Surgical Treatment of Hyperparathyroidism After Kidney Transplant.

Chronic renal impairment is often associated with complex bone disorders. Improvement of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is expected after kidney transplant (KT) if the glomerular filtration rate is normalized. PATIENTS AND METHODS: There were 888 KTs performed between 1996 and 2017 at our department. A total of 558 general patients have been operated on for HPT during the same period. The 2 populations had a common part: out of the 558, a total of 69 (12.4%) were in end-stage renal failure when operated on because of secondary HPT. That also means that 7.8% of all KTs were associated with HPT. Retrospective, single-center analysis was performed using the patients' medical records. The aim of our study was to analyze the results of parathyroidectomies after KT. RESULTS: Parathyroid surgery was performed on 19 patients (2.14%) because of HPT after KT. The applied surgical technique was total parathyroidectomy with autotransplant in 6 cases, subtotal parathyroidectomy in 3 cases, and selective parathyroidectomy in 10 cases. In all cases, histology revealed benign disease. Complications were observed in 10 cases (52%); there were 6 cases of postoperative hypocalcaemia (31.58%), 1 case of transient laryngeal recurrent nerve paresis (5.26%), and 6 cases of recurrent HPT (31.58%). SUMMARY: The first step of HPT management is calcimimetic drug treatment. It is essential to prevent possible complications with regular laboratory monitoring. If the proper conservative therapy is refractory or severe in complications, surgery should be chosen. If the patient is already waiting for a KT, it is worth performing the parathyroid surgery before KT. Close collaboration with endocrinologists and nephrologists is needed to achieve successful therapy.

Establishment of the hu-PBL-SCID mouse model for the investigation of thyroid cancer.

New experimental models of human neoplastic diseases attempt to mimic the human environment that fostered the development of disease in cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to establish a human lymphocyte-engrafted, severe combined immunodeficient (hu-PBL-SCID) mouse model to investigate thyroid cancer and to evaluate the potential use of this model for cancer immunotherapy. Thyroid neoplastic tissues were obtained from ten patients (one follicular adenoma, five papillary, one follicular, one anaplastic and two medullary cancers). One 8 x 4 x 3 millimeter sample from each tumor was cut into two pieces of identical size and transplanted into two SCID mice. In each case, one of the two mice was injected intraperitoneally with lymphocytes from the same tumor patient for the reconstitution of the human immune system (Group A), while the other animal received no lymphocytes (Group B). The engraftment of the tumors was successful in all cases. The growth rate was highly dependent on the histological type. When histologies were compared before implantation and after the removal of the implants, the characters of the tumors proved to be unchanged, except one case where an anaplastic cancer arose from a papillary tumor. Macrophages were present in all but one papillary cancer. All differentiated thyroid cancers were infiltrated by T and B lymphocytes. Lymphocytes and macrophages disappeared from 19/20 grafts by week 16. However, in one case from group A lymphocytes were detected four months after the transplantation. In another case from group A, one papillary cancer spontaneously decreased in size and disappeared. Before implantation, HLA-DR expression was detected in every papillary cancer. HLA-DR expression in the grafts was not seen in 3/5 cases by week 16. In conclusion, an animal model has been established for the investigation of human thyroid cancer, by which the analysis of anti-tumor immunity, as a postulate of immune therapy, may be possible.

Prevalence of iodine deficiency and goitre during pregnancy in east Hungary.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the iodine nutritional status and the prevalence of goitre during pregnancy in a region of Hungary that appeared to be iodine sufficient in previous studies. DESIGN: A cross-sectional voluntary screening study was organized in which 313 pregnant women participated. METHODS: Urine iodine concentration and the volume of the thyroid gland were measured in every woman. In the presence of low urinary iodine concentrations, goitre, or both, thyroid function tests were performed. RESULTS: Iodine deficiency was found in 57.1% of the pregnant women, and was severe in 15.6%. The volume of the thyroid gland was enlarged in 19.2% of individuals. Nodular goitre was found in 17 women (5.4%). The frequency of goitre and the mean thyroid volume were increased in the group of iodine-deficient women. In the 89 cases of iodine deficiency or goitre, thyrotrophin concentrations were in the normal range; however, the free triiodothyronine:free throxine ratio was increased in 97% of them, indicating that the thyroid gland was in a stimulated state in these individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Iodine deficiency with high prevalence of goitre was recognized among pregnant women in an area that previously appeared to be iodine sufficient. An unexpected mild iodine deficiency was also noted in the non-pregnant control group. Reassessment and continuous monitoring of iodine nutritional status is warranted even in populations that are apparently considered to be 'at no risk' of iodine deficiency, especially in pregnant women. Regular administration of iodine, starting at preconception or in early pregnancy and continuing during the period of nursing, is recommended in these regions.

