Dynamics of PTH levels in the development of post-operative hypoparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative hypoparathyroidism is the most frequent complication after total thyroidectomy. The identification of preoperative predictors could be helpful to identify patients at risk. This study aimed to evaluate the potential influence of preoperative PTH levels and their perioperative dynamics as a predictor of transient, protracted, and permanent post-operative hypoparathyroidism. METHODS: A prospective, observational study that includes 100 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between September 2018 and September 2020. RESULTS: Transient hypoparathyroidism was present in 42% (42/100) of patients, 11% (11/100) developed protracted hypoparathyroidism, and 5% (5/100) permanent hypoparathyroidism. Patients who presented protracted hypoparathyroidism had higher preoperative PTH levels. The protracted and permanent hypoparathyroidism rate was higher in groups with greater preoperative PTH [0% group 1 (<40 pg/mL) vs. 5.7% group 2 (40-70 pg/mL) vs. 21.6% group 3 (>70 pg/mL); p = 0.03] and (0 vs. 8.3 vs. 20%; p = 0.442), respectively. The rate of protracted and permanent hypoparathyroidism was higher in patients with PTH at 24 h lower than 6.6 pg/mL and whose percentage of PTH decline was higher than 90%. The rate of transient hypoparathyroidism was higher in patients who showed a PTH decline rate of more than 60%. The percentage of PTH increase one week after surgery in patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism was significantly lower. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of protracted hypoparathyroidism was higher in groups with higher preoperative PTH levels. PTH levels 24 h after surgery lower than 6.6 pg/mL and a decline of more than 90% predict protracted and permanent hypoparathyroidism. The percentage of PTH increase a week after surgery could predict permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Patients who presented protracted and permanent hypoparathyroidism had higher preoperative PTH levels.Patients in groups with higher preoperative PTH levels showed higher rates of protracted and permanent hypoparathyroidism.The percentage of PTH variance one week after surgery in patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism was significantly lower and could predict permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Large goiters and postoperative complications: does it really matter?

INTRODUCTION: Thyroidectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide. Although the mortality rate is currently approaching 0%, the incidence of complications in such a frequent surgery is not insignificant. The most frequent are postoperative hypoparathyroidism, recurrent injury, and asphyxial hematoma. The size of the thyroid gland has traditionally been considered one of the most important risk factors, but there is currently no study that analyzes it independently. The objective of this study is to analyze whether the size of the thyroid gland is an isolated risk factor for the development of postoperative complications. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective review of all patients who underwent total thyroidectomy at a third-level hospital between January 2019 and December 2021 was conducted. The thyroid volume was calculated preoperatively using ultrasound and, together with the weight of the definitive piece, was correlated with the development of postoperative complications. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-one patients were included. When analyzing the incidence of complications based on the quartiles of weight and glandular volume, there were no significant differences in the incidence of transient or permanent hypoparathyroidism in any of the groups. No differences were found in terms of recurrent paralysis. No fewer parathyroid glands were visualized intraoperatively in patients with larger thyroid glands, nor did the number of them accidentally removed during surgery increase. In fact, a certain protective trend was observed with regard to the number of glands visualized and glandular size or in the relationship between thyroid volume and accidental gland removal, with no significant differences. CONCLUSION: The size of the thyroid gland has not been shown to be a risk factor for the development of postoperative complications, contrary to what has traditionally been considered.

4D-CT as a second line preoperative localization test for the evaluation of primary hyperparathyroidism.

INTRODUCTION: Four-dimensional computerized tomography (4D-CT) offers a good sensitivity for the localization of the pathological gland responsible of primary hyperparathyroidism. The aim was to evaluate its results as a second line preoperative localization test after inconclusive or discordant results of usual preoperative studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational retrospective study that included all patients intervened for primary hyperparathyroidism with 4D-CT scan as preoperative study, from 1st October 2016 to 1st October 2021, in a tertiary referral centre. The results of 4D-CT, cervical ultrasound, and Nuclear Medicine explorations (scintigraphy, SPECT and SPECT-CT) were compared with the gold standard of the surgical exploration and the pathological result. The correct lateralization and the approximate localization rates of the pathological gland were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were analysed, with a 93,8% (60/64) remission rate. 4DCT showed a correct lateralization in 57,8% (37/64) of the cases and revealed the approximate localization of the gland in 48,4% (31/64) of the cases. The cervical ultrasound had a rate of 31,1% (19/61) and 18% (11/61) for the correct lateralization and approximate localization, respectively, compared to 34,9% (22/63) and 28,6% (18/63) in Nuclear Medicine explorations, and 32,7% (16/49) and 24,5% (12/49) in SPECT-CT. These differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: 4D-CT demonstrated acceptable results for the localization of the lesions responsible of primary hyperparathyroidism, thus its use should be considered with the absence of localization in routinely studies.

