New-onset thyroid eye disease after COVID-19 vaccination in a radioactive iodine-treated graves’ disease patient: A case report and literature review / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

@#Autoimmunity associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been well-described as the mechanism of development of thyroid dysfunction following Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) infection and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. However, the occurrence of thyroid eye disease (TED) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is scarcely described. The postulated mechanisms include immune reactivation, molecular mimicry and the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA). We report a case of new-onset TED after receiving the SARSCoV- 2 vaccine.

Effects of discontinuation of levothyroxine sodium before radioactive iodine therapy after DTC on blood lipids and renal function in patients / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of levothyroxine withdrawal before radioiodine therapy on blood lipids and renal function in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) after operation.Methods:From Mar. 2020 to Apr. 2022, 214 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer were enrolled in the General Surgery Department, Linyi Central Hospital, Shandong Province. All patients stopped taking levothyroxine sodium after total thyroidectomy. The thyroid function index, blood lipid index and renal function index were measured and compared before and after drug withdrawal (before operation) and after drug withdrawal (before radioiodine treatment). The patients were divided into groups according to the duration of drug withdrawal (drug withdrawal group for 3 weeks, drug withdrawal group for 4 weeks), and the differences of thyroid function index, blood lipid index, and renal function index among patients with different drug withdrawal time were compared. The measurement data in accordance with normal distribution were compared between groups, and independent sample t-test was performed. Results:The levels of free thyroxin T4 (FT 4) and free triiodothyronine (FT 3) in DTC patients decreased significantly ( t=57.60, 71.74,all P<0.001), and the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) increased significantly ( t=102.15, P<0.001). After drug withdrawal, the serum lipid index [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) ] and renal function index [blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCR) ] of DTC patients increased significantly ( t=20.17, 42.50, 12.13, 30.73, 16.09, 43.73, all P<0.001). The levels of FT 3 and FT 4 in the 4-week group were significantly lower than those in the 3-week group ( t=7.75 and 10.07, both P<0.001), and TSH was significantly higher than that in the 3-week group ( t=26.46, P<0.001). The levels of TG, LDL, HDL, TC, BUN and Scr in the 4-week group were significantly higher than those in the 3-week group ( t=10.13, 10.29, 8.53, 11.47, 10.54, 8.55, all P<0.001). Correlation analysis showed that the levels of FT 3 and FT 4 in DCT patients were negatively correlated with the levels of TG, LDL, HDL, TC, BUN and Scr ( r=-0.256, -0.189, -0.249, -0.314, -0.352, -0.231, -0.342, -0.259, -0.304, -0.216, -0.391, -0.271, P=0.011, 0.029, 0.007, 0.004, 0.015, 0.036, 0.002, 0.009, 0.019, 0.017, 0.016, 0.003), and the levels of TSH were correlated with TG, LDL, HDL, TC and BUN Scr level was positively correlated ( r=0.257, 0.308, 0.219, 0.311, 0.251, 0.271, P=0.006, 0.013, 0.032, 0.004, 0.006, 0.014) . Conclusion:Stopping levothyroxine sodium before radioactive iodine treatment after DTC can easily lead to dyslipidemia and decreased renal function in patients, and the longer the withdrawal time is, the more obvious the changes of blood lipids and renal function in patients, and the withdrawal time should be shortened in clinical treatment.

Progress in Re-differentiating Therapy of Radioiodine-refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer / 肿瘤防治研究

The majority patients of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) with indolent progression have general good prognosis after standard primary treatments including surgery, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression and radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. However, there are still some patients suffered from recurrence or distant metastasis after initial treatment. They may lose the ability of uptaking iodine during their natural course of disease or treatment and could not benefit from subsequent RAI treatment, which will result in radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC). Options are very limited for RAIR-DTC patients, which is associated with a poor prognosis. Recently, with the research advances on the molecular mechanism of RAIR-DTC, redifferentiation combined with RAI therapy have been increasingly used to treat RAIR-DTC, and some outcomes are quite encouraging. This paper reviews the progress of signaling pathway inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, retinoids and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists in redifferentiating therapy of RAIR-DTC.

