Clinical predictors and significance of adherent periadrenal fat in laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

BACKGROUND: Adrenalectomy requires the anatomic preparation of the adrenal gland in the fat-rich retroperitoneal space. In the literature, it was shown that the retroperitoneal fat area affects surgical outcomes in laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA). Besides the quantity of retroperitoneal fat, its qualitative properties play hypothetically a significant role in the safety profile and perioperative parameters of LA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the factors associated with adherent periadrenal fat. METHODS: The prospectively obtained demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data of 44 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy in our clinic were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups as adherent periadrenal fat (APAF) and non-APAF group. Periadrenal fat tissue was defined as adherent or non-adherent by the attending surgeon according to the difficulty in dissection of the adrenal gland from the surrounding fat tissue during the operation. RESULTS: The rate of female gender and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) was higher in the APAF group (respectively, p = 0.038 and p = 0.001). A ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off point was - 97 HU for APAF. On multivariable analysis using a stepwise regression model, we identified the presence of DM (OR = 5.073; 95% Cl = 2.192-12.387; p = 0.006) and ARFD > -97 HU (OR = 3.727; 95% Cl = 1.898-11.454; p = 0.008) as an independent predictor of APAF. CONCLUSION: APAF seems to affect the perioperative outcomes of LA in terms of operation duration but not perioperative complications.

The value of serum thyroglobulin alteration after ultrasonography-guided fine-needle biopsy of suspicious cervical lymph nodes in the diagnosis of metastasis in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: It is known that serum thyroglobulin (TG) can increase after fine-needle biopsy of thyroid nodules. We aimed to determine whether TG is increased after ultrasonography (US)-guided fine needle capillary biopsy (FNC) of suspicious cervical lymph nodes (LNs) in thyroidectomised patients and investigate the possible association between change in TG and cytology results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of 188 patients who underwent FNC of suspicious cervical LNs were retrospectively evaluated. Demographical, laboratory and ultrasonography features of LNs were noted. TG levels before FNC (TGb-FNC ), after FNC (TGa-FNC ), TGa-FNC /TGb-FNC ratio and the number of patients with increased TG were determined. Patients were grouped as benign, nondiagnostic, suspicious for malignancy and malignant according to the cytological results. RESULTS: TGa-FNC , TGb-FNC /TGa-FNC and rate of patients with increased TG were significantly higher in malignant cytology group than other groups (P < .001). The optimal cut-off level of TG increase that was predictive for malignancy was 7.6% with a sensitivity of 73.7% and specificity of 85.2%. TG increase was not associated with age, sex, Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, anti-TG positivity and US features of LNs while significantly lower in patients who received radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment. Among 31 patients with positive anti-TG, TGb-FNC /TGa-FNC , and rate of patients with increased TG were higher in malignant compared to benign and nondiagnostic cytology groups. CONCLUSIONS: Serum TG increment and rate of patients with increased TG after FNC of suspicious cervical LNs were higher in patients with malignant cytology than with all other cytology results both in all study group and in sub-group of anti-TG positive patients. Increase in TG after FNC might be an additional tool for determining LN metastasis.

Diagnostic accuracy of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System in the prediction of malignancy in nodules with atypia and follicular lesion of undetermined significance cytologies.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) is a simple and reliable reporting system for the prediction of malignancy. We aimed to determine the role of TIRADS in the prediction of malignancy in subcategories of Bethesda Category III, atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) and follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS). DESIGN & PATIENTS: A total of 461 nodules with AUS cytology in 450 patients and 179 nodules with FLUS cytology in 168 patients were included. Ultrasonography (US) features and postoperative histopathology results were documented. Every suspicious US feature was scored as 1 and 0 according to the presence or not, respectively. TIRADS category of each nodule was determined. RESULTS: In AUS subcategory, histopathologically malignant nodules had significantly different TIRADS categories compared to benign nodules (P = 0·001), but this was not the case in FLUS subcategory (P = 0·121). In AUS group, malignant nodules had significantly higher prevalance of microcalcification, hypoechogenicity and anteroposterior/transverse ratio than benign ones (P < 0·001, P < 0·001 and P = 0·003, respectively) and TIRADS categories of 4c and 5 were more frequent in malignant nodules (P < 0·05). Microcalcification, hypoechogenicity and TIRADS were found to be associated with malignancy in multivariate logistic regression analysis in this subcategory. TIRADS category ≥4c was associated with malignancy (AUC ± SE: 0·584 ± 0·028). In FLUS subcategory, there was no significant difference between histopathologically malignant and benign nodules with respect to suspicious US features (P > 0·05, all). CONCLUSION: TIRADS seems to be useful in predicting malignancy and planning further management in the AUS subcategory, but not quite so in the FLUS subcategory.

