A Phase II Redifferentiation Trial with Dabrafenib-Trametinib and 131I in Metastatic Radioactive Iodine Refractory BRAF p.V600E-Mutated Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dabrafenib-trametinib-131I for the treatment of radioactive iodine refractory metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with a BRAF p.V600E mutation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective phase II trial including patients with RECIST progression within 18 months and no lesion > 3 cm. Following a baseline recombinant human (rh)TSH-stimulated diagnostic whole-body scan (dc1-WBS), dabrafenib and trametinib were given for 42 days. A second rhTSH-stimulated dc WBS (dc2-WBS) was done at day 28 and 131I (5.5 GBq-150 mCi after rhTSH) was administered at day 35. Primary endpoint was the 6-month RECIST objective response rate. In case of partial response (PR) at 6 or 12 months, a second treatment course could be given. Among 24 enrolled patients, 21 were evaluable at 6 months. RESULTS: Abnormal 131I uptake was present on 5%, 65%, and 95% of the dc1-WBS, dc2-WBS, and post-therapy scans, respectively. At 6 months, PR was achieved in 38%, stable disease in 52%, and progressive disease (PD) in 10%. Ten patients received a second treatment course: one complete response and 6 PRs were observed at 6 months. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached. The 12- and 24-month PFS were 82% and 68%, respectively. One death due to PD occurred at 24 months. Adverse events (AE) occurred in 96% of the patients, with 10 grade 3-4 AEs in 7 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Dabrafenib-trametinib is effective in BRAF p.V600E-mutated DTC patients for restoring 131I uptake with PR observed 6 months after 131I administration in 38% of the patients.

Pituitary adenoma & nuclear medicine: Recent outcomes and ongoing developments.

In order to explore pituitary adenoma (PA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the cornerstone. However, there are some limitations and MRI can be non-conclusive. The development of additional imaging modalities like nuclear medicine explorations may help to confirm PA diagnosis, guide management and follow up. Nuclear medicine uses radiopharmaceuticals for imaging with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), or positron emission tomography (PET), coupled to CT scan. Radiopharmaceuticals products target specific cellular elements which allow to explore several biological pathways. Nuclear medicine may also be used for therapeutic purposes and recent developments of approach based on Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) for treatment of aggressive PA and pituitary carcinoma will be reviewed. Several radiotracers have been studied in the context of PA, and the aim of this paper is to discuss their respective performances and clinical interest.

Impact of Lymph Node Dissection on Postoperative Complications of Total Thyroidectomy in Patients with Thyroid Carcinoma.

Background: Lymph node dissection (LND) in primary treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma is controversial. The aim of our retrospective study was to analyse the risk factors of post-thyroidectomy complications and to assess the morbidity of lymph node dissection, especially in the central neck compartment, since prophylactic central lymph node dissection has not been proven to bring an overall survival benefit. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of postoperative complications from 1547 consecutive patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma in an academic department of endocrine surgery over a period of 10 years. Results: A total of 535 patients underwent lymph node dissection, whereas the other 1012 did not. The rate of postoperative hypoparathyroidism was higher in patients with LND (17.6% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.001). No significant difference in the rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism (2.4% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.096) was observed between these two groups. A multivariate analysis was performed. Female gender, ipsilateral and bilateral central LND (CLND), parathyroid autotransplantation, and the presence of the parathyroid gland on the resected thyroid were associated with transient hypoparathyroidism. Bilateral CLND and the presence of the parathyroid gland on specimen were associated with permanent hypoparathyroidism. The rate of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury (15.3% vs. 5.4%, p < 0.001) and permanent RLN injury (6.5% vs. 0.9%, p < 0.001) were higher in the LND group. In multivariate analysis, ipsilateral and bilateral lateral LND (LLND) were the main predictive factors of transient and permanent RLN injury. Bilateral RLN injury (2.6% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001), chyle leakage (2.4% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), other nerve injuries (2.2% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), and abscess (2.4% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.001) were higher in the patients with LND. Conclusions: The surgical technique and the extent of lymph node dissection during surgery for thyroid carcinoma increase postoperative morbidity. A wider knowledge of lymph-node-dissection-related complications associated with thyroid surgery could help surgeons to carefully evaluate the surgical and medical therapeutic options.

