Prevalence and Management of Complications of Percutaneous Ethanol Injection for Cystic Thyroid Nodules: A Systematic Review of Literature and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the prevalence of complications from percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for benign and cystic thyroid nodules (CTNs) and their management. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of data from published observational studies on PEI of CTNs. We also included unpublished retrospectively collected data on complications after PEI from all consecutive patients with cytologically benign CTNs who underwent PEI at the Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, AOU University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli (Naples, Italy) between June 1, 2021, and March 31, 2024. A random effects meta-analysis was performed on the prevalence rate data. Pooled prevalence data were presented with 95% confidence intervals (CI). I2 statistic index was used to quantify the heterogeneity. The details of the complications and the management were qualitatively described. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 1189 studies, of which 48 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, in addition to our institutional experience (3670 CTNs in total). The overall quality of each included study was judged as fair. The prevalence of "Overall" complications of PEI was 32% ([CI 25-40%], I2 92.7%, 967 of 3195 thyroid nodules [TNs]). The prevalence of "Minor" complications of PEI was 32% ([CI 25-40%], I2 92.7%, 952 of 3195 TNs). The prevalence of "Major" complications of PEI was 2% ([CI 1-2%], I2 0%, 22 of 3670 TNs). Sensitivity analyses did not modify the results.The pooled prevalence rate of local pain was 21% (CI [16-27] I2 90.3). Local pain was typically transient and mild, sometimes moderate and requiring analgesics for few days. The pooled prevalence rate of dysphonia was 1% (CI [1-2], I2 0). Dysphonia was transient and could last from several some hours to twelve months after PEI. CONCLUSIONS: Complications of PEI for benign and CTNs are relatively common, but most are minor and usually transient, not requiring treatment. Dysphonia was a major complication, but it was uncommon and transient. PEI for CTNs could be considered a generally safe technique.

The value of ACR, European, Korean, and ATA ultrasound risk stratification systems combined with RAS mutations for detecting thyroid carcinoma in cytologically indeterminate and suspicious for malignancy thyroid nodules.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of four commonly utilized ultrasound (US) RSSs, namely, the American College of Radiology [ACR], European [EU], Korean [K] TI-RADSs and American Thyroid Association [ATA] US-based RSS criteria, in combination with activating point mutations of the RAS genes (NRAS, HRAS, and KRAS) for detection of thyroid carcinoma in cytologically indeterminate and suspicious for malignancy thyroid nodules. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed cytologically indeterminate and suspicious for malignancy thyroid nodules which underwent US, molecular testing and surgery between September 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated, and the area under the curve (AUC, 95% confidence interval [CI]) was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 100 cytologically indeterminate and 24 suspicious for malignancy thyroid nodules were analyzed. Compared to the four US-based RSSs alone, the diagnostic value of the four US-based RSSs combined with RAS mutations did not significantly improved (cytologically indeterminate, AUC [95% CI] 0.6 [0.5-0.7] and 0.6 [0.5-0.7], respectively, p = 0.70; cytologically suspicious for malignancy, AUC [95% CI] 0.7 [0.5-0.9] and 0.8 [0.6-0.9], respectively, p = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic value of the four main US-based RSSs (ACR, EU, K, and ATA) was not improved in conjunction with the evaluation of RAS mutations for preoperative risk stratification of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: In cytologically indeterminate nodules categorized according to US-based RSSs, isolated RAS positivity does not reliably distinguish between benignity and malignancy.

Management of surgical diseases of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: indications of the United Italian Society of Endocrine Surgery (SIUEC).

A task force of the United Italian society of Endocrine Surgery (SIUEC) was commissioned to review the position statement on diagnostic, therapeutic and health­care management protocol in parathyroid surgery published in 2014, at the light of new technologies, recent oncological concepts, and tailored approaches. The objective of this publication was to support surgeons with modern rational protocols of treatment that can be shared by health-care professionals, taking into account important clinical, healthcare and therapeutic aspects, as well as potential sequelae and complications. The task force consists of 12 members of the SIUEC highly trained and experienced in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. The main topics concern diagnostic test and localization studies, mode of admission and waiting time, therapeutic pathway (patient preparation for surgery, surgical treatment, postoperative management, management of major complications), hospital discharge and patient information, outpatient care and follow-up, outpatient initial management of patients with pHPT.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma: ≤ 10 mm does not always mean pN0. A multicentric real-world study.