Thyroid malignancy risk in different clinical thyroid diseases

Background/aim: To evaluate the malignancy risk of thyroid nodules in different clinical thyroid diseases. Materials and methods: Patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 2007 and 2014 were grouped as euthyroid, hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid. Further classification was made depending on the presence of solitary/multiple thyroid nodules. Results: Among 2870 patients, 1719 (59.9%) were euthyroid, 962 (33.5%) were hyperthyroid, and 189 (6.6%) were hypothyroid. Overall malignancy was detected in 980 (34.1%) patients. Malignancy rates were 42.1%, 42.9%, and 18.3% in the euthyroid, hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid groups, respectively (P < 0.001). A total 41.4% of patients with euthyroid nodular goiter (ENG) and 46.3% of patients with euthyroid multinodular goiter (EMNG) had thyroid malignancy (P = 0.169). Mean tumor size and capsular and vascular invasion were significantly lower in EMNG than in ENG. Among hypothyroid patients, 45.7% with solitary and 42.2% with multiple nodules were malignant (P = 0.705). When toxic nodular goiter and toxic multinodular goiter were analyzed together, malignancy rate was 24.7% (104/421), and when Graves with nodule/nodules was considered, it was 19.7% (59/299). Conclusion: In hypothyroid or euthyroid patients who underwent thyroidectomy, malignancy rate was higher than 40%, and was lower in hyperthyroid patients. Patients with multiple nodules carry a similar risk of malignancy as patients with solitary nodules, independent of the functional status.

The correlation of sodium iodide symporter and BRAF(V600E) mutation in classical variant papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BRAF(V600E) mutation was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 96 consecutive cases with classical variant papillary thyroid cancer, and immunohistochemical staining of Na+/I- symporter (NIS) protein was evaluated. Localization (intracellular or membranous), density, and the intensity of cytoplasmic staining were characterized semiquantitatively. Extrathyroidal invasion, surgical margin positivity, and lymph node metastasis were compared with BRAF(V600E) mutation and NIS expression. Eighty-eight patients who had at least 24-month follow-up were also included in survival analysis. BRAF(V600E) mutation was determined in 78.1% (75/96) and functional NIS activity in 74% (71/96) of the cases. There were statistically significant differences in mean ages between BRAF(V600E) mutation-positive (48.6) and BRAF(V600E) mutation-negative cases (37.3; Levene test, P=.419; Student t test, P=.001). The surgical margin positivity (46.7%) and extrathyroidal extension percentage (54.7%) in the BRAF(V600E) mutation-positive group were higher than the negative (28.6% and 33.3%, respectively) group, without statistical significance (P=.138 and P=.084, respectively). Functional NIS activity was higher in BRAF(V600E) mutation-positive cases (78.1%) than mutation-negative ones (57.1%; P=.047). The possibility of moderate and intense cytoplasmic staining in BRAF(V600E) mutation-positive cases (72%) was 6.3 times higher than the possibility of weak staining (28%) in the mutation-positive cases (95% confidence interval, 2.2-18.8; P=.001). Functional NIS expression is higher in patients with classical variant papillary thyroid cancer with BRAF(V600E) mutation. However, the clinical features were not found to be associated with NIS expression. There may be different mechanisms determining the outcome of therapy.

