Differentiated thyroid carcinoma in a girl with resistance to thyroid hormone management with triiodothyroacetic acid.

Thyroid hormone resistance syndrome is characterized by a reduced target tissue response to the action of thyroid hormone, which leads to high levels of free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine with non-suppressed levels of thyrotropin (TSH). Recently, three cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma associated with thyroid hormone resistance syndrome were published. The main challenge in this situation is the difficulty of maintaining the suppression of TSH levels without producing symptoms of hyperthyroidism. We present another case of an association of thyroid hormone resistance syndrome and papillary thyroid carcinoma, and we share our experience with 3,5,3'-triiodothyroacetic acid, which made possible an easier management of the carcinoma after surgery, maintaining the TSH levels suppressed despite the resistance to thyroid hormones.

[Prevalence of malnutrition in a mid-long term stay unit]. / Prevalencia de desnutrición en una unidad de media y larga estancia hospitalaria.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition is a common health problem, especially in hospitalized patients, where it's associated with longer hospital stays and higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, current scientific advances and life expectancy increase, have produced a progressive increase of mid- to long-term stay units (UMLE). AIMS: To determinate the prevalence of malnutrition on admission to a mid- to long-term stay unit, using MNA and VGS and to analyze the possible factors/clinical features associated with malnutrition and its consequences. METHODS: Descriptive and transversal study conducted with 201 patients admitted consecutively for 12 months in an Universitary Hospital mid- to long-term stay unit (Valencia). Clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and nutritional history data were registered, as well as Charlson comorbidity scale, Pfeiffer cognitive scale, Barthel functional scale and presence of edema, ascitis and pressure ulcers. Nutritional status was evaluated in the first 24-72 hours of admission using MNA and VGS. Dysphagia was evaluated using EAT-10 and MECV-V questionnaires. RESULTS: The overall rate of malnutrition was 76,6%, being severe protein energy malnutrition the most common type (20,4%). Malnourished patients were older (p=0,002), presented greater dependence (p.

Introducción: La desnutrición es un problema de salud frecuente, especialmente en el ámbito hospitalario donde se asocia con estancias más prolongadas y mayor tasa de morbi-mortalidad. Por otro lado, los avances científicos actuales y la mayor expectativa de vida, han producido un aumento progresivo de unidades de media y larga estancia (UMLE). Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de desnutrición en una UMLE mediante el uso del MNA y la VGS, así como analizar los factores/características clínicas asociadas a la misma y sus repercusiones. Métodos: Estudio transversal, descriptivo de una cohorte formada por 201 pacientes ingresados en la UMLE de un Hospital universitario de forma consecutiva durante 12 meses. Se recogieron variables clínicas, antropométricas, bioquímicas e historia nutricional, así como escala de comorbilidad de Charlson, escala cognitiva de Pfeiffer, escala funcional de Barthel y presencia de edemas, ascitis y úlceras por presión. El estado nutricional fue evaluado en las primeras 24-72 horas de ingreso mediante el MNA y la VGS. La presencia de disfagia se evaluó mediante el cuestionario EAT-10 y el MECV-V. Resultados: La prevalencia global de desnutrición fue del 76,6%, siendo la desnutrición mixta grave la más prevalente (20.4%). Los pacientes desnutridos tenían más edad (p=0,002), mayor grado de dependencia (p.

Metabolic acidosis as a complication of intravenous dextrose administration in a patient with insulinoma.

There are few cases published in literature in which the use of intravenous dextrose as treatment for an insulinoma resulted in a metabolic acidosis. This is due perhaps to the usual method of administration, which is usually at low concentrations, for limited periods or low volumes. We present the case of a woman with suspected insulinoma by laboratory findings in which an endogenous hyperinsulinism was observed. During hospitalization, the patient required a progressive increase of the glucose infusion to prevent severe hypoglycemia. Two days before surgery, the patient presented symptoms of malaise and muscle weakness and a metabolic acidosis with hypokalemia became apparent in the blood analysis. This metabolic imbalance was attributed to a long period of treatment with high volume of intravenous dextrose infusion. If large doses of dextrose are required in a patient with an insulinoma, then the possibility of a metabolic imbalance must be considered during the follow-up. When the suspicion of an insulinoma is high, and all the attempts of pre-operative localization fail, patients should be derived early to specialized centers with modern imaging techniques, so that surgery is not delayed, and this rare and threatening complication could be avoided.