Guided intraoperative scintigraphic tumor targeting of metastatic cervical lymph nodes in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer: a single-center report

ABSTRACT Objective: Our aim was to present our experiences related to performing neck surgery using the guided intraoperative scintigraphic tumor targeting (GOSTT) procedure for patients who had locally recurrent or persistent differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and who had undergone previous thyroid surgery. Subjects and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 11 patients who had locally recurrent or persistent DTC, who had undergone previous surgery, and for whom reoperation was planned for metastatic cervical lymph nodes (LNs). We performed the neck surgery using the GOSTT procedure on all patients and at a single academic institution. Results: The 11 patients had a total of 26 LNs, as marked with a radiotracer, and those LNs' mean size was 14.7 ± 8.2 mm (range: 5-34 mm). Histopathological examinations revealed DTC metastasis in all 26 of the preoperatively marked LNs. Of the 11 patients, only one needed a reoperation in the neck; she had another successful surgery (also using the GOSTT procedure). In the evaluation of the patients' final status, all were disease-free in their necks. There also were no GOSTT-associated postoperative complications. Conclusion: The GOSTT procedure is a useful, successful, inexpensive, and comfortable procedure for marking and mapping metastatic LNs, especially in DTC patients who have undergone previous surgery.

El ultrasonido como método diagnóstico de patología mamaria oculta en mujeres con mama densa: serie clínica / Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Method of Hidden Breast Pathology in Women with Dense Breasts (case series)

Objetivo: Determinar la importancia y utilidad del ultrasonido mamario como método de imagen complementario en pacientes con mamas densas, ACR 3 y 4. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional longitudinal de tipo prospectivo. Se evaluaron 483 pacientes femeninas que asistieron a la Clínica de Mamas (San Cristóbal, Estado Táchira) durante el periodo de febrero de 2010 a febrero de 2011 con mamas densas en mamografía, sin hallazgo clínico ni radiológico, con evaluación ultrasonográfica complementaria y posterior estudio histopatológico según grado de sospecha de lesión por categorización BI-RADS. Resultados: La edad promedio de las pacientes fue de 45,15 años, menarquía a los 12,57 años y mamas densas ACR 3, la mayoría sin antecedentes de cáncer de mama ni uso de terapia de reemplazo hormonal. Se diagnosticaron 304 lesiones ocultas, el 10,8% con características ultrasonográficas de sospecha y el 2,2% con hallazgos histopatológicos de malignidad. Conclusiones: Se demuestra la importancia del ultrasonido como método complementario de rastreo en pacientes con mama densa.

Objective: To determine the importance and usefulness of breast ultrasounds as supplementary imaging method in patients with dense breasts, ACR 3 and 4. Materials and methods: Prospective observational longitudinal type study. We evaluated 483 female patients in the Clínica de Mama (San Cristobal, Tachira Ste.) from February 2010 to February 2011 with dense breasts in mammography without clinical or radiological findings, with additional ultrasonographic evaluation and a histopathological study according to the degree of lesion suspicion by BIRADS categorization. Results: The average age of the patients was 45.15 years, The menarche age was 12.57 years and ACR 3 breasts. Most patients did not have a background of breast cancer, nor did they use hormone replacement therapy. 304 hidden lesions were diagnosed, 10.8% with suspicious ultrasonographic features and 2.2% with histopathological malignancy findings. Conclusions: The importance of the ultrasound as a complementary screening method is proven in patients with dense breasts.

New applications of radioguided surgery in oncology

OBJECTIVE: To report oncological cases (excluding those related to breast cancer) for which radioguided surgery has been used in combination with the Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization technique. INTRODUCTION: Radioguided surgery enables a surgeon to identify lesions or tissues that have been preoperatively marked with radioactive substances. The Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization technique has been widely used to identify the sentinel lymph node and occult lesions in patients with breast cancer. However, few studies have reported the use of this technique for non-breast cancer pathologies. METHODOLOGY: In all cases, injection of Technecium-99m sulfur colloid was performed, directly inside or near by the suspicious lesion, guided by ultrasound or computed tomography, up to 36 hours prior to the surgical procedure. Intraoperative lesion detection was carried out using a gamma-probe. RESULTS: We report five oncology cases in which preoperative markings of the lesions were carried out using the Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization technique. The patients presented with the following: recurrence of renal cell carcinoma, cervical recurrence of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, recurrence of retroperitoneal sarcoma, lesions of the popliteal fossa, and recurrence of rhabdomyosarcoma of a thigh. In each case, the lesions that were marked preoperatively were ultimately successfully excised. CONCLUSIONS: Radioguided surgery has proven to be a safe and effective alternative for the management of oncology patients. The Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization technique can be useful in selected cases where suspect lesions may be difficult to identify intraoperatively, due to their dimensions or anatomical location. The procedure allows for more conservative excisions and reduces the surgery-related morbidity.