Effective treatment of severe pregnancy and lactation-related osteoporosis with teriparatide: case report and review of the literature.

Pregnancy or lactation-related osteoporosis (PLO) is a very rare and debilitating condition which is usually diagnosed during the last trimester of the pregnancy or early postpartum period. Herein, we report a case with severe PLO and multiple vertebral compression fractures that were successfully treated with teriparatide. Twenty-three-year-old female patient was admitted to our clinic two months after her first spontaneous vaginal delivery with the complaint of severe back pain. Bone mineral density was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and low T- and Z-scores were observed in lumbar vertebrae. In vertebral MRI, severe height loss was detected in thoracic (T) 5,7,10,11,12 vertebrae. After exclusion of the other possible causes of OP, she was diagnosed to have PLO and the lactation was stopped. She was treated with calcium 1000 mg/day, cholecalciferol 800 mg/day and teriparatide 20 µg/day. At the 12th and 18th month of therapy, BMD was increased by 8% and 27%, respectively, at the lumbar spine and pain was completely relieved in few months. There are pharmacological therapy modalities that can be used in PLO. Bisphosphonates are effective, but there are some concerns that they accumulate in bone and may expose fetus in subsequent pregnancies. Teriparatide is a strong candidate to be the optimal medical therapy in severe cases since it is effective and safe.

An old friend, a new insight: Calcitonin measurement in serum and aspiration needle washout fluids significantly increases the early and accurate detection of medullary thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: The sensitivity of cytological (CY) evaluation after fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for detecting medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a subject of controversy. The routine use of serum calcitonin (CT) in patients with thyroid nodules is not universally adopted. The authors conducted CT screening of FNA washout fluid (FNA-CT) to address the diagnostic challenges. The objective was to assess the contributions of serum CT, FNA cytology (FNA-CY), and FNA-CT to the diagnosis. METHODS: Between February 2019 and June 2022 (group 1), the authors prospectively screened the CT of patients with thyroid nodules. Both FNA-CY and FNA-CT were performed for patients with persistently elevated CT values. The sensitivity of FNA-CY, serum CT, and FNA-CT for accurate diagnosis was evaluated. Additionally, the authors retrospectively examined data from patients with thyroid nodules before CT screening (2008-2019) (group 2). They compared the characteristics of MTC patients in groups 1 and 2. RESULTS: MTC was identified in 30 patients (0.25%) in group 1 and 19 (0.07%) in group 2. A FNA-CT cutoff value of 4085.5 pg/mL detected MTC with a sensitivity of 96.8%, and a serum CT cutoff value of 28.3 pg/mL detected MTC with a sensitivity of 86.7%. In contrast, FNA-CY detected MTC with a sensitivity of 42.4%. In group 1, 18 patients (60%) with MTC were diagnosed with microcarcinoma, whereas only two patients (10.5%) in group 2 had microcarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: This study detected MTC earlier by routinely measuring serum CT in all patients with nodular thyroid disease and performing FNA-CT in those with elevated values. FNA-CT and serum CT sensitivities were significantly higher than those of FNA-CY. This study revealed different FNA-CT cutoff values compared to other studies, emphasizing the need for determining clinic-specific cutoff values.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis as a rare cause of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA, Churg-Strauss syndrome) is a rare multisystem necrotizing vasculitis that involves small- to medium-sized blood vessels. We report a rare case of syndrome of the inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion (SIADH) secondary to EGPA. A 53-year-old man applied with complaints of pain in the large joints and morning stiffness in knee for 2 months. The patient had the history of impaired fasting glucose, asthma, nasal polyps, and urticaria. Physical examination revealed intrinsic muscle atrophy and weakness in the right hand. Peripheral eosinophil count was 9.78 × 109/L (0.02-0.5), erythrocyte sedimentation rate 39 mm/h (0-20), and C-reactive protein 5.77 mg/dL (0-0.5). Migratory ground-glass pulmonary opacities had been reported in previous chest computed tomography scans. Echocardiography revealed findings compatible with eosinophilic involvement. Electroneuromyographic evaluation showed acute distal axonal neuropathy of right ulnar nerve. EGPA was considered. Oral methylprednisolone treatment was initiated. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and cyclophosphamide treatment and gradual tapering of oral steroids were planned. In 24-h urine analysis, sodium was 387 mEq, creatinine was 1156 mg, and volume was 3000 mL. When his medical records were investigated, it was observed that hyponatremia was present for nearly 2 years. While serum osmolality was 270, urine osmolality was 604 mOsm/kg H2O. So, SIADH diagnosis was made. Fluid intake was restricted. Although the patient's sodium level did not return to normal, it rose up to 130 mEq/L. After second cycle of EGPA treatment (cyclophosphamide and IVIG), serum sodium was normal. There is only four other documented cases of SIADH associated with EGPA. We hypothesized that blood supply to the hypothalamus and/or posterior hypophysis might be affected from EGPA vasculitis. Here, in this case, with effective treatment of EGPA, SIADH was resolved which implies a causality between two conditions.

