Endocrinopatías por inmunoterapia oncológica / Endocrinopathies by oncological immunotherapy

La relación entre inmunidad y cáncer es compleja. Las células tumorales desarrollan mecanismos de evasión a las respuestas del sistema inmunitario. Esta capacidad permite su supervivencia y crecimiento. La inmunoterapia ha transformado el tratamiento oncológico mejorando la respuesta inmunitaria contra la célula tumoral. Esta se basa en el bloqueo de los puntos de control inmunitario mediante anticuerpos monoclonales contra la molécula inhibidora CTLA-4 (antígeno 4 del linfocito T citotóxico [CTLA-4]) y la proteína 1 de muerte celular programada y su ligando (PD-1/PD-L1). Aunque los inhibidores de los puntos de control inmunitario (ICIs) son fármacos bien tolerados, tienen un perfil de efectos adversos conocido como eventos adversos inmunorrelacionados (EAI). Estos afectan varios sistemas, incluyendo las glándulas endocrinas. Los eventos adversos endocrinos más frecuentes son la disfunción tiroidea, la insuficiencia hipofisaria, la diabetes mellitus autoinmune y la insuficiencia suprarrenal primaria. El creciente conocimiento de estos efectos adversos endocrinos ha llevado a estrategias de tratamiento efectivo con el reemplazo hormonal correspondiente. El objetivo de esta revisión es reconocer la incidencia de estas nuevas endocrinopatías, la fisiopatología, su valoración clínica y el manejo terapéutico. (AU)

The relationship between immunity and cancer is complex. Tumor cells develop evasion mechanisms to the immune system responses. This ability allows their survival and progression. Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment by improving the immune response against tumor cells. This is achieved by blocking immune checkpoints with monoclonal antibodies against cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 and its ligand (PD-1 / PD-L1). Although the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are well tolerated drugs, they have a profile of adverse effects known as immune-related adverse events (irAES). These involve diverse systems, including the endocrine glands. The most frequent endocrine immune-related adverse events are thyroid and pituitary dysfunction, autoimmune diabetes mellitus and primary adrenal insufficiency. The increasing knowledge of these irAES has led to effective treatment strategies with the corresponding hormonal replacement. The objective of this review is to recognize the incidence of these new endocrinopathies, the physiopathology, their clinical evaluation, and therapeutic management. (AU)

Ultrasonographic assessment of thyroid volume in oldest-old individuals

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between thyroid volume and age, gender, anthropometric characteristics, and echogenicity in oldest-old subjects in an iodine-sufficient area. Subjects and methods The study included 81 independent elderly individuals aged ≥ 80 years (65 [80.2%] women). We determined these individuals' anthropometric characteristics, body mass index (BMI), and lean body mass, as well as thyroid volume and echogenicity by ultrasonography. Results We observed that octogenarians and nonagenarians had different profiles of thyroid echogenicity. The volume of the thyroid was smaller in nonagenarians than octogenarians (p = 0.012, r = 0.176), and subjects aged 80-89 years had more often hypoechoic glands than those aged ≥ 90 years (p = 0.01 versus 0.602). Conclusion The identification of ultrasonographic differences in oldest-old individuals will contribute to establishing preclinical markers, such as echogenicity, to identify individuals at risk of developing autoimmune thyroid disease. Future prospective studies should identify if 80-89-year-old individuals with hypoechoic glands progress to hypothyroidism, and if the absence of changes in echogenicity (i.e. a normal thyroid parenchyma) would have a positive impact on longevity among nonagenarians.

Estruma ovárico / Struma ovarii

Introducción: 20 por ciento de los tumores ováricos son de células germinales; y, aunque muchos no pueden ser clasificados por citología, los teratomas sí, y entre estos, el estruma formado por tejido tiroideo. Reconocerlo, ayuda al patólogo en el manejo de la biopsia intraoperatoria y define el proceder clínico quirúrgico. Presentación del caso: mujer de 29 años atendida en urgencias por dolor en región inguinal derecha. Al examinarla se constató tumoración de alrededor de 8 cm en región pélvica derecha, dolorosa al palparla. En el tacto vaginal se percibió masa tumoral gonadal de consistencia firme. El ultrasonido arrojó en el ovario derecho una imagen ecolúcida de paredes gruesas con imágenes hipoecogénicas en su interior, con bordes irregulares de 67 x 97 mm, e imagen ecogénica que ocupa el 20 % de la lesión, con pobre patrón vascular. Conclusiones: los datos clínicos, y los exámenes imagenológicos y citológicos, permiten diagnosticar un estruma ovárico benigno(AU)

