Aspectos anatomo-clínicos de un caso de neoplasia sólida seudopapilar de páncreas: (tumor de Frantz) / Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas: (Frantz´s tumor) anatomo-clinical aspects / Aspectos anátomo-clínicos de um caso de neoplasia sólida pseudopapilar do pâncreas: (tumor de Frantz)

El tumor pseudopapilar de páncreas, conocido como tumor de Frantz, es excepcional; comprende entre el 0.2 y 2.7 % de los carcinomas de páncreas. Su etiología es desconocida y predomina en mujeres jóvenes. Son tumores de bajo potencial maligno, que cursan asintomáticos y dan síntomas por compresión regional: dolor gravativo y/o masa abdominal palpable. La probabilidad de una forma definidamente maligna es de 15 %. Anatómicamente se localizan con mayor frecuencia en la cola del páncreas, seguido por la cabeza y el cuerpo. El tratamiento es la resección quirúrgica y su pronóstico es excelente, con sobrevida a 5 años de casi 100 %. El diagnóstico es anátomo-patológico, considerando el aspecto microscópico y el perfil inmunohistoquímico. Se presenta un caso de una mujer de 21 años, en la cual se realizó una cirugía de excéresis completa del tumor y que se mantiene a asintomática a 24 meses de operada.

Pseudo papillary tumor of the pancreas, also called Frantz´s tumor, is a very rare disease; between 0.2 and 2.7 % of pancreatic carcinomas. Ethiology is unknown; is observed in young women. It´s a tumors with low malignant potential, usually of asymptomatic evolution by long time and the symptoms are due to regional compression: pain or abdominal mass. The possibility of a malignant form is around 15 %. Anatomically, they are most frequently located in the tail of the pancreas, followed by the head and body. The treatment is the surgical resection; with an excellent prognosis and a 5-year survival almost 100 %. The diagnosis is with pathological study, considering the microscopic appearance and the immunohistochemical profile. Its perform an analysis of the literature and once case of a 21 years old, woman is reported. A complete resection surgery of the tumor was performed and remains asymptomatic at 24 months of follow-up.

O tumor pseudopapilar do pâncreas, conhecido como tumor de Frantz, é excepcional; compreende entre 0,2 e 2,7 % dos carcinomas pancreáticos. Sua etiologia é desconhecida e predomina em mulheres jovens. São tumores de baixo potencial maligno, que são assintomáticos e apresentam sintomas devido à compressão regional: dor intensa e/ou massa abdominal palpável. A probabilidade de uma forma definitivamente maligna é de 15 %. Anatomicamente, eles estão localizados com mais frequência na cauda do pâncreas, seguido pela cabeça e corpo. O tratamento é a ressecção cirúrgica e seu prognóstico é excelente, com sobrevida em 5 anos de quase 100 %. O diagnóstico é anátomo-patológico, considerando o aspecto microscópico e o perfil imuno-histoquímico. Apresenta-se o caso de uma mulher de 21 anos submetida a cirurgia de excisão completa do tumor e que permanece assintomática 24 meses após a cirurgia.

Ultrasonographic assessment and differentiation of spontaneous degenerating cystic thyroid nodules and papillary thyroid carcinomas / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To analyze the features of degenerating cystic thyroid nodules (DCTN) on conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and to explore the differentiation between DCTN and papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC). Methods: A total of 46 DCTN (39 cases, including 12 males and 27 females, with an age range of 25 to 76 years) and 36 PTC (32 cases, including 8 males and 24 females, with an age range of 23 to 68 years) diagnosed via fine- needle aspiration (FNA) or surgery from February 2019 to January 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were enrolled. The size, shape, margin, echogenicity, presence of shadowing, calcification and vascularity of DCTN and PTC were retrospectively evaluated, and 28 DCTN and 30 PTC underwent CEUS were separately analyzed and compared.The t test, χ² test or Fisher's exact test were implemented to compare the features of ultrasound among the two groups. The binary Logistic regression test was performed to determine whether the feature whose difference was statistically significant was an independent predictive risk factor. Results: A univariate analysis indicated that DCTN more frequently showed wider-than-tall shapes, marked hypoechogenicity, well-defined margin and no or dot-lined enhancement (wider-than-tall shapes: 36 vs. 17, χ2=8.511; well-defined margin: 30 vs. 15, χ2=4.523; marked hypoechogenicity: 27 vs. 9, χ2=9.310; no or dot-lined enhancement: 24 vs. 3, χ2=33.369; all P＜0.05). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that wider-than-tall shapes, well-defined margin and marked hypoechogenicity were independent predictors for DCTN (OR values were 5.204, 3.134 and 5.042, P values were 0.003, 0.031, and 0.003, respectively). Among 28 DCTN, 15 showed a decrease in mean maximum diameter (24.3±11.4 mm) with a mean time span of (18.6±10.5) months between the presence and absence of suspicious ultrasound features. Conclusions: Compared with PTC, DCTN shows the ultrasound characteristics of wider-than-tall shapes, well-defined margin, marked hypoechogenicity and no or dot-lined enhancement pattern. Ultrasound follow-up can help to identify spontaneous DCTN.

