Resultados de una sesión única de ablación por radiofrecuencia en nódulos tiroideos benignos: Resultados a 6 meses en 24 pacientes / Single-session treatment of benign thyroid nodules with radiofrequency ablation: Results at 6 months in 24 patient

Objetivo: Valorar la eficacia y la seguridad de una sesión única de ablación por radiofrecuencia (ARF) en pacientes con nódulos tiroideos benignos y de predominio sólido. Pacientes y método: Estudio unicéntrico retrospectivo de práctica clínica habitual en el que se incluyeron pacientes con nódulos tiroideos sólidos benignos sometidos a una sesión única de ARF con seguimiento de al menos 6 meses tras procedimiento, indicada como alternativa a la cirugía por presentar clínica local compresiva y/o evidencia de crecimiento nodular. Los pacientes fueron evaluados antes, al mes, 3 meses y 6 meses de la ARF, así como a los 12 meses en aquellos con seguimiento disponible. En cada evaluación se recogieron variables de eficacia (cambio porcentual del volumen nodular, el porcentaje de nódulos con reducción volumétrica mayor del 50% respecto al volumen inicial, la desaparición de los síntomas de compresión y la posibilidad de retirar la medicación antitiroidea en aquellos casos bajo tratamiento) y variables de seguridad, incluyendo complicaciones menores (dolor que precisó de analgesia convencional, hematoma peritiroideo de reabsorción espontánea) y complicaciones mayores (cambios en la voz, daños en el plexo cervical, ruptura nodular, disfunción tiroidea). Resultados: Se describen los resultados en 24 pacientes con seguimiento de hasta 12 meses en 16 de ellos. El volumen nodular medio pasó de 25,4 ± 15,5 ml antes de la ARF a 10,7 ± 9,9 ml a los 6 meses (p < 0,05) y a 9,9 ± 10,4 ml a los 12 meses (en 16 casos evaluados), resultando la reducción porcentual de volumen significativa desde el mes siguiente al procedimiento. A los 6 meses la reducción media alcanzada fue del 57,5 ± 24% y el 65% de los nódulos presentaban una reducción de volumen mayor del 50%. En aquellos nódulos con un volumen inicial mayor de 20ml (n = 13) la reducción porcentual a los 6 meses fue del 50,4 ± 25,8% frente al 65,3 ± 20,1% en los nódulos de menor volumen inicial (n = 11). La sintomatología compresiva desapareció desde el primer mes en los 12 pacientes que la referían. La medicación antitiroidea pautada antes de la ARF en 4 casos pudo ser retirada en 3. En 9 pacientes se registró la presencia de dolor leve transitorio en las primeras 24 h, que respondió a analgésicos convencionales, y en 7 se objetivó un pequeño hematoma peritiroideo de reabsorción espontánea en la ecografía de control a las 24 a 48 h de la ablación. Al mes de la ARF se observó un caso de rotura nodular, que se resolvió de manera espontánea. No se apreciaron cambios en los valores hormonales en los pacientes eutiroideos. Conclusión: Una sesión única de ARF parece un tratamiento eficaz y seguro en pacientes portadores de nódulos tiroideos benignos sólidos y con clínica compresiva y/o evidencia de crecimiento nodular relevante. Al ser un procedimiento ambulatorio que no precisa anestesia general ni incisión cutánea podría convertirse en una alternativa útil a la cirugía en los casos en que esta sea rechazada o se considere de alto riesgo

