Radioyodo como tratamiento de hipertiroidismo en un paciente en hemodiálisis: Caso clínico / Treatment of hyperthyroidism with radioiodine during hemodialysis: Report of one case

Although radioiodine (131-I) can be used as treatment of hyperthyroidism for patients in hemodialysis, its use is limited and the experience is mainly related to differentiated thyroid carcinoma. We report a 58 years old female on hemodialysis with recurrent hyperthyroidism after propylthiouracil treatment. She was successfully treated with 131-I and four months after the intervention her euthyroid state was confirmed. We measured 131-I activity in blood, dialysate liquid and other waste products, as well as patient radiation exposure rates. We found that 131-I elimination was prolonged through time with no major dependence on hemodialysis, as opposed to the elimination of 131-I in patients with thyroid carcinoma. This was probably due to high radiotracer uptake in hyper functioning thyroid tissue. Conversely, radiation content in dialysate wastes or equipment was minimal. Furthermore, the rate of both environmental exposure and exposure of nursing staff in charge of hemodialysis sessions, was minimal and met international security standards. In conclusion, I-131 therapy showed both appropriate effectiveness and safety in this case and may be considered as a suitable treatment alternative to thyroidectomy when antithyroid drugs are unsuccessful.

Insuficiencia suprarrenal aguda en el paciente críticamente enfermo / Acute adrenal insufficiency in the critically ill patient. A clinical case

Muchas veces se usan corticoesteroides en el contexto de un shock séptico severo; pese a que en el 2008, el estudio CORTICUS no demostró su utilidad para disminuir la mortalidad. Sin embargo, su empleo como estrategia para aminorar la necesidad de apoyo vasoactivo y obtener respuesta hemodinámica precoz durante el shock séptico está ampliamente protocolizado en las unidades de cuidados intensivos a nivel mundial, aunque no siempre es fácil evaluar su real utilidad caso a caso. Se presenta un caso clínico, donde se empleó corticoterapia como estrategia de rescate en una paciente críticamente enferma; sin embargo, una adecuada y dirigida anamnesis demostró que en realidad nos enfrentábamos a una insuficiencia suprarrenal aguda, por suspensión abrupta de prednisona ( 25 mg diarios) de uso crónico, y que se presentó como un shock distributivo. En este caso, el uso de corticoesteroides es indispensable para la buena respuesta; y la importancia radica en la sospecha y la anamnesis adecuada al familiar o paciente.

Corticosteroids are widely used in the context of severe septic shock, even though the CORTICUS study in 2008 failed to show that they reduce mortality. Although their case by case utility is not always easy to assess, they continue to be included in intensive care units protocols worldwide with the aim of reducing the need for vasoactive support and achieving an early hemodynamic response during severe septic shock. In this clinical study steroids were used as an emergency measure in a critically ill patient. However, taking an exhaustive case history showed that we were indeed facing an acute adrenal insufficiency due to abrupt withdrawal of chronic use prednisone, and it presented as a distributive shock. In this case, corticosteroids use is essential for an effective response and one must first suspect the omission and take a thorough case history from the patient and/or family.

Evolución de los nódulos tiroideos indeterminados que esperan más de 2 años para tratamiento quirúrgico / Evolution of indeterminate thyroid nodules waiting more than two years for surgical resolution

Objetivo: Caracterizar a los nódulos tiroideos (NT) no malignos en espera de tiroidectomía no prioritaria en el Hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke, durante los años 2002 al 2014, considerando variables clínicas y ecotomográficas, así como su evolución durante el seguimiento. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, de pacientes ingresados a lista de espera de tiroidectomía por diagnóstico de nódulo tiroideo. Resultados: Se obtuvo una muestra de 27 pacientes, en su mayoría mujeres, mayores de 45 años, eutiroideos y asintomáticos. La evaluación ecotomográfica de los NT mostró un tamaño promedio de 38.6 mm, predominantemente hipoecogénicos, con bordes regulares y sin adenopatías asociadas. En 21 casos se contó con Punción Aspirativa con Aguja Fina (PAAF), cuyo resultado correspondió a categoría benigna o indeterminada. Diecisiete pacientes presentaron aumento progresivo del tamaño de los NT en el seguimiento ecotomográfico. Cuatro pacientes tuvieron resolución quirúrgica dentro del período, confirmándose patología benigna en todos los casos. El tiempo de espera promedio de estos pacientes fue 6.7 años. Conclusiones: Los NT indeterminados que se encuentran en espera de resolución quirúrgica no prioritaria en nuestro hospital son resueltos en muy baja proporción además de tener un tiempo de espera de varios años, por lo que consideramos fundamental optimizar la evaluación inicial de estos NT con un estudio ecotomográfico estandarizado y un estudio anatomopatológico que incorpore la biología molecular.

