Association of Medicaid expansion with access to thyroidectomy for benign disease at high-volume centers.

BACKGROUND: Insurance-based disparities in access to thyroidectomy are well established. Patients undergoing thyroidectomy by high-volume surgeons have fewer complications and better postoperative outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of Medicaid expansion with access to high-volume centers for thyroidectomy for benign disease. METHODS: The Vizient Clinical Data Base was queried for adult operations for benign thyroid disease from 2010 to 2019. Centers were sorted by volume into quartiles. Difference-in-difference analysis evaluated changes in insurance populations in expansion and non-expansion states after Medicaid expansion. Odds of patients undergoing operations in the 4 volume quartiles after stratifying by insurance and Medicaid expansion status were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 82,602 patients underwent operations at 364 centers. Expansion states increased Medicaid coverage in all volume quartiles compared to non-expansion states after Medicaid expansion (Q1, +4.87%, Q2, +5.35%, Q3, +8.57%, Q4, +4.62%, P < .002 for all). After Medicaid expansion, Medicaid patients had higher odds of undergoing operation at lower volume hospitals compared to the highest volume centers in both expansion states (Q1, ref, Q2, 1.82, Q3, 1.76, Q4, 1.67, P < .001) and non-expansion states (Q1, ref, Q2, 1.54, Q3, 2.04, Q4, 1.44, P < .001). Privately insured patients were most likely to undergo their operation at the highest volume centers in all states (E: Q1, ref, Q2, 0.78, Q3, 0.74, Q4, 0.66, P < .001; NE: Q1, ref, Q2, 0.89, Q3, 0.58, Q4, 0.85, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Medicaid expansion increased Medicaid coverage in expansion states, but Medicaid patients in both expansion and non-expansion states were less likely to be operated on at the highest volume centers compared to privately insured patients. Persistent barriers to accessing high-volume care still exists for Medicaid patients.

Which Ultrasound Characteristics Predict Lymphatic Spread of Papillary Thyroid Cancer?

INTRODUCTION: The 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines recommend lymph node mapping US in patients with definitive cytological evidence of thyroid cancer. Suspicious lymph node features on imaging including enlarged size (>1 cm in any dimension), architectural distortion, loss of fatty hilum, and microcalcifications often prompt evaluation with fine needle aspiration. There is no universally agreed upon model for determining which ultrasound characteristics most strongly correlate with metastatic disease. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with confirmed papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) undergoing lymph node mapping ultrasound from 2013 to 2019 was performed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value were calculated for each individual ultrasound characteristic as well as for characteristic combinations. RESULTS: Data from 119 lymph nodes were included. Malignant lymph nodes were more likely to be enlarged (71% versus 61%, P < 0.001) and to have each individual suspicious feature. Loss of fatty hilum had the highest sensitivity (89%) but was not specific (19%) for metastatic disease. Architectural distortion was found to have the highest specificity (87%). A combination of the four features was found to have higher specificity (97%) and PPV (88%) than any individual feature or combination of two/three features. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of four sonographic features correlates with metastatic PTC to lymph nodes and has the highest specificity and PPV for malignancy. A risk stratification model based on these features may lead to better classification of ultrasound findings in PTC patients with concern for nodal metastases.

Which Localizing Strategy is the Most Cost-Effective in Reoperative Primary Hyperparathyroidism?

INTRODUCTION: 2%-10% of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) who undergo parathyroidectomy develop persistent/recurrent disease. The aim of this study was to determine which preoperative localization method is most cost-effective in reoperative PHPT. METHODS: Clinical decision analytic models comparing cost-effectiveness of localizing studies in reoperative PHPT were constructed using TreeAge Pro. Cost and probability assumptions were varied via Probabilistic Sensitivity Analysis (PSA) to test the robustness of the base case models. RESULTS: Base case analysis of model 1 revealed ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration with PTH assay as most cost-effective after localizing US. This was confirmed on PSA of model 1. Model 2 showed four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) as most cost-effective after negative US. If not localized by US, on PSA, 4D-CT was the next most cost-effective test. CONCLUSIONS: US-guided FNA with PTH is the most cost-effective confirmatory test after US localization. 4D-CT should be considered as the next best test after negative US.