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of one single-session of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) performed in thyroid benign and predominantly solid nodules. Patients and method: Unicentric retrospective study in usual clinical setting that included patients with solid and benign thyroid nodules treated with one single session of RFA and with folllow-up of at at least 6 months after the procedure. RFA was performed as an alternative to surgery in cases of pressure symptoms or nodular growth evidence. Patients were evaluated basally and at one, 3 and 6 months after RFA and also at 12 months if the follow-up was available. In each evaluation efficacy variables were recorded (percentual change from basal volume, percentage of nodules reaching a volume reduction above 50% from baseline, patients with disappearance of pressure symptoms and the possibility of antithyroid drug withdrawal) and safety variables were also registered including minor complications (pain needing analgesic drugs, hematoma) and major complications (voice changes, braquial plexus injury, nodule rupture and thyroid dysfunction). Results: Twenty-four patients with a follow-up of at least 6 months after RFA were included, 16 of them with more than 12 months of follow-up. Mean nodule volume changed from 25.4 ± 15.5 ml basally to 10.7 ± 9.9 ml at month 6 (P < .05) and to 9.9 ± 10,4 ml at month 12 in 16 nodules. Six months after RFA mean volumetric reduction was 57.5 ± 24% and 65% of the nodules reached a volume reduction above 50% from baseline. Median percentage of reduction at month 6 was 50.4 ± 25.8% for nodules with a basal volume above 20 ml (n = 13) and 65.3 ± 20.1% for nodules with a lower basal volume (n = 11). Pressure symptoms reported in 12 patients disappeared in all cases. Antithyroid drugs could be stopped in 3 of 4 cases treated before RFA. A mild and transient pain responsive to conventional analgesic drugs was recorded in 9 patients during the 24 h after the procedure and in 7 a small perithyroid and transient hematoma was observed in the 48 following hours. One major complication was described as a nodule rupture that recovered spontaneously. There were no changes in hormonal values in euthyroid cases. Conclusion: A single session of RFA seems to be an effective and safe procedure in patients with solid thyroid nodules with pressure symptoms or relevant growth evidence. As an outpatient and scarless procedure with no need of general anaesthesia it could become an useful alternative to lobectomy when surgery is refused or in patients at high surgical risk

Single-session treatment of benign thyroid nodules with radiofrequency ablation: Results at 6 months in 24 patients. / Resultados de una sesión única de ablación por radiofrecuencia en nódulos tiroideos benignos: Resultados a 6 meses en 24 pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of one single-session of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) performed in thyroid benign and predominantly solid nodules. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Unicentric retrospective study in usual clinical setting that included patients with solid and benign thyroid nodules treated with one single session of RFA and with folllow-up of at at least 6 months after the procedure. RFA was performed as an alternative to surgery in cases of pressure symptoms or nodular growth evidence. Patients were evaluated basally and at one, 3 and 6 months after RFA and also at 12 months if the follow-up was available. In each evaluation efficacy variables were recorded (percentual change from basal volume, percentage of nodules reaching a volume reduction above 50% from baseline, patients with disappearance of pressure symptoms and the possibility of antithyroid drug withdrawal) and safety variables were also registered including minor complications (pain needing analgesic drugs, hematoma) and major complications (voice changes, braquial plexus injury, nodule rupture and thyroid dysfunction). RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with a follow-up of at least 6 months after RFA were included, 16 of them with more than 12 months of follow-up. Mean nodule volume changed from 25.4±15.5ml basally to 10.7±9.9ml at month 6 (P<.05) and to 9.9±10,4ml at month 12 in 16 nodules. Six months after RFA mean volumetric reduction was 57.5±24% and 65% of the nodules reached a volume reduction above 50% from baseline. Median percentage of reduction at month 6 was 50.4±25.8% for nodules with a basal volume above 20ml (n=13) and 65.3±20.1% for nodules with a lower basal volume (n=11). Pressure symptoms reported in 12 patients disappeared in all cases. Antithyroid drugs could be stopped in 3 of 4 cases treated before RFA. A mild and transient pain responsive to conventional analgesic drugs was recorded in 9 patients during the 24h after the procedure and in 7 a small perithyroid and transient hematoma was observed in the 48 following hours. One major complication was described as a nodule rupture that recovered spontaneously. There were no changes in hormonal values in euthyroid cases. CONCLUSION: A single session of RFA seems to be an effective and safe procedure in patients with solid thyroid nodules with pressure symptoms or relevant growth evidence. As an outpatient and scarless procedure with no need of general anaesthesia it could become an useful alternative to lobectomy when surgery is refused or in patients at high surgical risk.

