Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with minimal extrathyroidal extension. Is its course so indolent that it requires a less aggressive treatment?

BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has increased in recent decades, the role played by minimal extrathyroidal extension (mETE) in the prognosis of PTMC is still unclear. The aim of this study is to analyze the factors associated with PTMC with mETE and its long-term prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on patients with a histological diagnosis of PTMC. We excluded patients who had previously undergone thyroid surgery, those who had other synchronous malignancies, those with an ectopic location of the PTMC, and those lost to follow-up within two years. We compared group 1 (PTMC without extrathyroidal extension) to group 2 (PTMC with mETE) and performed a multivariate analysis. RESULTS: We observed PTMC with mETE in 11.2% (n = 18) of patients. On the multivariate analysis, mETE was associated with an age ≥45 years (OR: 4.383; 95% CI: 1.051-18.283, p = .043), tumor size ≥8 mm (OR: 5.913; 95% CI: 1.795-19.481; p = .003), bilaterality (OR: 4.430; 95% CI: 1.294-15.173; p = .018) and metastatic lymph nodes (OR: 12.588; 95% CI: 2.919-54.280; p = .001). Over the mean follow-up period of 119.8 ±â€¯65 months, one case of recurrence was detected in group 2 (0% vs. 5.6%; p = .112). No patients died of the disease. Disease-free survival was lower in group 2 (124.9 ±â€¯5.6 vs. 97.4 ±â€¯10.3 months; p = .034). CONCLUSIONS: The mETE of PTMC is a factor of worse prognosis associated with the presence of metastatic lymph nodes and a lower rate of disease-free survival.

Microcarcinoma papilar de tiroides con extensión extratiroidea mínima. ¿Tiene un curso tan indolente para precisar un tratamiento menos intensivo? / Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with minimal extrathyroidal extension. Is its course so indolent that it requires a less aggressive treatment?

Introducción Aunque el microcarcinoma papilar de tiroides (MCPT) ha sufrido un incremento en la incidencia en las últimas décadas, todavía no está claro qué papel desempeña la extensión extratiroidea mínima (EETm) en su pronóstico. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los factores asociados al MCPT con EETm y su pronóstico a largo plazo. Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo cuya población a estudio la constituyen los pacientes con diagnóstico histológico de MCPT. Se excluye a los pacientes con: cirugía tiroidea previa, otras enfermedades malignas sincrónicas, localización ectópica del MCPT o pérdida durante el seguimiento antes de los 2 años. Se comparan 2grupos: grupo 1 (MCPT sin extensión extratiroidea) y grupo 2 (MCPT con EETm). Se realiza un análisis multivariante. Resultados El 11,2% (n = 18) de los pacientes presentaron MCPT con EETm. En el análisis multivariante, la EETm se asoció con la edad ≥ 45 años (OR: 4,383; IC del 95%: 1,051-18,283; p = 0,043), el tamaño tumoral ≥ 8mm (OR: 5,913; IC del 95%; 1,795-19,481; p = 0,003), la bilateralidad (OR: 4,430, IC del 95%; 1,294-15,173; p = 0,018) y las adenopatías metastásicas (OR: 12,588; IC del 95%; 2,919-54,280; p = 0,001). Durante un seguimiento medio de 119,8 ± 65 meses, una recurrencia fue detectada en el grupo 2 (0% vs. 5,6%; p = 0,112). Ningún paciente falleció debido a la enfermedad. La supervivencia libre de enfermedad fue menor en el grupo 2 (124,9 ± 5,6 vs. 97,4 ± 10,3 meses; p = 0,034). Conclusión La EETm del MCPT es un factor de peor pronóstico, asociada a la presencia de adenopatías metastásicas y a una menor supervivencia libre de enfermedad (AU)