Hypogonadism: a neglected comorbidity in young and middle-aged HIV-positive men on effective combination antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Male hypogonadism is poorly characterized in young-to-middle-aged people with HIV (PWH). We used a reliable free testosterone assay to assess the prevalence and predictive factors for male hypogonadism in PWH on effective combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). DESIGN: A French cross-sectional study from January 2013 to June 2016. METHODS: We included HIV-1-infected men aged between 18 and 50years with HIV loads of 50 RNA copies/ml or less, on effective cART for at least 6 months. Hypogonadism was defined, according to guidelines, as a mean calculated serum free testosterone concentration less than 70pg/ml (Vermeulen equation). Sociodemographic, anthropo-metric, bone-densitometry, hormonal, immunovirological, metabolic, and therapeutic parameters were collected. The IIEF-5, HAM-D, and AMS scales, respectively, assessed erectile function, depression, and quality of life. RESULTS: Overall, 240 patients were enrolled, 231 were analyzed. Low free testosterone concentrations (<70pg/ml) were recorded in 20 patients (8.7%), and were exclusively of secondary origin. In multivariable analysis, the risk factors predictive of male hypogonadism were age more than 43 years [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.17, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.02-9.86; P  = 0.04], total fat percentage more than 19% (aOR3.5, 95% CI 1.18-10.37; P  = 0.02), and treatment including efavirenz (aOR3.77, 95% CI 1.29-10.98; P  = 0.02). A nadir CD4+ T-cell count more than 200 cells / µl (aOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07-0.65;P < 0.01) were protective. CONCLUSION: Male hypogonadism remains common in young-to-middle-aged PWH with stably suppressed viral replication. Treatment including efavirenz, being over 43 years old, and having a total body fat percentage greater than 19% could be used as criteria for identifying PWH at risk. Early screening for male hypogonadism might improve care by identifying patients requiring testosterone replacement.

Metabolic and immunological phenotype of rare lipomatoses: Dercum's disease and Roch-Leri mesosomatic lipomatosis.

CONTEXT: Dercum's disease (DD) and Roch-Leri mesosomatic lipomatosis (LMS) are rare and poorly characterized diseases. The clinical presentation combines multiple lipomas, painful in DD in contrast with LMS, without lipoatrophy. OBJECTIVE: To identify any specific metabolic and immune phenotype of DD and LMS. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: This monocentric retrospective study included 46 patients: 9 DD, 11 LMS, 18 lean and 8 obese controls. Metabolic and immunohematological characteristics of each group were compared. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was similar in the 3 groups (31 years). The number of women, and of basophils, and CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes was significantly higher in the DD versus the LMS group, without any difference of the metabolic parameters. Weight, BMI, blood pressure, gamma-GT, leptin, fasting insulin and C-peptide levels, fat mass percentage, and intra/total abdominal fat ratio were significantly higher in each lipomatosis group compared with the lean group. Compared with the lean group, the DD group had significantly higher fasting blood glucose, LDL-cholesterol, platelets, leukocytes, basophils, and a lower NK cell count, whereas the LMS group had a significantly lower rate of CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocytes. Compared with the obese controls, basophils remained higher in DD and T lymphocytes subpopulations lower in LMS groups. CONCLUSION: DD and LMS show a common background of obesity and metabolic phenotype, but a distinct immunohematological profile characterized by a higher number of basophils in DD patients, an inflammatory profile that could contribute to pain. T lymphocyte depletion was present in LMS. These findings could offer specific therapeutic opportunities, especially for painful DD.

