ranije predviđenu hipotezu ili kliničko zapažanje da u južnim dijelovima, tj. u MH ima manje kolornih poremećaja (8,50%), nasuprot sjevernom dijelu, tj. u KH (8,90%). Zaključujemo i da je u MH nađen veći broj dikromata (anopa) - 2,40% za razliku od KH gdje je nađen veći broj anomalnih trikromata (anomala) - 6,93%. Važnost dobivenih rezultata je u doprinosu boljem uvidu u stanje kolornih poremećaja i eventualnim razlikama na uskom području Hrvatske, između sjevera i juga.Aim: The aim of this ten-year study (from the end of 1998 to the end of 2008) was to assess the prevalence of congenital dyschromatopsia in unselected healthy male population aged 15-45 from two Croatian regions, i.e. inland and Mediterranean parts of Croatia. Results collected in these two regions were compared and respective conclusions drawn. The results primarily referred to the prevalence of color vision disturbances and their differences according to the main color groups (dichromacy and anomalous trichromacy) and subgroups (protanopia, deuteranopia, protanomaly, deuteranomaly, and others). To our knowledge, no such a long-term study in a large population sample has been carried out in southeast Europe to date. Methods: Color vision was examined after complete ophthalmologic examination in all subjects presenting for examination required for amateur driver license. Color vision examination was performed by use of pseudoisochromatic Ishihara tables, Nagel II anomaloscope and Panel D-15 color test at industrial medicine offices and ophthalmology departments in the two regions. There were 12,974 and 9,974 subjects in inland and Mediterranean Croatia, respectively. Results: The results confirmed the hypothesis and clinical perception of a lower prevalence of color vision disturbances in southern parts, i.e. in Mediterranean Croatia (8.50%) as compared with inland Croatia (8.90%). The rate of dichromacy was higher in Mediterranean Croatia (2.40%), while the rate of anomalous trichromacy was greater in inland Croatia (6.93%). Conclusion: The results of this study provide better insight in the status of color vision disturbances and possible differences between the relatively close areas of north (inland) and south (Mediterranean) Croatia

Učestalost RET mutacije u papilarnom karcinomu štitnjače i korelacija s kliničko-patološkim karakteristikama

The purpose of this study was to analyze the possible prognostic value of RET mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma and its incidence in the past few decades in our population, due to the increasing incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma. The present study included 180 patients operated for papillary thyroid carcinoma. The clinical and histopathologic characteristics were analyzed. Paraffin sections of the selected histologic slides were cut again and immunohistochemically stained by the Clone 3F8 P (HIER) from Novocastra (Vision Bio Systems Europe, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) monoclonal antibody to RET oncoprotein. Univariate analysis indicated sex (p=0.01), histologic subtype (p=0.075) and capsular invasion (p=0.010) to be statistically significant predictors of lymph node metastases, whereas age (p=0.796), tumor size (p=0.556) and intraglandular dissemination (p=0.131) showed no such correlation. The presence of RET mutation (p=0.704) was not a statistically significant predictor of the tumor metastasizing potential. RET mutation (p=0.500) showed no statistically significant correlation with papillary thyroid carcinoma classifed into prognostic groups according to clinicopathologic features either. RET mutation was detected in 30% of 180 papillary thyroid carcinomas. This is the first large study demonstrating that RET mutation incidence in papillary thyroid carcinoma in Croatian population is consistent with the classic distribution of sporadic cases, despite the increased prevalence of papillary thyroid carcinoma in the past few decades.Cilj ovoga rada bio je ispitati moguće prognostičko značenje RET mutacije u papilarnom karcinomu štitnjače i učestalost mutacije u odnosu na porast učestalosti papilarnog karcinoma štitnjače u posljednjih nekoliko desetljeća. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 180 bolesnika operiranih zbog papilarnog karcinoma štitnjače. Analizirane su kliničke i patohistološke osobitosti. Histološki rezovi iz parafinskih blokova odabranih uzoraka imunohistokemijski su obojani monoklonskim protutijelom na RET onkoprotein Clone 3F8 P (HIER) proizvođača Novocastra (Vision Bio Systems Europe, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK). Univarijatnom analizom utvrđena je statistički značajna povezanost spola (p=0,01), histološkog podtipa (p=0,075) i kapsularne invazije (p=0,010) kao prediktora pojave metastaza u limfne čvorove vrata, dok takva povezanost nije zabilježena za dob (p=0,796), veličinu tumora (p=0,556) i intraglandularnu diseminaciju tumora (p=0,131). Prisutnost RET mutacije nije bila statistički značajan prediktor metastatskog potencijala tumora (p=0,704). Također, RET mutacija nije bila statistički značajno povezana s prognostičkim skupinama papilarnog karcinoma koje su sastavljene na temelju kliničko-patološkh osobitosti (p=0,500). RET mutacija bila je prisutna u 30% od 180 papilarnih karcinoma štitnjače. Ovo je prvo veće istraživanje kojim je dokazano da je RET mutacija u papilarnom karcinomu štitnjače u Hrvatskoj u skladu s učestalošću pojave spontane mutacije, iako se bilježi porast učestalosti papilarnog karcinoma štitnjače tijekom posljednjih desetljeća