Introduction: twenty percent of ovarian tumors are of germinal cells and although many cannot be classified through cytology, teratomes can, and among them, the struma formed by the thyroid tissue. Recognizing this fact helps the pathologist to manage intraoperative biopsy and to define the surgical clinical procedure. Case presentation: a 29 years-old woman seen in the emergency service to relieve pain in her right inguinal region. On the physical exam, an 8 cm tumor was found in the right pelvic region, causing pain when palpating it. The vaginal exam revealed solid gonadal tumor mass. The ultrasound test showed in the right overy an echolucent image of thick walls with hypoechogenic images inside with 67 x 97 mm irregular contours and echogenic image covering 20 percent of lesion, with poor vascular pattern. Conclusions: clinical data and imaging and cytological exams allow diagnosing benign struma ovarii(AU)

Relación entre el valor del ratio elastográfico y la clasificación citológica de Bethesda en la patología tiroidea / Relationship between the value of elastography ratio and the cytological classification of Bethesda in thyroid pathology

Objetivo: Presentar nuestra experiencia en la categorización de la patología tiroidea, a través de la utilización de parámetros ecográficos de malignidad y elastografía con medición del ratio de la deformación tisular, y la correlación de los hallazgos obtenidos con la clasificación citológica de Bethesda. Materiales y métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio prospectivo y observacional, entre septiembre de 2012 y abril de 2013, que incluyó 137 nódulos tiroideos. Se excluyeron 10 casos Bethesda III-IV. Se realizó ecografía, power Doppler, visualización de micropartículas (Micropure) y elastografía con medición del ratio elastográfico, así como también punción aspirativa con aguja fina guiada por ecografía (con el citólogo presente), utilizando la clasificación Bethesda. Los estudios fueron hechos por el mismo operador con un ecógrafo Toshiba Aplio 400 y los datos estadísticos se evaluaron con el programa IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Resultados: Se estudiaron 127 nódulos en pacientes con una edad promedio de 59±16 anos. El 82% de los casos ocurrió en mujeres. Ciento veinte nódulos (94%) fueron clasificados como Bethesda II. La media elastográfica para Bethesda I-II fue de 1,94±2,12 vs. 7,07±5,46 para V-VI (p: 0,048). El punto de corte elastográfico ≤ 2 (87 de 127) presentó una sensibilidad del 85,7% y una especificidad del 81,7% para predecir Bethesda asociada a patología benigna, con un valor predictivo negativo (VPN) del 99% y un valor predictivo positivo del 15%. Conclusiones: El ratio elastográfico permitió descartar la patología tiroidea maligna con valores ≤ 2 y un VPN del 99%, mejorando la selección de los pacientes a punzar. El incremento del ratio elastográfico se asoció a una mayor probabilidad de patología maligna, aunque no se pudo establecer un valor de corte debido al bajo número de casos con Bethesda V-VI.

Objectives: We present our experience in the categorization of thyroid pathology using the sonographic parameters of malignancy and elastography with measurement elastography strain ratio, to evaluate the relationship between the results found and the Bethesda classification. Materials and methods: Prospective observational study, included 137 thyroid nodules studied between September 2012- April 2013. We excluded 10 cases with Bethesda categories III-IV. Ultrasonography, Doppler, Micropure, elastogrphy strain ratio between the lesion and the normal tissue, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC),were the diagnosis methods used. The pathologist was always present and the cytological classi fication of Bethesda was used. All study was made by the same physician used Toshiba Aplio 400 ultrasound unit. Results were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Results: We studied 127 nodules in patients 59±16 years old, 82% were female; 120 were Bethesda II (94%). The average strain ratio for nodules Bethesda I-II was 1.94±2.12 vs. 7.07±5.46 for those nodules Bethesda V-VI (p:0,048). This means that an elastography strain ratio ≤ 2 (87 of 127 nodules) has a sensibility of 85.7% and a specificity of 81.7% of predicting Bethesda associated with benign pathology with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99% and a positive predictive value of 15%. Conclusion: The elastography strain ratio allowed to discard malignant nodules with strain ratio ≤ 2 with a NPV of 99% improves the selection of patients for FNAC. The increment in the elastography strain ratio was associated to a higher possibility of malignant thyroid pathology, being unable to determine a limit value due to the low amount of cases with nodules Bethesda V-VI.