Quantitative dual isotope 123iodine/99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy: A new approach to rule out malignancy in thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of dual isotope 123Iodine/99mTc-MIBI thyroid scintigraphy (IMS) in discriminating between malignant and benign lesions in indeterminate nodules using quantitative analysis methods. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients with thyroid nodules of indeterminate or non-diagnostic cytology and cold on 123Iodine scintigraphy (10 Bethesda I, 24 Bethesda III-IV, 1 in which cytology was impossible) underwent IMS between 2017 and 2019 with uptake quantification at two time points ahead of thyroidectomy: early and late. Images were analyzed by two blinded physicians. RESULTS: Twelve nodules were malignant and 23 benign on histopathology. Mean uptake values were lower in benign than in malignant nodules at both time points: early, 8.7±4.1 versus 12.9±3.5 (P=0.005); and late, 5.3±2.7 versus 7.7±1.1 (P=0.008). Interobserver reproducibility was excellent. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.86 in benign and 0.92 in malignant lesions for early uptake result (ER) and 0.94 and 0.85 respectively for late uptake result (LR). The optimal LR cut-off  to exclude a diagnosis of malignancy was set at 5.9 . The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of this cut-off were, respectively, 100%, 65.2%, 60%, 100% and 77.1%. CONCLUSION: Despite some study limitations, quantitative analysis of 99mTc-MIBI thyroid scintigraphy had a good reproducibility, which could help to rule out malignancy in non-diagnostic or indeterminate thyroid nodules and thereby reducing the number of patients undergoing unnecessary surgery when LR is below 5.9.

Bone and joint complications in patients with hereditary hemochromatosis: a cross-sectional study of 93 patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of bone and joint complications, specifically bone fragility, joint replacement surgery, and arthropathy, in hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) and related factors. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional observational study of 93 patients with HH. Radiographs of the hands, wrists, knees, and ankles were scored for joint space narrowing, erosions and cysts, osteophytes, and chondrocalcinosis. Prevalent (vertebral and non-vertebral) fragility fractures were recorded and bone mineral density (BMD) was systematically evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bone fragility was defined as (i) a T-score ⩽ -2.5 at any site with or without a prevalent fragility fracture, or (ii) a T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 at any site and a prevalent fragility fracture. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 60.0 (11.2) years, and 58.0% of them were men. The frequency of radiographic MCP2-3 arthropathy was 37.6% (95% CI 0.28-0.48). Radiographic MCP2-3 arthropathy was independently associated with older age [OR 1.17 (1.09-1.26) per year, p < 0.0001], male sex [OR 3.89 (1.17-12.97), p = 0.027] and C282Y+/+ genotype [OR 4.78 (1.46-15.68), p = 0.010]. The frequency of joint replacement surgery was 12.9% (95% CI 0.07-0.21). The frequency of bone fragility was 20.4% (95% CI 0.13-0.30). Bone fragility was independently associated with hepatic cirrhosis [OR 8.20 (1.74-38.68), p = 0.008]. DISCUSSION: Radiographic MCP2-3 arthropathy was found to occur in 37.6% of patients with HH. The association observed between this form of arthropathy and C282Y homozygosity, male sex, and older age suggests that demographic characteristics and genetic background are likely to be major determinants of this joint disorder and play a more important role than severity of iron overload. Bone fragility was observed in a fifth of the patients with HH, independently of genetic background and severity of iron overload, and was strongly associated with hepatic cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: Future investigations should focus on pathogenesis and early identification of patients at risk of developing bone and joint complications secondary to HH.

Prevalence and causes of elevated bone mass.