Subacute THYROiditis Related to SARS-CoV-2 VAccine and Covid-19 (THYROVAC Study): A Multicenter Nationwide Study.

CONTEXT: The aims of the study are to compare characteristics of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) related to different etiologies, and to identify predictors of recurrence of SAT and incident hypothyroidism. METHODS: This nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort study included 53 endocrinology centers in Turkey. The study participants were divided into either COVID-19-related SAT (Cov-SAT), SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related SAT (Vac-SAT), or control SAT (Cont-SAT) groups. RESULTS: Of the 811 patients, 258 (31.8%) were included in the Vac-SAT group, 98 (12.1%) in the Cov-SAT group, and 455 (56.1%) in the Cont-SAT group. No difference was found between the groups with regard to laboratory and imaging findings. SAT etiology was not an independent predictor of recurrence or hypothyroidism. In the entire cohort, steroid therapy requirement and younger age were statistically significant predictors for SAT recurrence. C-reactive protein measured during SAT onset, female sex, absence of antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) positivity, and absence of steroid therapy were statistically significant predictors of incident (early) hypothyroidism, irrespective of SAT etiology. On the other hand, probable predictors of established hypothyroidism differed from that of incident hypothyroidism. CONCLUSION: Since there is no difference in terms of follow-up parameters and outcomes, COVID-19- and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related SAT can be treated and followed up like classic SATs. Recurrence was determined by younger age and steroid therapy requirement. Steroid therapy independently predicts incident hypothyroidism that may sometimes be transient in overall SAT and is also associated with a lower risk of established hypothyroidism.

Assessment of calcium and vitamin D medications adherence in patients with hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy.

In this study, we found that patients with hypoparathyroidism had a problem with calcium medication compliance, and this problem increased with the duration of the disease. We also showed that patients are concerned about the possible side effects of drugs. INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to evaluate adherence to active vitamin D and calcium replacement in patients with post-surgical hypoparathyroidism. METHODS: To elucidate the medication adherence, we performed a questionnaire survey using the six-item "Medication adherence questionnaire"(MAQ). The first, second, and sixth questions reflect the motivation status of the patients whereas the third, fourth, and fifth questions reflect the knowledge about the medication that is received. The responses are scored and patients are classified regarding their motivation to and knowledge about the particular drug. RESULTS: Totally, 64 patients (male: 12/female: 52; mean age 48.6±11.6 years) who had post-operative hypoparathyroidism were included in our study. Median disease durance was 60 months (min-max: 12-295 months). We found that motivation score of calcium usage was significantly lower compared to vitamin D usage (p<0.001). The calcium motivation score was reversely correlated with disease duration (r= -0.256 and p=0.046). The most common worry about calcium usage was nephrotoxicity, and the most common worries about calcitriol treatment were kidney damage and polyuria. One-third of the patients were taking oral calcium and calcitriol less than the recommended dose. CONCLUSION: One-third of patients lack motivation to use calcium whereas half of the patients experiences anxiety about drug-related side effects. This is a preliminary study showing that vital calcium and active vitamin D intake may be interrupted due to side effect anxiety.