Background Although the incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has increased in recent decades, the role played by minimal extrathyroidal extension (mETE) in the prognosis of PTMC is still unclear. The aim of this study is to analyze the factors associated with PTMC with mETE and its long-term prognosis. Material and methods We conducted a retrospective study on patients with a histological diagnosis of PTMC. We excluded patients who had previously undergone thyroid surgery, those who had other synchronous malignancies, those with an ectopic location of the PTMC, and those lost to follow-up within 2years. We compared group 1 (PTMC without extrathyroidal extension) to group 2 (PTMC with mETE) and performed a multivariate analysis. Results We observed PTMC with mETE in 11.2% (n=18) of patients. On the multivariate analysis, mETE was associated with age ≥45 years (OR: 4.383; 95% CI: 1.051-18.283, p = .043), tumor size ≥8mm (OR: 5.913; 95% CL: 1.795-19.481; p = .003), bilaterality (OR: 4.430; 95% CI: 1.294-15.173; p = .018) and metastatic lymph nodes (OR: 12.588; 95% CI: 2.919-54.280; p = .001). During a mean follow-up of 119.8±65 months, one recurrence was detected in group 2 (0% vs. 5.6%; p = .112). No patients died of the disease. Disease-free survival was lower in group 2 (124.9±5.6 vs. 97.4±10.3 months; p = .034). Conclusions The mETE of PTMC is a factor of worse prognosis associated with the presence of metastatic lymph nodes and a lower rate of disease-free survival (AU)

Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with minimal extrathyroidal extension. Has it so indolent course to require a less aggressive treatment? / Microcarcinoma papilar de tiroides con extensión extratiroidea mínima. ¿Tiene un curso tan indolente para precisar un tratamiento menos intensivo?

BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has increased in recent decades, the role played by minimal extrathyroidal extension (mETE) in the prognosis of PTMC is still unclear. The aim of this study is to analyse the factors associated with PTMC and mETE and the long-term prognosis of PTMC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study with a population consisting of patients with a histological diagnosis of PTMC. We excluded patients who had previously undergone thyroid surgery, those who had other synchronous malignancies, those with an ectopic location of the PTMC and those lost to follow-up within 2years. We compared group 1 (PTMC without extrathyroidal extension) versus group 2 (PTMC with mETE) and performed a multivariate analysis. RESULTS: We observed PTMC with mETE in 11.2% (n=18) of the patients. In the multivariate analysis, mETE was associated with an age ≥45 years (OR, 4.383; 95% CI 1.051-18.283, p=.043), a tumour size ≥8mm (OR, 5.913; 95% CI 1.795-19.481; p=.003), bilaterality (OR, 4.430; 95% CI 1.294-15.173; p=.018) and metastatic lymph nodes (OR, 12.588; 95% CI 2.919-54.280; p=.001). During a mean follow-up of 119.8±65 months, one recurrence was detected in group 2 (0% vs. 5.6%; p=.112), but none of the patients died due to the disease. Disease-free survival was lower in group 2 (124.9±5.6 vs. 97.4±10.3 months; p=.034). CONCLUSIONS: The mETE of MCPT is a factor of worse prognosis, associated with the presence of metastatic lymph nodes and lower disease-free survival.

Embolización por radiología intervencionista de un angioma yeyunal recidivado / Embolization by interventional radiology of relapsed jejunal haemangioma

No disponible

[Clinical recurrence of multinodular goiter after surgery. A multivariate study on the risk factors]. / Recidiva clínica del bocio multinodular tras la cirugía. Estudio multivariante de los factores de riesgo.

INTRODUCTION: In multinodular goiter there is no consensus on which is the most adequate surgical technique, since although the techniques with partial resection show lower risk of complications they are associated with a higher risk of recurrences. The objective of this study is to define the risk factors for recurrence of multinodular goiters after surgery in a series with a mean postoperative follow-up higher than 12 years. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 231 multinodular goiters with partial thyroid surgery are analyzed. The recurrence is assessed through clinical exploration, and is confirmed with echography. The variables analyzed are age, sex, family history of thyroid pathology, residence in goitrogenic areas, asymptomatic hyperthyroidism, compression syndromes, intrathoracic extension of goiter, surgeon experience with endocrine surgery, weight of the thyroid, and surgical technique, chi2 test, Student's t test and a logistic regression test are applied. RESULTS: After a mean postoperative follow-up of 152 +/- 71 months 67 goiters (29%) showed recurrence with a mean time for recurrence of 85 +/- 67 months. Risk factors detected in the multivariate study were youngest age, surgeon's lack of experience in endocrine surgery, and the surgical technique. Forty-six patients (69%) were operated because of recurrence, most of them by surgeons experienced in endocrine surgery. Thyroidectomy was completed in all cases, and two definitive postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The index of clinical recurrences is high and increases with the progression; primary risk factors are age, surgeon's experience, and surgical technique. The implication is that partial resection techniques should be carried out by surgeons with experience and there should be avoided in young patients.