Differentiated thyroid cancer and outcome in iodine deficiency.

AIMS: Factors influencing prognosis and long-term outcome of thyroid cancer have been described by several groups. We wished to asses the previously described prognostic factors in a moderately iodine deficient region in Hungary. METHODS: Four hundred and fifty-four out of 492 patients who had surgery for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC, 386 cases) and follicular thyroid cancer (FTC, 106 cases) between 1971 and 1998 were analyzed. Survival curves were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The 10 and 20-year survival rates were 87.9 and 84% for PTC, and 78.2 and 78.2% for FTC. In PTC, extrathyroidal invasion (p<0.0001), lymph node metastasis (p<0.0001), distant metastasis (p<0.0001), and age over 40 years (p=0.002) were significant adverse predictors. In FTC, extrathyroidal invasion (p=0.003) distant metastases (p<0.0001), and age over 40 years (p=0.011) were significant adverse predictors. CONCLUSION: Iodine intake did not appear to influence survival. The incidence of follicular cancer, which has less favourable prognosis, was higher in iodine deficient regions. This supports the importance of iodine supplementation in these areas.

[Value of thyroglobulin determination in the follow up treatment of patients with thyroid cancer]. / Thyreoglobulin meghatározások értéke differenciált pajzsmirigycarcinomában szenvedö betegek utókezelésében.

Tg measurements were performed regularly in 96 thyroid carcinomas in order to evaluate metastases and local recurrencies. Elevated Tg level was detected in 11 patient. 7 of them were operated on because of local recurrencies and lymph node metastases. All patients that needed reoperation had elevated Tg level. During the follow up period no patient needed reoperation who had elevated Tg level or metastases detected by other diagnostic procedures. Summarising the results they found the Tg level measurements valuable in the follow up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. The Tg level measurements can supplement or sometimes replace 131J thyroid scanning.

[Diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum, containing ectopic gastric mucosa", by studying small bowel passage]. / Ectopiás gyomornyálkahártyát tartalmazó Meckel-diverticulum felismerése vékonybél-passage vizsgálattal.

Radiological diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum is a difficult task. Here we report a patient with hereditary sphaerocytosis who complained of a chronic periumbilical pain and in whom antegrade barium enema suggested Meckel diverticulum. The diagnosis had been proven both surgically and histologically. This observation indicates that so called traditional x-ray still has its role even in the era of modern (and expensive) radiology.

[Surgical treatment of sternal dehiscence after sternotomy using Ley prosthesis]. / Median sternotomiát követó sternumszétválás kezelése Ley-protézis alkalmazásával.

Median sternotomy is still the most commonly used approach in cardiac surgery. Closure of the sternal halves is usually performed with stainless wires. Usually this method proves efficient to achieve proper sternal stability without postoperative wound complications. On the other hand in a small number of patients this simple method is not efficient to resist the great spreading forces on the sternal halves leading to sternal instability and other serious complications. We describe successful application of a newly introduced device, the Ley-prosthesis, which may be a very useful treatment for postoperative sternal dehiscence even in complicated cases.

[Change in the surgical treatment of benign adrenal gland tumors. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy]. / Szemlélet- és stratégiaváltás a jóindulatú mellékvesedaganatok sebészi kezelésében. Laparoszkópos adrenalectomia.

UNLABELLED: Since 1995 fifty-two patient was operated on the Ist Department of the Surgery (DEOEC) due to uni- and bilateral tumor of the adrenal gland. Between May 1999, and December 2000 the authors performed 11 transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomies (LA). Conversion due to bleeding in 3 cases and due to suspected malignancy in 1 case was necessary. This malignant lesion could have been resected during the open surgery after only the temporary dissection of the right renal vein. Complete resection was carried out in 9 cases. In 2 cases where a well circumscribed adenoma or teratoma was visualized, only enucleation was performed. The complication rate was low (1 ptx). Blood replacement was not necessary. The operation mean time was not any longer in LA compared to the open surgical approach. Preoperatively adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), metadrenaline (metA), normetadrenaline (normetA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) were measured in 24-h urine samples. Adrenal imagery consisted in all patients of abdominal computed tomography and in 4 patients adrenal magnetic resonance imaging but [131I] metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) and octreotide scintigraphy were not performed. CONCLUSION: In the authors experience laparoscopic adrenalectomy is absolutely superior to the open surgery for the benign diseases of the adrenal gland not bigger than 6 cm. A short, uncomplicated and painless postoperative period can be achieved for the patients, with the same efficacy and safety compared to the conventional surgery. Enucleation without the whole adrenal gland excision is also possible.