Ultrasonographical, clinical and histopathological features of 1264 nodules with papillary thyroid carcinoma and microcarcinoma based on tumor size

ABSTRACT Objective: We aimed to evaluate the patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) in terms of clinical, ultrasonographical (US) and histopathological features and their relationships with tumor size. Subjects and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 881 patients who underwent thyroid surgery in our clinic and diagnosed with PTC histopathologically were enrolled the study. Demographic characteristics, US findings and histopathological features were evaluated. Results: In total, 1264 nodules were identified in the 881 patients. The incidentality rates were higher in the PTMC group and also in the ≤ 5 mm group. In total multifocality rate was 32.9%, and was significantly higher in PTMC group than the PTC group. PTC and > 5 mm PTMC groups compared to PTMC and ≤ 5 mm groups respectively, were more aggresive histopathological features. Conclusions: Since the incidentality rates were found significantly more common in our patients with PTMC and those with ≤ 5 mm, ultrasonographic features of the nodules should be evaluated carefully and for cases which are suspicious with US, US-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) should be considered in order to make the correct treatment strategy. Also our study revealed that PTC and > 5 mm PTMC groups compared to PTMC and ≤ 5 mm groups respectively, have more aggresive histopathological features.

Computed tomography imaging characteristics of clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT Purpose: Clear cell papillary (CCP) renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a new subtype of RCC that was formally recognized by the International Society of Urological Pathology Vancouver Classification of Renal Neoplasia in 2013. Subsequently, CCP RCC was added to the 2016 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Urinary System and Male Genital Organs. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the computed tomography (CT) findings of pathologically diagnosed CCP RCC. Materials and Methods: This study included 12 patients pathologically diagnosed with CCP RCC at our institution between 2015 and 2017. We reviewed the patient's CT data and analyzed the characteristics. Results: Nine solid masses and 3 cystic masses with a mean tumor size of 22.7±9.2mm were included. Solid masses exhibited slight hyper-density on unenhanced CT with a mean value of 34±6 Hounsfield units (HU), good enhancement in the corticomedullary phase with a mean of 195±34HU, and washout in the nephrogenic phase with a mean of 133±29HU. The walls of cystic masses enhanced gradually during the corticomedullary and nephrogenic phases. Solid and cystic masses were preoperatively diagnosed as clear cell RCC and cystic RCC, respectively. Conclusions: The CT imaging characteristics of CCP RCCs could be categorized into either the solid or cystic type. These masses were diagnosed radiologically as clear cell RCC and cystic RCC, respectively.

Carcinoma papilar de tiroides, variante de células altas: reporte de caso / Papillary thyroid carcinoma, high cell variant: case report

