Postoperative serum magnesium levels as a predictor for the need for calcium replacement after total thyroidectomy: a prospective study

ABSTRACT Objective: Our aim was to assess the ability of serum magnesium (Mg), measured on the first postoperative day (Mg1PO), to predict the need for calcium (Ca) replacement in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy (TT). Subjects and methods: Eighty patients undergoing TT, with Mg1PO and PTH dosage in the first (PTH1h) and eighth (PTH8h) hours after TT, were evaluated for the need for Ca replacement. Data were evaluated by uni/multivariate logistic regression and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: 32 patients (40%) required Ca replacement. Median PTH1h, PTH8h and Mg1PO were higher in the no replacement group: 17 versus (vs) 3 pg/mL (p < 0.001), 18.2 vs 3.0 pg/mL (p < 0.001) and 2 vs 1.6 mg/dL (p < 0.001), respectively. Mg1PO was the isolated predictor for this replacement (odds ratio = 0.0004, 95% confidence interval: 0.000003-0.04; p = 0.001), with the cut-off value of 1.8 mg/dL showing sensitivity and specificity of 78.1% and 87.5%, respectively. Conclusions: In this group of patients, serum Mg1PO was the isolated predictor for the need for Ca replacement.

Thyroglobulin/thyrotropin ratio for predicting long-term response in differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT Objective: Thyrotropin-stimulated thyroglobulin (STg) after total thyroidectomy is a prognosis marker for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). As Tg level is influenced by thyrotropin (TSH), perhaps the STg/TSH ratio is also a prognosis marker for these tumours. We aimed to compare STg/TSH ratio and first STg level in differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients for their ability to predict the long-term response to initial treatment. Subjects and methods: This retrospective study evaluated data from 181 DTC patients for first (1st) STg and STg/TSH ratio, at 1-3 months post-total thyroidectomy and before iodine-131 therapy, according to response to initial therapy [Excellent/Indeterminate or Incomplete (Biochemical/Structural)] observed at final evaluation, and with the survival time with excellent/indeterminate response. Results: Cases with incomplete response presented higher STg level [225.13 ± 585.26 ng/mL versus (vs) 20.4 ± 192.9 ng/mL; p < 0.001] and STg/TSH ratio (3.01 ± 7.8 vs 0.27 ± 2.58; p < 0.001). Cutoffs of 5 ng/mL for STg and 0.085 for STg/TSH displayed sensitivities of 76.7% and 76.9%, and specificities of 79.2% and 82.6%, respectively, in predicting response to therapy. Values below these cutoffs were associated with longer survival time in excellent/indeterminate response (140.4 vs 15.9 and 144.6 vs 15.9 months, respectively). Conclusion: STg/TSH ratio has a similar performance to the 1st STg in predicting long-term response to initial therapy.

Linfonodo sentinela intramamário comprometido e axila livre: esvaziamento axilar ou conduta conservadora? / Intramammary lymph node sentinel metastasis without metastasis in axilla: axillary lymph node dissection or conservative surgery?

A pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela constitui tratamento padrão para pacientes portadoras de câncer de mama e axila clinicamente negativa. A presença do linfonodo sentinela (LS) extra-axilar e intramamário (IM) ocorre em até 2,6% dos casos, e na presença do LS IM metastático, a positividade axilar pode alcançar até 81%. Na associação do LS IM metastático ao LS axilar não metastático, não há conduta padronizada, visto um limitado número de casos descritos. Adicionamos dois casos à literatura, observando, em um deles, a presença de doença metastática axilar na linfadenectomia complementar. A utilização de nomograma demonstrou que o risco de doença metastática axilar era inferior a 10%, e a adição destes casos à literatura mostrou que, nesta situação, a taxa de doença metastática axilar é de 6,25%. Discutimos os prós e contras da linfadenectomia axilar complementar nesta situação.

The sentinel lymph node biopsy is a standard treatment for patients with breast cancer and clinically negative axilla lymph node. The presence of an extra-axillary and intra-axillary (IM) sentinel lymph node (SLN) occurs in up to 2.6% of cases. In the presence of a metastatic IM SLN, axillary positivity may occur in up to 81% of cases. Due to the limited number of cases reported, there is no standard treatment for the association of metastatic SLN IM and non-metastatic axillary SLN . We add here two cases to the literature, one of them with metastatic disease in the axilla. The use of a nomogram demonstrated that the risk of axillary metastasis was less than 10% and the addition of these cases to the literature showed that in this situation the rate of axillary metastasis is 6.25%. We discuss the pros and cons of further axillary dissection in this situation.

Carotid artery rupture following radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma / Ruptura de carótida pós-iodoterapia em carcinoma diferenciado de tireoide

INTRODUCTION: Radioiodine therapy for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer aims at reducing tumor recurrence by eradicating residual macro- and microscopic foci. Side effects are generally rare, tenuous and transient, with little clinical significance. OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of differentiated thyroid carcinoma presenting a large expansive solid mass at the base of the skull, with invasion of the left masticatory muscle and adjacent subcutaneous tissue, and without invasion of the carotid space, which evolved to carotid artery rupture following radioiodine therapy. DISCUSSION: Side effects are uncommon after radioiodine therapy and when present, have mild intensity. Serious adverse events are very rare, especially those arising from structures not directly invaded by metastatic tissue with radioiodine uptake, as occurred in this case. This occurrence serves to raise awareness of the need for increased care when using radioiodine therapy on high-avidity masses located close to important structures.