Utilidad de la tiroglobulina en lavado de aguja del aspirado de 16 lesiones cervicales en pacientes con cáncer de tiroides / The value of thyroglobulin in washout of fine needle aspirate from 16 cervical lesions in patients with thyroid cancer

Antecedentes y objetivo La tiroglobulina del lavado de aguja (Tg-PAAF) junto con la citología de la punción-aspiración con aguja fina (cito-PAAF) son procedimientos recomendados para el diagnóstico de metástasis ganglionares cervicales y recurrencias del cáncer diferenciado de tiroides. El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar la utilidad de estas técnicas en 16 lesiones cervicales de pacientes con cáncer de tiroides del epitelio folicular (CT).Pacientes y método Se incluyeron 6 pacientes con CT y adenopatías laterocervicales evaluadas antes de la cirugía tiroidea inicial y 10 pacientes en seguimiento por CT ya operado y lesiones cervicales ecográficamente sospechosas y/o persistentes. Las 16 lesiones fueron sometidas a PAAF. Los resultados de la Tg-PAAF, cito-PAAF y de la combinación de ambas se compararon con el diagnóstico definitivo asignado a cada lesión. Resultados En 10 lesiones comprobadamente malignas tras extirpación quirúrgica (9 metástasis ganglionares y una recurrencia en lecho), la cito-PAAF, la Tg-PAAF y la combinación de ambas técnicas permitieron llegar al diagnóstico correcto en 7, 9 y 10 casos respectivamente. En 6 lesiones consideradas benignas, la cito-PAAF pudo confirmar la benignidad de la lesión en 4, resultó no diagnóstica en una y falsamente positiva en otra, mientras que la Tg-PAAF se halló por debajo del valor de corte establecido (para considerar malignidad) en todos los casos. Conclusiones En pacientes con CT y lesiones cervicales sospechosas, la Tg-PAAF mejora la rentabilidad diagnóstica de la cito-PAAF aislada justificándose así su recomendación sistemática al realizar la PAAF. Quedan sin embargo por definir una estandarización universal de la técnica y unos valores de corte válidos de Tg-PAAF (de acuerdo al inmunoanálisis empleado) por encima de los cuales considerar la lesión maligna (AU)

Background and objective Thyroglobulin in the needle washout (Tg-FNA) and cytology of fine needle aspiration (cyto-FNA) are recommended for diagnosis of metastatic lymphadenopathies and recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer. The objective of this study was to assess the value of these procedures in 16 cervical masses from patients with thyroid cancer of the follicular epithelium (TC).Patients and methods The study included six patients with TC and cervical lymphadenopathies evaluated before initial thyroid surgery and 10 patients followed up after TC surgery with cervical lumps discovered. FNA was performed in all 16 masses. Results of cyto-FNA, Tg-FNA and of the combined tests were compared to the final diagnosis of each lesion. Results Among 10 lesions proven to be malignant at surgery, cyto-FNA, Tg-FNA and the combination of both allowed for adequate diagnosis in 7, 9, and 10 cases respectively. Among 6 lesions considered to be benign, cyto-FNA was able to confirm diagnosis in 4, was non-diagnostic in one, and was falsely negative in the remaining case, while Tg-FNA was below the established cut-off value (to consider malignancy) in all cases. ConclusionsIn patients with TC and suspect cervical masses, Tg-FNA improved the diagnostic yield of cyto-FNA alone, thus warranting its routine recommendation when FNA is performed. However, universal standardization of the technique and definition of valid cut-off thyroglobulin values (depending on the immunoassay used) above which the lesion should be considered to be malignant are still pending (AU)