INTRODUCTION: Reports of elevated bone mass (EBM) on routine DXA scanning are not infrequent. However, epidemiological studies of EBM are few in number and definition thresholds variable. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and causes of EBM in the general population referred to a single university hospital - catering for a population of 4 million inhabitants - for DXA scanning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: DXA databases were initially searched for individuals with a bone mineral density (BMD) Z-score ≥+4 at any site in the lumbar spine or hip from April 1st, 2008 to April 30st, 2018. Two Hologic scanners were available at the Lille University Hospital (France). Prevalence of EBM was evaluated, as were causes associated with EBM. RESULTS: At the lumbar spine, 18,229 bone density tests were performed in women and 10,209 in men. At the hip, 17,390 tests were performed in women and 9857 in men. The total number of patients who had at least one bone density test was 14,745, of which 64.2% were female. Of these 14,745 patients, 211 had a Z-score ≥+4 at any site, i.e. a prevalence of 1.43% [1.25%-1.64%]. The DXA scans and medical records of 92 men and 119 women with elevated BMD were reviewed to assess causes. An artefactual cause was found in 164 patients (75%) with EBM (mostly degenerative disease of the spine), and an acquired cause of focal EBM was found in only 2 patients, both of whom had sclerotic bone metastases from prostate cancer. An acquired cause of generalized EBM was found in 32 patients (15%), the vast majority of whom had renal osteodystrophy (n = 11), followed by hematological disorders (n = 9; e.g. myeloproliferative syndromes and mastocytosis) and diffuse bone metastases from solid cancer (n = 5). Of the remaining causes, rare hereditary diseases (e.g. osteopetrosis…) and unexplained EBM were found in 10 and 6 cases respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of EBM (Z-score ≥+4 at any site) was 1.43% [1.25%-1.64%]. In nearly all instances (97.1%) the explanation for EBM could be found in the medical record and through conventional investigations. This study suggests that the main cause of EBM is degenerative disease of the spine. Further studies are needed to differentiate artefactual EBM from hereditary or acquired EBM, and to investigate unexplained EBM. Genetic testing may prove useful in elucidating rare unknown causes.

Management of Patients with Renal Failure Undergoing Dialysis During 131I Therapy for Thyroid Cancer.

Radioactive iodine (131I) therapy may be used to treat thyroid cancer in end-stage renal disease patients who undergo hemodialysis. Because iodine uses predominantly renal clearance, treatment management in hemodialysis patients may be problematic, and no formal recommendations on hemodialysis currently exist. This work details our experience with treating thyroid cancer with iodine in chronic renal failure patients who require hemodialysis and details the dosimetry results obtained during treatment to ensure that the dose to the bone marrow (BM) was acceptable. Methods: We treated 6 patients in the metabolic radiotherapy unit after thyroid stimulation. Two hemodialysis sessions in the metabolic radiotherapy unit were performed at 42 and 90 h after radiopharmaceutical administration. BM toxicity was estimated with activity measurements from blood samples and with whole-body measurements that were regularly repeated during hospitalization and measured with a γ-counter. The patients underwent thyroid and hematologic monitoring to assess treatment efficacy and therapeutic toxicity in the short, medium, and long term. Results: Whole-body activity was reduced on average by 66.7% (range, 60.1%-71.5%) after the first dialysis session and by 53.3% (range, 30.4%-67.8%) after the second. The mean estimated total absorbed dose to the BM was 0.992 Gy for all patients (range, 0.431-2.323 Gy). We did not observe any significant hematologic toxicity, and the clinical, biologic, and ultrasound test results confirmed the success of ablative treatment for most patients. Conclusion: In hemodialysis patients with thyroid cancer, an 131I activity approximately 30% lower than the nominal dose appears to strike an appropriate balance between absence of BM toxicity and therapeutic efficacy. To avoid overirradiation, we recommend pretherapeutic dosimetry studies for metastatic patients to calculate the amount of activity to be administered. We also recommend dosimetry monitoring during the hemodialysis sessions performed after therapeutic dose administration and under the same conditions.

Description of a transient proximal tubulopathy induced by amino acids perfusion in peptide receptor radionuclide therapy: A case report.