What happens to the bone structure after normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism surgery?

BACKGROUND: Bone disease in primary hyperparathyroidism is a clear indication for surgical treatment. However, it is not known whether surgery benefits hypercalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism and normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism equally. The aim of our study was to evaluate the bone changes in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy based on the biochemical profile 1 and 2 years after surgery. METHODS: This prospective study included 87 consecutive patients diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent surgery between 2016 and 2018. Bone densitometry (1/3 distal radius, lumbar, and femur) and bone remodeling markers (osteocalcin, type 1 procollagen [P1NP], ß-cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen [BCTX]) were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative changes in bone mineral density and bone markers were compared and evaluated according to the clinical characteristics and the individual biochemical profile. RESULTS: One year after surgery, all patients showed an increase in bone mineral density at the lumbar site (mean, 0.029 g/cm2; range, 0.017-0.04; P < .001) and femur neck (mean, 0.025 g/cm2; range, 0.002-0.05; P < .001); however, there were no changes in the distal third of the radius (mean, -0.003 g/cm2; range, -0.008 to 0.002; P = NS). There were no significant differences when comparing normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism. Serum osteocalcin (37 ± 17.41), P1NP (67.53 ± 31.81) and BCTX (0.64 ± 0.37) levels were elevated before surgery. One year after the surgery, we observed a significant decrease in P1NP (33.05 ± 13.16, P = .001), osteocalcin (15.80 ± 6.19, P = .001), and BCTX (0.26 ± 0.32, P < .001) levels. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that parathyroidectomy has similar benefits for normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism in terms of bone improvement. Although the most substantial improvement occurred during the first postoperative year in both groups, we consider that studies with longer follow-up are warranted.

Ether Oxidation by an Evolved Fungal Heme-Peroxygenase: Insights into Substrate Recognition and Reactivity.

Ethers can be found in the environment as structural, active or even pollutant molecules, although their degradation is not efficient under environmental conditions. Fungal unspecific heme-peroxygenases (UPO were reported to degrade low-molecular-weight ethers through an H2O2-dependent oxidative cleavage mechanism. Here, we report the oxidation of a series of structurally related aromatic ethers, catalyzed by a laboratory-evolved UPO (PaDa-I) aimed at elucidating the factors influencing this unusual biochemical reaction. Although some of the studied ethers were substrates of the enzyme, they were not efficiently transformed and, as a consequence, secondary reactions (such as the dismutation of H2O2 through catalase-like activity and suicide enzyme inactivation) became significant, affecting the oxidation efficiency. The set of reactions that compete during UPO-catalyzed ether oxidation were identified and quantified, in order to find favorable conditions that promote ether oxidation over the secondary reactions.

Effect of preoperative potassium iodide administration on Graves' disease surgery: a propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative administration of a saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) is recommended in the guidelines for the management of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease. Studies addressing its effect on complications after thyroidectomy are inconclusive. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter Propensity Score study of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease, from January 2013 to September 2019 in two tertiary centers in Madrid, Spain. Patients were given SSKI prior to surgery or not according to surgeons' preferences. Electronic clinical records were reviewed searching: baseline characteristics surgical variables, pathological findings, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Ninety patients were analyzed: 44 received SSKI and 46 were not given SSKI. No significant differences were found in the main postoperative complications with or without SSKI: transient hypoparathyroidism (40.9% vs. 50%), permanent hypoparathyroidism (6.8% vs. 13%), transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy (2.3% vs. 8.7%), definitive RLN palsy (2.3% vs. 2.2%), or cervical hematoma (2.3% vs. 4.3%). CONCLUSION: Preoperative administration of SSKI had no impact on postoperative complications after thyroidectomy for Graves' disease.

Evaluation of Research Opportunities and Limitations for Plastic Surgery Residents: An International Survey.

