Use of ultrasound elastography in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules: a prospective study.

Purpose: Elastography is a real-time non-invasive ultrasonography modality wherein the tissue stiffness is evaluated by calculating the degree of tissue distortion in response to an external force. This study was undertaken to assess the diagnostic value of elastography in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules. Methodology: In this prospective comparative study, a total of 52 thyroid nodules from 44 euthyroid patients undergoing fine needle aspiration cytology were assessed. Elastography was performed by a single experienced sonologist, wherein the nodules were graded as per elastography scoring (ES), and the strain ratio (SR) for each nodule was computed. Final histopathology findings of the patients undergoing surgery were compared to elastography findings, and measures of diagnostic accuracy to differentiate between benign and malignant nodules were determined for ES and SR. Results: Thirty (68.2%) females and 14 (31.8%) males, with a mean age of 45.18 ± 11.23 years, were assessed. Fourteen (31.8%) patients underwent thyroidectomy, and histopathology was reported for 18 (34.6%) nodules. In all, nine (17.3%) nodules were malignant, and 43 (82.7%) nodules were considered benign. ES demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.9%, specificity of 88.3%, PPV of 61.5%, NPV of 97.4%, and accuracy of 88.5% to identify benign thyroid nodules. The mean SR for benign nodules was significantly lower as compared to malignant nodules (2.72 ± 0.62 vs. 4.52 ± 0.75, P < 0.0001). The optimal cut-point value for SR to differentiate benign and malignant thyroid nodules was determined to be 3.8, with the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy being 88.9%, 95.4%, 80%, 94.6%, and 94.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Ultrasound elastography (ES and SR) demonstrated good diagnostic efficacy to differentiate benign thyroid nodules from the malignant ones, and can be a good supplementary tool to gray-scale ultrasonography. It can also help in reducing the rates of unnecessary fine needle-aspiration biopsy.

Differences in the Presentation and Outcome between Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Primary Hyperparathyroidism Indian Women: A Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is an endocrine disorder wherein enlargement of one or more of the parathyroid glands causes autonomous overproduction of the parathyroid hormone (PTH), which leads to high serum calcium levels. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical, laboratory, and operative variables between premenopausal (pre-M) and postmenopausal (post-M) women with PHPT. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of the data of female patients who underwent surgery for PHPT at a single center, from January 2011 to December 2020, was done. Patients with familial PHPT and secondary hyperparathyroidism were not included. Results: Of the 130 women with PHPT, 44.6% were pre-M and 55.4% were post-M. A significantly higher number of pre-M females were symptomatic compared to post-M females (pre-M vs. post-M, 84.5% vs. 68.1%, P = 0.031). Renal calculi were more common in pre-M women (34.5% vs. 18.1%, P = 0.032), while the rest of the clinical features were comparable between the two groups. The proportion of women with osteoporosis (6.7% vs. 19.4%, P = 0.071), hypertension (13.8% vs. 34.7%, P = 0.012), and diabetes mellitus (3.5% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.033) was lesser in the pre-M group. Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly more prevalent in the pre-M group (37.9% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.032). The mean serum calcium (12.35 ± 1.28 vs. 11.96 ± 1.22 mg/dL, P = 0.079), median serum PTH (334 vs. 239 pg/mL, P = 0.051), and median weight of the operated adenomas (1.75 vs. 1.45 g, P = 0.075) were also higher in pre-M females. The proportion of ectopic adenomas and multiple adenomas, presurgery adenoma localization rates, and disease cure rates did not differ according to the menopausal status. The occurrence of postoperative hungry bone syndrome was higher in the pre-M women (15.5% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.008). Conclusion: The majority of women with PHPT are post-M, but symptomatic presentation is more common in pre-M females. The severity of the disease appears to be more in pre-M women; however, imaging and operative variables generally did not significantly differ between the two groups.

Differences in the Clinical Presentation and Biochemical Profile of the Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism with regard to their Serum Vitamin D Levels: a Single-center Experience.