The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is increasing and PTC ≤ 10 mm (PTMC) accounts for most new diagnoses. PTMCs are not always low risk, as detection of lymph nodes metastasis (LNM) may occur. The purpose of the study was to analyze the clinical pattern, frequency, and independent risk factors of patients with PTMC and LNM. From January 2022 to June 2023, PTCs managed at CTO Hospital, Rome; Policlinico Vanvitelli, Naples; and Garibaldi Nesima Hospital, Catania were included. PTC management followed the same diagnostic-therapeutic procedures according to the ATA guidelines. Variables such as age, sex, maximum diameter, histologic evidence of LNM (HELNM +), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), multifocality, capsule invasion, and histological subtype were considered. PTCs were divided according to HELNM and size. Two hundred ninety-eight PTCs were included. PTMCs were 136 (45.6%) and LNM occurred in 27.2% of them. In the HELNM + group, analysis of PTMC vs 'MacroPTC' (PTC > 10 mm) did not show any statistical difference. Multivariate regression revealed that young age (OR 0.93; CI 95% 0.90-0.96; p < 0.01) and male sex (male OR 3.44; CI 95% 1.16-10.20; p = 0.03) were the only independent risk factors for HELNM + in PTMC. The risk of LNM in PTMC is not negligible; therefore, a careful evaluation by an expert thyroidologist is mandatory for patients with small thyroid nodule, especially in younger and male patients before excluding surgery. In the future, new tools are needed to detect early PTMC with LNM before surgery.

Impact of Acute Kidney Injury on the COVID-19 In-Hospital Mortality in Octogenarian Patients: Insights from the COVOCA Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of global public health, with some people suffering more adverse clinical outcomes than others. The aim of this study is to deepen our understanding of the specific impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) on the in-hospital mortality in octogenarian patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This is a prospective observational cohort study, which involved 23 COVID-19 hospital units in the Campania Region, Italy. Exposure variables were collected during hospital admission and at discharge. Only patients aged ≥80 years were deemed eligible for the study. RESULTS: 197 patients were included in the study (median age 83.0 [82.0-87.0] years; 51.5% men), with a median duration of hospitalization of 15.0 [8.0-25.0] days. From the multivariable Cox regression analysis, after the application of Sidák correction, only the respiratory rate (HR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.14; p < 0.001) and AKI development (HR: 3.40, 95% CI: 1.80 to 6.40; p < 0.001) were independently associated with the primary outcome. Moreover, the Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly different risk of in-hospital mortality between patients with and without AKI (log-rank: <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In our investigation, we identified a significant association between AKI and mortality rates among octogenarian patients admitted for COVID-19. These findings raise notable concerns and emphasize the imperative for vigilant monitoring of this demographic cohort.