El carcinoma papilar de tiroides variante de células altas, descrito en 1976 por Hawk y Hazard, representa el 1% de los carcinomas diferenciados, siendo más agresivo e invasivo que la forma clásica y 80% de los casos se asocia con mutación B-RAF. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 49 años con tumoración dolorosa en cara anterolateral de cuello, que tuvo un crecimiento rápido, disfonía y lateralización del cuello a izquierda. En la ecografía de tiroides se vio en el lóbulo derecho un voluminoso nódulo mixto, predominantemente sólido, hipoecogénico, con micro calcificaciones, sin separación del plano graso con los músculos infra hioideos. Se realizó punción con aguja fina que resultó Bethesda VI. En valoración pre quirúrgico se encontró la parálisis de cuerda vocal derecha. Se realizó tiroidectomía total con vaciamiento central y lateral derecho. El estudio anatomo-patológico reportó un carcinoma papilar de tiroides variante de células altas de 33 x 40 x 27 mm en lóbulo derecho que contacta con la tinta china, evade la cápsula y presenta invasión perineural. Ocho ganglios de 18 analizados fueron metastásicos en el compartimento VI. Posteriormente se realizó rastreo corporal total con una dosis mínima de I131 y luego se administró 150 mCi de I131. El carcinoma papilar de tiroides, variante de células altas puede presentarse inicialmente con el compromiso locorregional y su correcto diagnóstico tiene implicancia en el pronóstico y su manejo terapéutico. Debemos pensar en variantes agresivas cuando al inicio ya encontramos elementos sugestivos de extensión extratiroidea, como en este reporte.

High-cell variant papillary thyroid carcinoma, described in 1976 by Hawk and Hazard, represents 1% of differentiated carcinomas, being more aggressive and invasive than the classic form, and 80% of cases is associated with a B-RAF mutation. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman with a painful tumor on the anterolateral side of the neck, who had rapid growth, dysphonia and lateralization of the neck to the left. On thyroid ultrasound, a voluminous mixed node, predominantly solid, hypo echogenic, with micro calcifications, without separation of the fat plane with the infrahyoid muscles, was seen in the right lobe. Fine needle puncture was performed, resulting in Bethesda VI. In pre-surgical evaluation, right vocal cord paralysis was found. Total thyroidectomy was performed with central and right lateral emptying. The pathology study reported a 33 x 40 x 27 mm high cell variant papillary thyroid carcinoma in the right lobe that contacted with the Chinese ink, evaded the capsule and presented perineural invasion. Eight lymph nodes out of 18 analyzed were metastatic in compartment VI. Subsequently, a total body scan wasperformed with a minimum dose of I131 and then 150 mCi of I131 was administered. Papillary thyroid carcinoma, a high-cell variant, may initially present with loco regional involvement and its correct diagnosis has implications for prognosis and therapeutic management. We must think of aggressive variants when at the beginning we already found elements suggestive of extra thyroid extension, as in this report.

Thyroid nodules ≤ 1 cm and papillary thyroid microcarcinomas: Brazilian experts opinion

ABSTRACT The indolent evolution of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (mPTC) in adult patients and the consequences of thyroidectomy require a revision of the management traditionally recommended. Aiming to spare patients unnecessary procedures and therapies and to optimize the health system in Brazil, we suggest some measures. Fine-needle aspiration of nodules ≤ 1 cm without extrathyroidal extension on ultrasonography should be performed only in nodules classified as "very suspicious" (i.e., high suspicion according to ATA, high risk according to AACE, TI-RADS 5) and in selected cases [age < 40 years, nodule adjacent to the trachea or recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), multiple suspicious nodules, presence of hypercalcitoninemia or suspicious lymph nodes]. Active surveillance (AS) rather than immediate surgery should be considered in adult patients with low-risk mPTC. Lobectomy is the best option in patients with unifocal low-risk mPTC who are not candidates for AS because of age, proximity of the tumor to the trachea or RLN, or because they opted for surgery. The same applies to patients who started AS but had a subsequent surgical indication not due to a suspicion of tumor extension beyond the gland or multicentricity. Molecular tests are not necessary to choose between AS and surgery or, in the latter case, between lobectomy and total thyroidectomy. The presence of RAS or other RAS-like mutations or BRAFV600E or other BRAF V600E-like mutations should not modify the management cited above; however, the rare cases of mPTC exhibiting high-risk mutations, like in the TERT promoter or p53, are not candidates for AS.