Recidiva clínica del bocio multinodular tras la cirugía. Estudio multivariante de los factores de riesgo / Clinical recurrence of multinodular goiter after surgery. A multivariate study on the risk factors

Introducción. En el bocio multinodular no existe consenso sobre cuál es la técnica quirúrgica más adecuada, pues, aunque las técnicas resectivas parciales presentan menor riesgo de complicaciones, conllevan un alto riesgo de recidivas. El objetivo es determinar los factores de riesgo de recidiva del bocio multinodular tras la cirugía en una serie con un seguimiento medio postquirúrgico superior a los 12 años. Pacientes y método. Se analizan 231 bocios multinodulares con cirugía tiroidea parcial. La recidiva se valora mediante exploración clínica y se confirma mediante ecografía. Las variables analizadas son edad, sexo, antecedentes familiares de patología tiroidea, residir en áreas bociógenas, asintomático, hipertiroidismo, síndromes compresivos, prolongación intratorácica del bocio, experiencia en cirugía endocrina del cirujano, peso del tiroides y técnica quirúrgica. Se aplica la prueba de χ2, la de la «t» de Student y una prueba de regresión logística. Resultados. Con un seguimiento medio de 152 ± 71 meses recidivaron 67 bocios (29%) con un tiempo medio de recidiva de 85 ± 67 meses. Los factores de riesgo detectados en el estudio multivariante fueron la edad más joven, la no experiencia en cirugía endocrina del cirujano y la técnica quirúrgica. Cuarenta y seis pacientes (69%) fueron intervenidos de la recidiva, la mayoría por cirujanos con experiencia en cirugía endocrina. En todos los casos se completó la tiroidectomía y se presentaron dos complicaciones postoperatorias definitivas. Conclusiones. El índice de recidivas clínicas es alto y aumenta con la evolución, siendo los principales factores de riesgo la juventud, la experiencia del cirujano y la técnica quirúrgica. Por lo que que estas técnicas resectivas parciales deben realizarse por cirujanos con experiencia y evitarse en pacientes jóvenes

Introduction. In multinodular goiter there is no consensus on which is the most adequate surgical technique, since although the techniques with partial resection show lower risk of complications they are associated with a higher risk of recurrences. The objective of this study is to define the risk factors for recurrence of multinodular goiters after surgery in a series with a mean postoperative follow-up higher than 12 years. Patients and method. 231 multinodular goiters with partial thyroid surgery are analyzed. The recurrence is assessed through clinical exploration, and is confirmed with echography. The variables analyzed are age, sex, family history of thyroid pathology, residence in goitrogenic areas, asymptomatic hyperthyroidism, compression syndromes, intrathoracic extension of goiter, surgeon experience with endocrine surgery, weight of the thyroid, and surgical technique, χ2 test, Student’s «t» test and a logistic regression test are applied. Results. After a mean postoperative follow-up of 152±71 months 67 goiters (29%) showed recurrence with a mean time for recurrence of 85 ± 67 months. Risk factors detected in the multivariate study were youngest age, surgeon's lack of experience in endocrine surgery, and the surgical technique. Forty-six patients (69%) were operated because of recurrence, most of them by surgeons experienced in endocrine surgery. Thyroidectomy was completed in all cases, and two definitive postoperative complications occurred. Conclusions. The index of clinical recurrences is high and increases with the progression; primary risk factors are age, surgeon's experience, and surgical technique. The implication is that partial resection techniques should be carried out by surgeons with experience and there should be avoided in young patients

[Fulminant hepatic failure and liver transplantation. Experience of the Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca]. / Fracaso hepático fulminante y trasplante hepático. Experiencia del Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca.