The association between vitamin D deficiency and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is common and has clear implications. Vitamin D deficiency is commonly seen in PHPT population and exacerbates its severity with skeletal and metabolic effects. Retrospective data collection and review were done in patients who underwent surgery for PHPT at a tertiary care hospital in India between January 2011 and December 2020. A total of 150 subjects were included in the study and were divided into group 1 (vitamin D < 20 ng/ml, deficient), group 2 (vitamin D 21-29 ng/ml, insufficient), and group 3 (vitamin D > 30 ng/ml, sufficient). There was no difference in the duration of symptoms or the symptomatology between the three groups. Mean pre-operative serum calcium and serum phosphorous levels were also comparable in all the three groups. Mean pre-operative parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in the three groups were 703 ± 996 vs 343.6 ± 396 vs 343.6 ± 396 pg/ml, respectively (P = 0.009). There was a statistically significant difference in group 1 vs groups 2 and 3 in their mean weight of the parathyroid gland (P = 0.018) and high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (P = 0.047). Post-operative symptomatic hypocalcemia was observed in 17.3% of patients. Post-operative hungry bone syndrome occurred in 4 patients, all in group 1. PHPT in patients with low serum vitamin D was associated with higher serum PTH levels, increased frequency of high serum ALP levels, and higher weight of the excised gland, with no difference in the serum calcium and phosphorous.

Prevalence of Bacterial Urinary Tract Infection Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors: A Prospective Real-World Setting Study.

Background: Genitourinary tract infections, mycotic as well as bacterial, as defined by clinical symptoms, are one of the common adverse effects associated with the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in clinical trials. However, Indian data in terms of the prevalence of culture-proven bacterial type of urinary tract infection (UTI), and the causative organism is limited. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and causative agents of bacterial UTI among patients with T2DM on SGLT2i. Methodology: This was a prospective longitudinal study involving all patients with T2DM who were prescribed with SGLT2i, uncontrolled on other oral anti-diabetic medications, from June 2019 to February 2020. Prevalence of bacterial UTI was evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks after initiation of SGLT2i. Results: A total of 80 patients were started on SGLT2i. One female patient on canagliflozin had significant asymptomatic bacteriuria and the causative agent was Acinetobacter baumannii. One male patient on dapagliflozin had symptomatic UTI with negative urine culture study. Four patients developed genital mycotic infection. Conclusion: In this real-world study, SGLT2i as a class, was well tolerated with favorable safety profile, and risk of developing significant bacteriuria and/or symptomatic UTI was minimal.

Pituitary Apoplexy Following Severe Diabetic Ketoacidosis, With Two Uncommon Complications of Supraventricular Tachycardia and Acute Limb Ischemia in a Patient with Neglected Pituitary Adenoma and Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus: A Rare Clinical Association.

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a clinical emergency arising from acute ischemia or hemorrhage of the pituitary gland. A small subset of pituitary adenomas present with an apoplectic crisis, with common symptoms being headache, nausea/vomiting, visual impairment, ophthalmoplegia, altered sensorium, panhypopituitarism, etc. Though diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an established complication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, its association with PA is extremely rare. Likewise, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and acute limb ischemia (ALI) have rare, reported association with DKA. We present one such case of rare associations seen in our clinical practice. A 20-year-old woman was brought to our emergency room with headache, breathlessness, and altered sensorium. Clinical and biochemical evaluation revealed SVT, DKA, and right lower limb ALI. On enquiry, patient was found to be diagnosed with pituitary adenoma 2 years ago and lost to follow-up. PA was detected on neuroimaging and confirmed histopathologically. Possibility of PA presenting as DKA and its sequelae exists.

Long-term hormonal and imaging outcomes of adjunctive gamma knife radiosurgery in non-functioning pituitary adenomas: a single center experience.

PURPOSE: Gamma Knife Radiosurgery(GKRS) is an established modality for treatment of non-functioning pituitary adenomas(NFPA). The objective of the study was to assess long-term hormonal and imaging outcomes after adjunctive GKRS in patients with NFPA. METHODS: A retrospective review of records of 109 patients with NFPA, from 1996 to 2020, who received adjunctive GKRS, was performed. Patients who had received GKRS as the primary modality of treatment for NFPA were not included. RESULTS: Sixty-three (57.8%) patients were available for follow up at our institute. The median follow-up period was 47 months (range, 6-260). At a median time of 38 months (range, 8-97), 25 (39.7%) patients developed ≥ 1 new pituitary hormone deficiency. Median time to cortisol deficiency was 38 months (range, 8-55), thyroid hormone deficiency was 45.5 months (range, 12-97) and gonadotropin deficiency was 45 months (range, 21-75). The actuarial risk of developing a new pituitary hormone deficit at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years was 2.5%, 11%, 26.3%, 28% and 29.7%, respectively. Adenoma size decreased in 36 (57.1%) patients, remained unchanged in 19 (30.2%) patients, and increased in 8 (12.7%) patients. Overall tumor control rate was 87.3%. Endocrinopathy-Free Survival was 47.1%, and tumor Progression-Free Survival was 93.3%, at 5 years. Five (4.6%) patients required additional treatment after GKRS. One (1.6%) patient each had worsening of headache, optic atrophy and cerebellar infarct after GKRS therapy. CONCLUSION: GKRS offers a safe adjunctive treatment modality, with satisfactory long-term preservation of hormone functions and a high rate of tumor control, in patients with NFPA.