Carcinoma tiroideo en nódulo centellográfico hipercaptante: reporte de caso / Thyroid carcinoma in hypercaptative scintigraphic nodule: case report

Los nódulos tiroideos suelen ser benignos en más del 95% de los casos y eutiroideos. La probabilidad de cáncer de tiroides en el hipertiroidismo es baja. Al enfrentarse a un nódulo tiroideo la importancia radica en excluir patología maligna, pero se debe mantener el orden en el algoritmo de estudio para evitar un diagnóstico incorrecto y caer en costos innecesarios. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 23 años de edad con hipertiroidismo que en la ecografía aparece un nódulo tiroideo y adenopatía derecha, ambos con elementos sospechosos de malignidad, por lo que se pide punción de ambas estructuras, y se confirma el carcinoma papilar en el nódulo tiroideo, no así en la adenopatía. En el centellograma se observa un nódulo caliente que coincide con el nódulo maligno. Se realiza biopsia intraoperatoria de la adenopatía sospechosa y resulta ser una metástasis de carcinoma papilar. Se procedió a la tiroidectomía total con vaciamiento ganglionar central y lateral derecho. La anatomía patológica confirmó la presencia del carcinoma papilar clásico con metástasis de la adenopatía sospechosa. Posteriormente se administraron 130 mCi de radioyodo. Se debe considerar que los carcinomas pueden enmascararse ocasionalmente como nódulos «calientes¼ en el centellograma y en este caso, si bien en principio no estaría indicada la punción con aguja fina del nódulo dado que es hipercaptante en el centellograma, la ecografía demuestra elementos sospechosos contundentes de malignidad. En este caso el hilo conductor fue la ecografía y se rompió con el esquema clásico en la solicitud de estudios paraclínicos, obteniendo finalmente la confirmación diagnóstica de un cáncer y se realizó el tratamiento adecuado del mismo.

Thyroid nodules are usually benign in more than 95% of cases and euthyroid. The likelihood of thyroid cancer in hyperthyroidism is low. When dealing with a thyroid nodule the importance lies in excluding malignant pathology, but order must be maintained in the study algorithm to avoid an incorrect diagnosis and to fall into unnecessary costs. We present the case of a 23-year-old woman with hyperthyroidism who presented a thyroid nodule and right adenopathy on ultrasound, both with suspicious elements of malignancy, so puncture of both structures was requested, and papillary carcinoma was confirmed in the thyroid nodule, but not in adenopathy. In the scintigraphy a hot nodule is observed that coincides with the malignant nodule. Intraoperative biopsy of the suspected adenopathy is performed and it turns out to be a metastasis of papillary carcinoma. Total thyroidectomy was performed with central and right lateral lymph node dissection. The pathological anatomy confirmed the presence of classic papillary carcinoma with metastasis of the suspected adenopathy. Subsequently, 130 mCi of radioiodine was administered. It should be considered that carcinomas can occasionally be masked as «hot¼ nodules in the scintigraphy and in this case, although in principle the fine needle puncture of the nodule is not indicated given that it is hypercaptant in the scintigraphy, the ultrasound shows blunt suspicious elements of malignancy. In this case, the common thread was ultrasound and it was broken with the classic scheme in the request for paraclinical studies, finally obtaining the diagnostic confirmation of a cancer and the appropriate treatment was carried out.

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.

Diagnóstico clínico, ultrasonográfico y citohistológico del carcinoma diferenciado del tiroides / Clinical, ultrasonographic and cytohistological diagnosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Introducción: el carcinoma diferenciado del tiroides representa la neoplasia maligna más frecuente en Endocrinología. Su presentación clínica y su diagnóstico se han modificado gracias a la disponibilidad de herramientas diagnósticas, tales como, el ultrasonido tiroideo y la biopsia aspirativa con aguja fina. Objetivos: describir las características clínicas, ultrasonográficas y citohistológicas de los pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente por enfermedad tiroidea maligna, y evaluar en ellos la prevalencia de hipocalcemia crónica y el valor de la hormona estimulante del tiroides. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, en el cual se revisaron los informes consecutivos de Anatomía Patológica de todos los pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente por enfermedad tiroidea nodular en el Hospital General Provincial Camilo Cienfuegos en el periodo comprendido de enero de 2012 a diciembre 2014. La muestra estuvo conformada por 118 historias clínicas de pacientes operados por enfermedad tiroidea nodular que reunieron los criterios siguientes: datos clínicos, resultados según los criterios de Bethesda de la punción aspirativa con aguja fina, del ultrasonido del tiroides y la biopsia. A estos pacientes se les citó para una evaluación clínica y se les determinó en ayunas, la hormona estimulante del tiroides y en 2 días diferentes, la calcemia. Los pacientes fueron clasificados en portadores de: enfermedad tiroidea maligna (n= 39) y enfermedad tiroidea benigna (n= 79). Resultados: clínicamente solo el 15,4 por ciento de los pacientes con enfermedad tiroidea maligna presentaron dolor o molestia espontánea y/o a la palpación de la glándula del tiroides. La enfermedad tiroidea maligna se diagnosticó en todas las categorías del citodiagnóstico: I: 1/1 (100 por ciento), II: 8/83 (9,6 pòr ciento), III: 4/6 (66,7 por ciento), IV: 2/2 (100 por ciento), V: 18/20 (90 por ciento), VI: 6/6 (100 por ciento). El carcinoma papilar representó la neoplasia más frecuentemente diagnosticada (37/39 pacientes), el 33,3 por ciento de estos enfermos mostraron cifras de hormona estimulante del tiroides por encima de 2,0 mU/L, y hubo un 46,15 por ciento de hipocalcemia crónica. Conclusiones: el carcinoma papilar fue la neoplasia más frecuentemente diagnosticada en los pacientes operados por enfermedad tiroidea maligna. La mayoría de estos pacientes tuvieron un comportamiento subclínico, un tercio de valores no óptimos de la hormona estimulante del tiroides y una prevalencia alta de hipocalcemia crónica(AU)