Factors influencing changes in total radioactivity in differentiated thyroid cancer patients after 131I treatment / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To investigate the changes in total radioactivity in patient body with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) after 131I treatment and the factors influencing its metabolism. Methods:The clinical data from 218 patients after DTC treatment in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from September 2021 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on administrated 131I dose, 171 patients were divided into low-dose group (≤ 3.7 GBq) and 47 into high-dose group (>3.7 GBq) . A whole body dynamic radiation monitoring system was used to measure the in vivo residual activity of 131I 24, 48 and 72 h after 131I administration and to explore their influencing factors. Results:24, 48 and 72 h after adimination of 131I, the residual activity of 131I in the low-dose group patients was significantly lower than in the high-dose group patients ( t= -7.46, -3.31, -2.01, P<0.05) . The discharge compliance rate at 24 and 48 h in the low-dose group was significantly higher than that in the high-dose group (21.0% vs. 4.3%, 98.2% vs. 89.4%, χ2 = 7.23, 5.91, P<0.05) , and all patients could meet the discharge criteria at 72 h. Univariate analysis showed that the residual 131I activity at 24 and 48 h was dependent on age, body mass index (BMI) , basal metabolism rate (BMR) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) . As have been shown by multiple linear regression analysis, in the low-dose group, the older age, the higher BMR and the higher TSH level at 24 h tended to the higher 131I residual activity in the body. At 48 h, the higher BMI and the higher TSH level lead to the higher 131I residual activity in patient body. Meanwhile, in the high-dose group, the higher age and BMR at 24 h, tended to the higher in vivo131I residual activity. The influencing factors were analyzed in terms that 131I residual activity reaching 400 MBq in patient body at 24 and 36 h. The result showed that at 24 h the lower TSH level leaded to the lower 131I residual activity in patient body. At 36 h, the younger age, the lower TSH level, and the smaller 131I treatment dose tended to the lower in vivo131I residual activity. Conclusions:Age, BMI, BMR and TSH levels are the influencing factors for the change in total activity in patient body after 131I treatment of DTC. Radiation dose assessment based on the above indicators can provide a reference for adjusting the length of hospitalization time.

Intermediate-risk thyroid carcinoma: indicators of a poor prognosis

ABSTRACT Objective: The intermediate-risk (IR) category includes tumors with different degrees of aggression. We aimed to identify the risk factors associated with unfavorable response to initial treatment and compare the effect of low/high radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. Subjects and methods: A total of 614 IR patients were selected from a database, during 1972-2015. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy and RAI therapy and were reclassified after 12-18 months into the favorable (complete/indeterminate) response group and the unfavorable (biochemical/incomplete structural) response group. A total of 92 patients were assessed for late response (mean: 9.19 ± 5.73 years). Age, gender, tumor size, histology, multifocality, vascular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, presence and number of lymph node metastasis, and stimulated thyroglobulin at ablation (sTg) were evaluated. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 41.47 ± 15.81 years, and 83.6% of the patients were female. Within 12-18 months after initial therapy, unfavorable response was detected in 41.2% of the patients and was associated, in multivariate analysis, with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.041; odds ratio [OR] = 1.9), presence of more than five metastatic lymph nodes (p = 0,017; OR = 2.6), and sTg > 10 ng/mL (p = 0.005; OR = 10.0). For patients with a longer follow-up, sTg >10 ng/mL was associated with unfavorable response (p = 0.002; OR = 6.8). A higher RAI dose was not related to better prognosis at the end of the follow-up. Conclusion: A sTg level of >10 ng/mL and lymph node metastasis were associated with an unfavorable response 12-18 months after initial treatment. A RAI dose below 150 mCi was proven sufficient to treat IR patients.