Objective: To characterize non-malignant thyroid nodules awaiting a low priority thyroidectomy in Dr. Gustavo Fricke Hospital, from 2002 to 2014, considering clinical and ultrasonic variables as well as their clinical course throughout the period. Materials and Methods: Observational descriptive study of a transversal sample of patients on the thyroidectomy waiting list with the diagnosis of thyroid nodule. Results: The sample size was 27 asymptomatic patients, mainly women, over the age of 45 with normal thyroid function. The average size of the non-malignant thyroid nodule as determined by ultrasonography was 38.6mm, predominantly with decreased echogenicity, regular borders and no associated lymphadenopathies. Fine-needle aspiration biopsies had been performed on 21 nodules with benign or undetermined results. Ultrasonography follow-ups showed that the nodules had grown in seventeen patients. Four patients were operated on during the period of study, benign pathology being confirmed in all cases. The average wait for surgery was 6.7 years. Conclusions: In our hospital a very low proportion of indeterminate non-malignant thyroid nodules awaiting low priority surgical procedures receives surgical resolution and the waiting time is several years, hence it is essential to optimize the initial evaluation of these non-malignant thyroid nodules using standardized ultrasonography and cytopathological study incorporating molecular biology.

Alteraciones tiroideas en pacientes infectados con el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana / Thyroid dysfunction among HIV infected patients

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is common among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It presents in different forms and has a multifactorial etiology. Aim: To determine the prevalence and features of thyroid dysfunction among patients infected with HIV. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 127 patients infected with HIV aged 19 to 75 years (85% males). Patients with previous diagnoses of endocrine diseases and pregnant women were excluded. Participants responded a questionnaire about symptoms and the evolution of HIV infection. A blood sample was obtained to measure thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxin, viral load and CD4 count. Results: Hypothyroidism was found 13 cases, hyperthyroidism in one case and hypothyroxinemia in eight cases. No difference in symptoms was found between patients with or without thyroid dysfunction. No significant differences were observed in CD4 count or the prevalence of co-infection with Hepatitis B virus among patients with thyroid dysfunction. No association between antiretroviral agents and thyroid dysfunction was observed. Conclusions: The thyroid abnormalities found in this group of HIV infected patients were usually asymptomatic. It may be advisable to systematically assess thyroid function in HIV infected patients.

Síndrome metabólico en un grupo de pacientes diabéticos tipo 1. ¿Una nueva variedad de diabetes? / Presence of metabolic syndrome among patients with type 7 diabetes mellitus

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is related to insulin resistance and to type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may also develop this condition. Aim: To determine the prevalence of MS in patients with T1DM. Material and methods: Cross sectional study of 52 patients with T1DM aged 18 to 72 years (27 females) with 5 years or more since their diagnosis of T1DM. MS presence was defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Acanthosis nigricans (AN), waist circumference (WC), daily dose of insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) and micro albuminuria were evaluated. Results: The prevalence of MS was 25 percent (13/52). A higher daily dose of insulin was required in patients with MS (p =0.018), with AN (p =0.022) and with obesity (p =0.002). A direct association between WC and the dose of insulin was observed (r =0.51; p <0.0001). No association was observed between MS, time of evolution of T1DM, HbAlc or micro albuminuria. Conclusions: In this group of patients with T1DM there was a high prevalence of MS.