Evaluation and management of incidental thyroid nodules in patients with another primary malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Studies indicate that incidentally discovered thyroid nodules >or=1 cm in size may have a higher rate of malignancy (7% to 29%) than traditionally discovered nodules (5%). We sought to determine the rate of malignancy in incidental thyroid nodules in patients with other malignancies, and examine the accuracy of ultrasound (US) versus computed tomography (CT) in determining nodule size. METHODS: We evaluated 41 patients with history of another known malignancy (gastrointestinal, 23; breast, 11; other, 7) referred with an incidental thyroid nodule. Patients underwent office-based US and biopsy of nodules >or=1 cm. Surgical intervention was based on biopsy results. We compared nodule size at pathology with size seen on CT or US. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients met criteria for biopsy. Of the 35, 20 (57%) had atypical biopsy results warranting resection. Sixteen of those 20 underwent surgery. Pathology yielded 4 papillary thyroid cancers (PTC), 4 microPTC, 2 metastatic cancers, and 7 benign lesions. Ultrasound measurement of nodules compared to size measured at pathology had an r2 correlation value of 0.90 with P value <.0001. CT scan had an r2 value of 0.83 and P value of .005. CONCLUSIONS: Incidental thyroid nodules in patients with another primary malignancy warranted resection in 57%. The rate of malignancy in incidental thyroid nodules was 24%, which is above the expected rate of 5% seen in traditionally discovered nodules. US correlation with nodule size at pathology was excellent and superior to CT scan. Incidentally discovered thyroid nodules >or=1 cm, seen in patients with another malignancy, warrant further evaluation.

Inhibition of endothelin-1 improves survival and vasculopathy in rat cardiac transplants treated with cyclosporine.

BACKGROUND: In animal models, endothelin-1 (ET-1) blockade attenuates transplant vasculopathy and chronic allograft dysfunction even in the absence of cyclosporine (CsA). As CsA has side effects and ET-1 antagonism alone has significant benefits, we postulated that allograft survival could be significantly improved by combining an endothelin-converting enzyme inhibitor with low-dose CsA. METHODS: Survival of Lewis to Fisher 344 rat heterotopic cardiac allografts was determined in untreated animals and compared with those treated with high-dose CsA (62 mg/kg i.m. on day 2), low-dose CsA (25 mg/kg), an endothelin-converting enzyme inhibitor, phosphoramidon (PA, 10 mg/kg/day), or low-dose CsA + PA. RESULTS: Untreated allografts had a median survival of 16 days compared with 20 days for low-dose CsA. Grafts treated with PA survived for 28 days, and combination of PA and low-dose CsA improved median survival to 47 days (P<0.01). Median survival with combination therapy was similar to that for high-dose CsA (42 days). To explore mechanisms underlying the benefits of combination therapy, cardiac allografts treated as above (n=4 each group) were explanted at 20 d and analyzed for parenchymal rejection, neointimal vasculopathy, myocardial fibrosis, and macrophage infiltration. Low-dose CsA alone but not PA improved parenchymal rejection; in contrast, PA alone but not low-dose CsA improved vasculopathy. Both parenchymal rejection and vasculopathy were improved by combination therapy with low-dose CsA and PA. Unlike CsA, inhibition of ET-1 biosynthesis significantly reduced myocardial fibrosis in allografts. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the combination of low-dose CsA and endothelin-converting enzyme inhibition may prove useful to improve long-term graft survival while minimizing potential side effects of CsA.

Relationship of serum C-reactive protein and blood glucose levels with injury severity and patient morbidity in a pediatric trauma population.

PURPOSE: Serum markers of inflammation and of glucose production are known to reflect the immediate metabolic response to injury. We hypothesized that monitoring of the early C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood glucose (BG) concentrations would correlate with clinical morbidity and outcome measures in pediatric trauma patients. METHODS: A five-year retrospective chart review of pediatric trauma patients admitted to our Level I pediatric trauma center was conducted to establish the relationships between early (first 3 hospital days) serum CRP and BG concentrations, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and hospital length of stay (HLOS). Statistical significance (P < 0.05) was determined using Student's t-test. RESULTS: Forty-two trauma patients (8.0 +/- 5.2 years) were evaluated. The early inflammatory response (CRP >or= 10 vs <10 mg/dl) was significantly correlated to the glycemic response (BG;121 +/- 24 vs 97.3 +/- 14.2 mg/dl, P < 0.05). Severely injured patients (ISS >or= 25 vs <25) were significantly more hyperglycemic (BG;156 +/- 56.9 vs 125 +/- 31.6 mg/dL, P = 0.003). Both increased inflammatory response (CRP;8.1 +/- 6.4 vs 2.5 +/- 3.5 mg/dL) and increased glycemic response (BG;111 +/- 15.9 vs 97.4 +/- 11.7 mg/dL) were independently and significantly associated with prolonged hospitalization (HLOS > 7 vs

Computed tomography before transfer to a level I pediatric trauma center risks duplication with associated increased radiation exposure.