Theranostics in Bangladesh: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Perspective / 대한핵의학회잡지

BACKGROUND AND CURRENT STATUS OF THERANOSTICS: Therapeutic nuclear medicine (NM) in Bangladesh began in the early 1980s with the application of radioactive iodine for treatment of thyroid cancer and primary hyperthyroidism. Since then, NM practice has remarkably developed in the country with the advancement of instrumentation, radiopharmacy, and information technology. The government took the initiative to establish four PET-CTcenters at different NMcenters, including one at the National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (NINMAS). A further development is the installation of a cyclotron center (18-MeV cyclotron) at NINMAS by the government's fund. Currently, NM is providing good health services to oncology patients throughout the country. More than 20 NM centers are functioning in different parts of the country, and therapeutic NM has an important place. However, conventional radioactive iodine still remains the major theranostic application.CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVE: The expansion and development of therapeutic NM for other cancers have been limited due to a number of challenging factors. A brief overview of the history and current status ofNMin Bangladesh is presented here with an examination of factors that pose as obstacles to the introduction and development of new therapeutic technologies. Finally, future perspectives are discussed with ways to mitigate existing problems and challenges.

Response Prediction of Altered Thyroglobulin Levels After Radioactive Iodine Therapy Aided by Recombinant Human Thyrotropin in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: Thyroglobulin (Tg) may be released from damaged residual thyroid tissues after radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). We investigated whether altered levels of serum Tg after recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH)-aided RAI therapy could be a prognostic marker in patients with DTC.METHODS: We evaluated 68 patients who underwent RAI therapy after total thyroidectomy. Serum Tg levels were measured just before RAI administration (D0Tg) and 7 days after RAI therapy (D7Tg). Patients with a D0Tg level greater than 2.0 ng/mL were excluded to more precisely evaluate the injury effect of RAI in small remnant tissues. The ratioTg was defined as the D7Tg level divided by that on D0Tg. The therapeutic responses were classified as acceptable or non-acceptable. Finally, we investigated which clinicopathologic parameters were associated with therapeutic response.RESULTS: At the follow-up examination, an acceptable response was observed in 50 patients (73.5%). Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in N stage (P = 0.003) and ratioTg (acceptable vs. non-acceptable responses, 21.9 ± 33.6 vs. 3.8 ± 6.5; P = 0.006). In multivariate analysis, only ratioTg significantly predicted an acceptable response (odds ratio 1.104; 95% confidence interval 1.005–1.213; P = 0.040). A ratioTg above 3.5 predicted an acceptable response with a sensitivity of 66.0%, specificity of 83.3%, and accuracy of 70.6% (area under the curve = 0.718; P = 0.006).CONCLUSIONS: Altered levels of serum Tg after RAI therapy, calculated as the ratioTg (D7Tg/D0Tg), significantly predicted an acceptable response in patients with DTC.

Association of lymphovascular invasion with metastasis (loco-regional lymph node or distant) among adult Filipino patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma: A case control study

Background/Objective@#Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Treatment includes surgery and remnant ablation with radioactive iodine theraphy while follow-up monitoring includes I- 131 whole body scans land thyroglobulin monitoring. Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) has been used as a predictor of metastasis in different cancers. Therefore, it might be useful in predicting metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma since metastasis in this type of carcinoma travels via the lymphatic route. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of LVI with metastasis among patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma@*Methodology@#Records of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (histopathologic reports, thyroglobulin levevls and I-131 whole body scans) were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate anlyses were performed. @*Results@#A total of 108 subjects were recruited for this study, 47 (43.5%) of which had LVI. There was no association found between LVI and metastasis on baseline (p=0.72) and follow-up scans (p=0.07). However, there was an association between metastasis resolution on follow-up scans and high-dose radioactive treatment (p=0.02) regarless of presence or absence of LVI.@*Conclusion@#There was a significant association of the presence of LVI with elevated thyroglobulin levels (p-value<0.0001). A significant association was also seen with LVI and dose of activity with resolution of thyroid remnant, locoregional lymph node and distant metastasis (p=0.02). Even though no association jwas seen between LVI and metastasis, a robust percentage of patients with LVI were positive for metastasis on whole body scans.