INTRODUCTION: Medical treatment for fulminat hepatic failure seeks spontaneous recovery of the liver function, but the results are very discouraging (50-80% mortality). Liver transplantation is an option in patients with a poor evolution despite medical treatment, with survival rates of > 50%. The ideal moment for performing the transplant is controversial, as it should not be done too soon, when the liver disease is still reversible, or tool late, when the patient is in an irreversible clinical situation. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective review was made of the clinical histories of 34 patients admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of fulminant hepatic failure, of whom 26 underwent transplantation. The most frequent cause was viral, with 10 cases (38%); no aetiology at all could be established in 11 cases (42%). Thirteen patients had preoperative complications, the most frequent being renal insufficiency. As for degree of ABO/DR compatibility, 13 cases were identical (40%), 17 compatible (51%) and the other 3 incompatible (9%). RESULTS: Thirty-three transplants were performed in 26 patients: 4 were retransplants due to chronic rejection, 2 for primary graft failure and 1 for hyperacute rejection. The overall mortality rate was 46% (12 patients), the most frequent cause of death being infection (50%). The overall actuarial survival rate was 68% at 1 year, 63% at 3 years and 59% at 5 years. The factors of poor prognosis were renal and respiratory insufficiency, a grade D electroencephalogram, and encephalopathy grades III and IV, the latter being the only prognostic factor identified in the multivariate analysis. The prognostic factors for mortality were a grade D electroencephalogram, encephalopathy grades III and IV and respiratory insufficiency, the latter being the only prognostic factor identified in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The achievement of good results with the use of transplantation in the management of fulminant hepatic failure depends on an optimum selection of transplant candidates, which means identifying them early, i.e. early indication for transplant, reduction in mean waiting time and exclusion of factors of poor prognosis.

Reactividad al estrés en funcionarios de laAdministración Pública: estudio sobre laestabilidad de respuesta / Stress reactivity in civil servants of the state agency: survey about stability of response

Presentamos los resultados de un trabajo cuyo objetivo, mucho más amplio de lo recogido aquí, tiene que ver con el estudio del nivel de Salud Mental de los funcionarios que trabajan en la Agencia Estatal de la Administración Tributaria (AEAT) de la ciudad de Sevilla. Concretamente en este estudio nos planteamos analizar la Reactividad al Estrés en dos momentos evolutivos diferentes: fase previa a la campaña de Renta de 1997 (ejercicio de 1998) y durante la mencionada campaña, considerándose esta situación como posible moduladora de reactividad al estrés. El Índice medio de Reactividad al Estrés (IRE) de la muestra estudiada (N= 92) fue de 10 (d.t 4,7) en la primera aplicación y de 9,7 (d.t. 5,2) en la segunda, valores muy similares al registrado por otros autores en la población general (Bulbena y cols. 1994 y González de Rivera, 1983). Por sexo, destacaron las mujeres cuyas puntuaciones medias en el índice global fueron superiores a las de los varones. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto cierta estabilidad en la respuesta al estrés a pesar de la influencia de situaciones estresantes (AU)

Síndrome de Claude-Bernard-Horner secundario a un bocio multinodular tóxico intratorácico / Claude-Bernard-Horner syndrome secondary to an intra-thoracic toxic multinodular goiter

No disponible

[Selective sentinel node biopsy in melanoma using preoperative lymphoscintigraphy location and intraoperative detection gamma probe]. / Biopsia selectiva del ganglio centinela en el melanoma mediante localización con linfogammagrafía preoperatoria y sonda de detección gamma intraoperatoria.

BACKGROUND: The experience in detection of sentinel lymph node in melanoma using preoperative scintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe is referred. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 60 patients with stage I-II melanoma who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy performed using 99m-Tc-labelled sulphur colloid as radioactive tracer. A preoperative scintigraphy was performed and intraoperative gamma probe was used to localize the sentinel node in all cases. Scintigraphy results, effectiveness of intraoperative detection (technical efficacy), pathological results, and follow-up have been studied. RESULTS: Preoperative detection was 98.3% and the mean basin detected was 1.17. There were multiple basins especially when melanomas were on the trunk. Technical efficacy was 98.4% and intraoperative detection was more difficult in parotid gland region. HMB-45 immunohistochemical staining was essential in pathological studies, in whom 10% were positives. Lymphadenectomy could be avoided in 90% of the patients. Recurrences were not detected during follow-up and metastases were found only in non biopsied cases. Sentinel node biopsy morbidity was significative lesser than that of lymphadenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative scintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe use to localize sentinel node in melanoma have a high efficacy. They can reveal multiple basins and they allow a more selective surgical approach and a minimal dissection.