Prevalence of thyroid diseases in patients with acromegaly: experience of a Brazilian center / Prevalência das doenças tireoidianas em pacientes com acromegalia: experiência de um centro brasileiro

OBJECTIVES: Acromegaly is frequently associated with thyroid diseases. In this study, we evaluated the frequency of thyroid disorders in a series of acromegalic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 106 acromegalic patients using thyroid ultrasonography (US) and measurements of GH, IGF-I, free T4, TSH and anti-thyroperoxidase antibody levels. IGF-I was expressed in mass units and age-related standard deviation scores (SD-scores). Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed on thyroid nodules with a diameter greater than one centimeter or with suspicious characteristics. RESULTS: Thyroid disorders were found in 75 patients. Eleven patients had diffuse goiter, 42 patients had nodular goiter, and 22 patients had unspecific morphological abnormalities. Four patients (3.8%) had thyroid carcinoma. Considering the patients with diffuse or nodular goiter, thyroid volume was greater in patients with active acromegaly, and was positively correlated with GH, IGF-I, and IGF-I SD-score. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed that benign thyroid diseases are frequent in acromegalic patients. The prevalence of thyroid cancer was higher than in the overall population. We suggest that thyroid US should be routinely performed in patients with acromegaly.

OBJETIVOS: Acromegalia está frequentemente associada a doenças tireoidianas. Neste estudo, avaliamos a presença de tireoidopatias em uma série de pacientes acromegálicos. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 106 pacientes por ultrassonografia (US) e dosagens de GH, IGF-1, T4 livre, TSH e anticorpo antitireoperoxidase. O IGF-I foi expresso em unidades de massa e desvio-padrão (DP-IGF-I). Punção aspirativa por agulha fina (PAAF) foi realizada quando os nódulos eram maiores que um centímetro ou tinham características suspeitas. RESULTADOS: Alterações tireoidianas foram encontradas em 75 pacientes. Onze apresentavam bócio difuso, 42, bócio nodular e 22, alterações morfológicas inespecíficas. Houve quatro casos (3,8%) de câncer diferenciado de tireoide. Considerando os pacientes com bócio difuso ou nodular, o volume tireoidiano foi maior naqueles com acromegalia em atividade e correlacionou-se positivamente com os níveis de GH, IGF-1 e DP-IGF-1. CONCLUSÕES: Nosso estudo confirmou que as doenças tireoidianas benignas são frequentes nos pacientes acromegálicos. A prevalência de câncer diferenciado de tireoide foi maior que na população geral. Sugerimos que US de tireoide seja realizado rotineiramente nos pacientes com acromegalia.

Correlação entre níveis de iodo na urina e alterações anatomopatológicas em tireoide / Correlation between iodine urinary levels and pathological changes in thyroid glands

OBJETIVOS: Determinar o aporte nutricional de iodo na população estudada e correlacionar os níveis de iodo encontrados em amostras casuais de urina (iodúria) com alterações anatomopatológicas observadas nas tireoides dessa população. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Determinou-se a iodúria em 30 amostras casuais de urina e realizou-se o estudo anatomopatológico de 55 tireoides colhidas de cadáveres que deram entrada no Departamento Médico Legal de Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil, no período de maio a agosto de 2011. RESULTADOS: Em 29 amostras de urina (96,7%) encontrou-se iodúria acima do limite máximo preconizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) de 300 µg/L. Em 14 tireoides (25,5%) foi identificada a presença de quadros histológicos compatíveis com tireoidite. Níveis mais elevados de iodo na urina foram observados no sexo feminino e nos casos de tireoides com presença de achados inflamatórios (tireoidites). CONCLUSÕES: Podemos concluir que na população estudada houve um excesso de iodo em seu aporte nutricional e uma maior incidência de quadros inflamatórios tireoidianos.