BACKGROUND: Conducting research during specialty training provides an opportunity to develop critical thinking and leadership skills along with a better understanding of the scientific literature. However, trainees often find it difficult to undertake research, in the context of labor-intensive surgical training. The aim of this study is to evaluate the research output and limitations of plastic surgery residents in different countries. METHODS: An international cross-sectional study involving plastic surgery trainees and recent postgraduates from Brazil, Chile, Germany, and the United Kingdom was conducted. A survey inquiring into academic productivity, limitations to conducting research, and working-hours patterns was distributed among eligible participants. RESULTS: From September to December 2019, 106 surveys were retrieved. Most respondents declared having participated in at least 1 project that resulted in a presentation or publication during their training (90.6% in national presentations, 68% international presentations, 67% in national publications, and 66% international publications). Having completed a previous research fellowship was associated with a statistically higher academic output (P < 0.05). Seventy-nine percent of respondents felt that their participation in research activities would have been greater if limiting factors had been addressed, including lack of time (72.5%) and insufficient supervision and mentoring (55%). CONCLUSIONS: Optimizing plastic surgery trainees' participation in scientific research is beneficial both for residents and their mentors. Research fellowships can provide an opportunity for academically oriented trainees to further develop their research skills. Protected time and adequate mentoring can help not only to increase residents' research output, but also to recruit the next generation of academic plastic surgeons.

Uso del mindfulness sobre indicadores de estrés en deportistas durante la etapa competitiva: revisión sistemática / Use of mindfulness on indicators of stress in athletes during the competitive stage: systematic review

El mindfulness es una práctica meditativa que ha probado disminuir el estrés psicofisiológico. Propósito: analizar, si el mindfulness es efectivo para disminuir el estrés psicofisiológico, en deportistas de alto rendimiento en temporada competitiva. Se realizó una búsqueda de estudios clínicos que incluyeran diferentes técnicas meditativas para la reducción del estrés en deportistas durante la fase competitiva. En PubMed, Scopus y Web of Science (1985 al 10 de agosto del 2019), se buscaron las combinaciones de palabras mindfulness, meditation, yoga, sport, athlete, intervention, stress, cortisol. Se localizaron sólo siete trabajos, tres de ellos con información cuantitativa, un cuantitativo y tres de metodología mixta. En los siete estudios encontrados (153 sujetos; 134 hombres y 19 mujeres) sus autores mencionan que el mindfulness fue efectivo para la reducción del estrés en los atletas durante la etapa competitiva.

Mindfulness is a meditative practice that has proven to reduce psycho-physiological stress. Purpose: Analyze if mindfulness is effective to reduce psycho-physiological stress in athletes during their competitive season. Clinical studies that included different meditative techniques for stress reduction in athletes during the competitive phase was searched for in databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (1985 to August 10, 2019), using the combinations of the words mindfulness, meditation, yoga, sport, athlete, intervention, stress, and cortisol. Only seven papers were located, three of them with a quantitative design, one as quantitative and three with mixed methodology. In the seven studies found (153 subjects; 134 men and 19 women) their authors mention that mindfulness was effective for reducing stress in athletes during the competitive season.

Development of Thyroid Carcinoma During Treatment With Pembrolizumab in a Lung Cancer Patient.

Pembrolizumab, a programmed death 1 inhibitor, has been shown to have clinically significant efficacy in different types of cancer, providing long-term survival benefit for patients with lung cancer. Herein, we report the development of a primary thyroid cancer in a lung cancer patient that was being treated with pembrolizumab. Primary thyroid malignancy (and not only metastatic disease or immunotherapy-induced thyroiditis) should be considered in patients with lung cancer being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors who develop new incidental thyroid lesions on imaging studies.

Comparative prospective study on the presentation of normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism. Is it more aggressive than the hypercalcemic form?

BACKGROUND: Some patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) have an elevated PTH that does not always correlate with high blood calcium levels. We aimed to compare the clinical presentation between normocalcaemic and hypercalcaemic forms using ionized calcium levels as an inclusion criterion. METHODS: We included all patients referred for surgery for PHPT between January 2015 and December 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups (hypercalcaemic (hPHTP)/normocalcaemic (nPHPT)). RESULTS: 104 patients were included.64% of the patients who were initially classified as normocalcaemic had high ionized calcium levels. There were no differences between groups except in terms of bone resorption parameters:patients with hypercalcaemia had higher osteocalcin (37.4vs23.5 ng/mL,P = .02), collagen amino-terminal propeptide (73.5vs49.2 ng/mL,P = .005), and beta-CTX levels (0.68vs0.38 ng/mL,P = .001). Bone involvement as measured by densitometry was similar. CONCLUSSIONS: When these patients' diagnosis and classification is accurate, their clinical presentation and symptoms are similar to those of the classical form. Since the only difference is in terms of bone resorption parameters, in most cases it seems to be an attenuated form or even similar to the classical presentation. The improvement in diagnostic sensitivity supports the use of ionized calcium levels in patients suspected to have nPHPT.

