The CaPTHUS score as predictor of multiglandular primary hyperparathyroidism in a European population.

PURPOSE: Focused parathyroidectomy has been proven to be a safe technique for the treatment of single-gland primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The CaPTHUS scoring model has been reported to be an accurate preoperative diagnostic tool for distinguishing single-gland (SGD) from multiglandular disease (MGD), including preoperative serum calcium and PTH values plus ultrasound and Sestamibi scanning. The purpose of the present study was to validate the CaPTHUS model for the population in southern Europe, since the North American and the European populations show different clinicopathological profiles in PHPT. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of patients diagnosed with PHPT who underwent surgical treatment in a single referral center. Differences between SGD and MGD groups were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and Student's t test for continuous variables. Overall diagnostic accuracy of the scoring model was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). A p < 0.05 level was accepted as significant. RESULTS: From January 2001 to November 2014, 241 patients were included in the study, of whom 92.1 % had SGD and 71.8 % had a CaPTHUS score ≥3. SGD was distinguished from MGD (p < 0.001) using the dichotomous scoring model based on an AUC value of 0.762. Scores ≥3 had a sensitivity of 76.5 % and a positive predictive value of 96 % for SGD. CONCLUSIONS: Despite good test performance, a CaPTHUS score ≥3 does not discard MGD definitely. Intraoperative adjuncts are still needed to further reduce the risk of missing MGD during selective parathyroidectomy.

Could 18F-FDG-PET/CT avoid unnecessary thyroidectomies in patients with cytological diagnosis of follicular neoplasm?

PURPOSE: Preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules with "follicular neoplasm" (FN) based on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) forces thyroidectomy to exclude malignancy. This study explores if (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET/CT) provides information enough to prevent unnecessary thyroidectomies in this clinical setting. METHODS: This is a prospective study involving 46 consecutive patients scheduled for thyroidectomy due to follicular neoplasm diagnosis in FNAC (36 follicular, 10 Hürthle cell neoplasms, Bethesda classification) since January 2009 until April 2012. All patients underwent preoperative (18)F-FDG-PET/CT. Abnormal (18)F-FDG thyroid uptake was assessed visually and by measuring the maximum standard uptake value (SUV max). Results were compared with definitive pathology reports. RESULTS: Thirteen out of 46 patients (28.3 %) were finally diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Focal uptake correlated with a greater risk of malignancy (p = 0.009). (18)F-FDG-PET/CT focal uptake showed sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and overall accuracy of 92.3, 48.5, 41.4, 94.1 and 60.9 %, respectively. The optimal threshold SUV max to discriminate malignancy was 4.2 with an area under receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.76 (95 % confidence interval, 0.60-0.90). Use of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT could reduce by 13-25 % the number of thyroidectomies performed for definitive benign nodules. However, it has demonstrated worse predictive ability in the subgroup of patients with diffuse uptake, oncocytic pattern in FNAC and lesions smaller than 2. CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-FDG-PET/CT can play a role in the management of thyroid nodules larger than 2 cm cytologically reported as follicular neoplasm without oncocytic differentiation, allowing the avoidance of a significant number of thyroidectomies for definitive benign lesions.

[Long-term study of gastroduodenal ulcer perforation]. / Estudio a largo plazo de la úlcera gastroduodenal perforada.

One hundred forty-four patients, peptic (129 males and 15 females) treated for peptic ulcer perforation between 1972 and 1988 were reviewed. All were treated surgically, and in 28 the ulcer was also treated. The mean perforation time before treatment was 14 +/- 12.3 hours. The immediate postoperative results and long-term evolution were evaluated on the basis of the medical history, follow-up check-ups and home questionnaires. The were post-operative complications in 33 (23%) of the 137 patients who survived surgery; there was no difference in morbidity between the group in which only Closure and Epiploplasty (group C + E) were performed and group CD, where some type of definitive surgery was added, although the seven deaths belonged to the former. Of the 104 patients who were evaluated on a long-term basis (follow-up period of 55 +/- 44 months), poor results were obtained in 58 of the 82 belonging to group C + E and in four of the 28 in group CD, with a total of 13 re-operations (12 and one, respectively). Only a previous ulcer history dating from over three months had any effect on the appearance of recurrences in group C + E. We recommend performing a VGP within the first six hours as the preferred technique for pyloric or juxtapyloric perforations in patients with a previous ulcer history exceeding three months, since the rate of cure is satisfactory and there are few if any complications.

[A 12-year retrospective study of 114 cases of proximal gastric vagotomy]. / Estudio retrospectivo de doce años en 114 casos de vagotomía gástrica proximal.

We present 114 cases of proximal gastric vagotomy (VGP), performed between December 1975 an December 1986 (11 years) and followed-up until December 1987 (12 years). An hundred patients underwent elective surgery and 14 emergency. We obtained good results in 97 patients (85.83%) moderate in 10 (8.85%) and poor in six (5.30%) with one mortality (0.87%) due to causes not related to the operation. We emphasize the surgical indication and technique, which, if correctly established, make proximal gastric vagotomy the ideal surgical intervention for gastroduodenal ulcer.