OBJECTIVES: To determine iodine nutrition in the population and to correlate levels of iodine found in random samples of urine with pathological changes observed in thyroids collected in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urinary iodine was determined in 30 random samples of urine and the pathological study was carried out in 55 thyroid glands from corpses received by the Department of Forensic Medicine of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil from May to August 2011. RESULTS: In 29 urine samples (96.7%) urinary iodine was above the maximum limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), of 300 mg/L. Fourteen thyroids (25.5%) showed the presence of histological changes compatible with thyroiditis. Higher levels of iodine in urine were observed in females and in of thyroid that showed inflammation (thyroiditis). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, in this population, there is excess iodine intake, and greater incidence of inflammatory thyroid disease.

Algunas variables de interés para un equipo multidisciplinario regional en el nódulo eutiroideo asociado a la gestación / Euthyroid nodule associated with pregnancy, some interesting variables for a regional multidisciplinary team

El 4 por ciento de la población tiene un nódulo tiroideo, con mayor prevalencia en mujeres fértiles, se reconoce la gestación como factor acelerador de malignidad. Se realizó un estudio longitudinal prospectivo para distinguir aspectos diagnóstico-epidemiológicos relacionados con la evolución final del nódulo eutiroideo asociado a la gestación, en una consulta clínico/obstétrica regional en el oeste de la Habana desde enero 2004-octubre 2009; se definió: edad según número de embarazos previos, tamaño ultrasonográfico del nódulo atendiendo al tiempo gestacional, complicaciones materno/fetales y grupo étnico, más diagnóstico anatomopatológico final. Se muestrearon por conveniencia 90 gestantes empleando criterios clínicos/ultrasonográficos de nódulo tiroideo normofuncionante. Predominaron las pacientes entre 25-29 años y 72,5 por ciento tuvo 2 o más gestaciones previas, con pocos hijos, y coeficiente de correlación significativo para la edad según número de gestaciones previas. Presentaron al 2do semestre medidas ecográficas nodulares mayores de 2 cm, 33 gestantes, aumentando de tamaño según tiempo gestacional por coeficiente de correlación intraclase calculado. Hipertensión gestacional llevó significación entre las complicaciones, presentaron mayor número las gestantes de etnia negra. No fue concluyente 27,5 por ciento de las BAAF, con sensibilidad diagnóstica del 72,5 por ciento. Aunque al final de la gestación la enfermedad nodular del tiroides curse sin complicaciones materno/fetales, estas pacientes son jóvenes, sin buen control de la fecundidad lo que pudiera aumentar el riesgo de malignidad tiroidea indistintamente de los medios empleados para su diagnóstico, constituyen el estado funcional glandular una importante variable independiente de riesgo

The 4,96 percent of the population presenting with a thyroid nodule with a great prevalence in fertile women, recognizing the pregnancy as a malignancy accelerator factor. A prospective and longitudinal study was conducted to characterize diagnostic-epidemiological features related to final course of euthyroid nodule associated with pregnancy in patients seen in a regional clinical-obstetrical consultation of the Havana's west from January, 2004 to October, 2009, identifying age according to number of previous pregnancies, nodule size by US y pregnancy time, mother/fetal complications and ethnic group and more anatomical-pathological diagnoses. By convenience 90 pregnants were sampled using clinical and ulrasonography criteria of the thyroid normofunctional nodule. There were predominance of patients aged between 25-29 and the 72.5 percent had two or more previous pregnancies with a few children and a significant correlation coefficient for age according to previous pregnants. At the second trimester they had nodular echography measures more than 2 cm (33 pregnants) increasing the size according to the gestational time y estimated intra-class correlation coefficient . Gestational high blood pressure was significant among the complications, with more black pregnants. The 27,5 percent of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was not conclusive with a diagnostic sensitivity of 72,5 percent. Although at the end of pregnancy the nodular thyroid disease has not mother/fetal complications, these patients are young without a good control of fertility leading to an increase of thyroid malignancy risk, unlike the methods used for its diagnosis, the glandular functional status is a significant independent risk variable

