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Purpose: To determine the value of lung ultrasound (LUS) compared to high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the early diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and Methods: An observational prospective study was performed. Were included patients with respiratory symptoms or/and, patients with crackles in auscultation during medical consultation. All patients underwent to chest X-rays, LUS, HRCT,and respiratory function tests. Results: A total of 192 patients with RA were included. Mean disease duration was 16.8 ± 11.1 years. 72% were positive for rheumatoid factor or anti-citrullinated antibodies. Of the total number of subjects, 54.7% had respiratory symptoms. The other patients did not have respiratory symptoms, but they did have had crackles on pulmonary auscultation. B lines > 11.5 on the ROC curve predicted ILD (AUC 0.63; CI 95%: 0.55-0.71; p < 0.003). A DLCO value of <7.13 significantly predicted the presence of ILD (AUC 0.61; 95% CI: 0.52-0.70; p < 0.028). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that LUS is a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of ILD in patients with RA, and together with DLCO, can adequately predict the presence of ILD in this population. LUS also helps to determine which patients with respiratory symptoms and signs suggestive for ILD are undergo to HRCT.
RESUMO
Resumen ANTECEDENTES: El carcinoma medular de tiroides es un tumor maligno poco frecuente que se origina en las células parafoliculares tiroideas productoras de calcitonina. Si bien puede aparecer espontáneamente, la asociación familiar pocas veces es excepcional. Aunque la supervivencia en estadios iniciales es considerable, es frecuente la posibilidad de metástasis al momento del diagnóstico. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 72 años, con un abultamiento en la región anterior del cuello y una adenopatía cervical izquierda de 15 días de evolución. La TAC, la ecografía y la biopsia reportaron: carcinoma bilateral de ovario poco diferenciado. Se procedió a la cirugía radical (histerectomía, doble anexectomía, linfadenectomía pélvica y para aórtica, omentectomía y apendicectomía) con la que se consiguió una citorreducción completa. En el estudio definitivo se encontraron metástasis de carcinoma medular de tiroides en ambos ovarios, miometrio y peritoneo. Enseguida se inició la quimioterapia con vandetanib. Después de 25 ciclos de tratamiento, la paciente continuó con el ácido zoledrónico y asintomática. Un mes después de finalizarlo comenzó con crisis comiciales que se trataron con quetiapina, con respuesta satisfactoria. Posteriormente, la paciente tuvo una celulitis facial que se trató con antibiótico y corticosteroide; tres semanas después falleció debido a insuficiencia multiorgánica. CONCLUSIONES: El carcinoma medular de tiroides es una rara localización de metástasis que aún requiere investigación que permita establecer protocolos de diagnóstico, tratamiento y estimación de la supervivencia.
Abstract BACKGROUND: Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor originating in the calcitonin-producing parafollicular thyroid cells. Although it can occur spontaneously, familial association is rarely exceptional. Although survival in early stages is considerable, the possibility of metastasis at the time of diagnosis is frequent. CLINICAL CASE: 72-year-old patient with a lump in the anterior neck region and left cervical adenopathy of 15 days of evolution. CT, ultrasound, and biopsy reported: bilateral poorly differentiated ovarian carcinoma. Radical surgery (hysterectomy, double adnexectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, omentectomy and appendectomy) was performed and complete cytoreduction was achieved. In the definitive study, metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma were found in both ovaries, myometrium and peritoneum. Chemotherapy with vandetanib was then started. After 25 cycles of treatment, the patient continued with zoledronic acid and was asymptomatic. One month after the end of the treatment, she began to have comic crises that were treated with quetiapine, with satisfactory response. Subsequently, the patient had a facial cellulitis that was treated with antibiotics and corticosteroids; three weeks later she died due to multiorgan failure. CONCLUSIONS: Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a rare site of metastasis that still requires research to establish diagnostic and treatment protocols and to estimate survival.