INTRODUÇÃO: Iodoterapia em pacientes com carcinoma diferenciado da tireoide tem o objetivo de reduzir a recorrência tumoral erradicando focos residuais macro e microscópicos. Os efeitos colaterais, em geral, são raros, tênues e transitórios, com pouca repercussão clínica. OBJETIVO: Relatar um caso raro de carcinoma diferenciado da tireoide apresentando grande massa sólida expansiva na base do crânio, com invasão da musculatura mastigatória esquerda e do tecido subcutâneo adjacente, sem invasão do espaço carotídeo que evoluiu com ruptura de carótida pós-iodoterapia. DISCUSSÃO: Os efeitos colaterais pós-iodoterapia são pouco frequentes e, quando presentes, de intensidade discreta. Os eventos adversos graves são muito raros, em especial, aqueles decorrentes de estruturas não invadidas diretamente pelo tecido metastático iodocaptante, como nesse caso, alertando também para a necessidade do aumento dos cuidados na terapia de grandes massas ávidas pelo radioiodo próximas às estruturas nobres.

Biópsia do linfonodo sentinela para o câncer de mama com anestesia local / Sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer under local anesthesia

Introdução: A técnica da biópsia do linfonodo sentinela (BLS) e considerada padrão-ouro como método preditor do comprometimento axilar para o câncer de mama. Entretanto, a avaliação perioperatória do linfonodo sentinela tem desvantagens. Tentando minimizar as desvantagens, alguns serviços começaram a realizar a pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela sob anestesia local. O objetivo principal deste trabalho prospectivo e demonstrar nossa experiência na pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela, realizada sob anestesia local, e demonstrar a viabilidade deste procedimento. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo que tem como alvo as pacientes matriculadas na Fundação Pio XII - Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, as quais são portadoras de carcinoma da mama. As pacientes foram submetidas à biópsia do linfonodo sentinela sob anestesia local, no período de janeiro a novembro de 2009, conforme protocolo estabelecido. Resultados: No período de janeiro a dezembro de 2009, foram realizados 41 procedimentos da pesquisa de linfonodo sentinela sob anestesia local. Durante o procedimento sob anestesia local, a média dissecada foi de 2,4 (0-5) linfonodos. Em quatro casos, o resultado anatomopatológico dos linfonodos ressecados foi positivo; houve um caso para macrometástases e três restantes para micrometástases. Em todos os pacientes, o procedimento foi realizado sem intercorrências, utilizando-se de doses de anestésicos muito inferiores aos seus níveis tóxicos. Todos os pacientes evoluíram sem qualquer tipo de complicação intra ou pós-operatória. Conclusão: A pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela sob anestesia local e um procedimento factível que traz pouco desconforto para o paciente, devendo ser indicado sempre que possível. Apresenta inúmeras vantagens, comparando-se com a técnica sob anestesia geral.

Introduction: The technique of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SIB) is the gold standard method to predict the axilar status for breast cancer. However, the intraoperative evaluation of the sentinel lymph node has disadvantages. Some services, attempting to minimize these disadvantages, have begun to carry out the sentinel lymph node biopsy under local anesthesia. The aim of this prospective study is to demonstrate our experience in the sentinel lymph node biopsy, which was carried out under local anesthesia, and this procedure's feasibility. Methods: This is a prospective study that targets the patients enrolled in the Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, suffering from breast cancer. The patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy under local anesthesia from January to November, 2009, according to the established protocol. Results: From January to December, 2009, 41 research procedures were performed of the sentinel lymph node under local anesthesia. During the procedure under local anesthesia, the dissected average was 2.4 (0-5) lymph nodes. In four cases, the result of the resected pathological lymph nodes was positive; in one case for macrometastases; and the remaining three for micrometastases. In all patients, the procedure was performed uneventfully, using doses of anesthetic below their toxic levels. All patients survived without any complications intra- or postoperatively. Conclusion: The sentinel lymph node biopsy under local anesthesia is a feasible procedure that brings little discomfort to the patient, and should be indicated whenever possible. It has many advantages, when comparing with the technique under general anesthesia.

Importância da cintilografia com gálio-67 no linfoma cutâneo primário de células B: relato de dois casos / Importance of gallium-67 scintigraphy in primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma: report of two cases

Os autores relatam dois casos de linfoma cutâneo de células B, nos quais o correto estadiamento, tratamento e seguimento foram possíveis graças à combinação de exames convencionais e a cintilografia com gálio-67.

The authors describe two cases of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma where correct staging, treatment and follow-up could be achieved through a combination of conventional imaging studies and gallium-67 scintigraphy.

Hiperplasia nodular focal do fígado: apresentação de um caso e revisão da literatura / Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: a case report and review of the literature

Neste trabalho apresentamos um caso de hiperplasia nodular focal que foi diagnosticado aos seis anos de idade e que está sendo acompanhado até o momento presente. Para o diagnóstico foram imprescindíveis as técnicas de imagem, tendo importância de realce a cintilografia hepatoesplênica e a tomografia computadorizada. Apresentamos, também, revisão da literatura sobre o assunto.

In this case report we discuss a focal nodular hyperplasia diagnosed in a female, six-year old patient, as well as her follow-up from the diagnosis to the present time. Imaging techniques, particularly hepatosplenic scintigraphy and computed tomography, are essential for the diagnosis. Also, a literature review is presented.