ntroduction: differentiated thyroid carcinoma represents the most frequent malignant neoplasia in Endocrinology. Its clinical presentation and diagnosis have been modified thanks to the availability of diagnostic tools, such as thyroid ultrasound and fine needle aspiration biopsy. Objectives: to describe the clinical, ultrasonographic and cytohistological characteristics of patients undergoing surgery for malignant thyroid disease, and to evaluate in them the prevalence of chronic hypocalcemia and the value of the thyroid´s stimulating hormone. Methods: a retrospective descriptive study was carried out, in which consecutive reports of Pathological Anatomy of all patients surgically treated for nodular thyroid disease at Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial General Hospital in the period from January 2012 to December 2014 were reviewed. The sample consisted of 118 medical records of patients operated on for nodular-thyroid disease that met the following criteria: clinical data, results according to the Bethesda criteria of fine needle aspiration, thyroid ultrasound and biopsy. These patients were called for a clinical evaluation and they were indicated to be fasting. The patients were classified into carriers of: ETM (n=. 39) and benign thyroid disease (n= 79). Results: in clinical terms, only 15.4 percent of the patients with malignant thyroid disease presented spontaneous pain or discomfort, and / or during palpation of the thyroid glands. Malignant thyroid disease was diagnosed in all categories of cytodiagnosis: I: 1/1 (100 percent), II: 8/83 (9.6 percent), III: 4/6 (66.7 percent), IV: 2/2 (100 percent), V: 18/20 (90 percent), VI: 6/6 (100 percent). Papillary carcinoma represented the most frequently diagnosed neoplasm (37/39 patients); 33.3 percent of these patients showed thyroid stimulating hormone levels above 2.0 mU / L, and there was 46.15 percent of chronic hypocalcemia. Conclusions: papillary carcinoma was the most frequently diagnosed neoplasm in patients operated of malignant thyroid disease. The majority of these patients had a subclinical behavior, a third of non-optimal values of the thyroid stimulating hormone and a high prevalence of chronic hypocalcemia(AU)

Potential role of sorafenib as neoadjuvant therapy in unresectable papillary thyroid cancer

Summary Total thyroidectomy, radioiodine (RAI) therapy, and TSH suppression are the mainstay treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs). Treatments for metastatic disease include surgery, external-beam radiotherapy, RAI, and kinase inhibitors for progressive iodine-refractory disease. Unresectable locoregional disease remains a challenge, as standard therapy with RAI becomes unfeasible. We report a case of a young patient who presented with unresectable papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and treatment with sorafenib allowed total thyroidectomy and RAI therapy. A 20-year-old male presented with severe respiratory distress due to an enlarging cervical mass. Imaging studies revealed an enlarged multinodular thyroid gland, extensive cervical adenopathy, severe tracheal stenosis, and pulmonary micronodules. He required an urgent surgical intervention and underwent tracheostomy and partial left neck dissection, as the disease was deemed unresectable; pathology revealed PTC. Treatment with sorafenib was initiated, resulting in significant tumor reduction allowing near total thyroidectomy and bilateral neck dissection. Postoperatively, the patient underwent radiotherapy for residual tracheal lesion, followed by RAI therapy for avid cervical and pulmonary disease. The patient's disease remains stable 4 years after diagnosis. Sorafenib has been approved for progressive RAI-refractory metastatic DTCs. In this case report, we describe a patient with locally advanced PTC in whom treatment with sorafenib provided sufficient tumor reduction to allow thyroidectomy and RAI therapy, suggesting a potential role of sorafenib as an induction therapy of unresectable DTC.

