Thymic Hyperplasia and Graves Disease: A Nonincidental Association.

We present 2 cases referred for evaluation of Graves disease (GD) associated with an incidental mediastinal mass. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans showed a 1.2 × 2.4 × 4.3 cm and a 5.7 × 2.6 × 7 cm thymic enlargement, respectively, consistent with thymic hyperplasia (TH) in the 2 patients. Patient 1 had been assessed by thoracic surgery for the mediastinal mass, and thymectomy had been performed to exclude thymoma, with an anatomopathological diagnosis consistent with thymic hyperplasia. Patient 2 was treated with methimazole. CT scan was repeated after he maintained a euthyroid state, which revealed total regression of the mass. There is a well-documented association between these 2 entities, but it is often underdiagnosed and unrecognized in routine clinal practice. The benign evolution, as evidenced by regression of thymic hyperplasia after resolution of the hyperthyroidism, is characteristic. These cases highlight the importance of recognizing the association of GD and TH and warrant a conservative approach, preventing unnecessary thymic evaluation and surgery.

Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy as the first line of treatment of symptomatic thyroid cysts.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and security of ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (US-PEIT) for the treatment of recurrent symptomatic thyroid cysts in two high-resolution consultations of thyroid nodule in the Valencian Community. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised thirty-three consecutive patients (51 ±â€¯12 years, 76% women) with symptomatic benign thyroid cysts relapsed after drainage and benign cytology prior to treatment. Through ultrasound, maximum cyst diameter and volume were determined, and the content of the cyst was drained. We then instilled between 2 and 4 ml of ethanol (according to initial volume). We followed up with ultrasound at one, 3, 6 and 12 months and we calculated the total volume and the Volume Reduction Rate (VRR). We evaluated the perceived pain using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: The initial median cyst volume was 11.6 ml (8.5-16.5) A single session of US-PEIT was required in 22 patients (67%), two in 8 (24%) and three in 3 (9%). During PEIT, 49% of the patients experienced virtually no pain, 39% mild pain and 12% moderate pain. There were no complications. After 6 months of follow up the median VRR was 93% (84-98). All the patients achieved a volume reduction of more than 50%, 94% of more than 70% and 56% of more than 90%. Twenty-four patients completed a year of follow-up, achieving a VRR of 97% (93-98). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience US-PEIT has proven to be an effective, safe treatment of symptomatic thyroid cysts. For this reason it can be considered as the first line of treatment and included in the portfolio of services of a high-resolution consultation.

[Interobserver agreement in detecting goitre in a school population between 6 and 14 years old]. / Concordancia entre observadores en la detección por palpación de bocio en población escolar de 6 a 14 años.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the agreement between observers on the detection of goitre by palpation in the school population because it is considered a variability test. METHODS: For five months, during 2001/2002, the presence of goitre was studied in across-section sample of 845 school children (for 6 to 14 years old) from 18 school centres in a Health Area in Valentian Community. The exploration was always carried out by the same two observers. The thyroid size was established in 6 degrees. It was considered goitre since 0B inclusive. The agreement was assessed in relation to age, sex, IBM, and the exploration date. The Kappa Index was used as a measure of agreement. RESULTS: The global prevalence of goitre was 40,4% according to the first observer and 36,8% to the second one. The agreement between observers was high, with a Kappa Index of 0.83 and it was similar in relation to sex, IBM, and the exploration date. It was smaller in the youngest children (six and seven years old) than in the oldest ones (from 12 to 14). CONCLUSIONS: An excellent interobserver agreement in clinic assessment of goitre by palpation in a school children population was achieved. The least concordance was seen in youngest group. It would be advisable to include the study of agreement in the protocol of endemic goitre study.

Concordancia entre observadores en la detección por palpación de bocio en población escolar de 6 a 14 años / Interobserver agreement in detecting goitre in a school population between 6 and 14 years old

Fundamento: Estimar la concordancia entre observadores en la detección de bocio por palpación manual en la población escolar. Métodos. Durante un periodo de 5 meses durante el curso escolar 2001/2002 se estudió la presencia de bocio en una muestra representativa de 845 escolares de 6 a 14 años de 18 colegios de una Área de Salud de la Comunidad Valenciana. La exploración fue realizada de forma enmascarada por dos observadores (siempre los mismos). El tamaño tiroideo se estableció en seis grados (OA, OB, I, II, III y IV). Se consideró bocio a partir del grado OB inclusive. La concordancia se valoró en relación a variables como edad, sexo, masa corporal, y día de exploración. Se utilizó el índice kappa ponderado como medida de concordancia. Resultados. La prevalencia global de bocio fue del 40,4% según el observador 1o y de 36,8% para el 2o. La concordancia entre observadores tuvo un índice kappa de 0,83 (IC95% 0,78 - 0,88) y fue similar en relación al sexo, la masa corporal y el día de exploración. Según la edad de los niños: de 6 a 7 años (kappa 0,80; IC95% 0,69-0,91) de 12 a 14 años (kappa 0,85; IC95% 0,72 - 0,97). Conclusiones. Los observadores consiguieron una concordancia muy alta en la detección de bocio por palpación manual. La edad del niño influyó en el grado de concordancia con mayor dificultad en los más pequeños (AU)