Morbilidad conexa a las enfermedades tiroideas: [revisión] / Pathology related to thyroid diseases: [review]

Se hace una revisión general de un grupo de condiciones patológicas vinculadas a los dos más importantes síndromes de la patología tiro idea, hipo e hipertiroidismo que, en una parte de ellas, pueden coexistir con relativa frecuencia por poseer una etiopatogenia común; mientras que en otras, la edad o las características de los pacientes modifican el patrón clínico de los síndromes señalados o, finalmente, el exceso o deficiencia de las hormonas tiro ideas pueden exhibir cuadros clínicos similares a entidades patológicas que tienen otra etiología. En todo caso es muy importante tenerlas en cuenta para el apropiado y oportuno diagnóstico, primero diferencial y luego definitivo, que conduzca así mismo al tratamiento correcto.

A general review of a group of pathological conditions related to the most important thyroid syndromes, namely hypo and hyperthyroidism is described. A part of them might coexist with a relative frequency by possessing a common pathogenesis; meanwhile in other cases the age or the special characteristics of the patients change the clinical features of the over mentioned syndromes; finally the syndromes due to disturbed thyroid hormones production might have similar clinical pictures with other pathological entities which have other etiologies. In any case it is important to keep them in mind for an appropriate and opportune diagnosis and treatment.

Caracterização clínica e molecular de pacientes com hipetireodismo cogênito de Monte Santo-Bahia-Brasil / Clinical and molecular characterization of patients with hipetireodismo cogenito Monte Santo, Bahia, Brazil

O hipotireoidismo congênito (HC) é uma das doenças metabólicas mais comuns na infância, com incidência de HC é de 1:3.000 a 1:5.000 nascidos-vivos. Quando primário, o HC caracteriza-se por altos níveis de TSH podendo ser originado por disormonogênese, deficiente produção hormonal ou decorre de disgenesia tireoidiana, defeito embriológico que leva a agenesia, hemiagenesia ou ectopia. Na ausência do tratamento hormonal, o HC leva a grave retardo mental, além de outras alterações clínicas. A interação do hormônio TSH com o seu receptor (TSHR) tem importante função biológica estimulando o crescimento, diferenciação e função tireoidiana. Mutações no gene do TSHR têm sido identificadas como causa de HC hereditário ou congênito, mas parecem ser raras. Objetivos: 1) Obter genealogia das famílias afetadas para determinação do padrão de herança, identificação de afetados e possíveis portadores; 2) Descrever as características clínica- emográficas dos pacientes com HC; 3) Determinar a distribuição mutacional no gene do receptor do hormônio estimulante da tireoide (TSHR) nos afetados; 4) Sugerir ações de saúde pública e de otimização do aconselhamento genético. Foram estudados 12 pacientes provenientes de Monte Santo-BA, sendo oito diagnosticados pela triagem neonatal e quatro diagnosticados tardiamente durante expedição à cidade. Estes últimos foram identificados durante a coleta dos dados genealógicos das famílias dos afetados. Todos foram investigados para mutações no gene do TSHR. Toda a região codificadora do gene foi amplificada através do DNA genômico, seguido de SSCP e sequenciamento. À época da primeira avaliação, os pacientes apresentaram níveis elevados de TSH, confirmando o caráter primário da doença, associados a sinais e sintomas do HC. Observou-se grande heterogeneidade clínica entre os pacientes mesmo aqueles com grau de parentesco muito próximo. Nenhuma mutação patogênica foi encontrada no gene TSHR. Conclusão: a análise das genealogias permitiu observar a heterogeneidade clínica e genética da doença. Não foi encontrada nenhuma mutação no gene TSHR. O estudo de outros genes poderá ajudar no esclarecimento do HC na região.