[Differentiated thyroid carcinoma: prognostic factors]. / Differenciált pajzsmirigy carcinoma: prognosztikai faktorok vizsgálata.

Factors influencing prognosis and long term outcome of thyroid cancer have been described by several groups. It is, however, not clear how the moderate iodine deficiency in Hungary can influence the previously described prognostic factors by other means than shifting differentiated cancer incidence toward the follicular type. Data of 423 out of 472 patients who had been operated on for papillary (372) and follicular (100) thyroid cancer between 1971 and 1997 at our institution have been analyzed retrospectively. Histological specimens were re-evaluated and, if needed, revised. Survival curves were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. The overall 5 and 10 year survival rates were 93% and 89% for papillary, and 92% and 80% for follicular carcinoma. As an independent factor extrathyroidal invasion (papillary p = 0.000, follicular p = 0.000), lymph node involvement (papillary p = 0.000, follicular 0.011), distant metastases (papillary p = 0.000, follicular p = 0.000), and age over 40 years (papillary p = 0.000, follicular p = 0.000) had negative influence on survival. Multifocality, gender, type of surgery (total or near-total thyroidectomy vs. less than near-total thyroidectomy), and lymphocytic infiltration did not influence survival. Iodine intake did not influence survival, however, the incidence of follicular cancer was higher in iodine deficient regions. When analyzing the papillary and follicular groups separately by Cox regression, extrathyroidal invasion (p = 0.008), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.004), distant metastasis (p = 0.000), and age over 40 years (p = 0.000) were significant predictors in the papillary group, while only tumor extrathyroidal invasion (p = 0.019), and distant metastases (p = 0.000) were significant negative factors in the follicular group.

Long-term follow-up of node-positive papillary thyroid carcinomas.

INTRODUCTION: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with papillary thyroid cancer who were node positive and treated at our department between 1955 and 1994. Of 362 cases of papillary cancer, 134 were identified with lymph-node metastases (37%). METHODS: Two types of dissection procedures were applied by a large community of surgeons. When only the cervical central lymph nodes were involved, the procedure of choice was thyroidectomy, with local lymph-node excision (LD); if the lateral nodes were also affected, modified radical neck dissection (MRND) was applied. RESULTS: Of 88 patients considered to have minimal involvement, 70 underwent procedures of a lesser magnitude than MRND. Most of the operations were localised "picking procedures". Recurrence of the disease developed in 16 cases, twice in 8 of these. The new tumourous lymph node was found to be ipsilateral in every case and close to the place of the first operation. The rate of recurrence was 23%. In the same group, 18 MRNDs were performed, with ipsilateral lymph-node recurrence in six cases. In 41 patients undergoing surgery for extended lymph-node metastases, conservative excisions were carried out in 17 and MRND in 24 cases, including six bilateral dissections. In this group, late recurrence was 47%. CONCLUSION: The results of the follow-up of 30 childhood and juvenile patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma is very interesting; all of our young patients are alive.

Interdisciplinary treatment of the malignant lymphoma of the thyroid.

720 patients with malignant tumor of the thyroid were treated at our department between 1950 and 1996. Histological examination revealed 15 cases (2%) of malignant lymphoma (14 female, 1 male mean age: 69.8 year). In 8 cases Hashimoto thyroiditis, in 1 case chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis was verified beyond the lymphoma. According to Ann Arbor staging, 9 patients were stage I E, 3 II E, 1 III E, and 2 IV E. Radical surgical treatment was performed in 7, palliative in also 7, and only biopsy in one case. Irradiation was administered in 9, chemotherapy in 8 patients. In 5 out of the 7 palliative operated patients tracheostomy was performed. 10 patients were lost. The therapy of the non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the thyroid is debated in the literature. There are some authors, who question the role of surgery. Our experience, based on the longer survival of the patients, who underwent radical operation, support those, who consider the possible surgical treatment as the initial part of the multimodal therapy.

Distribution of calcitonin-containing parafollicular cells of the thyroid in patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis: a clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical study.

The C-cell hyperplasia of the thyroid gland is recognized as precursor to medullary carcinoma, particularly in multiple endocrine neoplasias, however it can be associated with hypercalcemic states and follicular tumours as well. The authors analysed 46 of their cases with Hashimoto's and/or lymphocytic thyroiditis from the immunohistological point of view with the aim of determining to what extent is C-cell hyperplasia associated with these pathological pictures. C-cell hyperplasia was demonstrated on sections of intraoperative preparations with the immunoperoxidase method with anticalcitonin MoAb. Moderate, focal C-cell hyperplasia was found in 17.4% (8 patients), extensive focal hyperplasia similarly in 17.4% (8 patients). Diffuse C-cell hyperplasia occurred in 1 case (2.2%). These results suggest the possibility that in the case of diffuse or more pronounced focal hyperplasia the serum calcitonin concentration of these patients is also elevated. Further clinical and pathological studies are needed to find out whether there is some pathogenetic relationship between chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and C-cell hyperplasia or whether the finding is coincidental, and to establish what degree of C-cell hyperplasia is associated with elevated serum calcitonin levels. This relationship has been unknown until the present time, whereas it can be of great clinical significance, in part because of the changes in serum calcitonin levels, in part for screening out the MEN IIa type and working out the operating strategy.

