Risk factors associated with thyroid nodular disease in acromegalic patients: A case-cohort study in a tertiary center.

INTRODUCTION: Goiter is very common in patients with acromegaly; its development is correlated to the duration of the disease. Thyroid cells express the IGF-1 receptor and the TSH/IGF-1 interaction has been demonstrated to have a synergistic effect in thyroid cell growth. There is a correlation between IGF-1 levels and the thyroid volume of patients with acromegaly. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a retrospective case-cohort study of patients with acromegaly, the associated risk factors for thyroid nodules disease in this population. METHODS: This was a case-cohort study matched by age, gender, and growth hormone at diagnosis. Cases consisted of acromegalic patients that developed thyroid nodules during the follow up, and controls consisted in acromegalic patients without thyroid nodules. A Cox proportional hazard estimation was carried out for measure the associated risk factors for thyroid nodules disease in acromegalic patients. A nodular thyroid disease-free survival analysis was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: We recruited 49 cases and 56 controls. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis age and IGF-1 ≥ 2.2 x ULN were significantly related with the presence of thyroid nodules [HR of 2.21 (95% CI; 1.15-4.25, p = 0.01)]. Nodularity-free survival rates in patients who had an IGF-1 X ULN ≥ 2.2 was found to be lower in comparison to those who had IGF-1 X ULN < 2.2, according to a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support that exist more probability to develop thyroid nodular disease in patients with acromegaly that present IGF-1 X ULN ≥ 2.2, suggesting a possible direct effect between the time of exposure to the IGF-1 axis hyperactivity and the genesis of thyroid nodules.

Usefulness and safety from stereotactic biopsy in posterior fossa lesions in adult patients.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic biopsy has been reported as a useful and safety procedure in pediatric patients. In adult patients exist more controversy because a greater number of diagnostic options. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate its usefulness and safety in adult patients with posterior fossa pathology. METHOD: From 2006-2014, 23 patients were operated from posterior fossa. Variables: age, gender, state, pre- and postoperative diagnosis, stereotactic device, location and complications. RESULTS: 52.2% females and 47.8% males. The location was ponto-mesencephalic 43.5%, cerebellum 39.1%, bulbar 13% and pineal region 4.3%. The preoperative diagnosis was brainstem glioma 78.2%, lymphoma 8.7%, and meningioma, metastasis and abscess 4.3% each one. In 73.9% Zamorano-Dujovni device was used and in 26.1% the CRW. The definitive diagnosis was pilocytic astrocytoma 17.4%, diffuse astrocytoma 13%, inflammatory response 13%, anaplastic astrocytoma 8.7%, gliosis 8.7%, glioblastoma, neuroectodermic primitive tumor, germinoma, pineocytoma and cryptococcosis 4.3% each one. In 17.4% there was no diagnosis. The preoperative diagnosis was concordant in 43.5%. One transient deficit and one pin displacement 4.3% were present. 91.4% without complications. CONCLUSIONS: It is a useful, necessary and safety procedure in adult patients.

ANTECEDENTES: La biopsia por estereotaxia ha sido reportada como segura y útil en pediatría. En adultos es más controvertida debido a la mayor diversidad de opciones diagnósticas. OBJETIVO: Demostrar su utilidad y seguridad en pacientes adultos con patología de fosa posterior. MÉTODO: En 2006-2014 se operaron 23 pacientes de fosa posterior. Variables: edad, sexo, diagnóstico preoperatorio y posoperatorio, estereotáctico, localización y complicaciones. RESULTADOS: 52.2% mujeres y 47.8% hombres. La localización fue la región pontomesencefálica en el 43.5%, el cerebelo en el 39.1%, bulbar en el 13% y pineal en el 4.3%. El diagnóstico preoperatorio fue glioma de tallo en el 78.2%, linfoma en el 8.7% y meningioma, metástasis y absceso en el 4.3% cada uno. En el 73.9% se utilizó el sistema Zamorano-Dujovni y en el 26.1% el CRW. El diagnóstico definitivo fue astrocitoma pilocítico en el 17.4%, astrocitoma difuso en el 13%, respuesta inflamatoria en el 13%, astrocitoma anaplásico en el 8.7%, gliosis en el 8.7%, y glioblastoma, tumor neuroectodérmico primitivo, germinoma, pineoctioma y criptococosis en el 4.3% cada uno. En el 17.4% no hubo diagnóstico. El diagnóstico preoperatorio fue concordante en el 43.5%. Hubo un déficit transitorio y un desplazamiento de uno de los pinchos en el 4.3% de los casos. En el 91.4% no hubo complicaciones. CONCLUSIONES: Es un procedimiento útil, necesario y seguro en pacientes adultos.