Radioactive Iodine Therapy in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Moyamoya Disease

@#Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common histological subtyoe if thyroid carcinoma. Management is surgical with post-operative radioodine therapy to ablate thyroid tissue remnants. Although the mangement of uncomplicated papillary thyroid carcinoma is well established,treatment of patients also affected with Moyamoya disease is limitedly describe. Theare are concerns with regards to doing radioactive iodine therapy, which might affect the seased arteries in Moyamoya disease. We report a case of a 36-year-old male with Moyamoya disease, who was subsequently diagnosed to have papillary thyroid carcinoma. After total thyroidectory, the patient underwent radioactive iodine therapy with 5.7 GBq (155.0 mCi). Post-oblation scan with SPECT of the pelvis-showed functional thyroid tissue remnants in the lower anterior neck with suspicious tracer-avid focus in the sacrum. There were no complications such as radiation-induced arteritis encountered with the patient's MOyamoya disease during post-operative high-dose radiooidine ablation and no subjective complaints even on follow-up after almost one year.

Thyroglobulin levels before radioactive iodine therapy and dynamic risk stratification after 1 year in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer

ABSTRACT Objectives: We sought to assess the relationship between stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) before radioactive iodine therapy (RIT), and the dynamic risk stratification 1 year after treatment, and to establish the utility of the sTg as a predictor of response to therapy in these patients. A retrospective chart review of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who underwent RIT after surgery and were followed for at least 1 year, was carried out. Subjects and methods: Patients were classified according to the dynamic risk stratification 1 year after initial treatment. The sTg values before RIT were compared among the groups. ROC curve analysis was performed. Results: Fifty-six patients were enrolled (mean age 44.7 ± 14.4 years, 80.7% had papillary carcinoma). Patients with excellent response had sTg = 2.1 ± 3.3 ng/mL, those with indeterminate response had sTg = 8.2 ± 9.2 ng/mL and those with incomplete response had sTg = 22.4 ± 28.3 ng/mL before RIT (p = 0.01). There was a difference in sTg between excellent and incomplete response groups (p = 0.009) while no difference was found between indeterminate and either excellent or incomplete groups. The ROC curve showed an area under the curve of 0.779 assuming a sTg value of 3.75 ng/mL. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that the higher the sTg before RIT, the greater the likelihood of an incomplete response to initial treatment. A sTg cut-off of 3.75 ng/mL was found to be a good predictor of response to initial treatment in patients with DTC.

Establishment and nursing management of nuclear medicine special protection ward / 中华护理杂志

In order to improve nursing quality of patients underwent 131I therapy,to improve development of nursing management in nuclear medicine,a nuclear medicine special protection ward was built in September 2016.The structure and layout was reasonably planned,and management system was optimized.Totally 543 patients were admitted,two of them were critical patients.All patients were successfully discharged,and patient satisfaction was higher than 95％.No nuclear leakage event happened.Reasonable layout and management system provided better radiation protection for doctors,nurses and patients to ensure the safety of radiation.

The surgical approach to managing differentiated thyroid cancer.

In recent decades, our understanding of thyroid cancer has improved significantly with the recognition that differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has good survival and oncological outcomes. Along with the recent rise in the detection of otherwise subclinical tumours due to improved diagnostics, there has been much debate on how aggressive one should be when performing thyroid and lymph node surgery. The use of risk stratification to categorize patients into low, intermediate and high risk has led to a more tailored approach to treating differentiated thyroid cancer. This ensures patients are not subject to preventable morbidity from overtreatment while maintaining good outcomes. We discuss the approach to primary thyroid and lymph node surgery by reviewing the current literature.