RATIONALE: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with radiolabeled somatostatin analogs is a targeted internal radiotherapy method used to treat tumors expressing somatostatin receptors. Concomitant amino acids perfusion is systematically performed in order to inhibit the proximal tubular uptake of the radionuclide and thus prevent nephrotoxicity. PATIENT CONCERNS:: a 67-year-old woman with an intestinal neuroendocrine tumor with multiple lymphadenopathies and liver metastases. The patient displayed a carcinoid syndrome with flushes including facial erythrosis and paresthesia. During the treatment, the patient exhibited emesis and severe cramps. DIAGNOSIS: We describe incomplete proximal tubulopathy induced by an amino acid therapy with [177Lu]-DOTA0-Tyr3-octreotate, which was reversible after treatment discontinuation. This diagnosis relies on metabolic acidosis, hypophosphatemia due to renal loss, tubular proteinuria and generalized aminoaciduria. Serum creatinine remained stable during and after the procedure. INTERVENTIONS: PRRT with radiolabeled somatostatin analog ([177Lu]-DOTA0-Tyr3-octreotate). In order to prevent PRRT induced nephrotoxicity, we used a solution of 20 amino acids including 22 g/L Lysine and 16.8 g/L Arginine. Metoclopramide was successfully used to control vomiting. During the treatment and at the time of cramps, the blood sample showed hypophosphatemia at 0.3 mmol/L justifying intravenous phosphate supplementation. The cramps disappeared after this infusion. OUTCOMES: Hypophosphatemia with low TmPO4/GFR was observed as well as an increase in ß2-microglobulinuria, urinary polyclonal light chains, and amino aciduria involving all amino acids. All these disturbances disappeared the day after the treatment and there was no acute kidney injury after 5 PRRT sessions. Six months after PRRT discontinuation, the patient had neither renal failure nor proximal tubulopathy. Aminoacid induced tubulopathy involves the main ligands of the megalin receptor. It has recently been demonstrated that cilastatin is a megalin inhibitor in the proximal tubule and therefore could represent an attractive alternative to amino acids for this purpose. LESSONS: This case report is a description of a nephroprotective strategy in which partial, and transient tubulopathy is induced, in order to decrease proximal absorption of a tubulotoxic molecule. This little known strategy could be used to prevent proximal tubular injury caused by others megalin-mediated nephrotoxicity medication.

Recombinant Thyrotropin vs Levothyroxine Withdrawal in 131I Therapy of N1 Thyroid Cancer: A Large Matched Cohort Study (ThyrNod).

CONTEXT: Recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) has been shown to be an effective stimulation method for radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer, including in those with nodal metastases (N1 DTC). OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the noninferiority of rhTSH vs thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) in preparation to RAI regarding disease status at the first evaluation in the real-life setting in patients with N1 DTC. DESIGN: This was a French multicenter retrospective study. Groups were matched according to age (<45/≥45 years), number of N1 nodes (≤5/>5 lymph nodes), and stage (pT1-T2/pT3). RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 404 patients pT1-T3/N1/M0 DTC treated with rhTSH (n = 205) or THW (n = 199). Pathological characteristics and initially administrated RAI activities (3.27 ± 1.00 GBq) were similar between the two groups. At first evaluation (6 to 18 months post-RAI), disease-free status was defined by thyroglobulin levels below threshold and a normal ultrasound. Disease-free rate was not inferior in the rhTSH group (75.1%) compared with the THW group (71.9%). The observed difference between the success rates was 3.3% (-6.6 to 13.0); rhTSH was therefore considered noninferior to THW because the upper limit of this interval was <15%. At the last evaluation (29.7 ± 20.7 months for rhTSH; 36.7 ± 23.8 months for THW), 83.5% (rhTSH) and 81.5% (THW) of patients achieved a complete response. This result was not influenced by any of the known prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: A preparation for initial RAI treatment with rhTSH was noninferior to that with THW in our series of pT1-T3/N1/M0-DTC on disease-free status outcomes at the first evaluation and after 3 years.