Resistant gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: a definition and guideline to medical and surgical management.

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), also historically known as carcinoids, are tumors derived of hormone-secreting enteroendocrine cells. Carcinoids may be found in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, appendix, colon, rectum, or pancreas. The biologic behavior of carcinoids differs based on their location, with gastric and appendiceal NETs among the least aggressive and small intestinal and pancreatic NETs among the most aggressive. Ultimately, however, biologic behavior is most heavily influenced by tumor grade. The incidence of NETs has increased by 6.4 times over the past 40 years. Surgery remains the mainstay for management of most carcinoids. Medical management, however, is a useful adjunct and/or definitive therapy in patients with symptomatic functional carcinoids, in patients with unresectable or incompletely resected carcinoids, in some cases of recurrent carcinoid, and in postoperative patients to prevent recurrence. Functional tumors with persistent symptoms or progressive metastatic carcinoids despite therapy are called "resistant" tumors. In patients with unresectable disease and/or carcinoid syndrome, an array of medical therapies is available, mainly including somatostatin analogues, molecular-targeted therapy, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Active research is ongoing to identify additional targeted therapies for patients with resistant carcinoids.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on endocrine operations in the United States.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the United States (US) healthcare system. Endocrine operations are predominantly elective and were likely affected. Therefore, our aim was to determine the effect of the pandemic on endocrine operations. STUDY DESIGN: The Vizient Clinical Data Base® was examined for cases from 1/2019-12/2022 using ICD10 and CPT codes for thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal operations. Control chart analysis identified trends in operative volume. Negative binomial regression was utilized to analyze demographic trends. RESULTS: Monthly volumes for all operations from 515 hospitals decreased at the beginning of 2020, except for operations for adrenal malignancy. Inpatient operations (Thyroid -17.1%, Parathyroid -20.9%, p â€‹< â€‹0.001 for both) experienced more significant and longer lasting disruptions than outpatient operations (Thyroid -2.6%, p â€‹= â€‹0.883, Parathyroid -9.1%, p â€‹= â€‹0.098). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted endocrine operations across the US. While all adrenal operations and outpatient thyroid and parathyroid operations have returned to pre-pandemic levels, inpatient operations for thyroid and parathyroid remain decreased.

Clinical utility of a microRNA classifier in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules with RAS mutations: A multi-institutional study.

BACKGROUND: Molecular testing guides the management of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. We evaluated the real-world clinical benefit of a commercially available thyroid mutation panel plus microRNA risk classifier in classifying RAS-mutated nodules. METHODS: We performed a subgroup analysis of the results of molecular testing of Bethesda III/IV nodules using the ThyGenX/ThyGeNEXT-ThyraMIR platform at 3 tertiary-care centers between 2017 and 2021, defining a positive result as 10% or greater risk of malignancy. RESULTS: We identified 387 nodules from 375 patients (70.7% female, median age 59.3 years) who underwent testing. Positive nodules (32.3%) were associated with increased surgical intervention (74.4% vs 14.9%, P < .0001) and carcinoma on surgical pathology (46.4% vs 3.4%, P < .0001) compared to negative modules. RAS mutations were the most common mutations, identified in 71 of 380 (18.7%) nodules, and were classified as ThyraMIR- (28 of 71; 39.4%) or ThyraMIR+ (43 of 71; 60.6%). Among RAS-mutated nodules, there was no significant difference in operative rate (P = .2212) or carcinoma diagnosis (P = .6277) between the ThyraMIR+ and ThyraMIR- groups, and the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of ThyraMIR were 64.7%, 34.8%, 40.0%, and 59.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although testing positive is associated with malignancy in surgical pathology, the ThyraMIR classifier failed to differentiate between benign and malignant RAS-mutated nodules. Diagnostic lobectomy should be considered for RAS-mutated nodules, regardless of microRNA expression status.

Malpractice litigation after thyroid surgery: What factors favor surgeons?