Dietary evaluation of a low-iodine diet in Korean thyroid cancer patients preparing for radioactive iodine therapy in an iodine-rich region

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite the importance of a low-iodine diet (LID) for thyroid cancer patients preparing for radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy, few studies have evaluated dietary intake during LID. This study evaluated the amount of dietary iodine intake and its major food sources during a typical diet and during LID periods for thyroid cancer patients preparing for RAI therapy, and examined how the type of nutrition education of LID affects iodine intake. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 92 differentiated thyroid cancer patients with total thyroidectomy were enrolled from Seoul National University Hospital. All subjects completed three days of dietary records during usual and low-iodine diets before 131I administration. RESULTS: The median iodine intake was 290 µg/day on the usual diet and 63.2 µg/day on the LID. The major food groups during the usual diet were seaweed, salted vegetables, fish, milk, and dairy products and the consumption of these foods decreased significantly during LID. The mean energy intake on the LID was 1,325 kcal, which was 446 kcal lower than on the usual diet (1,771 kcal). By avoiding iodine, the intake of most other nutrients, including sodium, was significantly reduced during LID (P < 0.005). Regarding nutritional education, intensive education was more effective than a simple education at reducing iodine intake. CONCLUSION: Iodine intake for thyroid cancer patients was significantly reduced during LID and was within the recommended amount. However, the intake of most other nutrients and calories was also reduced. Future studies are needed to develop a practical dietary protocol for a LID in Korean patients.

Prevalence of Hyponatremia in Hypothyroid Patients during Radioactive ¹³¹I Ablation for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Single Institution Experience

BACKGROUND: Hyponatremia developing in hypothyroid patients has been encountered in clinical practice; however, its prevalence has not been well established. METHODS: Thirty patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer, rendered hypothyroid after surgery and levothyroxine withdrawal, and who are for radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation were included. Serum sodium concentrations were measured twice, at the time of admission for RAI ablation, and before discharge after increased oral fluid intake. The outcome measures were to determine the prevalence of hyponatremia among hypothyroid patients prior to RAI ablation and after oral hydration post-RAI, and to correlate the serum sodium levels pre-RAI and post-RAI with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration and age. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included, with ages from 23 to 65 years old (median, 40). Two patients (6.7%) were hyponatremic prior to RAI ablation, and eight patients (26.7%) had mild hyponatremia (130 to 134 mEq/L) after RAI and hydration. There was no significant correlation between TSH levels and serum sodium levels prior to or after RAI. There was also no significant correlation between pre- and post-RAI sodium concentration and age. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hyponatremia pre-RAI was 6.7%, and 26.7% post-RAI. No significant correlation was noted between TSH concentration and age on pre- or post-RAI sodium concentrations. Routine measurement of serum sodium post-RAI/isolation is still not advised. Measurement of sodium post-RAI may be considered in patients who are elderly, with comorbid conditions or on medications.

The interpretation of 2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma：New progress in radioactive iodine therapy of differentiated thyroid carcinoma / 中国癌症杂志

Recently, the morbidity of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) has increased annually. American Thyroid Association (ATA) published the management guidelines for patients with thyroid nodules and DTC in 2006 in order to standardize their management. The ATA guidelines was updated for the ifrst time in 2009 and its renewed version was completed in 2015 based on the considerable progress that had been made in the ifelds such as diagnostic assessment and management of thyroid nodules, surgery and radioactive iodine therapy for DTC in recent years. This article tried to interpret the updated contents about radioactive iodine therapy for DTC in 2015 version of the guidelines.