Primary thyroid tuberculosis: a rare etiology of hypothyroidism and anterior cervical mass mimicking carcinoma / Tuberculose tireoidiana primária: rara etiologia de hipotireoidismo e massa cervical anterior mimetizando carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The involvement of the thyroid by tuberculosis (TB) is rare. Hypothyroidism caused by tissue destruction is an extremely rare report. Our aim was to report a patient with primary thyroid TB emphasizing the importance of diagnosis, despite the rarity of the occurrence. CASE REPORT: Women, 62 years old, showing extensive cervical mass since four months, referring lack of appetite, weight loss, dysphagia and dysphonia. Laboratorial investigation revealed primary hypothyroidism. Cervical ultrasound: expansive lesion in left thyroid lobe, involving adjacent muscle. Computed tomography scan: 13 cm diameter cervical mass with central necrosis. Fine needle biopsy: hemorrhagic material. Surgery: total thyroidectomy, left radical neck dissection and protective tracheotomy. The pathological examination showed chronic granulomatous inflammatory process with areas of caseous necrosis and lymph node involvement. The thyroid baciloscopy was positive. Pulmonary disease was absent. The patient was treated with antituberculosis drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid TB is not frequent, and should be considered as differential diagnosis of hypothyroidism and anterior cervical mass.

OBJETIVO: A tuberculose tiroidiana ocorre raramente. O hipotireoidismo decorrente da destruição tiroidiana é um relato raríssimo. Nosso objetivo foi descrever o caso de paciente com tuberculose tiroidiana primária e ressaltar a raridade e a importância da doença. RELATO DO CASO: Mulher, 62 anos, apresentando massa cervical extensa há quatro meses, associada à inapetência, à perda de peso, à disfonia e à disfagia. A investigação laboratorial mostrou hipotireoidismo primário. Ultrassonografia: lesão expansiva em lobo esquerdo, envolvendo musculatura subjacente. Tomografia computadorizada: massa heterogênea com centro necrótico, 13 cm de diâmetro. Biópsia por agulha fina: material serossanguinolento. Cirurgia: tireoidectomia, dissecção radical à esquerda e traqueostomia protetora. Exame anatomopatológico: processo inflamatório crônico granulomatoso com áreas de necrose caseosa e comprometimento linfonodal. Baciloscopia tiroidiana positiva. Ausência de comprometimento pulmonar. A paciente foi tratada com drogas antituberculosas. CONCLUSÕES: Tuberculose tireoidiana não é frequente, mas deve ser considerada como diagnóstico diferencial de hipotireoidismo e massa cervical anterior.

Fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] and neck swellings in the surgical outpatient

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology [FNAC] is a simple, quick and inexpensive method that is used to sample superficial masses like those found in the neck and is usually performed in the outpatient clinic. It causes minimal trauma to the patient and carries virtually no risk of complications. Masses located within the region of the head and neck, including salivary gland and thyroid gland lesions can be readily diagnosed using this technique. The objective of this descriptive study was to see the frequency of various pathological conditions detected on FNAC in patients presenting with neck swellings coming to Surgical Outpatient Department of Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. This study included patients with neck swellings presenting to the Surgical Outpatient Department of Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from January 2007 to December 2007. Patients below 18 years of age were excluded. Patients' data were recorded. Samples of FNAC were sent to the cytologist and results recorded. Frequency of various pathologies was determined. The study included 50 patients with neck swellings. There were 16 male and 34 female patients with an age range of 15-55 years. Tuberculous lymphadenitis was the commonest diagnosis [36%] followed by reactive/non-specific lymphadenitis [18%]. Other pathologies were malignant neoplasms [14%], cysts [10%], benign neoplasms [8%] and sialadenitis [6%]. FNAC was inconclusive in 8% of cases. Carcinomas metastatic to lymph nodes were the most common type of malignancy followed by lymphoma and thyroid gland carcinoma [Papillary Carcinoma]. It is concluded that tuberculous lymphadenitis is still the commonest condition in patients presenting with neck swellings followed by non-specific lymphadenitis and malignant neoplasms especially metastatic carcinoma. FNAC is an easy and suitable tool for the assessment of patients with neck swellings in the outpatient clinics. Although its diagnostic accuracy is limited as compared to tissue biopsy but it is a good test for both screening and follow-up