Ascitis quilosa tras colecistectomía: presentación de un caso / Chylous ascites after cholecystectomy: case report and literatura review

INTRODUCCIÓN: La ascitis quilosa es la presencia de líquido linfático en la cavidad peritoneal. Como consecuencia de una cirugía abdominal es muy infrecuente, encontrando 5 casos previos en la literatura revisada tras colecistectomía. OBJETIVO: Presentar un caso clínico de ascitis quilosa poscolecistectomía, su manejo y una revisión de la literatura. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Varón de 77 años, quiloperitoneo 21 días después de realización de colecistectomía programada por colecistitis aguda. Resultados: Se realiza drenaje percutáneo con débito de 5 L en 24 horas, se inicia octreótido subcutáneo y nutrición parenteral total. Al tercer día disminuye el débito por el drenaje, por lo que se inicia dieta rica en triglicéridos de cadena media con buena evolución posterior. De los 5 casos previos tras colecistectomía, el 60% se resolvió con tratamiento conservador, un paciente precisó reintervención y otro colocación de un shunt portosistémico intrahepático trasnyugular (TIPSS). CONCLUSIÓN: La ascitis quilosa es una complicación postquirúrgica infrecuente, encontrando solo 5 casos previos tras colecistectomía. Inicialmente el manejo debe ser conservador, en caso de persistencia se deben valorar otras medidas.

INTRODUCTION: Chylous ascites is defined as the presence of lymph fluid in the peritoneal cavity. It is a rare complication after abdominal surgery; only 5 previously reported cases were found after cholecystectomy. Aim: Present a case report and a literature review. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Case report of a 77 year old male who underwent an elective cholecystectomy due to acute cholecystitis. Chyloperitoneum showed up 21 days after surgery. RESULTS: We performed a percutaneous drainage and 5 L of fluid were removed in 24 hours. We started treatment with subcutaneous Octreotide and total parenteral nutrition. After 3 days drain output decreased and we started a medium-chain triglycerides diet with good progress. The outcome of 60% of the 5 previous case reports of chyloperitoneum after cholecystitis, were successful with conservative management, surgical intervention was needed in one patient and a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) was placed in another patient. CONCLUSION: Chylous ascites is a rare complication after surgery, there are only 5 previously case reports after cholecystectomy. Conservative management has to be the first option and in case of persistence another therapy has to be considered.

Current use of molecular profiling for indeterminate thyroid nodules. / Utilidad del estudio molecular de nódulos tiroideos con citología indeterminada.

Even though cytology remains the gold standard to assess the nature of thyroid nodules, up to 30% of the results are indeterminate (BethesdaIII and IV). In these cases, current guidelines recommend performing diagnostic surgery, which proves malignancy in only 15-30% of cases. A more precise method is needed to avoid unnecessary surgeries, surgical complications and costs in the process of diagnosing indeterminate nodules. Complementary use of molecular profiling tests seems to help in this complex scenario. We present a review of the current literature on the usefulness of molecular profiling of thyroid nodules so as to define its indications, costs and usability for clinical practice.

Efectos terapéuticos del vendaje neuromuscular en parálisis cerebral infantil: una revisión sistemática / Therapeutic effects of kinesio taping in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

La parálisis cerebral infantil es una enfermedad neurológica no progresiva. Es una de las causas más comunes de discapacidad en niños. Son numerosas las técnicas de terapia física que se emplean en la actualidad para su tratamiento; el vendaje neuromuscular es una de ellas. El objetivo principal es revisar los resultados logrados por el vendaje neuromuscular en los estudios científicos publicados en pacientes pediátricos con parálisis cerebral y determinar la calidad metodológica de ellos. Se revisaron las principales bases de datos científicas, al igual que los estudios publicados en la página oficial de la Asociación Española de Vendaje Neuromuscular. Se admitieron nueve estudios, que han aportado resultados importantes. Estos estudios muestran la efectividad para recuperar funcionalidad en el miembro superior, problemas de deglución y funcionalidad motora que estos pacientes pudieran presentar, aunque la evidencia científica que mostraron puede incrementarse con mejoras en su metodología.