Carcinoma no medular familiar de tiroides / Familial nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma

Introducción. A pesar de la frecuencia epidemiológica del carcinoma no medular de tiroides, sobre todo del papilar, son excepcionales los casos descritos de asociación familiar. Presentamos 8 casos de esta enfermedad pertenecientes a 3 familias. Pacientes y método. De los pacientes intervenidos en nuestro hospital por carcinoma no medular, se seleccionaron aquellos en los que existía asociación familiar sin relación con los síndromes de Gardner, de Coluden ni el MEN-1 y no habrán tenido exposición previa a la radiación. Resultados. La edad media de los pacientes fue de 46 años, siendo 7 mujeres (87,5 por ciento). Excepto en uno de los casos, que consultó por hipercalcemias y fue intervenido con el diagnóstico de hiperparatiroidismo primario, en los demás la palpación cervical y la ecografía demostraban la presencia de un nódulo tiroideo. En estos 7 casos se realizó punción del nódulo, que en seis de ellos fue indicativa de carcinoma papilar. En todos se realizó tiroidectomía total, y en 4 casos en los que se objetivaron adenopatías, ésta se completó con un vaciamiento ganglionar funcional. Todos los carcinomas papilares eran de la variedad bien diferenciado, con un tamaño medio de 1,5 ñ 0,9 cm, siendo en 4 casos (50 por ciento) un microcarcinoma. Tres pacientes presentaron adenopatías positivas (37,5 por ciento). Todos fueron tratados posquirúrgicamente con yodo-131, excepto la paciente con hiperparatiroidismo, que presentaba un microcarcinoma de 0,5 cm. Con un seguimiento medio de 2,5 años, los controles son normales, excepto en un caso, en el que se ha detectado una tiroglobulina elevada, con exploración clínica y rastreo morfológico normales, a los 7 años de la cirugía, por lo que ha recibido tratamiento con 100 mCi de yodo-131. Conclusiones. El carcinoma no medular familiar de tiroides es una enfermedad inusual, con frecuente afectación ganglionar en el momento del diagnóstico, que presenta un relativo buen pronóstico con un tratamiento acorde con el estadio de la enfermedad (AU)

[Superior vena cava syndrome caused by multinodular goiter]. / Síndrome de vena cava superior por bocio multinodular.

Currently, the vena cava superior syndrome (VCSS) is mainly of oncologic origin. We report here four cases of this syndrome caused by intrathoracic multinodular goiter. All patients had compressive symptoms, particularly of the oesophagus and trachea. Axial CT was the imaging technique that delineated the intrathoracic multinodular goiter compressing brachiocephalic vessels. Surgery (total thyroidectomy) was used and all compressive symptoms resolved.

Síndrome de vena cava superior por bocio multinodular / Superior vena cava syndrome caused by multinodular goiter

El síndrome de vena cava superior (SVCS) es hoy un problema principalmente oncológico. En este trabajo presentamos cuatro casos de este síndrome causado por bocio multinodular intratorácico. Todos los pacientes presentaban otros síndromes compresivos, sobre todo esofágico y traqueal. La tomografía axial computadorizada (TAC) fue la técnica de imagen que objetivó el bocio multinodular intratorácico comprimiendo los troncos braquiocefálicos. El tratamiento fue quirúrgico (tiroidectomía total), revirtiendo todos los síntomas compresivos. (AU)

Cáncer tiroideo en el hipertiroidismo: una asociación no tan excepcional / Thyroid cancer in hyperthyroidism: not such an uncommon association

