Confirmation of Parathyroid Tissue: Are Surgeons Aware of New and Novel Techniques?

BACKGROUND: Ex vivo aspiration of parathyroid glands for the measurement of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) levels is a rapid point-of-care method to confirm parathyroid tissue during parathyroidectomy and an alternative to frozen section (FS). This study sought to determine the awareness and utilization of this technique among endocrine surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A de-identified 12-question survey regarding techniques for intraoperative identification/confirmation of parathyroid tissue and the use of IOPTH monitoring was distributed to all 608 members of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. RESULTS: Among the 182 (30%) respondents, FS was the most common primary technique utilized by 115 (63%) respondents to confirm parathyroid tissue; only 12 (7%) utilized ex vivo aspiration, although 78 (42%) were familiar with the technique. Availability and familiarity were the principal reasons for use of the primary technique; the most common barrier was time. Serum IOPTH monitoring was routinely used by 124 (74%). Of respondents who utilized FS, serum IOPTH monitoring was routinely used by 75% (86/115), including 71% (45/63) who reported time as a barrier to FS. Of these 45, only 15 (33%) were familiar with ex vivo parathyroid aspiration. Only 48% of surgeons knew how PTH samples were charged. CONCLUSIONS: FS was the most common method of identification/confirmation of parathyroid tissue. Although most respondents routinely performed IOPTH monitoring, relatively few utilized ex vivo aspiration as a technique for parathyroid identification and less than 50% were familiar with this technique. Broader dissemination about novel techniques such as ex vivo aspiration and cost awareness are recommended.

Overcoming clinical inertia in the management of postoperative patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of an intervention designed to increase basal-bolus insulin therapy administration in postoperative patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Educational sessions and direct support for surgical services were provided by a nurse practitioner (NP). Outcome data from the intervention were compared to data from a historical (control) period. Changes in basal-bolus insulin use were assessed according to hyperglycemia severity as defined by the percentage of glucose measurements >180 mg/dL. RESULTS: Patient characteristics were comparable for the control and intervention periods (all P≥.15). Overall, administration of basal-bolus insulin occurred in 9% (8/93) of control and in 32% (94/293) of intervention cases (P<.01). During the control period, administration of basal-bolus insulin did not increase with more frequent hyperglycemia (P = .22). During the intervention period, administration increased from 8% (8/96) in patients with the fewest number of hyperglycemic measurements to 60% (57/95) in those with the highest frequency of hyperglycemia (P<.01). The mean glucose level was lower during the intervention period compared to the control period (149 mg/dL vs. 163 mg/dL, P<.01). The proportion of glucose values >180 mg/dL was lower during the intervention period than in the control period (21% vs. 31% of measurements, respectively, P<.01), whereas the hypoglycemia (glucose >70 mg/dL) frequencies were comparable (P = .21). CONCLUSION: An intervention to overcome clinical inertia in the management of postoperative patients with diabetes led to greater utilization of basal-bolus insulin therapy and improved glucose control without increasing hypoglycemia. These efforts are ongoing to ensure the delivery of effective inpatient diabetes care by all surgical services.

Brachiocephalic vein bypass with sternal reconstruction for symptomatic occlusion.

Complications attributed to central venous stenosis and subsequent thrombosis are increasing in frequency and are most commonly associated with neointimal fibroplasia as well as neoplastic, fibrotic, and traumatic pathologies. We present the successful venous bypass and thoracic wall reconstruction of a 58-year-old female with chronic atypical symptoms secondary to brachiocephalic vein occlusion from congenital thoracic dystrophy.

Intermediate-sized follicular thyroid cancer surgical trends before and after the 2015 American thyroid association guideline changes.