Reduced bone mineral density among HIV-infected, virologically controlled young men: prevalence and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) is a frequent comorbidity observed in people living with HIV (PLHIV). We aimed to determine the prevalence of reduced BMD and its associated factors among young PLHIV men, virologically controlled by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). DESIGN: A bicentric cross-sectional study. METHODS: We selected men, aged less than 50 years, treated by cART, with HIV-RNA less than 50 copies/ml. BMDs of lumbar spine and hip were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A Z-score at either site between -1.0 and -2.0 or -2 or less defined osteopenia or osteoporosis, respectively. Linear and polytomous logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Among 230 men with a median age of 43 [interquartile range (IQR), 36-47] years, BMI of 23.5 (21.3-25.3) kg/m(2) and median duration of cART of 4.2 (1.7-8.5) years, reduced BMD was diagnosed in 48.3%. In multivariate analyses, BMI decrease was associated with a risk of osteopenia [odds ratio (OR) = 1.17, P < 0.01] and osteoporosis (OR = 1.24, P < 0.01). Oestradiol levels decrease were associated with osteoporosis (OR = 1.32, P < 0.05) and lower lean mass with osteopenia (OR = 2.98, P < 0.01). There was a protective effect of the duration of cART (OR = 0.87, P < 0.01), which was even greater when the duration was more than 3 years (OR = 0.44, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of reduced BMD among young men, despite persistent virological control of HIV-infection. This observation raises the question of extending current recommendations for BMD assessment to PLHIV aged < 50 years for whom BMD has stabilized after cART initiation, i.e. treated for more than three years.

HIV and hypogonadism: a new challenge for young-aged and middle-aged men on effective antiretroviral therapy.

Male hypogonadism is poorly defined in people living with HIV. Using a reliable free-testosterone assay, we examined the prevalence and risk factors of male hypogonadism among people living with HIV on effective antiretroviral therapy. Male hypogonadism was found in 12.4% of patients, twice the rate reported in the general population of the same age. Two risk thresholds, namely 5 years of antiretroviral therapy and 19% total body fat, may help to identify patients at risk.

Hyperparathyroidism complicating CYP 24A1 mutations.

CYP24A1 gene mutations induce infantile hypercalcemia, with high 1,25(OH)2D contrasting with low PTH levels. The adult phenotype is not well known. Two unrelated adult patients were referred for nephrolithiasis, hypertension, hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, normal 25-OHD levels, and inappropriate PTH levels (22 to 92pg/mL;N: 15-68) suggesting primary hyperparathyroidism, leading to surgery. Hypercalciuria improved despite persistent hypercalcemia, treated with cinacalcet. The ratio 25-OHD3/24-25-(OH)2D3>100 (N<25) suggested the diagnosis of CYP24A1 mutations which were confirmed through Sanger sequencing. In conclusion, the adult phenotype associated with CYP24A1 mutations can evolve over time from hypercalcemia with suppressed PTH towards hyperparathyroidism with moderately increased PTH level, adenoma and/or slightly increased parathyroid glands. Surgery decreased calciuria and improved kidney function. Cinacalcet was partially effective on hypercalcemia since PTH was inappropriate. This novel phenotype, a phenocopy of hyperparathyroidism, might evolve in few cases towards hyperparathyroidism despite random association of the 2 diseases cannot be excluded.

[Advances in thyroglobulin assays and their impact on the management of differentiated thyroid cancers]. / Avancées dans les dosages de thyroglobuline et leur impact dans la prise en charge des cancers différenciés de la thyroïde.

Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a high molecular weight glycoprotein located mainly in thyroid follicles, where thyroid hormones are synthesized and stored. In patients with differentiated thyroid cancer of follicular origin, serum Tg levels become undetectable following total thyroidectomy and iodine-131 remnant ablation. It is a key biomarker to follow-up patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, in combination with neck ultrasound monitoring. The measurement of Tg in the wash-out of the needle used for fine needle aspiration biopsy is a valuable aid to the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis. The presence of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies affects reliability of Tg results measured in serum or plasma. Systematic investigation of such antibodies is required to validate any Tg assay. Elevated or rising levels of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies can in turn be used as a surrogate tumor marker of thyroid cancer. The development of second-generation Tg assay (automated, highly sensitive) has enabled significant advances in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer: early detection of persistent or recurrent disease and follow-up care simplified in low-risk patients. Testing of serum Tg can also be useful in evaluating other clinical situations such as congenital hypothyroidism, endemic goiter and thyrotoxicosis factitia.