Pediatric cerebral palsy is a non-progressive neurological disorder. It is one of the most common causes of disability among children. Numerous physical therapy techniques are currently used for treatment, and kinesio taping is one of them. The main objective of this study was to review the outcomes of using kinesio taping in published scientific studies conducted in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy and determine their methodological quality. The main scientific databases and the studies published in the official site of the Asociación Española de Vendaje Neuromuscular (Spanish Association for Neuromuscular Taping) were reviewed. Nine studies were included, which provided important outcomes. These studies show the effectiveness of recovering upper limb and motor function and solving dysphagia, which could be present in these patients, although scientific evidence may expand due to improvements in methodology.

Normocalcaemic primary hyperparathyroidism: a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in understanding the implications of diagnosing normocalcaemic primary hyperparathyroidism (nPHPT). Many patients hope that nPHPT might explain some of their symptoms, but surgeons hesitate to offer treatment to patients whose calcium levels are normal but whose parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are elevated in the absence of secondary causes of hyperparathyroidism. This potential new diagnosis is not well understood and may lead to inappropriate investigation and possible unnecessary operations. However, because a significant number of patients with nPHPT progress to hypercalcaemic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), some consider nPHPT to be an early or mild form of hypercalcaemia. Rather than being an indolent disease, nPHPT was reported to be associated with systemic complications similar to 'classical' PHPT, and hence there is growing interest to understand who should be offered surgical treatment and who should be monitored. Further standardisation of diagnostic definition, associated complications, patient selection, surgical management and long-term outcomes are necessary. The recommendations outlined in this review are based on limited evidence from non-randomised cohort studies and expert opinion.

Heterozygous NPR2 Mutations Cause Disproportionate Short Stature, Similar to Léri-Weill Dyschondrosteosis.

CONTEXT: SHOX mutations have been detected in approximately 70% of Léri-Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWD) and approximately 2.5% of idiopathic short stature (ISS) cases, suggesting the implication of other genes or loci. The recent identification of NPR2 mutations in ISS suggested that NPR2 mutations may also be involved in disproportionate short stature. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate whether NPR2 mutations can account for a proportion of the cases referred for LWD and ISS in whom no SHOX mutation was detected. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We undertook NPR2 mutation screening in 173 individuals referred for suspected LWD and 95 for ISS, with no known defect in SHOX or its enhancers. Intracellular localization and natriuretic peptide precursor C-dependent guanylate cyclase activity were determined for the identified NPR2 variants. RESULTS: Eight NPR2 variants were identified in nine individuals, seven referred for suspected LWD and two for ISS. Six were demonstrated to affect NPR-B cell trafficking and/or its ability to synthesize cyclic GMP (cGMP) under response to natriuretic peptide precursor C/brain natriuretic peptide stimulation. All pathogenic mutations were detected in the suspected LWD referral group (∼3%). Interestingly, one of these patients is currently being treated with recombinant human GH and in contrast to previous reports is showing a positive response to the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: NPR2 mutations account for approximately 3% of patients with disproportionate short stature and/or clinical or radiographic indicators of SHOX deficiency and in whom no SHOX defect has been identified. However, no patient has yet presented with Madelung deformity. Thus, NPR2 should be screened in the SHOX-negative LWD referrals.

Mortality after thyroid surgery, insignificant or still an issue?

BACKGROUND: Thyroidectomy is considered to be a safe procedure. Although very uncommon, death may occur after thyroid resection. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and causes of death after thyroidectomy and the associated risk factors in the modern era of thyroid surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A structured questionnaire was sent to all endocrine surgery units in Spain to report all deaths that occurred after thyroidectomy in recent years. RESULTS: Twenty-six surgical units, encompassing 30.495 thyroidectomies, returned the questionnaire. A total of 20 deaths (0.065%) were recorded: 12 women (60%) and 8 men (40%) with a median age of 65 years (range 32-86). Half of the patients had a retrosternal goiter with a median weight of 210 g. The median operative time was 185 min. Histological diagnoses were benign goiter (35%) or thyroid carcinoma (65%): differentiated (30%), medullary (20%), poorly differentiated/anaplastic (10%), and colorectal cancer metastasis (5%). Causes of death were cervical hematoma (30%), respiratory distress/pneumonia due to prolonged endotracheal intubation (25%), tracheal injury (15%), heart failure (15%), sepsis (wound infection/esophageal perforation) (10%) and mycotic aneurysm (5%). The median time from surgery to death was 14 days (range 1-85). CONCLUSIONS: Death after thyroidectomy is very uncommon, and most often results from a combination of advanced age, giant goiters, and upper airway complications.