Background: To estimate the agreement between observers on the detection of goitre by palpation in the school population because it is considered a variability test. Methods: For five months, during 2001/2002, the presence of goitre was studied in across-section sample of 845 school children (for 6 to 14 years old) from 18 school centres in a Health Area in Valentian Community. The exploration was always carried out by the same two observers. The thyroid size was established in 6 degrees. It was considered goitre since 0B inclusive. The agreement was assessed in relation to age, sex, IBM, and the exploration date. The Kappa Index was used as a measure of agreement. Results: The global prevalence of goitre was 40,4% according to the first observer and 36,8% to the second one. The agreement between observers was high, with a Kappa Index of 0.83 and it was similar in relation to sex, IBM, and the exploration date. It was smaller in the youngest children (six and seven years old) than in the oldest ones (from 12 to 14). Conclusions: An excellent interobserver agreement in clinic assessment of goitre by palpation in a school children population was achieved. The least concordance was seen in youngest group. It would be advisable to include the study of agreement in the protocol of endemic goitre study (AU)

[Effects of levothyroxine replacement on lipid profile in patients with mild subclinical hypothyroidism]. / Efectos del tratamiento sustitutivo con levotiroxina en el perfil lipídico de pacientes con hipotiroidismo subclínico leve.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of levothyroxine (L-T4) replacement on lipoprotein profile in patients with mild subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as a serum TSH level between 5 to 10 mU/l with a normal serum free thyroxine level. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We have prospectively studied 89 patients with mild subclinical hypothyroidism -10 male, 79 female; mean (standard deviation) TSH: 7.9 (1.3) mU/l-. The thyroperoxidasa antibodies were positive in 46 subjects and were treated with L-T4. The 43 patients with thyroperoxidasa antibodies negative were used as controls. In both groups fasting lipid profiles were measured at baseline and 40 weeks. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the age, serum concentrations of TSH, free thyroxine and lipid profile between 2 groups at baseline. After therapy, serum TSH levels had returned within the normal range in the L-T4 group and were now significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the changes from baseline to 40 weeks between patients in the L-T4 group and the control group for any of the lipid variables measured, expressed as the mean change in the L-T4 group minus the mean change in the control group and the 95% confidence interval (CI): total cholesterol, -0.27 mmol/l (95% CI, -0.69 to 0.16 mmol/l); LDLc, -0.27 mmol/l (95% CI -0.61 to 0.05 mmol/l). CONCLUSIONS: Forty weeks L-T4 treatment does not significantly improve the lipid profile in patients with mild subclinical hypothyroidism.

Efectos del tratamiento sustitutivo con levotiroxina en el perfil lipídico de pacientes con hipotiroidismo subclínico leve / Effects of levothyroxine replacement on lipid profile in patients with mild subclinical hypothyroidism

Fundamento y objetivo: Estudiar los efectos del tratamiento sustitutivo con levotiroxina (L-T4) en el perfil lipídico plasmático en pacientes con hipotiroidismo subclínico leve, definido como concentraciones séricas de tirotropina (TSH) entre 5 y 10 mU/l y normales de tiroxina libre. Pacientes y métodos: Se estudió de forma prospectiva a 89 pacientes con hipotiroidismo subclínico leve ­10 varones, 79 mujeres; TSH media (desviación estándar) de 7,9 (1,3) mU/l­. En 46 sujetos los anticuerpos antiperoxidasa tiroidea fueron positivos y se les prescribió tratamiento con L-T4. Los 43 sujetos con anticuerpos negativos no fueron tratados y formaron el grupo control. En ambos grupos valoramos el perfil lipídico en situación basal y a las 40 semanas. Resultados: No hubo diferencias significativas en la edad, los valores de TSH, de tiroxina libre y de lípidos plasmáticos entre ambos grupos en situación basal. En todos los pacientes tratados la TSH se normalizó a las 40 semanas. No hallamos diferencias significativas en los cambios entre la situación basal y a las 40 semanas entre los grupo de tratamiento y control, expresadas como la media del cambio en el grupo tratado menos la media del cambio en el grupo control y el intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95%, en el colesterol total (­0,27 mmol/l; IC del 95%, ­0,69 a 0,16 mmol/l) ni en el colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (­0,28 mmol/l; IC del 95%, ­0,61 a 0,05 mmol/l). Conclusiones: El tratamiento sustitutivo con L-T4 no induce cambios de relevancia clínica sobre el perfil lipídico en pacientes con hipotiroidismo subclínico leve

Background and objective: To evaluate the effects of levothyroxine (L-T4) replacement on lipoprotein profile in patients with mild subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as a serum TSH level between 5 to 10 mU/l with a normal serum free thyroxine level. Patients and method: We have prospectively studied 89 patients with mild subclinical hypothyroidism ­10 male, 79 female; mean (standard deviation) TSH: 7.9 (1.3) mU/l­. The thyroperoxidasa antibodies were positive in 46 subjects and were treated with L-T4. The 43 patients with thyroperoxidasa antibodies negative were used as controls. In both groups fasting lipid profiles were measured at baseline and 40 weeks. Results: There were no significant differences in the age, serum concentrations of TSH, free thyroxine and lipid profile between 2 groups at baseline. After therapy, serum TSH levels had returned within the normal range in the L-T4 group and were now significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the changes from baseline to 40 weeks between patients in the L-T4 group and the control group for any of the lipid variables measured, expressed as the mean change in the L-T4 group minus the mean change in the control group and the 95% confidence interval (CI): total cholesterol, ­ 0.27 mmol/l (95% CI, ­0.69 to 0.16 mmol/l); LDLc, ­0.27 mmol/l (95% CI ­0.61 to 0.05 mmol/l). Conclusions: Forty weeks L-T4 treatment does not significantly improve the lipid profile in patients with mild subclinical hypothyroidism