In 2015, the ATA updated the guidelines to advocate for a lobectomy for tumors <1.0 â€‹cm and total thyroidectomy for tumors >4.0 â€‹cm. Treatment for tumors of intermediate size 1.0-4.0 â€‹cm is dependent on high-risk characteristics. There is limited research comparing the impact of the updated ATA guidelines on clinical practice on intermediate-sized tumors. In this study, the impact of the 2015 ATA guidelines on the surgical treatment of intermediated-sized FTC will be evaluated using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. A total of 9983 patients were included; 7769 patients (74.1 â€‹%) were diagnosed pre-ATA guidelines and 2709 patients (25.9 â€‹%) post-ATA guidelines. The mean rate of lobectomy for intermediate-sized tumors was 22.1 â€‹% which increased to 33.4 â€‹% post-ATA updates. The results of the logistic regression showed the rate of lobectomy increased significantly in the post-ATA changes period (p â€‹< â€‹0.001). Future research could benefit from evaluating how these trends impact patient outcome measures.

Underuse of curative surgery for early stage upper gastrointestinal cancers in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the cornerstone of potentially curative therapy for upper gastrointestinal cancer. We analyzed the patterns of treatment regarding the use of surgery for early-stage upper gastrointestinal cancer in the United States. METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Research database was used to identify patients with cancer of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, biliary tract, or duodenum (2004-2007). Only patients with potentially resectable stage I and II disease were selected. The primary outcome measure was the use of curative intent surgery. The secondary outcomes were the predictors of surgery. RESULTS: We identified 29,249 patients with a median age of 69 years. Only 54% of the patients underwent cancer-directed surgical resection, ranging from 28% for liver cancer to 89% for gallbladder cancer. The remaining patients underwent either local excision (8%) or no surgery (38%). Among the no surgery group, most patients (79%) were documented as "not being recommended for resection." The independent variables on multivariate analysis predictive of a nonoperative approach included black race, age older than 75 years, tumor size greater than 5 cm, and high poverty level (P < 0.001). Patients who did not undergo surgery had worse median and overall survival at 3 years than patients undergoing surgery (11 months versus 36 months and 14% versus 43%, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Almost one half of patients with early-stage upper gastrointestinal cancer did not receive potentially curative surgery, with an adverse effect on overall survival. A combination of demographic, tumor, and socioeconomic factors were predictive of a lack of surgical resection.

A Large Sporadic Intra-abdominal Desmoid-Type Fibromatosis in a Young Male: A Case Report.

Desmoid type fibromatosis (DTF) is a rare benign tumor of connective tissue origin. While these tumors are typically not malignant, they can exhibit aggressive growth patterns causing mass effect on surrounding organs. These tumors typically present in the extremities and abdominal wall, rarely occurring in the mesentery, and abdominal organs. Due to the rarity of this tumor and the variable size and origin, it is difficult to provide exact prognosis, recurrence, and treatment efficacy regarding desmoid tumors arising from the ileocolic mesentery. We present a case of a young male with a sporadic 31 × 25 × 12 cm DTF arising from the ileocolic mesentery that was complicated by mass effect on bowel and intra-abdominal organs requiring surgical intervention. On presentation, the patient exhibited weight gain and abdominal pressure. Abdominal distension without tenderness on palpation was noted on physical examination. The tumor biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of DTF. No evidence of familial adenomatous polyposis or Gardner syndrome was identified. The tumor was surgically excised and intimately associated with the bowel requiring ileocolonic resection with primary anastomosis. At 3-months follow up, surveillance MRI showed no residual or recurrent lesion. A multi-disciplinary approach to this patient's diagnosis and treatment allowed for an accurate diagnosis, efficient treatment, and follow up plan.

Intraoperative ex vivo parathyroid aspiration: A point-of-care test to confirm parathyroid tissue.