BACKGROUND: Litigation impacts physicians financially, reputationally, and professionally. Although thyroid surgery has favorable patient outcomes, litigation persists. We aimed to characterize malpractice claims after thyroidectomy and investigate which factors favor physicians. METHODS: We queried the Westlaw legal database using the terms "thyroidectomy" and "medical malpractice" to identify malpractice cases brought against surgeons from 1949 to 2022. We collected and analyzed demographic; clinical; surgical; and legal data, including year, cause for initiating litigation, verdict, state where the lawsuit was brought, and the state's tort reform status. RESULTS: Of the 68 cases included, medical negligence was the most common cause of action, followed by failure to provide adequate informed consent. The most common inciting surgical event was recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (n = 34, 50%). Surgeons prevailed more often overall (n = 53, 77.9%) and in 11 (91.7%) of the 12 cases treated at academic institutions. The 3 endocrine surgery fellowship-trained surgeons all prevailed in their cases. Of the 15 cases in which patients prevailed, 12 (80%) of which were decided by a jury, the median damages awarded were $569,668 (interquartile range $341,146-$2,594,050). In the 53 cases won by surgeons, 26 were jury decisions (49.1%). Surgeons prevailed in 87.5% of cases brought in the 24 states with tort reform and in 72.7% in the 44 states without tort reform. CONCLUSION: Non-jury cases and operations done at academic institutions appear to favor decisions for the defendant. Although not statistically significant, all endocrine surgery fellowship-trained defendants won. Where tort reforms are in place, surgeons tend to prevail.

Radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS): does adrenalectomy alter outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) has oncologic superiority compared to a standard distal pancreatectomy (DP). For tumors invading into the adrenal gland, a posterior RAMPS takes the left adrenal gland en bloc with the pancreas specimen. The aim of this analysis is to determine whether addition of adrenalectomy alters the outcomes of DP. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Procedure-Targeted Pancreatectomy database was accessed from 2014 to 2019. Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) undergoing posterior RAMPS were compared to patients having a standard DP. 30-day outcomes were analyzed using multivariable regression. RESULTS: 3467 PDAC patients underwent DP; 159 (4.6%) also had an adrenalectomy. Posterior RAMPS patients had higher T stage (T3-4 77% vs. 58%, p < 0.01). On multivariable analysis, posterior RAMPS patients had worse perioperative outcomes including more transfusions (OR 2.78, p < 0.01), serious morbidity (OR 1.45, p = 0.04), prolonged hospital stay (OR 1.36, p < 0.05), and less optimal pancreatic surgery (OR 0.61, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy with adrenalectomy (posterior RAMPS) is associated with worse perioperative outcomes compared to a standard distal pancreatectomy. Improved oncologic outcomes must be weighed against higher perioperative morbidity when selecting patients for this more extensive surgical resection.

Limited disease progression in endocrine surgery patients with treatment delays due to COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted the delivery of care and timing of elective surgical procedures. Most endocrine-related operations were considered elective and safe to postpone, providing a unique opportunity to assess clinical outcomes under protracted treatment plans. METHODS: American Association of Endocrine Surgeon members were surveyed for participation. A Research Electronic Data Capture survey was developed and distributed to 27 institutions to assess the impact of COVID-19-related delays. The information collected included patient demographics, primary diagnosis, resumption of care, and assessment of disease progression by the surgeon. RESULTS: Twelve out of 27 institutions completed the survey (44.4%). Of 850 patients, 74.8% (636) were female; median age was 56 (interquartile range, 44-66) years. Forty percent (34) of patients had not been seen since their original surgical appointment was delayed; 86.2% (733) of patients had a delay in care with women more likely to have a delay (87.6% vs 82.2% of men, χ2 = 3.84, P = .05). Median duration of delay was 70 (interquartile range, 42-118) days. Among patients with a delay in care, primary disease site included thyroid (54.2%), parathyroid (37.2%), adrenal (6.5%), and pancreatic/gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (1.3%). In addition, 4.0% (26) of patients experienced disease progression and 4.1% (24) had a change from the initial operative plan. The duration of delay was not associated with disease progression (P = .96) or a change in operative plan (P = .66). CONCLUSION: Although some patients experienced disease progression during COVID-19 delays to endocrine disease-related care, most patients with follow-up did not. Our analysis indicated that temporary delay may be an acceptable course of action in extreme circumstances for most endocrine-related surgical disease.