Pituitary Apoplexy Following Severe Diabetic Ketoacidosis, with Two Uncommon Complications of Supraventricular Tachycardia and Acute Limb Ischemia, in a Patient with Neglected Pituitary Adenoma and Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus: A Rare Clinical Association.

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a clinical emergency arising from acute ischemia or hemorrhage of the pituitary gland. A small subset of pituitary adenomas present with an apoplectic crisis, with common symptoms being headache, nausea-vomiting, visual impairment, ophthalmoplegia, altered sensorium, and panhypopituitarism. Though diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an established complication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, its association with PA is extremely rare. Likewise, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and Acute limb ischemia (ALI) have rare, reported association with DKA. We present one such case of rare associations seen in our clinical practice. A 20-year-old woman was brought to our emergency room with headache, breathlessness, and altered sensorium. Clinical and biochemical evaluation revealed SVT, DKA, and right lower limb ALI. On enquiry, the patient was found to be diagnosed with pituitary adenoma 2 years ago and lost to follow-up. PA was detected on neuroimaging and confirmed histopathologically. Possibility of PA presenting as DKA and its sequelae exists.

Tumor-induced osteomalacia: experience from three tertiary care centers in India.

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by recalcitrant hypophosphatemia. Reports from the Indian subcontinent are scarce, with most being single center experiences involving few patients. Herein, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 30 patients of TIO diagnosed at three tertiary care hospitals in India. Patients with persistent hypophosphatemia (despite correction of hypovitaminosis D), normocalcemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase, low TmP/GFR and elevated or 'inappropriately normal' FGF23 levels were labeled as having TIO. They were sequentially subjected to functional followed by anatomical imaging. Patients with a well-localized tumor underwent excision; others were put on phosphorous and calcitriol supplementation. The mean age at presentation was 39.6 years with female:male ratio of 3:2. Bone pain (83.3%) and proximal myopathy (70%) were the chief complaints; 40% of cases had fractures. The mean delay in diagnosis was 3.8 years. Tumors were clinically detectable in four patients (13.3%). The mean serum phosphate was 0.50 mmol/L with a median serum FGF23 level of 518 RU/mL. Somatostatin receptor-based scintigraphy was found to be superior to FDG-PET in tumor localization. Lower extremities were the most common site of the tumor (72%). Tumor size was positively correlated with serum FGF23 levels. Twenty-two patients underwent tumor resection and 16 of them had phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors. Surgical excision led to cure in 72.7% of patients whereas disease persistence and disease recurrence were seen in 18.2% and 9.1% of cases, respectively. At the last follow-up, serum phosphate in the surgically treated group was significantly higher than in the medically managed group.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a "multispeciality" disorder suspected in patients with irregular menses and clinical signs of hyperandrogenism such as acne, seborrhoea, hirsutism, irregular menses, infertility, and alopecia. Recently, PCOS has been associated with the metabolic syndrome. Patients may develop obesity, insulin resistance, acanthosis nigricans, Type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemias, hypertension, non-alcoholic liver disease, and obstructive sleep apnoea. Good clinical examination with hematological and radiological investigations is required for clinical evaluation. Management is a combined effort involving a dermatologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist, and nutritionist. Morbidity in addition includes a low "self image" and poor quality of life. Long term medications and lifestyle changes are essential for a successful outcome. This article focuses on understanding the normal and abnormal endocrine functions involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Proper diagnosis and management of the patient is discussed.

Comparison of glucometers used in hospitals and in outpatient settings with the laboratory reference method in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai.