[Changes in the epidemiological parameters of radiation-induced illnesses in East Hungary 10 years after Chernobyl]. / Veränderungen der epidemiologischen Parameter von SD-Erkrankungen in Ostungarn zehn Jahre nach Tschernobyl.

Ten years after the Chernobyl fall-out, a significant increase was found in the number of childhood and adolescent papillary thyroid carcinomas (p < 0.05) and Hashimoto thyroiditis (p < 0.01) among the 1226 thyroid patients operated on at the 1st Department of Surgery of the University Medical School of Debrecen.

Special features of childhood and juvenile thyroid carcinomas.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 36 patients who underwent surgery for childhood or juvenile thyroid cancers and who were regularly followed up during the course of 30 years. The biological properties and late prognosis of these patients were assessed, and the clinical and morphological characteristics of the tumors were examined. The distribution of the DNA content in the tumor cells was compared with that in adult tumor cells, and the results of cytogenetic tests performed on mothers operated on for thyroid tumors and their children are also discussed.

Surgically treated Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

The primary way to treat Hashimoto's thyroiditis is conservative. However, it has a relatively high occurrence in operated patients, up to 13% in the literature. Indications for surgery are suspicion of malignancy, and/or trachea/esophagus compression. 2818 thyroid operations were performed at our department between 1986 and 1995. 279 patients suffered from thyroid cancer and 2539 had benign disease. Histology revealed Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 118 cases. Coexisting malignant thyroid tumor was found in 14 cases (11.8%): 9 papillary, 2 follicular, 1 anaplastic cancer, and 2 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis occurred in 8 cases, of which 6 remained permanent. This relatively high incidence supports the importance to identify the laryngeal nerve during every operation for Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Four patients had temporary and one had permanent hypoparathyroidism. Coexistence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and thyroid carcinoma, the increased risk for the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and the need for thyroxin supplementation in many cases justify a careful, long-term follow-up of patients with Hashimoto's disease.

The role of technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis of cold thyroid nodules.

Various diagnostic techniques have been successfully used in the clinical management of cold nodules; however, the decision on whether to employ surgery or a conservative treatment is not always easy. This study was designed to appraise the diagnostic value of technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy in the assessment of cold nodules detected using (99m)Tc-pertechnetate. Fifty-two patients were included in the study. All had already been selected for surgery, based on their clinical and laboratory findings, including fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The total number of cold nodules on (99m)Tc-pertechnetate scans was 59. The thyroid scan was performed 20-40 min after i.v. injection of 400 MBq of (99m)Tc-MIBI. Uptake of MIBI in thyroid nodules was compared with that in the surrounding normal thyroid tissue, and a score of between 0 and 3 was assigned to each nodule as follows: 0, cold; 1, decreased; 2, equal; 3, hot. Definitive histology revealed nodular goitre in 24 cases, adenoma in 19, thyroiditis in 1, differentiated cancer in 12, medullary cancer in 2, and anaplastic cancer in 1. None of the degenerative nodules were hot on MIBI scan, while the adenomas showed a variety of MIBI imaging patterns, most frequently the score 3 pattern. In the diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancer the sensitivities of score 3 and score 2+3 MIBI uptake patterns were 83% (10/12) and 100%, respectively. The score 3 MIBI uptake pattern had a specificity of 100% and a positive predictive value of 100% with respect to thyroid (benign and malignant) neoplastic diseases, whereas a specificity of 72% and a positive predictive value of 43% were observed in the detection of differentiated cancer. After a cold nodule had been detected using (99m)Tc-pertechnetate, a second scan with high MIBI uptake increased by 7.8 times the probability that this nodule would be a differentiated cancer. In conclusion, (99m)Tc-MIBI scintigraphy is a useful method in the differential diagnosis of cold thyroid nodules if the primary aim is to differentiate degenerative from neoplastic diseases rather than to differentiate benign from malignant nodules. High MIBI uptake considerably increases the probability of a differentiated thyroid cancer and facilitates immediate surgical removal, while decreased uptake actually excludes it. We suggest a combination of fine-needle aspiration biopsy and MIBI scan as a routine diagnostic approach to cold thyroid nodules.