Association of Medicaid expansion of the Affordable Care Act with operations for benign endocrine surgical disease.

•Background: The Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion increased insurance coverage and access to care for endocrine cancers, though impact on benign endocrine disease is unknown. •Methods: Patients undergoing operations for benign thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal disease were collected from the Vizient® Clinical Data Base from 2009 to 2016 and grouped by state Medicaid expansion status in January 2014. Insurance coverage was analyzed by difference-in-differences analysis, and logistic regression evaluated odds of operation by insurance status. •Results: 134,242 patients were included. Medicaid coverage in expansion states increased for all operations (Adj-DD 5.78%, p < 0.001) with decreases in uninsured and private insurance. Medicaid patients had increased odds of undergoing thyroid operations (OR 1.56, p < 0.001) and decreased odds of parathyroid (OR 0.68, p < 0.001) or adrenal operations (OR 0.70, p < 0.001) versus private insurance. •Conclusion: Medicaid expansion increased insurance coverage for benign endocrine disease, however, barriers remain for Medicaid patients with parathyroid and adrenal disease.

Association of Implementation of Operating Room-Based Parathyroid Hormone Testing with Operative Time and Cost.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) testing facilitates focused parathyroidectomy to establish biochemical cure but may be time-consuming. A dedicated immunoassay machine was relocated to the operating room for IOPTH. These data seek to determine association of operating room-based IOPTH with operative time, laboratory turnaround time (TAT), and cost. METHODS: Patients who underwent parathyroidectomy from June 2017 to February 2020 were reviewed. Clinical and demographic data, operative time, and TAT were collected. Patients were compared by operation dates pre- or post-machine acquisition. A cost model was created to evaluate cost of care before and after operating room-based testing. RESULTS: A total of 285 patients were included. Post-machine, median operative time decreased from 69 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 60 to 84) to 57 minutes (IQR 50 to 84.5), p 0.03. Additionally, median TAT for IOPTH values (preoperative, 0, 5, 10, and 15 minutes) decreased post-machine: time preoperative, 29 minutes (IQR 23 to 40) vs 18 minutes (IQR 17 to 23.5), p < 0.001; time 0, 33 minutes (IQR 27 to 39) vs 18.5 minutes (17.5 to 21), p < 0.001; time 5 minutes, 31 minutes (IQR 26 to 36) vs 20 minutes (IQR 18.5 to 21), p < 0.001; time 10 minutes, 32 minutes (IQR 27 to 39) vs 20 minutes (IQR 18.5 to 22.5), p < 0.001; and time 15 minutes, 30 minutes (IQR 26 to 36) vs 19 minutes (IQR 17 to 21), p < 0.001. Total costs pre- and post-machine were $4,442 and $4,111, respectively. With $331 cost reduction per operation and 127 operations per year, the IOPTH machine pays for itself in 3 years, or 378 surgeries, and saves $168,589 in the machine's remaining 4-year life span. CONCLUSIONS: Operating room-based parathyroid hormone testing results in improved operating productivity by decreasing result TAT and operative time and reduces cost.

Surgical resection for adrenocortical carcinoma: Current trends affecting survival.

INTRODUCTION: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is associated with a poor prognosis. We reviewed the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to analyze the prognostic factors in surgically resected ACC patients and the association of surgical approaches with overall survival (OS). METHODS: A retrospective NCDB (2004-2014) review of patients undergoing curative-intent surgical resection for ACC was performed. Effects of patient demographics, tumor characteristics, histopathology, and perioperative course on OS were analyzed. Log-rank statistics were used to associate clinical variables with OS. The multivariable Cox proportional hazard model included only statistically significant variables. RESULTS: A total of 1599 patients with ACC were included. A majority of patients were female (60.73%) and presented with a Charlson-Deyo score of zero (75.42%). A majority of the ACC cases were Grade 3 (45.69%), and almost a third (30.64%) underwent margin-positive resections. Univariate analysis demonstrated a decrease in OS associated with increasing age and comorbidities. A negative resection margin and lack of lymphovascular invasion predicted better OS. Multivariable analysis showed that age, grade, surgical resection margins, and hospital length of stay were associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age, grade, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and positive surgical margins predicted a worse overall survival for adrenocortical cancer in our analysis. Resection with negative margins improves outcomes.