BACKGROUND: Ex vivo aspiration of a parathyroid gland with intraoperative parathyroid hormone determination is a method for intraoperative confirmation of parathyroid tissue. The aim of this study was to describe the use and applicability of this technique at a single, high-volume institution. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy and ex vivo aspiration of suspected, abnormal parathyroid tissue for intraoperative parathyroid hormone level (pg/mL). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels which were compared with the baseline serum aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone obtained prior to parathyroid excision in each patient. RESULTS: Of 921 tissue aspirates, 847 (92%) were confirmed as parathyroid on histopathology, with a mean ± standard deviation aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone of 3,838 ± 1,615 pg/mL. The 847 aspirates included 833 (98%) with aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels greater than the serum aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone and 14 (2%) with aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels less than the serum aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone; 74 (8%) aspirates were not parathyroid tissue, with a mean aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone level of 25 ± 12.7 pg/mL. An aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone ≥1.5 times the serum aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone represented the optimal threshold for confirmation of parathyroid tissue. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative ex vivo aspiration of presumed parathyroid gland is a sensitive and specific point-of-care method to confirm the presence of parathyroid tissue. An aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone ≥1.5 times greater than the baseline serum aspirate intraoperative parathyroid hormone minimizes the likelihood of misidentifying parathyroid tissue.

Percutaneous thrombolysis of acute-on-chronic inferior vena cava thrombosis after previous insertion of an Adams-DeWeese clip.

We describe the successful percutaneous treatment of acute-on-chronic IVC thrombosis 30 years following previous placement of Adams-DeWeese clip.

Metastatic carcinoid tumors--are we making the cut?

BACKGROUND: Although controversial, surgical resection for metastatic carcinoid tumors (MCTs) can potentially prolong survival. METHODS: Patients with MCTs were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. Patients undergoing surgery were compared to unresected patients. RESULTS: Surgery was performed in 33% of patients. Predictors of surgery included age <50 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.4), low grade (OR, 3.1), and the appendix (OR, 36.2) or small intestine (OR, 27.2) as the primary site. Predictors of adverse survival included high grade (hazard ratio, 2.4) and no surgery (hazard ratio, 2.5) or surgery on only primary or distant disease (hazard ratio, 1.5) compared with surgery for both. Survival at 5 years was 5% with no surgery, 28% with surgery on either site, and 46% with surgery at both sites (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for MCTs is more common in younger patients, those with low-grade disease, and those with small bowel or appendiceal primary tumors. Although selection bias cannot be excluded, these data lend support to "debulking" for MCT.

PTTG1 overexpression in adrenocortical cancer is associated with poor survival and represents a potential therapeutic target.

BACKGROUND: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is associated with poor survival rates. The objective of the study was to analyze ACC gene expression profiling data for prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. METHODS: We profiled 44 ACC and 4 normal adrenals on Affymetrix U133 Plus 2 expression microarrays. Pathway and transcriptional enrichment analysis was performed. Protein levels were determined by Western blot. Drug efficacy was assessed against ACC cell lines. Previously published expression datasets were analyzed for validation. RESULTS: Pathway enrichment analysis identified marked dysregulation of cyclin-dependent kinases and mitosis. Overexpression of PTTG1, which encodes securin, a negative regulator of p53, was identified as a marker of poor survival. Median survival for patients with tumors expressing high PTTG1 levels (log2 ratio of PTTG1 to average ß-actin <-3.04) was 1.8 years compared with 9.0 years if tumors expressed lower levels of PTTG1 (P < .0001). Analysis of a previously published dataset confirmed the association of high PTTG1 expression with a poor prognosis. Treatment of 2 ACC cell lines with vorinostat decreased securin levels and inhibited cell growth (median inhibition concentrations of 1.69 µmol/L and 0.891 µmol/L, for SW-13 and H295R, respectively). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of PTTG1 is correlated with poor survival in ACC. PTTG1/securin is a prognostic biomarker and warrants investigation as a therapeutic target.