Can Repeat Biopsies Change the Prognoses of AUS/FLUS Nodule?

OBJECTIVE: Experience with atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesions of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) showed that this category exhibited a marked variability in incidence and malignant outcome in resection specimens. We aimed to determine the utility of repeated fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) and ultrasonography to determine the malignancy rate in AUS/FLUS nodules. METHODS: 23,587 nodules were biopsied, and 1,288 had at least one AUS/FLUS cytology. Ultrasonographic features including solid hypoechoic status, irregular margins, microcalcifications, nodule taller than wider, or an extrathyroidal extension were also recorded. Nodules for which only 1 FNAB revealed AUS/FLUS cytology were termed Group 1; nodules that underwent 2, 3, and 4 FNABs were termed Groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively. We compared these groups according to malignancy rates. RESULTS: 576 of nodules underwent only 1 FNAB (Group 1); 505, 174, and 33 underwent 2 (Group 2), 3 (Group 3), and 4 FNABs (Group 4), respectively. Fifty-six (30.6%), 45 (27.3%), 18 (30%), and 5 (33.3%) of Groups 1-4 were malignant, respectively. The risk of malignancy was similar in each group (p > 0.05). Suspicious ultrasonographic features were encountered in malignant nodules more than benign nodules (p < 0.05, for each). CONCLUSION: Repeat biopsy of AUS/FLUS nodules did not enhance the identification of malignancy. Ultrasonographic features may be a better guide for the decision of either surveillance or diagnostic surgery.

The Variation of Disulfides in the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine thiol-disulfide balance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This study included 32 subjects with known type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications, 30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with complications, 28 newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 45 healthy individuals. Thiol-disulfide profile tests were quantified in all groups. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, patients in each of the diabetic groups had significantly lower native and total thiol levels, higher disulfide levels, and higher disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios (p<0.05 for all). Disulfide levels were significantly lower in the newly diagnosed group than in other diabetic groups (p<0.05). There were significant associations between glycemic parameters and thiol-disulfide tests (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A disequilibrium between thiol-disulfide pairs occurs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a gradual increase to disulfide levels may contribute to the disease's severity. Deteriorated thiol-disulfide homeostasis may be relevant to the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Preoperative predictors and prognosis of bilateral multifocal papillary thyroid carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The characteristics of multifocal PTC remain controversial. Surgical approach to multifocal tumor changes between centers. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of bilateral involvement, predictive factors for bilaterality and whether bilaterality was related with more aggressive histopathologic features or prognosis in patients with multifocal PTC. METHOD: Medical records and pathologic data of 914 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and diagnosed with PTC were retrospectively reviewed. The patients with multifocal disease were detected and divided into two subgroups as unilateral-multifocal PTCs and bilateral multifocal PTCs. Those two groups were compared regarding to demographic, clinical and histopathological features. RESULT: Multifocal disease was detected in 294 patients (32.7%). Of all, 102 patients (36.7%) had unilateral whereas 192 cases (65.3%) had bilateral involvement. As a result of univariate analysis, bilaterality was significantly associated with the number of tumor foci (p < 0.001), tumor size (p = 0.008), TSH (p = 0.002) and capsule invasion (p = 0.018). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the number of tumor foci and TSH level were independent risk factors for bilaterality in multifocal PTC (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). Bilateral and unilateral tumors had similar local/regional and distant recurrence rates. CONCLUSION: Incidence of bilateral tumors is high and increases with the number of tumor foci in multifocal PTC. Bilateral involvement in multifocal PTC is not associated with worse prognosis.TSH can be taken as a preoperative indicator able to predict multifocal cancers and guide clinical decision making and surgical management.