Papillary Tumor of the Pineal Region: Case Report and Literature Review

Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is a neuroectodermal tumor thought to originate from cells of the subcommissural organ. Its oncologic properties are still under investigation, as well as the most suitable therapeutic measures for this type of neoplasm.We report the case of a 36-year-old woman with a 1-year history of headache and intermittent diplopia. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed a heterogeneously enhancing mass in the pineal region that caused an acute hydrocephalus, and an emergency shunt derivation was necessary. One week later, the patient was submitted to subtotal tumor resection, and remained asymptomatic in the post-operative period. In the follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic; in the imaging control 3.5 years after the surgical resection, local recurrence was identified, and the patient was submitted to a local radiation protocol. Our literature review showed an early clinical onset due to intracranial hypertension signs. Definitive clinical onset might be reached only through a histopathological examination. Gross total resection followed by radiotherapy is the current standard of care. Local recurrence is often observed, with rare dissemination to the cerebral spinal fluid. The natural history of the PTPR remains unknown, as well as the best treatment strategy. Large case series with longer follow-ups are necessary for further conclusions.

RE: Evaluating the Semisolid Thyroid Nodules with the Diffusion Weighted Imaging Tool

No abstract available.

Solid Pseudopapillary Tumor of the Pancreas with Hepatic Metastasis: Spontaneous Regression Over 10-Year Follow-Up Period

A solid-pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of the pancreas is known as a low grade malignant tumor with a good prognosis; therefore, surgical intervention is necessary. A 14-year-old boy presented with a large pancreatic SPT and three hepatic metastases. The patient and his family refused surgery. Two serial follow-up CT scans over a period of 13 years demonstrated almost complete disappearance of the pancreatic tumor and three hepatic metastases without relevant treatment. Although there have been a few reports of spontaneous healing of SPT, there has been no report regarding spontaneous disappearance of SPT and distant metastasis. Herein, we report on the spontaneous regression of a large SPT and the disappearance of three hepatic metastases.

Papillary microcarcinomas of the thyroid gland: do we need to be aggressive in the management?

To identify patients with papillary microcarcinomas of the thyroid gland [PMCT] and adopt a policy for their management. Retrospective. Kuwait University Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen. Five hundred and fifty consecutive patients who underwent thyroidectomy. Ultrasound [US] and fine needle aspiration [FNA]. Clinical course of subjects with PMCT. The overall PMCT rate was 9.5% [44 / 465] and female to male ratio was 10:1. Fine needle aspiration [FNA], performed pre-operatively showed a benign lesion in about 50% of the patient. Subtotal thyroidectomy was performed in 50% patients, while the rest were managed by lobectomy or near total thyroidectomy. PMCT is not uncommon among patients with benign thyroid diseases. The sensitivity of neck ultrasound and FNA in detecting PMCT is rising. The lack of guidelines created a wide range of management policies. We recommend a less aggressive procedure for PMCT of 5 mm and less. A sound policy and guideline in preoperative investigation will assist this approach

Ultrasonographic Features of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Patients with Graves' Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To characterize ultrasonographic findings in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) combined with Graves' disease. METHODS: Medical records and ultrasonographic findings of 1,013 patients with Graves' disease and 3,380 patients without Graves' disease were analyzed retrospectively. A diagnosis of PTC was based on a pathologic examination. RESULTS: The frequency of hypoechogenicity was lower in patients with PTC and Graves' disease than in patients with PTC alone (p < 0.05). The frequency of perinodular blood flow in patients with PTC and Graves' disease was significantly higher than in those with PTC alone (p < 0.05). PTC combined with Graves' disease was characterized by more ill-defined borders and less frequency of overall calcification, punctate calcification, and heterogeneous echogenicity, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that patients with Graves' disease more frequently have atypical PTC findings on ultrasonography.