Association of the Affordable Care Act with access to highest-volume centers for patients with thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Disparities exist in access to high-volume surgeons, who have better outcomes after thyroidectomy. The association of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion with access to high-volume thyroid cancer surgery centers remains unclear. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried for all adult thyroid cancer patients diagnosed from 2010 to 2016. Hospital quartiles (Q1-4) defined by operative volume were generated. Clinicodemographics and adjusted odds ratios for treatment per quartile were analyzed by insurance status. An adjusted difference-in-differences analysis examined the association between implementation of the Affordable Care Act and changes in payer mix by hospital quartile. RESULTS: In total, 241,448 patients were included. Medicaid patients were most commonly treated at Q3-Q4 hospitals (Q3 odds ratios 1.05, P = .020, Q4 1.11, P < .001), whereas uninsured patients were most often treated at Q2-Q4 hospitals (Q2 odds ratios 2.82, Q3 2.34, Q4 2.07, P < .001). After expansion, Medicaid patients had lower odds of surgery at Q3-Q4 compared with Q1 hospitals (odds ratios Q3 0.82, P < .001 Q4 0.85, P = .002) in expansion states, but higher odds of treatment at Q3-Q4 hospitals in nonexpansion states (odds ratios Q3 2.23, Q4 1.86, P < .001). Affordable Care Act implementation was associated with increased proportions of Medicaid patients within each quartile in expansion compared with nonexpansion states (Q1 adjusted difference-in-differences 5.36%, Q2 5.29%, Q3 3.68%, Q4 3.26%, P < .001), and a decrease in uninsured patients treated at Q4 hospitals (adjusted difference-in-differences -1.06%, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Medicaid expansion was associated with an increased proportion of Medicaid patients undergoing thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer in all quartiles, with increased Medicaid access to high-volume centers in expansion compared with nonexpansion states.

Insurance type is associated with appropriate use of surgical and adjuvant care for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to characterize the association between differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patient insurance status and appropriateness of therapy (AOT) regarding extent of thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried for DTC patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2016. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for AOT, as defined by the American Thyroid Association guidelines, and hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS) were calculated. A difference-in-differences (DD) analysis examined the association of Medicaid expansion with outcomes for low-income patients aged <65. RESULTS: A total of 224,500 patients were included. Medicaid and uninsured patients were at increased risk of undergoing inappropriate therapy, including inappropriate lobectomy (Medicaid 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-1.54; uninsured 1.30, 95% CI: 1.05-1.60), and under-treatment with RAI (Medicaid 1.20, 95% CI: 1.14-1.26; uninsured 1.44, 95% CI: 1.33-1.55). Inappropriate lobectomy (HR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.7-2.3, P < .001) and under-treatment with RAI (HR 2.3, 95% CI: 2.2-2.5, P < .001) were independently associated with decreased survival, while appropriate surgical resection (HR 0.3, 95% CI: 0.3-0.3, P < .001) was associated with improved odds of survival; the model controlled for all relevant clinico-pathologic variables. No difference in AOT was observed in Medicaid expansion versus non-expansion states with respect to surgery or adjuvant RAI therapy. CONCLUSION: Medicaid and uninsured patients are at significantly increased odds of receiving inappropriate treatment for DTC; both groups are at a survival disadvantage compared with Medicare and those privately insured.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the practice of endocrine surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on endocrine surgeons. METHODS: A survey on the professional, educational, and clinical impact was sent to active and corresponding members of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES) in September 2020. Chi-square and paired t-test were used for analysis. RESULTS: 77 surgeons responded (14.8 %). All reported suspension of elective surgeries; 37.7 % were reassigned to other duties during this time. The median number of cases backlogged was 30 (IQR 15-50). Most surgeons reported decreased clinical volume (74.6 %). The use of virtual platforms for clinical and educational purposes increased from pre-COVID-19 levels (all p < 0.001). Use of in-office procedures (p < 0.001) and length of observation prior to discharge for thyroid surgery (p < 0.05) decreased. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic led to suspension of operations and decreased practice volume for endocrine surgeons. Surgeons increased use of virtual platforms, decreased in-office procedures, and decreased duration of observation for thyroid surgery in response.