The Role of Sentinel Node Biopsy in the Era of Adjuvant Therapy for Melanoma.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a surgical procedure aimed to detect nodal metastases in patients with clinically occult disease. Since the advent of new systemic therapies, its role in melanoma has been extensively debated over the last years. In this article, three possible scenarios are discussed, considering the SLNB impact on the management of melanoma patients. First, pT1b and pT2a patients with negative SLNB (stages IA and IB) and those with positive SLNB (stage IIIA) would all not benefit from adjuvant treatment. Therefore, SLNB might be avoided in these categories of patients. Second, in IIB and IIC, melanoma patients are already candidates for adjuvant treatment; therefore, SLNB in patients with T3b, T4a, or T4b melanoma would not change treatment decisions. On the other end of the spectrum, patients with pT2b and pT3a melanomas (clinical stage IIA) represent the only two groups whose management would be significantly affected by the SLNB status, being adjuvant therapy only indicated for SLN-positive patients. Further studies are needed to investigate which melanoma patient deserves SLNB.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Scleroderma: Data from the European Pharmacovigilance Database.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can be commonly associated with the occurrence of immune-related adverse drug reactions (irADRs), which can involve any tissue and organ. ICI-induced skin toxicities are common irADRs and they can be a consequence of a rheumatologic ADR, such as in the case of scleroderma. A recent literature review reported that scleroderma and scleroderma mimics represent a group of disorders with significant morbidity that have been described during ICIs' use. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: Considering the clinical significance of scleroderma cases, the present study aimed to analyze the occurrence of these events in patients receiving ICIs by describing data from individual case safety reports (ICSRs) retrieved from the European spontaneous reporting system, EudraVigilance (EV). RESULTS: Until February 2023, 70 ICSRs with at least one ICI as the suspected drug and at least one preferred term (PT) related to scleroderma cases were retrieved from the EV. Pembrolizumab was reported as suspected in 41 ICSRs, nivolumab in 25 ICSRs, ipilimumab in 8 ICSRs and atezolizumab in 3 ICSRs. Patients who experienced scleroderma cases were adults, and no differences were found in terms of sex distribution. Scleroderma cases were mainly classified as serious, while the outcome was mainly reported as favorable. The most reported PTs were scleroderma and morphea. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the seriousness of ICI-induced scleroderma cases and the recent marketing authorization of some ICIs, we believe that further high-quality clinical studies should be conducted on this topic to better estimate the impact of these events in patients with cancer.

Prediction of classical versus non classical papillary thyroid carcinoma subtypes from cytology of nodules classified according to TIRADS.

PURPOSE: Our purposes were: 1) to estimate the prediction performance (PP) of cytology in identifying papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) subtypes; 2) to explore how the PTC subtypes distribute among the American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) categories. METHODS: Nodules were included if both the histology with the PTC subtype report and the cytology report with the possible PTC subtype were available. The PP was calculated by making the proportion of True positives/False positives+false negatives. RESULTS: 309 cytologically "suspicious for malignancy" and "malignant" thyroid nodules with PTC histology were evaluated. ACR TI-RADS categorization for classical PTC was significantly different from non-classical PTC (p-value 0.02). For the whole cohort the PP of cytologically classical cases was 0.74, while that of cytologically non classical cases was 0.41. ACR TI-RADS categorization was not significantly different for aggressive vs non-aggressive PTC subtypes (p-value 0.1). When considering only aggressive or non-aggressive PTC subtypes, the PP of cytologically classical cases was respectively 0.86 and 0.87, while that of cytologically non classical cases was respectively 0.27 and 0.22. The PP of cytologically classical cases was 0.73 and 0.79, respectively for macroPTCs and microPTCs, while that of cytologically non classical cases was 0.55 and 0.33, respectively for macroPTCs and microPTCs. CONCLUSION: Cytology examination reliably performed in predicting classical PTC versus non classical PTC subtypes. ACR TI-RADS categorization was significantly different among classical PTC versus non classical PTC subtypes.

Parathyroid Retrospective Analysis of Neoplasms Incidence (pTRANI Study): An Italian Multicenter Study on Parathyroid Carcinoma and Atypical Parathyroid Tumour.

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid cancer (PC) is a rare sporadic or hereditary malignancy whose histologic features were redefined with the 2022 WHO classification. A total of 24 Italian institutions designed this multicenter study to specify PC incidence, describe its clinical, functional, and imaging characteristics and improve its differentiation from the atypical parathyroid tumour (APT). METHODS: All relevant information was collected about PC and APT patients treated between 2009 and 2021. RESULTS: Among 8361 parathyroidectomies, 351 patients (mean age 59.0 ± 14.5; F = 210, 59.8%) were divided into the APT (n = 226, 2.8%) and PC group (n = 125, 1.5%). PC showed significantly higher rates (p < 0.05) of bone involvement, abdominal, and neurological symptoms than APT (48.8% vs. 35.0%, 17.6% vs. 7.1%, 13.6% vs. 5.3%, respectively). Ultrasound (US) diameter >3 cm (30.9% vs. 19.3%, p = 0.049) was significantly more common in the PC. A significantly higher frequency of local recurrences was observed in the PC (8.0% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.022). Mortality due to consequences of cancer or uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism was 3.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic hyperparathyroidism, high PTH and albumin-corrected serum calcium values, and a US diameter >3 cm may be considered features differentiating PC from APT. 2022 WHO criteria did not impact the diagnosis.

