[Virilizing ovarian tumors in the menopausal patient]. / Tumeurs virilisantes de l'ovaire chez la femme ménopausée.

Virilizing ovarian tumors are rare and can occur at any age. In postmenopausal women, they commonly present with signs of masculinization. These tumors should be suspected in any patient with virilization and high testosterone levels (>1ng/mL). Tumor localization is sometimes difficult. These tumors are usually benign; surgical resection is the accepted treatment. Masculinizing consequences of hormonal secretions may be managed by cosmetologic treatments which should not be overlooked.

[Parathyroid carcinoma: multicenter study of 17 patients]. / Carcinome parathyroïdien.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To evaluate clinical characteristics and survival of patients treated for parathyroid carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective multicenter chart review of patients treated for parathyroid carcinoma between January 1979 and January 2005. RESULTS: 17 patients (10 women, 7 men) presenting with parathyroid carcinoma underwent surgical resection. Symptoms were largely related to hypercalcemia. Mean postoperative follow-up was seven years. Local recurrence was noted in four patients (24%) and three patients had late distant metastasis (18%). At the end of the study, nine patients were alive without evidence of recurrence (53%) and one patient was alive with recurrence at 5 years. Seven patients had died, four of whom died as a result of their parathyroid disease. CONCLUSION: Even when symptoms and findings are suggestive, the diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma is oftentimes difficult. An adequate resection at the first intervention (complete tumor resection including a homolateral thyroid lobectomy and parathyroidectomy with resection of central lymph nodes) is recommended.

Expression of TAp73 and DeltaNp73 isoform transcripts in thyroid tumours.

AIM: This study was aimed to determine p73 status in thyroid tumours. METHODS: Differential expression of the TAp73, DeltaTAp73 transcripts was measured in a panel of 60 thyroid malignancies by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: By comparison to normal thyroid tissue surrounding the tumours, we observed significant downregulation of TP73 transcripts in adenomas and in differentiated carcinomas. Correlations were found in normal tissue specimens between the expression of TAp73 and DeltaNp73 transcripts and that of p53, p14ARF p16INK4a, but these correlations were lost in carcinomas (PTC or FTC). CONCLUSIONS: We have found significant variations of TAp73, DeltaNp73, p53, p14ARF p16INK4a, expressions and correlations between the expressions of those different genes in thyroid cancer.

Central neck dissection in the management of sporadic medullary thyroid microcarcinoma.

AIM: Treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) includes total thyroidectomy with at least bilateral central neck dissection. Systematic measurement of thyrocalcitonin (CT) levels in thyroid nodules allows for early diagnosis of MTC. As central neck dissection (CND) is associated with high morbidity, the aim of this study was to investigate the necessity of this procedure in the treatment of sporadic medullary thyroid microcarcinoma (S-mMTC). METHODS: Prospective multicentric study including 43 patients with sporadic micro-MTC who underwent CND between January 1991 and August 2001. RESULTS: 26 women and 17 men with sporadic micro-MTC, aged 28-87 (mean age was 58 years), without family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia, underwent surgery. Total thyroidectomy was performed in all patients and combined with 'picking' (n=7) or CND (n=36). Size of tumours ranged from 0.2 to 9mm (mean size was 4.1mm). Solitary (32/43 patients) and multiple S-mMTC lesions (11/43 patients) were seen. 601 lymph nodes from the 41 subclinical patients were analysed. Mean follow-up period for these patients was 32 months. No mutations in the RET oncogene were seen. CONCLUSION: As lymph node involvement is uncommon in S-mMTC, systematic CND is of questionable value.