The diagnostic value of parathyroid hormone washout in primary hyperparathyroidism patients with negative or equivocal 99 m Tc-MIBI results.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The accurate identification of hyper functioning parathyroid gland is needed for definitive surgical treatment in primary hyperparathyroidism. Ultrasonography and 99mTechnetium sestamibi scintigraphy are the two most used methods with varying sensitivities. This study aimed to assess the value of parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay in preoperative ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (FNA)-PTH washout fluid to verify the correct localisation of lesions with negative or inconclusive scintigraphy results. METHODS: We evaluated data of 28 lesions in 21 patients who underwent US-guided parathyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with PTH washout, retrospectively. The PTH washout results and the reports of parathyroid surgery and imaging studies were reviewed. RESULTS: Of operated 28 lesions 23 had positive and 5 had negative washout results. The median FNA-PTH washout was 2315.5 pg/ ml (min-max: 12.3-6978 pg/ ml). The calculated sensitivity of FNA-PTH washout was 85.7% and the specifity was 28.6%. The positive and negative predictive values were 78.3% and 40.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FNA-PTH can be used to establish the nature of the lesion, discriminate parathyroid gland from thyroid lesions or cervical lymph nodes, improving the surgical outcomes. It can be used to localise parathyroid lesions preoperatively when negative or discordant ultrasound and scintigraphy findings are obtained.

Ultrasound elastography score and strain index in different parathyroid lesions.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant improvement in imaging quality and advanced scientific knowledge, it may still sometimes be difficult to distinguish different parathyroid lesions. The aims of this prospective study were to evaluate parathyroid lesions with ultrasound elastography and to determine whether strain index can help to differentiate parathyroid lesions. METHODS: Patients with biochemically confirmed hyperparathyroidism and localised parathyroid lesions in ultrasonography were included. All patients underwent B-mode US and USE examination. Ultrasound elastography scores and strain index of lesions were determined. Strain index was defined as the ratio of strain of the thyroid parenchyma to the strain of the parathyroid lesion. RESULTS: Data of 245 lesions of 230 patients were analysed. Histopathologically, there were 202 (82.45%) parathyroid adenomas, 26 (10.61%) atypical parathyroid adenomas, and 17 (6.94%) cases of parathyroid hyperplasia. Median serum Ca was significantly higher in atypical parathyroid adenoma patients than parathyroid hyperplasia patients (P = 0.019) and median PTH was significantly higher in APA compared to PA patients (P < 0.001). In 221 (90.2%) of the parathyroid lesions, USE score was 1 or 2. The median SI of atypical parathyroid adenomas was significantly higher than parathyroid adenomas and hyperplasia lesions (1.5 (0.56-4.86), 1.01 (0.21-8.43) and 0.91 (0.26-2.02), respectively, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that SI of parathyroid lesions as well as serum calcium, parathyroid hormone levels, and B-mode US features may help to predict the atypical parathyroid adenoma. Ultrasound elastography can be used to differentiate among parathyroid lesions and guide a surgical approach.

Usage of Underground Space for 3D Cadastre Purposes and Related Problems in Turkey.

Modern cities have been trying to meet their needs for space by using not only surface structures but also by considering subsurface space use. It is also anticipated that without planning of underground spaces for supporting surface city life in the years and generations to come, there will be serious and unavoidable problems with growing populations. The current Turkish cadastral system, including land right registrations, has been trying to meet users' needs in all aspects since 1924. Today Turkey's national cadastre services are carried out by the General Directorate of Land Titles and Cadastre (TKGM). The Cadastre Law, Number 3402, was approved in 1985 to eliminate problems by gathering all existing cadastral regulations under one law and also to produce 3D cadastral bases to include underground spaces and determine their legal status in Turkey. Although the mandate for 3D cadastre works is described and explained by the laws, until now the bases have been created in 2D and the reality is that legal gaps and deficiencies presently exist in them. In this study, the usage of underground spaces for the current cadastral system in Turkey was briefly evaluated, the concept of 3D cadastral data is examined and the need for using subsurface and 3D cadastre in addition to the traditional 2D register system, related problems and registration are mentioned with specific examples, but without focusing on a specific model.