Incidencia de patología salival sintomática aleada en pacientes tratados con yodo radioactivo por cáncer diferenciado de tiroides / Incidence of sympthomatic salivary disease in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer treated with radioactive iodine

Background: The radioactive iodine therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer can produce severe and frequent salivary symptoms, during the treatment or later. Aim: To analyze the incidence, severity and charactheristics of the salivary signs and symptoms in these patients. Patients and Method: Retrospective and descriptive analisis of 106 patients with confirmed diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancer, treated with surgery and radioactive iodine, that completed a telephonic survey for the evaluation of salivary symptoms. Results: 26 (24.52 percent) patients presented with salivary symptoms or signs after the radioactive iodine therapy (mean 5 months). The average doses of I 131 was 128,5 mCi. Xerostomy, pain, xeroftalmy, inflammation, sialoadenitis and dysgeusia, were the most frequent clinical symptoms. Conclusions: After radioactive iodine therapy the salivary symptoms and signs incidence is high. We conclude that the indication for this treatment must be selective, but in accordance with the oncological risk of each patient.

Introducción: El tratamiento con yodo radioactivo en el tratamiento del cáncer diferenciado de tiroides puede originar síntomas alejados de origen salival. Éstos pueden llegar a ser intensos y frecuentes. Objetivo: Conocer la incidencia, características e intensidad de dichos síntomas. Material y Método: Revisión retrospectiva y análisis descriptivo de 106 pacientes con diagnóstico definitivo y anatomopatológico de cáncer diferenciado de tiroides, tratados con yodo radioactivo, que contestaron una encuesta telefónica especialmente diseñada para evaluación de patología salival. Resultados: Veintiséis (24,52 por ciento) pacientes presentaron y consultaron por síntomas y/o signos alejados (promedio 5 meses) de la terapia ablativa, de origen salival. La dosis promedio fue de 128,5 mCi de I 131. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron xerostomía, dolor, xeroftalmia, inflamación, sialoadenitis y alteración del gusto. Discusión: La incidencia de signos y síntomas salivales alejados en pacientes tratados con I 131 es alta y justificaría a nuestro juicio su indicación selectiva, de acuerdo a los riesgos de recurrencia tumoral de cada paciente.

Effect of Short-Term Hypothyroid State on Lipid Profile and Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Subjects Preparing Radioactive Iodine Therapy / 대한갑상선학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship between short-term hypothyroidism due to levothyroxine (LT4) withdrawal for radioactive iodine (RI) therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and risk of cardiovascular disease is not clear. In this study, we evaluated the impact of short-term overt hypothyroidism on lipid profiles and cardiovascular parameters in patients with DTC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 195 patients with DTC who were preparing RI therapy from March 2008 to February 2012. We analyzed the effect of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level on the clinical, biochemical, and cardiovascular risk markers at the end of LT4 withdrawal protocol (P2). RESULTS: After LT4 withdrawal (P2), TSH and total cholesterol (TC) levels were significantly increased (p121 microIU/mL), all values did not have a statistical significant meaning except Apo A1. CONCLUSION: Short-term hypothyroidism induced worsening of lipid metabolic parameters, but not enough to induce the cardiovascular risk in patients with thyroid cancer.

Delayed presentation of aggravation of thyrotoxicosis after radioactive iodine therapy at Graves disease / 영남의대학술지

Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy is widely used for the treatment of Graves disease. After RAI therapy, 44% become hypothyroid and up to 28% remain hyperthyroid. The development of thyrotoxicosis after RAI therapy is believed to be mediated by 2 different mechanisms: a transient increased release of thyroid hormone due to radiation thyroiditis and the rare development of Graves disease due to the formation of antibodies to the thyroid-associated antigens released from the damaged follicular cells. A 55-year-old woman was hospitalized with severe headache, weight loss, and palpitation. She received a dose of 7 mCi of RAI (I-131) about 6 weeks earlier. Thyroid function test showed 7.98 ng/dL free T4, >8 ng/mL T3, <0.08 microIU/L thyroid stimulating hormone, and high titer thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) (85.8 IU/L). She improved with propylthiouracil, propranolol, and steroid treatment. The TSI, however, was persistently elevated for 11 months.