Objetivo. Analizar la tasa de asociación entre hipertiroi dismo y cáncer tiroideo en nuestra experiencia, así como la que existe con los distintos tipos de enfermedades tiroideas que cursan con hipertiroidismo. Pacientes y métodos. Se han estudiado, de forma retrospectiva, las piezas quirúrgicas y los historiales clínicos de aquellos pacientes intervenidos por hipertiroidismo y en los que se detectó un cáncer tiroideo en el estudio anatomopatológico. Los pacientes fueron agrupados según presentaran enfermedad de Graves-Basedow, bocio multinodular o adenoma tóxico. Resultados. En 10 casos de 265 pacientes se detectó un cáncer tiroideo asociado (3,8 por ciento). Fueron mayoría los pacientes con enfermedad de Graves (63 por ciento), aunque sólo el 3,5 por ciento de éstos presentaron asociación con cáncer, frente al 5,5 por ciento de los bocios multinodulares. No se encontró ningún caso en los pacientes con adenoma tóxico. Todos los casos de tumor correspondieron a cáncer papilar. En 3 casos se encontró multicentricidad del tumor en el mismo lóbulo. Conclusiones. Debe realizarse un estudio detallado de las piezas quirúrgicas en los pacientes intervenidos por hipertiroidismo y considerar siempre la posibilidad de esta asociación al planificar el tratamiento de estos pacientes (AU)

Resultados de las eventrorrafias con prótesis. A propósito de 168 casos / Results of prosthetic eventration repair. A report of 168 cases

Objetivo. Valorar cuáles son los factores de riesgo de recidiva en las eventrorrafias con prótesis. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de 168 eventrorrafias con prótesis en las que analizamos los siguientes parámetros: edad, sexo, obesidad, broncopatía, eventrorrafia previa, cirugía programada o de urgencias, datos de la eventración (localización y tamaño), material protésico utilizado, complicaciones en el postoperatorio, recidiva y tiempo de seguimiento. Resultados. Cuarenta y cuatro pacientes (26,2 por ciento) habían sido previamente intervenidos de dicha eventración, 12 (7,14 por ciento) eran obesos y 16 (9,5 por ciento) broncópatas. La localización más frecuente de la eventración era la línea media, y en 135 casos (80,4 por ciento) se realizó cirugía programada. Los pacientes fueron seguidos una media de 75,8 ñ 5,21 meses, presentando recidiva 30 pacientes (17,8 por ciento). En el análisis univariante, las variables que presentaron significación estadística con la recidiva fueron el tamaño de la eventración (p = 0,0443) y las complicaciones locales postoperatorias (p = 0,0063), y en el multivariante las complicaciones locales postoperatorias (p = 0,009). Conclusiones. Es fundamental evitar las complicaciones locales postoperatorias (infección de herida, hematoma o seroma), ya que debilitan la eventrorrafia y predisponen a la recidiva (AU)

[Genetic analysis of RET mutations in families with multiple endocrine neoplasia type II in the community of Murcia]. / Análisis genético de las mutaciones de RET en las familias con neoplasia endocrina múltiple tipo 2 de la Comunidad de Murcia.

BACKGROUND: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) syndromes are inherited following an autosomal dominant pattern. RET protooncogen mutations have been associated with MEN 2. The identification of these mutations enables us to diagnose MEN 2. The objectives were to recognize RET mutations and gene carriers in the area of Murcia and to sep up the relationship between genotype and phenotype. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 284 subjects from 14 MEN 2A kindreds and one MEN 2B family from the Community of Murcia, Spain, were studied. 48 out of them had MEN 2 tumours and 236 subjects were at risk. The initial screening test was single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) in 8 MEN 2A families and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) in 6 MEN 2A families; the results in all the subjects were confirmed with restriction analysis. The MEN 2A family in which the Cfo-I enzyme detected but did not specify the type of mutation received DNA sequence assay. The MEN 2B kindred was studied with restriction analysis. RESULTS: TGC-->TAC and TGC-->CGC mutations of codon 634 were found in 13 and one MEN 2A kindreds, respectively. ATG-->ACG mutation of codon 918 was present in the MEN 2B family. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed in the 48 patients, 44 new gene carriers were detected and 192 carriers of normal alleles were ruled out. The incidence of hyperparathyroidism was highest if RET mutation was TGC-->CGC. CONCLUSIONS: Community of Murcia is one of the areas with the highest prevalence of MEN 2. The risk of hyperparathyroidism is increased if TGC-->CGC is present.