Protection of autotransplanted pig kidneys from ischemia-reperfusion injury by polyethylene glycol.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is often responsible for graft rejection and leads to delayed graft function of cadaveric kidneys. We have shown that adding polyethylene glycol (PEG 20M) to the preservation solutions helps protect isolated perfused pig kidneys against cold ischemia and reperfusion injury. METHODS: We compared the effects of adding PEG to a simplified high-K+ perfusion solution of cold-stored kidneys to Euro-Collins or University of Wisconsin solutions on the function of reperfused autotransplanted pig kidneys. The left kidney was cold-flushed with the preservation solutions and stored for 48 hr at 4 degrees C before reimplantation. Creatinine clearance and fractional excretion of sodium were analyzed 2 days before surgery and over 7 days after transplantation. Histological sections were obtained 40 min after reperfusion and on day 7 after surgery. RESULTS: Adding PEG to the perfusate significantly reduced IRI from autotransplanted pig kidneys. Creatinine clearance was significantly higher and fractional excretion of sodium was significantly lower in pigs transplanted with kidneys cold-flushed with PEG-supplemented perfusate than in those flushed with Euro-Collins or University of Wisconsin solutions. PEG supplementation also better preserved the integrity of kidney cells and markedly reduced interstitial cell infiltrates. CONCLUSION: PEG protects against IRI and reduces early cellular inflammation. PEG may impair the recruitment and migration of leukocytes into retransplanted pig kidneys. Cold preservation of donor organs with PEG-supplemented solutions may therefore help limit IRI in human renal transplantation.

[Laparoscopic preperitoneal hernia repair]. / Cure de hernies inguinales vidéoscopique par voie prépéritonéale.

The authors describe a technique of totally preperitoneal videoscopic inguinal hernia repair. This method allows, by cleavages, to obtain a preperitoneal space where can be individualised anatomical structures of the inguinofemoral area: pubis, pectineal ligament of Cooper, epigastric vessels. After squelettisation of the elements of the cord by release of the hernial bag, installation of a not fixed prosthesis largely covers the hernial rings.

[Management of thymic cysts]. / Prise en charge des kystes thymiques.

OBJECTIVE: The thymic cysts are rare tumors of the neck and anterior mediastinum. The management of these patients in our institution is reported. Minimally invasive procedures are discussed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six patients operated in our institution within ten years, with a follow-up of 7.1 +/-3.7 years are studied retrospectively. RESULTS: There were four women and two men with an average of 39.8 +/-16.5 years. The tumor was found on chest radiograph in four asymptomatic patients, one took medical advice for laryngeal discomfort and another for dysphagia and dyspnea. The tumor was localized in the anterior mediastinum in three cases, in the cervicomediastinal site in two cases and in the cervical site in one case. CT scan was practiced in three patients with a mediastinal tumor and MR imaging in one of them. In patients with cervical or cervicomediastinal tumor, a cervical echography was practiced. All patients were operated on: three by cervicotomy, one by sternotomy, one by partial upper mini-sternotomy and one by right lateral video-assisted mini-thoracotomy. Histology confirmed benign epithelial thymic cyst. CONCLUSION: There is no specific marker of thymic cysts. Only the surgical management, leads to precise the diagnosis and to treat these tumors. No mortality, no complications or recurrences are reported. The minimally invasive surgery takes an interesting place for thoracic location, to explore and treat these benign mediastinal lesions.

The status of CDKN2A alpha (p16INK4A) and beta (p14ARF) transcripts in thyroid tumour progression.

CDKN2A locus on chromosome 9p21 encodes two tumour suppressor proteins pl6INK4A, which is a regulator of the retinoblastoma (RB) protein, and p14ARF, which is involved in the ARF-Mdm2-p53 pathway. The aim of this study was to determine if CDKN2A gene products are implicated in differentiated thyroid carcinogenesis and progression. We used real-time quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to assess both transcripts and proteins levels in 60 tumours specimens. Overexpression of p14ARF and pl6INK4A was observed in follicular adenomas, follicular carcinomas and papillary carcinomas, while downregulation was found in oncocytic adenomas compared to nontumoral paired thyroid tissues. These deregulations were statistically significant for pl6INK4a (P=0.006) in follicular adenomas and close to statistical significance for p14ARF in follicular adenomas (P=0.06) and in papillary carcinomas (P=0.05). In all histological types, except papillary carcinomas, we observed a statistically significant relationship between p14ARF and E2F1 (r=0.64 to 1, P<0.05). Our data are consistent with involvement of CDKN2A transcript upregulation in thyroid follicular tumorigenesis as an early event. However, these deregulations do not appear to be correlated to the clinical outcome and they could not be used as potential prognostic markers.