Incontinencia fecal por lesiones ocultas del mecanismo de esfínter anal y factores asociados en pacientes primíparas sin episiotomía media de rutina / Fecal incontinence, occult lesions to the anal sphincter and related factors in primiparous patients without median routine episiotomy

Introducción: la incontinencia fecal es más frecuente en mujeres, principalmente por la relación con el trauma obstétrico. Los factores que favorecen estas lesiones obstétricas han sido estudiados ampliamente; la Norma Oficial Mexicana ha cancelado el uso rutinario de la episiotomía media en los partos. Los objetivos de esta investigación fueron determinar la frecuencia de lesiones al esfínter anal e incontinencia fecal en mujeres primíparas sin episiotomía media, así como los factores maternos, obstétricos y del recién nacido que pudieran predisponer a estas lesiones. Material y métodos: se estudiaron primíparas atendidas en el periodo de mayo de 2002 a mayo de 2004, de cualquier edad, sanas, con embarazos a término no complicados. Se realizó interrogatorio de incontinencia, examen clínico y ultrasonido endoanal previos al parto, y se repitió el procedimiento seis semanas después del parto. Se utilizó χ2 para análisis estadístico. Resultados: de 122 pacientes, se eliminaron 62 (22 por cesárea y 40 por no acudir al seguimiento). Se observó incontinencia posparto en 14 pacientes (23 %), menor en 13 (22 %) y mayor en una (1.6 %), lesión a esfínteres en siete (12 %), lesiones ocultas en tres (5 %), incontinencia sin lesión a esfínteres en 10 (71 %) y lesión advertida al canal de parto en 45 (75 %). Conclusiones: hallamos alto índice de lesiones del esfínter anal en primíparas sin episiotomía de rutina, con menor índice de lesiones graves e incontinencia fecal mayor. Hubo probable relación de las lesiones con el tamaño y peso del producto, duración del segundo periodo del parto, lesión advertida y experiencia de quien atiende (no demostrado estadísticamente en este estudio).

BACKGROUND: Fecal incontinence is more frequent among women, mainly because of obstetrical trauma. The factors that induce these lesions have been widely studied. The Mexican Official Medical Regulations cancelled the routine use of episiotomy during vaginal delivery, taking into account many of these studies. We undertook this study to determine the frequency of anal sphincter lesions and fecal incontinence in primiparous women without episiotomy and related these lesions to maternal, obstetrical and newborn factors that could predispose to the origin of these lesions. METHODS: Primiparous women attended between May 2002 and May 2004, of any age, healthy, with uncomplicated term pregnancies were included. Before labor, a clinical examination, incontinence questionnaire and anal ultrasound were performed and the procedure was repeated 6 weeks after labor. Maternal, delivery and newborn factors were evaluated and compared in cases with fecal incontinence or anal sphincter lesions. Chi square test was utilized for categorical variables. RESULTS: We studied a total 122 patients, 62 were excluded (22 required Cesarean section and 40 failed to attend follow-up). Of these, postpartum incontinence was reported in 14 (23%) (minor in 13, 22%) and major in 1, 1.6%), sphincter lesion in 7 (12%), occult lesion in 3 (5%); incontinence without sphincter lesion in 10 (71%), and adverted partum canal lesion in 45 (75%). CONCLUSIONS: We found a high incidence of anal sphincter lesions in primiparous women without routine episiotomy but a reduced incidence of severe lesions and major fecal incontinence. There is a probable relation of lesions with newborn birthweight and height, duration of 2nd partum period, adverted lesion and attending physician (not statistically demonstrated).