Terapéutica en bocio multinodular (bmn): Protocolo del servicio de endocrinología del Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitario de los Andes

La enfermedad tiroidea nodular benigna constituye un desorden tiroideo heterogéneo, el cual tiene una alta prevalencia en áreas con déficit de yodo. En países con estas características, la prevalencia de esta entidad alcanza el 30% de la población entre los 18 y 65 años, siendo más frecuente en el sexo femenino. Las características clínicas en un paciente con bocio multinodular (BMN) dependen del aumento del tamaño de la tiroides y la presencia de tirotoxicosis en el caso de BMN tóxico (BMNT). La evaluación clínica del tamaño, morfología y función de la glándula tiroides tiene baja sensibilidad, por lo que esto debe ser complementado con los parámetros de laboratorio como perfil tiroideo, estudio ecográfico que aporta información sobre tamaño, número de nódulos, características ecográficas de los mismos, así como, la posibilidad de realizar punción aspiración de los nódulos tiroideos sospechosos de malignidad. En ausencia de hallazgos clínicos, ecográficos y citológicos de malignidad, la selección de la mejor opción terapéutica dependerá de diversos factores incluyendo tamaño y localización del bocio, la presencia y severidad de síntomas compresivos y la función tiroidea; por tanto el tratamiento del BMN sigue siendo controvertido en la actualidad. En pacientes asintomáticos, con bocio de pequeño tamaño y citología negativa se recomienda observación y seguimiento. Así mismo, existen otras alternativas de tratamiento tales como el yodo radiactivo y la resección quirúrgica de la glándula con distintas modalidades. En la presente revisión se hace un resumen de las generalidades sobre BMN, su abordaje diagnóstico así como las distintas opciones terapéuticas.

Benign nodular thyroid disease constitutes a heterogeneous thyroid disorder, which is highly prevalent in iodine-deficient areas. In countries with these characteristics, the prevalence of this entity is 30% of the population between 18 and 65, being more common in females. Clinical features in a patient with multinodular goiter (MNG) can be attributed to thyroid enlargement and the presence of thyrotoxicosis in the case of toxic MNG (TMNG). Clinical evaluation of the size, morphology and function of the thyroid gland has a low sensitivity, so this should be supplemented with laboratory parameters such as thyroid profile, ultrasound examination that provides information on size, number of nodules, and other characteristics to decide the possibility of aspiration of thyroid nodules suspicious of malignancy. In the absence of clinical, ultrasound and cytological malignancy, selecting the best treatment option depends on several factors including size and location of the goiter, the presence and severity of compressive symptoms and thyroid function; therefore MNG treatment remains controversial today. In asymptomatic patients with a small goiter and negative cytology, a follow-up observation is recommended. Likewise, there are other treatment options such as radioactive iodine and surgical resection of the gland, with different modalities. The present review summarize the generalities on MNG, its diagnostic approach and the various treatment options.

Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Following Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Graves' Disease

Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy has been used as a treatment option for Graves' disease, and it has been widely accepted to be safe. On the other hand, some evidence suggests that RAI therapy is possibly associated with a small increased risk of thyroid cancer. Herein, we report a rare case of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) associated with Graves' disease, following RAI treatment. A 42-year-old woman had been diagnosed with Graves' disease and although she was treated with an antithyroid drug, she remained in a hyperthyroid state, which led to two RAI treatments. More than 10 years later, the patient revisited our clinic due to hoarseness, dysphagia, and dyspnea, which had lasted for 2 months. Neck computed tomography suggested thyroid carcinoma and a lymph node biopsy showed metastatic papillary carcinoma. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and was finally diagnosed as having an ATC. It is not clear if the occurrence of ATC reported here was influenced by the RAI therapy or alternatively, it may only represent the delayed recognition of a rare change in the natural history of Graves' disease. Nevertheless, this report is worthwhile since it presents a very rare case of ATC that occurred eleven years after the RAI therapy for Graves' disease.