Getting around the gut: a unique management challenge of thyroid storm precipitated by amphetamine-associated duodenal ischaemia leading to compromised enteric absorption.

Thyroid storm is a rare, life-threatening endocrine emergency with a high mortality rate of up to 30%. We present a unique management challenge of a critically ill patient who developed thyroid storm in the setting of a duodenal perforation from amphetamine-associated non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia. The diagnosis of 'thyroid storm' was made based on clinical criteria and a Burch-Wartofsky score of 100. During emergent exploratory laparotomy, a 1 cm duodenal perforation with surrounding friable tissue was found and repaired. Intraoperatively, a nasogastric tube was guided distal to the area of perforation to allow for enteric administration of medications, which was critical in the setting of thyroid storm. Therapeutic plasma exchange achieved biochemical control of our patient's thyroid storm but ultimately did not prevent in-hospital mortality.

Prevalence of Suspicious Ultrasound Features in Hot Thyroid Nodules.

Ultrasound for patients with hyperthyroidism and thyroid hot nodules is of limited value, given the high prevalence of suspicious findings, but may be useful for patients with high-risk factors.

Are there disparities in the presentation, treatment and outcomes of patients diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer?-An analysis of 634 patients from the California Cancer Registry.

BACKGROUND: Race, gender and socioeconomic disparities have been suggested to adversely influence stage at presentation, treatment options and outcomes in patients with cancer. Underserved minorities and those with a low socioeconomic status (SES) present with more advanced disease and have worse outcomes for differentiated thyroid cancer, but this relationship has never been evaluated for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). METHODS: We used the California Cancer Registry (CCR) to evaluate disparities in the presentation, treatment and outcomes of patients diagnosed with MTC. RESULTS: We identified 634 patients with MTC diagnosed between 1988 and 2011. Almost everyone (85%) underwent thyroidectomy with 50% having a central lymph node dissection (CLND). There were no statistically significant differences by age, race or SES in mean tumor size or the proportion of patients diagnosed with localized disease, but men were diagnosed with larger tumors than women and were less likely to be diagnosed at a localized stage. Younger patients and women were more likely to be treated with a thyroidectomy. There were no statistically significant differences in surgical treatment by race or SES. Patients in the highest SES category had a better overall survival, but not disease specific survival, than those in the lowest SES (HR =0.3, CI =0.1-0.7). Patients treated with thyroidectomy had a better overall and cause specific survival, but the effect of CLND was not statistically significant after adjustment for other factors. CONCLUSIONS: In MTC, we did not find that race, gender or SES influenced the presentation, treatment or outcomes of patients with MTC. Men with MTC present with larger tumors and are less likely to have localized disease. Half of the MTC patients in California do not undergo a CLND at the time of thyroidectomy, which may suggest a lack appropriate care across a range of healthcare systems.

Initial treatment patterns in younger adult patients with differentiated thyroid cancer in California.

BACKGROUND: Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is among the most common malignancies in the adolescent and young adult (age 15-39 years) population, and its incidence is rising. Younger age (<45 years) is an important prognostic indicator and is incorporated into the TNM classification system. This study hypothesized that this would result in distinct treatment patterns for younger and older patients. METHODS: Using the California Cancer Registry, 24,362 patients with DTC from 2004 to 2011 were identified, and they were divided into younger (<45 years) and older (≥45 years) cohorts. Demographic and clinical variables were tabulated and then compared using chi-square tests. Treatment variables included total or near total thyroidectomy, other types of thyroid surgery, and the administration of radioiodine as part of the initial treatment. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of treatment administered. RESULTS: Younger patients were more likely to be Hispanic (32.5% vs. 21.2%) and female (82.7% vs. 74.7%), and to have papillary carcinoma (92.9% vs. 90.9%) and lymph node involvement (32.8% vs. 19.7%; p<0.0001). On multivariable analysis, younger patients (OR 1.20 [CI 1.11-1.30]), higher T-stage tumors, higher socioeconomic status (SES), and papillary carcinoma were predictors of undergoing total thyroidectomy versus less than total thyroid surgery. After adjustment, predictors of radioiodine administration included younger age (OR 1.12 [CI 1.05-1.18]), higher SES, total thyroidectomy, higher T stage, and lymph node positivity. CONCLUSIONS: Younger patients with DTC in California are more likely to be female and Hispanic with papillary histology. After adjustment for disease and demographic characteristics, younger patients are more likely to undergo total thyroidectomy as their initial surgery and are more likely to receive radioiodine. Given their excellent prognosis and the potential for adverse sequelae from initial treatment for DTC, these findings warrant consideration when managing younger patients with DTC.