Histopathological audit of goiter: a study of 998 thyroid lesions

Nodular goiter is the commonest Lesion of thyroid gland. This study was carried out to see histopathotogical pattern of thyroid enlargement. All thyroid lesions received in the Department of Pathology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi, over a period of five years were reviewed and relevant special stains were performed. A total of 998 Lesions were reviewed. Seven hundred forty three cases were found non-neoplastic and 255 were neoplastic Lesions. Multinodular goiter was found to be the commonest 91.3% non-neoplastic Lesion. In neoplastic lesions, there were 102 benign Lesions and 153 were malignant. All 102 benign Lesions were diagnosed as follicular adenoma as per existing criteria. Out of these, 35 cases showed questionable nuclear changes, which were categorized as well-differentiated tumours of uncertain malignant potential. Papillary carcinoma was the commonest malignant lesion with a total of 138 cases. The commonest cause of goiter was multinodular goiter. Papillary carcinoma was the commonest malignant Lesion

Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in thyroid diseases

To evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC] in thyroid gland diseases. Cross sectional study. Department of Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery Liaquat National Hospital Karachi, from April 2001 to December 2005. Eighty nine patients with enlarged thyroid gland, of both sexes were selected from out patients department. All patients had preoperative FNAC, performed by pathologist at histopathology department and postoperative specimens were also examined and histopathological diagnosis made. All FNAC reports were correlated with histopathology diagnosis. Out of 89 patients 60 were female and 29 male. In 82 patients FNAC showed benign lesion, of which 80 were true negative and 2 false negative, which on hisopathology reported malignant. Remaining 9 cases were diagnosed as malignant on histopathology of which 7 were true positive. No case of false positive was detected in our study. Over all sensitivity was 77%, specificity of 100% and accuracy 97.7%. FNAC is reliable, safe and accurate method as a first line of evaluation in thyroid gland nodules before surgery. FNAC is more specific than sensitive in detecting thyroid gland malignancy and therefore its use as a reliable diagnostic test cannot be overemphasized

[Unusual thyroid lesion]

The incidence of aspergillosis has increased during the past decade with the widespread use of aggressive chemotherapy and immunosuppressive agents. The lungs are the most common primary site of infection. Thyroid involvement is rare, usually asymptomatic, and difficult to make an ante-mortem diagnosis. Our aim is to discuss the epidemiological characteristics, the diagnosis and the histogenesis of this unusual thyroid lesion. Case report A 13-year-old girl, with a past history of lung disease was hospitalised for cervical pseudo-tumoral lesion. Cervical scintigraphy was taken and showed abnormal uptake in the thyroid. A resected specimen of the thyroid showed an extensive abscess with diffuse aspergillus hyphae infiltration. Treatment with amphotericine B was initiated and the evolution was unfavorable. Aspergillus infection frequently disseminates to a variety of organs, thyroid involvement is rare and its prognosis depends on early diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapeutic measures

Pattern of surgically treated thyroid disease in Karachi

The study was carried out to evaluate the histologic spectrum of these surgically treated thyroid disease in Karachi. A total 0/662 cases were collected, 570 were females and 92 were males i.e. 6.19:1 ratio. The age range was from 12 to 70 years. Multinodular goiter was the commonest thyroid disease [61.63%], follicular adenoma was encountered next, 93 cases [14.05%]. Amongst 26 cases of thyroiditis, lymphocytic thyroiditis were seen in 22 [3.32%] which was commoner than Hashimoto's thyroiditis [0.06%]. The overall incidence of malignancy was 14.35%. Papillary carcinoma was found to have higher incidence [11.17%] than follicular carcinoma [1.81%]

Patología tiroidea diagnosticada mediante biopsias en el Servicio de Anatomía patológica Dr. Hans Doehnert del Hospital Central Universitario "Antonio María Pineda" (HCUAMP) de Barquisimeto período 1998-2001 / Thyroid pathology diagnosed by means of biopsies in the Dr. Hans Doehnert Service of Anatomy Pathological of the \"Antonio María Pineda\" University Central Hospital (HCUAMP) of Barquisimeto in the period between 1998-2001