Role of Absorbable Polysaccharide Hemostatic Powder in the Prevention of Bleeding and Wound Events after Thyroid Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding is one of the most fearsome and life-threatening complications after thyroid surgery. Several medical devices and haemostatic agents have been proposed to improve haemostasis during total and hemi-thyroidectomy. Resorbable polysaccharide powder (HaemoCer™) is a plant-based polymer that is helpful in terms of the coagulation cascade becoming a gel and forming a barrier to prevent further bleeding, having tested for haemostasis in different districts. The aim of the current study was the evaluation of drain output, the presence of significant postoperative blood loss and complications in patients treated with or without resorbable polysaccharide powder during thyroid surgery. METHODS: From January to December 2022, postoperative bleeding, drainage output and the postoperative wound events of patients undergoing thyroid surgery, in a tertiary centre, with haemostasis completion with resorbable polysaccharide powder (Group A) or not (Group B), were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients in Group A received a haemostasis improvement with the use of reabsorbable polysaccharide powder, and 96 patients in Group B received thyroid surgery alone. Patients in Group A presented lower drainage output (0.005), lower incidence of neck haematoma (0.005) and seroma (0.021), confirmed also by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The resorbable polysaccharide powder, in the current series, appeared to be an effective agent in achieving haemostasis in thyroidectomies, reducing the postoperative drainage output, and also neck events such as neck haematoma and seroma, improving the postoperative comfort of the patients. Further larger comparative studies are needed to address this issue.

The Safety Profiles of Two First-Generation NTRK Inhibitors: Analysis of Individual Case Safety Reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Database.

The first-generation tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors, larotrectinib and entrectinib, represent exciting new developments in cancer treatment that offer relevant, rapid, and long-lasting clinical benefits. Larotrectinib and entrectinib are recommended as first-line treatments for locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with positive TRK gene fusions. In this study, using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database between 2019 and 2022, a retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate the safety profiles of these drugs. During our study period, 807 individual case safety reports (ICSRs) related to larotrectinib or entrectinib were retrieved from the FAERS database, of which 48.7% referred to females and 24.7% referred to adult patients (18-64 years) with a median age of 61.0 years. A total of 1728 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were identified. The most frequently reported ADRs were dizziness and pain, which belong to the System Organ Classes (SOCs) "nervous system disorders" and "general disorders and administration site conditions". Regarding all ADRs, the median time to onset was 37.0 days for larotrectinib and 12.0 days for entrectinib. No evident safety concerns emerged in the long-term safety profiles (>365 days). Only 18 ICSRs were related to pediatric populations (≤16 years), of which 94.0% of the ICSRs were related to larotrectinib. The median age was 10.5 years, while most patients were female (44.4%). Our results show favorable risk-benefit profiles for larotrectinib and entrectinib. Considering the increased use of neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) inhibitors, continuous safety monitoring of larotrectinib and entrectinib is required for the detection of possible new adverse drug reactions.

Management of complicated diaphragmatic hernia in the acute setting: a WSES position paper.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic hernia (DH) presenting acutely can be a potentially life-threatening condition. Its management continues to be debatable. METHODS: A bibliographic search using major databases was performed using the terms "emergency surgery" "diaphragmatic hernia," "traumatic diaphragmatic rupture" and "congenital diaphragmatic hernia." GRADE methodology was used to evaluate the evidence and give recommendations. RESULTS: CT scan of the chest and abdomen is the diagnostic gold standard to evaluate complicated DH. Appropriate preoperative assessment and prompt surgical intervention are important for a clinical success. Complicated DH repair is best performed via the use of biological and bioabsorbable meshes which have proven to reduce recurrence. The laparoscopic approach is the preferred technique in hemodynamically stable patients without significant comorbidities because it facilitates early diagnosis of small diaphragmatic injuries from traumatic wounds in the thoraco-abdominal area and reduces postoperative complications. Open surgery should be reserved for situations when skills and equipment for laparoscopy are not available, where exploratory laparotomy is needed, or if the patient is hemodynamically unstable. Damage Control Surgery is an option in the management of critical and unstable patients. CONCLUSIONS: Complicated diaphragmatic hernia is a rare life-threatening condition. CT scan of the chest and abdomen is the gold standard for diagnosing the diaphragmatic hernia. Laparoscopic repair is the best treatment option for stable patients with complicated diaphragmatic hernias. Open repair is considered necessary in majority of unstable patients in whom Damage Control Surgery can be life-saving.