Radiology report language positively influences adrenal incidentaloma guideline adherence.

BACKGROUND: Adrenal incidentalomas are common radiographic findings. Guidelines recommend biochemical and radiographic surveillance of adrenal incidentalomas. We investigated if patients were appropriately referred for outpatient evaluation. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients with adrenal masses on imaging between November 7, 2016 and November 7, 2017. Demographic information, medical history, and outpatient referral information was collected. RESULTS: 11,723 computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest and/or abdomen/pelvis were performed. 246 patients were noted to have adrenal incidentalomas and met inclusion criteria. The CT report recommended follow-up in 63/246 cases (25.6%). 38/246 (15.4%) patients were referred for evaluation. Age, adrenal nodule size, and type of evaluating provider did not affect referral. A radiology report recommending follow-up was associated with increased referral rate (OR 5.441, 95% CI: 2.491-11.887). CONCLUSION: There was low outpatient referral for adrenal incidentalomas. Language in the radiology report significantly influenced referral rates and may be an important resource for improving guideline adherence.

Outcomes of Adrenalectomy and the Aldosteronoma Resolution Score in the Black and Hispanic Population.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes after adrenalectomy in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) are variable. The aldosteronoma resolution score (ARS) uses preoperative variables to calculate a score that identifies those patients that are more likely to have resolution of hypertension after adrenalectomy. We aim to determine the efficacy of adrenalectomy and whether the ARS accurately predicts clinical success in a Black and Hispanic population. METHODS: We reviewed patients who underwent adrenalectomy for PA from 2004 to 2018 at two academic centers treating primarily Hispanic and Black patients. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated based on the primary aldosteronism surgical outcome consensus criterion. Retrospectively, the accuracy of ARS was determined by a receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Forty-three Hispanic and 10 Black patients underwent adrenalectomy for PA. Twenty-two patients (41.5%) had complete clinical success. Variables associated with complete clinical success in the univariate analysis were female gender (p = 0.026), younger age (p = 0.001), lower preoperative aldosterone (p = 0.035), lower preoperative systolic blood pressure (p = 0.001), fewer number of preoperative antihypertensive medications (p = 0.007) and a higher ARS (p = 0.003). On multivariate analysis, only fewer number of preoperative antihypertensive medications was independently associated with complete clinical success (p = 0.026). The AUC of the ARS was 0.746. CONCLUSION: The rate of clinical success from adrenalectomy is good for Hispanic and Black patients with PA. Our analysis shows that the ARS is an accurate test of clinical success in Hispanic and Black patients. The ARS may be utilized preoperatively to frame expectations after adrenalectomy in these populations.

From Diagnosis to Therapy-PET Imaging for Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGLs) are neuroendocrine tumors with diverse clinical presentations. PPGLs can be sporadic but often are associated with various syndromes, which can have variable clinical presentations. A thorough workup is therefore critical for staging, treatment, and follow-up. Imaging is an essential part of the workup and diagnosis of PPGLs. RECENT FINDINGS: Improvements in cross-sectional imaging with radionuclides have increased specificity and sensitivity for identifying and treating PPGLs. Furthermore, a variety of targets on PPGLs has allowed for optimal imaging with radionuclides that can be used for staging and treatment. Currently, radionuclides are being evaluated for staging and treatment of PPGLs. Developing novel radionuclides that can identify disease sites and target them simultaneously provides a potential for improving survival and outcomes in patients with PPGLs. Given the clinical diversity among PPGLs, expanding the therapeutic arsenal against locally advanced or metastatic PPGLs can allow clinicians to evaluate and treat PPGLs thoroughly.