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas: application of the Turin proposal provides prognostic results similar to those from the assessment of high-grade features.

AIMS: To investigate the performance of two proposed methods for assessing the prognosis of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTC): the Turin proposal and Hiltzik's histological grade (HHG). This was done using a series of 82 thyroid carcinomas of follicular origin. RESULTS: The two methods were able to classify patients accurately into two different prognosis groups. Although the Turin proposal and HHG displayed discrepant cases, they provided similar prognostic information. The Turin proposal gave accurate numbers and thresholds of PTDC criteria (loss of follicular architecture and mitoses, necrosis or convoluted nuclei). One Turin criterion, convoluted nuclei, failed to provide any prognostic value. Hiltzik's histological grade was also a simple and reliable method, allowing detection of tumours with high-grade features (mitosis and/or tumour necrosis), notably some papillary carcinomas that displayed an intermediate prognosis. We show that Ki67 labelling (≥ 4%) was an independent factor and predictor of cause-specific survival. CONCLUSION: With similar performances in predicting prognosis, the Turin proposal and HHG provided complementary results in identifying a larger group of 'intermediate prognosis' thyroid carcinomas, which require adequate treatment and follow-up.

Evaluation of PET volume segmentation methods: comparisons with expert manual delineations.

INTRODUCTION: [¹8F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET has become an essential technique in oncology. Accurate segmentation is important for treatment planning. With the increasing number of available methods, it will be useful to establish a reliable evaluation tool. METHOD: Five methods for [F]-fluorodeoxyglucose PET image segmentation (MIP-based, Fuzzy C-means, Daisne, Nestle and the 42% threshold-based approach) were evaluated on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma lesions by comparing them with manual delineations performed by a panel of experts. The results were analyzed using different similarity measures. Intraoperator and interoperator variabilities were also studied. RESULTS: The maximum of intensity projection-based method provided results closest to the manual delineations set [binary Jaccard index mean (SD) 0.45 (0.15)]. The fuzzy C-means algorithm yielded slightly less satisfactory results. The application of a 42% threshold-based approach yielded results furthest from the manual delineations [binary Jaccard index mean (SD) 0.38 (0.16)]; the Daisne and the Nestle methods yielded intermediate results. Important intraoperator and interoperator variabilities were demonstrated. CONCLUSION: A simple assessment framework based on comparisons with manual delineations was proposed. The use of a set of manual delineations performed by five different experts as the reference seemed to be suitable to take the intraoperator and the interoperator variabilities into account. The online distribution of the data set generated in this study will make it possible to evaluate any new segmentation method.

Detection of hepatitis C virus antibodies and RNA among medicolegal autopsy cases in Northern France.

Forensic medical personnel are at risk of exposure to blood-borne viruses including hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of HCV markers among a cadaver population at the medicolegal institute in Lille. Seventy-seven consecutive cadavers were screened for antibodies to HCV and for HCV RNA. Positive results were confirmed by an immunoblot assay. Fifty-three cadavers had a histopathologic study. Anti-HCV was detected in 13 (16.9%) and accompanied by HCV RNA in 7 (9%) cases. The rate of HCV RNA detection among seropositive cases was 53.8%. Five cases had histopathologic lesions suggestive of hepatitis. This is the first HCV RNA screening in forensic cadavers. The results highlight the high prevalence rate of HCV cases in medicolegal practice in Lille. All forensic specimens should be treated as potentially infectious and universal precautions should be taken.