INTRODUCTION: Community hospitals commonly obtain computed tomographic (CT) imaging of pediatric trauma patients before triaging to a level I pediatric trauma center (PTC). This practice potentially increases radiation exposure when imaging must be duplicated after transfer. METHODS: A retrospective review of our level 1 PTC registry from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2006, was conducted. Level I and II trauma patients were grouped based on whether they had undergone outside CT examination (head and/or abdomen) at a referring hospital (group 1) or received initial CT examination at our institution (group 2). Subgroups were analyzed based on whether duplicate CT examination was required at our PTC (Fischer's Exact test). RESULTS: A duplicate CT scan (within 4 hours of transfer) was required in 91% (30/33) of group 1 transfer patients, whereas no group 2 patient required a duplicate scan (0/55; P < .0001). There was no significant difference within the groups for weight, age, or intensive care unit length of stay. CONCLUSION: A significant number of pediatric trauma patients who receive CT scans at referring hospitals before transfer to our level I PTC require duplicate scans of the same anatomical field(s) after transfer, exposing them to increase potential clinical risk and cost.

Increases in parathyroid hormone (PTH) after gastric bypass surgery appear to be of a secondary nature.

INTRODUCTION: Endocrine changes, particularly increases in parathyroid hormone (PTH), occurring after gastric bypass procedures have been reported but are not well characterized. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively patients who underwent Roux-en-Y (short limb (SL) = 75 cm, long limb (LL) = 165 cm) gastric bypass procedures at our institution from January-December 2005. Patient demographics, laboratory values of serum calcium, Vitamin D, and phosphorous concentrations as well as levels of alkaline phosphate and PTH were followed at quarterly intervals for one year. RESULTS: 140 patients were identified. Mean age for the group was 45 years and 90% of patients were female. The average BMI was 49.2. The mean PTH levels increased from 29.4 immediately post-op to 43.1 ng/mL (P < .001) one year after surgery. Five percent of the patients had hyperparathyroidism (PTH>53 ng/mL) immediately postoperatively; the ratio then increased to 21% at one year. Only two patients had evidence of true primary hyperparathyroidism with increased PTH and hypercalcemia. Sixty percent of patients had at least a 10 ng/mL increase in PTH level at the end of one year, reflecting a 30% increase from baseline levels. Vitamin D deficiency (levels <20 ng/mL) were identified in 45 patients (32%) initially postoperatively and they continued to be low compared to the rest of the population (P = .004). Vitamin D levels did vary with seasonal sun exposure and were greatest in the third quarter (July-September). Sub-analysis of the group showed that patients with LL gastric bypass had lesser Vitamin D concentrations (22 vs 30 ng/mL, P < .01) compared to SL patients. CONCLUSION: Although preoperative endocrine abnormalities are present in patients undergoing gastric bypass procedures, the derangements intensify after gastric bypass surgery. A four-fold increase in patients with elevated PTH deserves special attention. When combined with the concurrent prevalence of low serum Vitamin D and normocalcemia in this population, we propose that this is a disorder of secondary hyperparathyroidism requiring medical treatment with Vitamin D supplementation.

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase reduces renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: The role of nitric oxide (NO) production because of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the pathogenesis of renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is unclear. In this study the roles of both iNOS and NO were characterized in a rat model of renal I/R injury. In addition, the effect of iNOS inhibition on renal function was evaluated. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 45 min of left renal ischemia and contralateral nephrectomy followed by various periods of reperfusion and renal function analysis [plasma creatinine, fractional excretion of sodium (FENa), creatinine clearance (CrCl), and measurement of plasma and urine NO levels]. In addition, the effect of treatment with 1400W, a highly selective iNOS inhibitor, was evaluated. RESULTS: Renal dysfunction peaked at 48 h after reperfusion and immunohistochemistry studies revealed iNOS expression in the vasculature (3 h) and renal tubules (48 h) after reperfusion. Renal function improved significantly in treated animals compared to controls [creatinine of 1.1 v. 1.9 mg/dl (P < 0.05) and CrCl of 0.54 v. 0.31 ml/min (P < 0.05), respectively]. In addition, FENa was decreased by 50%, plasma NO levels were significantly lower (32.7 v. 45.7 micromol/L, P < 0.01), and deposition of nitrotyosine in the tubules of treated rats was less than in control animals. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that iNOS and NO are involved in the pathogenesis of renal I/R injury and suggests that use of iNOS inhibitors may be a valuable therapeutic strategy clinical situations where renal I/R may be prevalent.