COVID-19 Vaccines and Atrial Fibrillation: Analysis of the Post-Marketing Pharmacovigilance European Database.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been described in COVID-19 patients. Recently, some case reports and US pharmacovigilance analyses described AF onset as a rare adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination. The possible correlation is unclear. We systematically analyzed the reports of AF related to COVID-19 vaccines collected in the European pharmacovigilance database, EudraVigilance (EV), from 2020 to November 2022. We carried out descriptive and disproportionality analyses. Moreover, we performed a sensitivity analysis, excluding the reports describing other possible alternative AF causes (pericarditis, myocarditis, COVID-19, or other drugs that may cause/exacerbate AF). Overall, we retrieved 6226 reports, which represented only 0.3% of all those related to COVID-19 vaccines collected in EV during our study period. AF reports mainly referred to adults (in particular, >65 years old), with an equal distribution in sex. Reports were mainly related to tozinameran (54.04%), elasomeran (28.3%), and ChAdOx1-S (14.32%). The reported AF required patient hospitalization in 35% of cases and resulted in a life-threatening condition in 10% of cases. The AF duration (when reported) was highly variable, but the majority of the events had a short duration (moda = 24 h). Although an increased frequency of AF reporting with mRNA vaccines emerges from our study, other investigations are required to investigate the possible correlation between COVID-19 vaccination and the rare AF occurrence.

"Time" for obesity-related cancer: The role of the circadian rhythm in cancer pathogenesis and treatment.

The circadian rhythm is regulated by an intrinsic time-tracking system, composed both of a central and a peripheral clock, which influences the cycles of activities and sleep of an individual over 24 h. At the molecular level, the circadian rhythm begins when two basic helix-loop-helix/Per-ARNT-SIM (bHLH-PAS) proteins, BMAL-1 and CLOCK, interact with each other to produce BMAL-1/CLOCK heterodimers in the cytoplasm. The BMAL-1/CLOCK target genes encode for the repressor components of the clock, cryptochrome (Cry1 and Cry2) and the Period proteins (Per1, Per2 and Per3). It has been recently demonstrated that the disruption of circadian rhythm is associated with an increased risk of developing obesity and obesity-related diseases. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the disruption of the circadian rhythm plays a key role in tumorigenesis. Further, an association between the circadian rhythm disruptions and an increased incidence and progression of several types of cancer (e.g., breast, prostate, colorectal and thyroid cancer) has been found. As the perturbation of circadian rhythm has adverse metabolic consequences (e.g., obesity) and at the same time tumor promoter functions, this manuscript has the aim to report how the aberrant circadian rhythms affect the development and prognosis of different types of obesity-related cancers (breast, prostate, colon rectal and thyroid cancer) focusing on both human studies and on molecular aspects.

Peripheral Neuropathy in Diabetes Mellitus: Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Diagnostic Options.

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is one of the main microvascular complications of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Sometimes, this could already be present at the time of diagnosis for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), while it appears in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) almost 10 years after the onset of the disease. The impairment can involve both somatic fibers of the peripheral nervous system, with sensory-motor manifestations, as well as the autonomic system, with neurovegetative multiorgan manifestations through an impairment of sympathetic/parasympathetic conduction. It seems that, both indirectly and directly, the hyperglycemic state and oxygen delivery reduction through the vasa nervorum can determine inflammatory damage, which in turn is responsible for the alteration of the activity of the nerves. The symptoms and signs are therefore various, although symmetrical painful somatic neuropathy at the level of the lower limbs seems the most frequent manifestation. The pathophysiological aspects underlying the onset and progression of DN are not entirely clear. The purpose of this review is to shed light on the most recent discoveries in the pathophysiological and diagnostic fields concerning this complex and frequent complication of diabetes mellitus.