Increased calcitonin level in thyroid nodules without medullary carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Basal calcitonin measurement is routinely performed in patients with a thyroid nodule to detect medullary carcinoma. However, increased calcitonin does not always correlate with medullary carcinoma. The aim of this study was to analyse increased calcitonin levels in patients without medullary carcinoma and to find out whether absence of this carcinoma can be predicted with certainty. METHODS: From 1992 to 2003, 5018 patients with thyroid nodules underwent thyroid surgery. A retrospective analysis of preoperative increased calcitonin levels in 67 of these patients was performed. RESULTS: Pathology revealed medullary carcinoma in 16 patients (group I), micromedullary carcinoma in 13 (group II) and no medullary carcinoma in 38 (group III). In group III, 30 patients had C-cell hyperplasia. The mean basal calcitonin level was 6250 pg/ml in group I (39-62 500), 109.6 pg/ml in group II (10-728) and 25.5 pg/ml in group III (10.5-145). The mean pentagastrin-stimulated calcitonin level was 1074.1 pg/ml in group II (26-5700) and 67.6 pg/ml in group III (10-205). CONCLUSION: There is an overlap of thyroid C-cell pathology for medullary carcinoma, micromedullary carcinoma and C-cell hyperplasia that occurs when basal calcitonin is between 10 and 145 pg/ml and pentagastrin-stimulated calcitonin between 10 and 205 pg/ml. In these patients, since medullary carcinoma cannot be completely excluded, total thyroidectomy should be recommended.

Kidney retrieval conditions influence damage to renal medulla: evaluation by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) pectroscopy.

In the present investigation, the influence of retrieval condition on medullary damage in kidneys was assessed. The isolated perfused pig kidney was used to assess initial renal function from multiorgan donors or single organ donors after cold flush and 24 h cold storage preservation with two preservation solutions: Euro-Collins and University of Wisconsin solutions. Kidneys flushed with cold heparinized saline and immediately perfused were used as a control group. Kidneys were perfused for 90 min at 37.5 degrees C and renal perfusion flow rate, glomerular filtration rate, tubular reabsorption of Na+ and lactate dehydrogenase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase excretion were determined. Ischaemia reperfusion impairment was also determined by 1H NMR (proton nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy. Renal function was significantly decreased in experimental groups when compared to the control group, but there was no significant difference between experimental groups after 24 h cold storage. The release of lactate dehydrogenase in the effluent and the urinary excretion of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase were not significantly different after 24 h cold storage. The most relevant resonances determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy were citrate, trimethylamine-N-oxide, lactate, acetate and amino acids. Excretion of these markers was significantly different when compared to biochemical markers. A resonance P (Peak) detected particularly in Euro-Collins solution multiorgan donors after 24 h cold storage was identified and well correlated to renal dysfunction. N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase spectroscopy, which is a non-invasive and non-destructive technique, is more efficient to assess renal damage than conventional histology and biochemical analysis.

Citrate, acetate and renal medullary osmolyte excretion in urine as predictor of renal changes after cold ischaemia and transplantation.

In organ transplantation, the determination of reliable parameters to assess ischaemic damage is essential to predict renal injury after preservation. The aim of this study was to assess renal medullary injury by 1H NMR (proton nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy after preservation and reperfusion. Three experimental groups of pigs were examined during a 2-week period: control group (n = 4), Euro-Collins group (EC) (cold flushed and 48 h cold storage of kidney in EC and autotransplantation, n = 7), and University of Wisconsin (UW) group (cold flushed and 48 h cold storage of kidney in UW and autotransplantation, n = 7). Creatinine and urea were improved in the two cold stored groups. The most relevant resonances determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy after transplantation were those arising from citrate and acetate in urine and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) in urine and plasma. We demonstrate that graft dysfunction is associated with damage to the renal medulla as determined by TMAO release in urine and plasma. Conversely, citrate excretion can discriminate kidneys with favourable outcome. This study outlines the specific and beneficial impact of UW solution on renal preservation and suggests that 1H NMR spectroscopy is efficient both to detect ischaemic damage of preserved kidneys and to discriminate the preservation quality between different preservation solutions.