Perioperative management of patients with diabetes undergoing ambulatory elective surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess processes of care for patients with diabetes undergoing elective surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted to determine frequency of perioperative glucose monitoring, changes in glucose control, and treatment of intraoperative hyperglycemia. RESULTS: A total of 268 patients underwent 287 elective procedures. Mean age was 67 years, 63% were men, 97% had type 2 diabetes, and most (57%) were treated with oral hypoglycemic agents. Average perioperative time was approximately 8 h. Mean preoperative hemoglobin A1c was 7.0%; however, this value was checked in only 52% of cases. A glucose measurement was obtained in 89% of cases in the preoperative area and in 87% in the postanesthesia care unit, but in only 33% of cases did a value get checked intraoperatively. Average glucose was 139 mg/dl preoperatively, increasing to 166 mg/dl postoperatively (p <.001). Glucose levels increased regardless of type of outpatient medical therapy used to treat hyperglycemia, except for those on combination oral agents plus insulin (p =.06). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate suboptimal documentation of outpatient hemoglobin A1c. Intraoperative glucose monitoring seldom occurred, despite prolonged periods under anesthesia and perioperative deterioration of glycemic control. Standards need to be developed and interventions are needed to enhance management of diabetes patients undergoing elective procedures.

Bilateral pulmonary emboli secondary to indwelling hemodialysis reliable outflow catheter.

We present a 33-year-old dialysis-dependent female who presented with new onset split second heart sound. Following a failed left upper extremity dialysis fistula, a right upper extremity hemodialysis reliable outflow (HeRO) graft was performed in 2011. Her subsequent cadaveric renal transplant had delayed function necessitating concurrent use of hemodialysis. However, as renal function improved, hemodialysis was discontinued. Two weeks following transplantation, the HeRO graft occluded. Subsequent clinical and radiological assessment confirmed widespread pulmonary emboli. Following cessation of hemodialysis and subsequent HeRO graft occlusion, removal was deemed appropriate to reduce further thromboembolic phenomenon. Right atrial thrombi are complications associated with central venous catheters. However, their actual incidence varies significantly. Right heart thromboemboli are associated with a 4% to 6% pulmonary embolism rate. Katzman et al assessed 38 patients who underwent HeRO graft and reported 1 (2.6%) patient with right atrial emboli and likely pulmonary embolism. Although thrombotic complications remain rare, consideration of graft removal should always be evaluated particularly in the absence of an alternative thrombotic source.

Clinical inertia during postoperative management of diabetes mellitus: relationship between hyperglycemia and insulin therapy intensification.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the application of insulin regimens in surgical postoperative patients with diabetes. METHODS: A chart review was conducted of patients with diabetes who were hospitalized postoperatively between January 1 and April 30, 2011. Analysis was restricted to patients hospitalized for ≥3 days and excluded cases with an endocrinology consult. Insulin regimens were categorized as "basal plus short acting," "short acting only," or "none," and the pattern of use was evaluated by hyperglycemia severity according to tertiles of both mean glucose and the number of glucose measurements >180 mg/dl. RESULTS: Among cases selected for analysis (n = 119), examination of changes in insulin use based on tertiles of mean glucose showed that use of basal plus short-acting insulin increased from 10% in the lowest tertile (mean glucose, 120 mg/dl) to 18% in the highest tertile (mean glucose, 198 mg/dl; p < .01); however, 70% of patients in the highest tertile continued to receive short-acting insulin only, with 12% receiving no insulin. Intensification of insulin to a basal plus short-acting regimen was also seen when changes were evaluated by the number of measurements >180 mg/dl (p < .01), but 70% and 12% of patients in the highest tertile still remained only on short-acting insulin or received no insulin, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Use of basal plus short-acting insulin therapy increased with worsening hyperglycemia, but many cases did not have therapy intensified to the recommended insulin regimen--evidence of clinical inertia. Strategies should be devised to overcome inpatient clinical inertia in the treatment of postoperative patients with diabetes.

Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis, and other mephitids.

We report 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci primers developed for striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), a widespread mesocarnivore in North America. Numbers of alleles in these loci ranged from seven to 14 and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.76 to 1.0. These primers will be useful for studying population dynamics of skunks where rabies is endemic and will be useful to estimate genetic relatedness among females sharing winter dens. Most of these primers amplify across species within the Mephitidae.