The number of risk factors not at target is associated with cardiovascular risk in a type 2 diabetic population with albuminuria in primary cardiovascular prevention. Post-hoc analysis of the NID-2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Nephropathy in Diabetes type 2 (NID-2) study is an open-label cluster randomized clinical trial that demonstrated that multifactorial intensive treatment reduces Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACEs) and overall mortality versus standard of care in type 2 diabetic subjects with albuminuria and no history of cardiovascular disease. Aim of the present post-hoc analysis of NID- 2 study is to evaluate whether the number of risk factors on target associates with patient outcomes. METHODS: Intervention phase lasted four years and subsequent follow up for survival lasted 10 years. To the aim of this post-hoc analysis, the whole population has been divided into 3 risk groups: 0-1 risk factor (absent/low); 2-3 risk factors (intermediate); 4 risk factors (high). Primary endpoint was a composite of fatal and non-fatal MACEs, the secondary endpoint was all-cause death at the end of the follow-up phase. RESULTS: Absent/low risk group included 166 patients (52.4%), intermediate risk group 128 (40.4%) and high-risk group 23 (7.3%). Cox model showed a significant higher risk of MACE and death in the high-risk group after adjustment for confounding variables, including treatment arm (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.04-3.52, P = 0.038 and 1.96, 95%CI 1.02-3.8, P = 0,045, respectively, vs absent/low risk group). CONCLUSIONS: This post-hoc analysis of the NID-2 trial indicates that the increase in the number of risk factors at target correlates with better cardiovascular-free survival in patients with type 2 diabetes at high CV risk. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00535925. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00535925.

Repeat thyroid FNAC: Inter-observer agreement among high- and low-volume centers in Naples metropolitan area and correlation with the EU-TIRADS.

Our institution (University Hospital "L. Vanvitelli" - Naples, Italy) is a high-volume (HV) center in Naples metropolitan area and many patients are referred there to repeat thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) after initial FNAC performed in low-volume institutions (LV). The aims of the study were to 1) examine the inter-observer agreement between HV and LV institutions according to the Italian thyroid cytology system, and 2) explore how the discordant FNAC reports were distributed in the European Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (EU-TIRADS) categories. All consecutive cases of repeat FNAC performed at University Hospital "L. Vanvitelli" from January 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Fleiss' kappa (κ) was used to assess the inter-observer agreement, and categorical variables were compared by chi-square testing. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 124 nodules from 124 adults (mean age 49 years; mean maximum diameter 19 mm) were evaluated. Initial FNAC reports at LV were: 4 (3.2%) TIR1c, 64 (51.6%) TIR2, 48 (38.7%) TIR3A, 8 (6.5%) TIR3B, 0 TIR4, 0 TIR5. The overall FNAC reports were significantly different between the LV and HV institutions. At repeated FNAC, cytological diagnosis was unchanged in 64 (51.6%) cases including TIR2 and TIR3A results. A downgraded FNAC diagnosis (i.e., TIR2 vs TIR3A, TIR2 vs TIR3B) was observed in 36 (29%) nodules. An upgraded FNAC diagnosis (i.e., TIR3B vs TIR2, TIR3B vs TIR3A, TIR4 vs TIR3A, TIR5 vs TIR2, TIR5 vs TIR3B) was recorded in 24 (19.4%) nodules. The weighted inter-observer agreement between LV and HV institutions was poor (κ=0.133). Changed FNAC results were significantly (p=0.0023) more frequent in nodules at intermediate/high-risk (i.e., EU-TIRADS 4/5) than in those at no/low risk (EU-TIRADS 2/3) [i.e., 32/48 (66.7%) and 28/76 (36.8%), respectively]. Downgraded FNAC results were significantly more frequent in EU-TIRADS 2/3 (p=0.001) while upgraded FNAC were present only in EU-TIRADS 4/5 (24/24, 100.0%). The inter-observer agreement among LV and HV thyroid services was poor. The EU-TIRADS 4 and 5 categories included all the malignant nodules with FNAC results reclassified as higher risk (i.e., TIR3B-TIR4-TIR5) by the high-volume cytology service.