BACKGROUND: Glucometers allow self-monitoring of blood glucose in a convenient manner. With the availability of various glucometers, there is a persistent attempt to improve the accuracy and the precision of these glucometer readings, so as to match the laboratory values of blood glucose. OBJECTIVE: We compared the glucometers used in hospital and out-patient settings with the laboratory reference method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed a total of 105 blood samples collected from in-patient and out-patient from our tertiary care hospital. Venous blood samples were collected and checked on six glucometers and the same blood sample was sent to the laboratory for glucose estimation. The laboratory value was used as a reference for comparison. The accuracy was evaluated by the ISO criteria. The results were evaluated by Bland Altman graphs, correlation coefficients, scatter plots and Clarke's error grid analysis. RESULTS: We observed good correlation between bed side glucometer and laboratory automated analyzer. Among the in-patient glucometers Breeze 2, Performa and SureStep, the correlation coefficient was 0.97, 0.96 and 0.88 respectively. Among the outpatient glucometers One touch ultra 2, Active and Contour, the correlation coefficient was 0.97, 0.97 and 0.95 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is a good correlation between different glucometers and laboratory values especially in the out-patient settings. Among all in-patient glucometers, SureStep by Johnson and Johnson had least correlation coefficient, whereas all three out-patient glucometers correlated well with the laboratory values.

Laparoscopic management of renal hilar pheochromocytomas.

Although laparoscopic adrenalectomy is well established for the treatment of adrenal pheochromocytomas, there is scant literature on a laparoscopic approach to extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas (EAP). We report on 2 patients with renal hilar pheochromocytomas treated by a laparoscopic resection. A 56-year-old hypertensive man was found to have a 3.5-cm tumor in the right renal hilum, which was confirmed to be a pheochromocytoma on the basis of elevated urinary vanillylmandelic acid levels and a positive 131I-MIBG scan. After pharmacological preparation, he underwent a laparoscopic excision. The recovery was uneventful and the final histopathology confirmed an EAP. The second patient, a 17-year-old hypertensive girl, was shown to have a 2.5-cm tumor in close proximity to the left renal vessels and a poorly functioning left kidney on a computed tomography scan. Subsequent isotope renogram showed 4% function in the left kidney. After adequate preparation, she underwent a laparoscopic left nephrectomy along with resection of the tumor. The postoperative period was uneventful. Histopathology showed an EAP. The kidney showed ischemic changes along with severe renal artery stenosis. The patients remain well 49 and 14 months post-surgery. In conclusion, careful preoperative preparation, expert intraoperative anesthetic management, and surgery performed by an experienced surgeon make laparoscopic resection of renal hilar pheochromocytomas a safe and feasible treatment option.

An Indian family of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1): molecular diagnosis, treatment and follow up.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal, dominant syndrome, characterized mainly by the combination of tumors involving the parathyroid, pancreatic and pituitary glands. Genetic sequencing leading to early treatment of family members has not yet been reported in Indian patients. METHODS: We performed molecular analysis of the MEN1 gene to identify mutations in an Indian family with MEN1 syndrome. The proband was identified with multiple peptic ulcers because of multifocal recurrent gastrinomas, as well as parathyroid and pituitary adenomas. All the 10 exons of the MEN1 gene were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The MEN1 gene was then screened by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The proband is asymptomatic 3 years after total pancreatectomy and removal of parathyroid adenomas. DNA sequencing revealed the presence of a heterozygous Y227X mutation in exon 4 of the MEN1 gene in the proband. Four of the seven mutant-carrying family members are at present asymptomatic. Following screening, one asymptomatic child has been identified with and treated for insulinoma and parathyroid adenoma. CONCLUSION: Detection of the MEN1 gene mutation enables selection of family members for screening and long-term follow up.

MEN1 935-1G>C splicing mutation in an Indian patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized mainly by multiple tumors involving parathyroid, pancreatic, and pituitary glands. To date, there have been no genetic studies reported on MEN1 in the Indian population. In order to begin to establish molecular diagnosis to improve the management of MEN1 in India, we performed a molecular analysis of the MEN1 gene in a patient of Indian origin. METHODS: Molecular analysis of the MEN1 gene was performed to identify mutations in an Indian patient previously diagnosed with sporadic MEN1. All the 10 exons of the MEN1 gene were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and screened by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The DNA sequencing results revealed the presence of an intronic, heterozygous, splicing mutation 935-1G>C in intron 5 of the MEN1 gene. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first data on genetic analysis of MEN1 in Indian patients.