Se realizó una revisión de resultados de biopsia en el período 1998-2001 de tipo descriptiva lingitudinal retospectiva con la finalidad de analizar la patología tiroidea diagnosticada mediante biopsias en el Servicio de Anatomía Patológica Dr. Hans Doehnert del Hospital Central Universitario "Antonio María Pineda" de Barquisimeto, para lo cual se seleccionaron 58 resultados con dichos diagnósticos. El 78% de la patología fue de tipo benigna, mientras que un 22% fue maligna. Todos los casos de sexo femenino. Un 68,9% de la patología benigna fue el bocio, el otro 31,1% fueron adenomas. La mayoría de pacientes con bocio (45,2%) tenía edad entre 41 y 60 años, seguido de 35,5% con edad entre 21 y 40 años. La mayoría de pacientes con adenoma tenía edad comprendida entre 21 y 40 años (42,8%). Un 53,8% de los tumores malignos fueron carcinomas papilares, seguidos de carcinomas foliculares en un 30,8%. El carcinoma papilar fue más frecuente entre 21 y 30 años 42,8%) y el carcinoma folicular entre 31 y 40 años (50%).

A tireoide no feto e no recem-nascido: peculiaridades funcionais e principais doencas tireoidianas / The thyroid in fetus and newborn infants: functional peculiarities and main thyroid diseases

Revisar a fisiologia e a disfuncao tireoidiana no feto e no recem-nascido. Fontes pesquisadas: literatura das bases de...

Biopsia por aspiración con aguja fina en afecciones quirúrgicas del tiroides / Fine needle aspiration biopsy in surgical affections of the thyroid}

Se realizó estudio prospectivo durante 3 años para determinar el valor de la biopsia por aspiración con aguja fina (BAAF) en las tiroideopatías quirúrgicas en nuestro servicio. Se emplearon la técnica y los criterios de Lowhagen para la realización del proceder. Se realizaron aspiraciones a 402 pacientes, y fueron 398 útiles para diagnóstico, de ellos se operaron 100 pacientes. La benignidad predominó en el 84 (por ciento), y fue el adenoma folicular el más frecuente en el 59,9 (por ciento). El cáncer se presentó en el 16 (por ciento) para corresponder a la variedad papilar el 68,7 (por ciento). El sexo femenino se vio más afectado entre las edades de 41 a 50 años. El proceder quirúrgico más empleado fue la hemitiroidectomía. La BAAF se valoró en los parámetros de: sensibilidad 93,7 (por ciento), especificidad 88 (por ciento), índice predictivo positivo 60 (por ciento), índice predictivo negativo 98,6 (por ciento), eficacia 89 (por ciento) y fracción falso positivo 11,9 (por ciento)(AU)

A prospective study was conducted during 3 years to determine the value of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the surgical thyropathies at our service. The technique and the criteria of Lowhagen were used to carry out the procedure. 402 patients underwent aspiration biopsies and 398 were useful for the diagnosis. 100 of them were operated on. Benignity prevailed in 84 percent and the follicular adenoma was the most frequent in 59.9 percent. Cancer was present in 16 percent and 68.7 percent corresponded to the papillary vairety. Women aged 41-50 were more affected. Hemithyroidectomy was the most used surgical procedure. The FNAB was assessed in the parameters of sensitivity, 93.7 percent; specificity, 88 percent; positive predictive index, 60 percent; negative predictive index, 98.6 percent; efficiency, 89 percent and false positive fraction, 11.9 percent(AU)

Fine needle aspiration of the thyroid gland.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) has become a major diagnostic triage for clinical management of patients with a thyroid mass. Diagnostic accuracy of this procedure can be evaluated by cyto-histologic correlation. Out of 1,761 fine needle aspirates of thyroid glands performed from January 1996 to December 1999, 230 satisfactory specimens contained respective histologic correlates. Using histologic diagnoses as the gold standard, the overall accuracy, sensitivity and specificity for cytologic diagnoses of thyroid neoplasm were 90.4 per cent, 85.7 per cent, and 92.5 per cent respectively. The positive predictive value for diagnosing thyroid neoplasm was 83.3 per cent while the negative predictive value was 93.7 per cent. The common pairs of cyto-histological diagnostic discrepancy included adenomatous goiter vs follicular neoplasm, adenomatous goiter vs papillary carcinoma, and thyroiditis vs follicular neoplasm. In conclusion, FNA is a rapid, reliable and safe diagnostic tool to distinguish non-neoplastic from neoplastic lesions in patients with thyroid masses.