Thyroid-Bed Schwannoma Mimicking a Thyroid Neoplasm: A Challenging Diagnosis: Report of a Case and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Schwannomas, also called neurinomas, are rare benign tumors of the neural cells that can develop from the sheaths of nervous structures of several districts, although the most frequent sites are the cranial nerves (25%-45%). Rarely, cases show neck schwannomas in the thyroid parenchyma, while the cases of thyroid-bed schwannomas mimicking a thyroid-gland lesions are anecdotal. METHODS: We report the case of a 70-year-old man with a preoperative-imaging diagnosis of a thyroid neoplasm, confirmed as Thyr 4 by fine-needle cytology. RESULTS: During surgery, an extra-thyroidal lesion was discovered, determined to be a neck schwannoma through definitive pathology. A literature review of cases of thyroid-bed-lesion schwannomas misinterpreted as thyroid neoplasms was carried out. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of suspicious extra-thyroidal lesions, we advocate for a close routine cooperation between the cytologist, the radiologist, and the surgeon in the attempt to reach an accurate preoperative diagnosis.

Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus: Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Options.

Diabetic patients are frequently affected by coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), a condition consisting of a combination of altered vasomotion and long-term structural change to coronary arterioles leading to impaired regulation of blood flow in response to changing cardiomyocyte oxygen requirements. The pathogenesis of this microvascular complication is complex and not completely known, involving several alterations among which hyperglycemia and insulin resistance play particularly central roles leading to oxidative stress, inflammatory activation and altered barrier function of endothelium. CMD significantly contributes to cardiac events such as angina or infarction without obstructive coronary artery disease, as well as heart failure, especially the phenotype associated with preserved ejection fraction, which greatly impact cardiovascular (CV) prognosis. To date, no treatments specifically target this vascular damage, but recent experimental studies and some clinical investigations have produced data in favor of potential beneficial effects on coronary micro vessels caused by two classes of glucose-lowering drugs: glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)-based therapy and inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2). The purpose of this review is to describe pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations of CMD with particular reference to diabetes, and to summarize the protective effects of antidiabetic drugs on the myocardial microvascular compartment.

Risk of Complications in Patients Undergoing Completion Thyroidectomy after Hemithyroidectomy for Thyroid Nodule with Indeterminate Cytology: An Italian Multicentre Retrospective Study.

There is still controversy as to whether patients undergoing a completion thyroidectomy after a hemithyroidectomy for a thyroid nodule with an indeterminate cytology have a comparable, increased or decreased risk of complications compared to those submitted to primary thyroid surgery. The main aim of this study was to investigate this topic. Patients undergoing a thyroidectomy for thyroid nodular disease with an indeterminate cytology in four high-volume thyroid surgery centres in Italy, between January 2017 and December 2020, were retrospectively analysed. Based on the surgical procedure performed, four groups were identified: the TT Group (total thyroidectomy), HT Group (hemithyroidectomy), CT Group (completion thyroidectomy) and HT + CT Group (hemithyroidectomy with subsequent completion thyroidectomy). A total of 751 patients were included. As for the initial surgery, 506 (67.38%) patients underwent a total thyroidectomy and 245 (32.62%) a hemithyroidectomy. Among all patients submitted to a hemithyroidectomy, 66 (26.94%) were subsequently submitted to a completion thyroidectomy. No statistically significant difference was found in terms of complications comparing both the TT Group with the HT + CT Group and the HT Group with the CT Group. The risk of complications in patients undergoing a completion thyroidectomy after a hemithyroidectomy for a thyroid nodule with an indeterminate cytology was comparable to that of patients submitted to primary thyroid surgery (both a total thyroidectomy and hemithyroidectomy).