Ultrasonographic Findings of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: a Comparison with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the ultrasonographic (US) findings of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) as compared to findings for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 21 cases of MTC that were surgically diagnosed between 2002 and 2007 and 114 cases of PTC that were diagnosed in 2007. Two radiologists reached a consensus in the evaluation of the US findings. The US findings were classified as recommended by the Thyroid Study Group of the Korean Society of Neuroradiology and Head and Neck Radiology (KSNHNR) and each nodule was identified as suspicious malignant, indeterminate or probably benign. The findings of medullary and papillary carcinomas were compared with use of the chi-squared test. RESULTS: The common US findings for MTCs were solid internal content (91%), an ovoid to round shape (57%), marked hypoechogenicity (52%) and calcifications (52%). Among the 21 cases of MTC nodules, 17 (81%) were classified as suspicious malignant nodules. The mean size (longest diameter) of MTC nodules was 19 +/- 13.9 mm and the mean size (longest diameter) of PTC nodules was 11 +/- 7.4 mm; this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). An ovoid to round shape was more prevalent for MTC lesions than for PTC lesions (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The US criteria for suspicious malignant nodules as recommended by the Thyroid Study Group of the KSNHNR correspond to most MTC cases. The US findings for MTC are not greatly different from PTC except for the prevalence of an ovoid to round shape.

A Case of an Ectopic Thyroid Gland at the Lateral Neck Masquerading as a Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Ectopic thyroid glands generally occur in the midline as a result of abnormal median migration, and their presence lateral to the midline is rare. We present one case of an ectopic thyroid gland masquerading as a lateral neck metastasis of a papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). In this case of a 54-yr-old woman with left PTC, we suspected left lateral neck metastasis on preoperative neck computed tomography. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy, central compartment neck dissection, and left modified radical neck dissection (MRND). The patient was diagnosed as having an accessory thyroid gland on the lateral neck on the final pathologic report. Surgeons should be aware of the existence of an ectopic thyroid gland in unusual locations.

Photo quiz What is your diagnosis? Diagnosis: carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct cyst

A 48-year-old woman was referred with an anterior midline neck mass which had gradually appeared without tenderness. The patient had a previous history of frequent painful swelling of the anterior part of her neck

Evaluating the Degree of Conformity of Papillary Carcinoma and Follicular Carcinoma to the Reported Ultrasonographic Findings of Malignant Thyroid Tumor

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the degree of conformity of papillary carcinoma and follicular carcinoma to the reported ultrasonographic findings of malignant thyroid tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2004, fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 1,036 patients with palpable and non-palpable thyroid lesions. We retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonographic findings of patients with papillary carcinomas (n = 127) and follicular carcinomas (n = 23) that were proven by operation or fine needle aspiration biopsy. We analyzed the ultrasonographic findings of these nodules based on the reported ultrasonographic findings of malignant thyroid tumor: hypoechogenicity, a taller than wide orientation, a microlobulated or irregular margin, a thick hypoechoic rim (halo sign), microcalcification and cystic change. RESULTS: The echogenicity was hypoechoic in 72.4% (92/127) of the papillary carcinomas, but it was isoechoic in 65.2% (15/23) of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). The nodule shape was tall or round in 74.1% of the papillary carcinomas, but it was flat in 72.7% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). The tumor margin was microlobulated or irregular in 92.9% of the papillary carcinomas and in 60.9% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). A hypoechoic rim was seen in 26% of the papillary carcinomas (thin rim: 13.4%, thick rim: 12.6%) and in 86.6% of the follicular carcinomas (thin rim: 39.1%, thick rim: 47.8%, p < 0.001). Microcalcifications were demonstrated in 33.9% of the papillary carcinomas and in none of the cases of follicular carcinoma (p < 0.001). A solid mass without cystic change were seen in 98.4% of the papillary carcinomas and in 82.6% of the follicular carcinomas (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The previously reported ultrasonography findings of malignant thyroid tumor are in conformity with most of the papillary carcinomas, but not with follicular carcinomas. The current ultrasonographic features for thyroid malignancy should be cautiously applied as the indication for needle aspiration biopsy so that follicular carcinomas are not missed by too narrow and strict biopsy criteria.