Association between preoperative thyrotrophin and clinicopathological and aggressive features of papillary thyroid cancer.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the relation between preoperative serum thyrotrophin (TSH) and clinicopathological features in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and microcarcinoma (PTMC). METHODS: Patients who underwent thyroidectomy and diagnosed to have benign nodular disease or PTC/PTMC in our clinic were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with a previous history of thyroid surgery, patients using antithyroid medications or thyroid hormone and patients with tumors known to be unresponsive to TSH were excluded. RESULTS: Data of 1632 patients were analyzed. Histopathological diagnosis was benign in 969 (59.4%) and malignant in 663 (40.6%) patients. Preoperative median serum TSH was significantly higher in malignant compared to benign group (1.41 IU/dL vs. 0.98 IU/dL, p < 0.001). Malignancy risk increased gradually as going from hyperthyroidism to euthyroidism and hypothyroidism (20, 40.6, and 59.1%, respectively, p < 0.05). Serum TSH was lowest in benign nodular disease, higher in PTMC and highest in PTC (p < 0.001). This was also true when patients with positive antithyroid peroxidase/antithyroglobulin and with lymphocytic thyroiditis were excluded from the analysis (p < 0.001). Serum TSH was higher in patients with bilateral tumor, capsular invasion and lymph node metastasis (LNM) compared to patients with unilateral tumor, without capsule invasion and without LNM, respectively (p = 0.036, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively). Patients with aggressive variant PTC had higher serum TSH than nonaggressive ones (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Preoperative serum TSH is associated with PTMC, PTC and LNM. Serum TSH seems to be related with thyroid cancer regardless of autoimmunity. With the present study, for the first time, we showed an association between serum TSH and aggressive variants of PTC.

Comparative analysis of diagnostic adequacy rate between aspiration and nonaspiration techniques of fine-needle cytology in patients with thyroid cancer and ultrasonographically suspicious cervical lymph nodes.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare nonaspiration (NAS) and aspiration (AS) techniques in the evaluation of fine-needle cytology of lymph node (FNC-LN) in terms of diagnostic adequacy of cytologic material. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-three superficial cervical LNs in 75 patients who underwent NAS and AS-FNC-LN in the same visit were evaluated. Cytological results were categorized as diagnostic and nondiagnostic. RESULTS: The rates of malignancy were 13.8% in AS versus 16.3% in NAS technique, whereas nondiagnostic cytology was detected in 43.1% and 25.2%, respectively (P = .549 and P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic adequacy rate in NAS-FNC-LN was significantly higher than AS-FNC-LN. However, NAS technique seems to be more simple and comfortable. We suggest both NAS and AS-FNC-LN in cytologic evaluation of suspicious cervical LNs until the diagnostic accuracy is determined with prospective studies.

Can ratio of the biggest tumor diameter to total tumor diameter be a new parameter in the differential diagnosis of agressive and favorable multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma?

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a new parameter -ratio of the biggest tumor diameter to total tumor diameter- for the differentiation of agressive and favorable papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The diameter of the biggest tumor focus was taken as the primary tumor diameter. Total tumor diameter was calculated as the sum of the maximal diameter of each lesion. Ratio of primary tumor diameter to total tumor diameter was defined as tumor diameter ratio (TDR). Positive and negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of TDR to predict capsular invasion, extrathyroidal extension (ETE) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) were determined. RESULTS: Mean TDR was significantly lower in multifocal PTMC patients with capsular invasion, ETE, lymphovascular invasion and LNM compared to patients without these features. The sensitivities of TDR for the detection of LNM, ETE and capsular invasion were 100%, 100% and 94.2%, respectively. Specificity of TDR was 86.2% for LNM, 88% for ETE and 94.7% for capsular invasion. Best cut off values of TDR that can predict capsular invasion, ETE and LNM in multifocal PTMC were 0.62, 0.57 and 0.56, respectively. Multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with capsular invasion, ETE and LNM had significantly lower mean TDR when compared to ones without these features. CONCLUSION: Decreased TDR was associated with capsular invasion, ETE and LNM in patients with multifocal PTMC and PTC. This new parameter might be particularly helpful for the detection of aggressive behavior in multifocal PTMCs.