The value of thyroglobulin in washout of fine needle aspirate from 16 cervical lesions in patients with thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Thyroglobulin in the needle washout (Tg-FNA) and cytology of fine needle aspiration (cyto-FNA) are recommended for diagnosis of metastatic lymphadenopathies and recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer. The objective of this study was to assess the value of these procedures in 16 cervical masses from patients with thyroid cancer of the follicular epithelium (TC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included six patients with TC and cervical lymphadenopathies evaluated before initial thyroid surgery and 10 patients followed up after TC surgery with cervical lumps discovered. FNA was performed in all 16 masses. Results of cyto-FNA, Tg-FNA and of the combined tests were compared to the final diagnosis of each lesion. RESULTS: Among 10 lesions proven to be malignant at surgery, cyto-FNA, Tg-FNA and the combination of both allowed for adequate diagnosis in 7, 9, and 10 cases respectively. Among 6 lesions considered to be benign, cyto-FNA was able to confirm diagnosis in 4, was non-diagnostic in one, and was falsely negative in the remaining case, while Tg-FNA was below the established cut-off value (to consider malignancy) in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with TC and suspect cervical masses, Tg-FNA improved the diagnostic yield of cyto-FNA alone, thus warranting its routine recommendation when FNA is performed. However, universal standardization of the technique and definition of valid cut-off thyroglobulin values (depending on the immunoassay used) above which the lesion should be considered to be malignant are still pending.

Control de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular y utilización de antiagregación plaquetaria en pacientes con diabetes mellitus / Cardiovascular risk factors control and antiplatelet agents utilization in diabetic patients

Objetivo: Valorar el grado de control glucémico, lipídico y de presión arterial (PA), así como el porcentaje de antiagregación plaquetaria, en pacientes diabéticos asistidos en una consulta de atención especializada. Pacientes y método: Estudio transversal de una cohorte de 424 pacientes vistos en 2 meses de 2004. Se recogieron datos sobre glucohemoglobina (HbA1c), perfil lipídico, PA, antecedentes de microangiopatía y macroangiopatía y tratamientos utilizados. En 296 pacientes se analizaron retrospectivamente los resultados del año 2000. Resultados: En 2004, la HbA1c media fue de 7,8 ± 1,2% (en el 25% de los pacientes era < 7%), la media de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (cLDL) fueron 104,2 ± 28,7 mg/dl (el 43,4% tenían cLDL < 100 mg/dl) y las PA sistólica y diastólica media fueron 135,3 ± 17,6 y 76,3 ± 10,2 mmHg (el 45,5% tenía PA sistólica < 130 mmHg y el 78,5%, PA diastólica < 80 mmHg). Se produjo una mejoría significativa en todos los parámetros investigados respecto al 2000 (HbA1c, 8,5% ± 1,3%; cLDL, 128,2 ± 28,5 mg/dl; PA sistólica y diastólica media, 140,2 ± 17,9 y 77,9 ± 12,1 mmHg). El 38% de los pacientes (el 84% en prevención secundaria y el 26% en prevención primaria) utilizaban antiagregación plaquetaria, frente a un 17% en el año 2000. Conclusiones: Aunque se ha producido una importante mejora en el control de los factores de riesgo vascular, gracias al abordaje integral de los pacientes, todavía el grado de control de nuestros diabéticos es insuficiente. Hemos evidenciado una mejora en el uso de antiagregación plaquetaria, aunque su utilización es poco frecuente, sobre todo en prevención primaria (AU)

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the degree of metabolic control in terms of blood glucose, lipids, blood pressure (BP) and to assess antiplatelet agents use among diabetic patients recruited in an endocrinologist clinic. Patients and method: We performed a cross-sectional study of a cohort of 424 outpatients visited in 2004. Data on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, BP, micro and macrovascular complications and current treatments were obtained. In a subgroup of 296 patients we analyzed retrospectively the same variables in 2000. Results: In 2004, mean HbA1c was 7.8% ± 1.2% (only 25% of the cohort had < 7%), mean LDLc levels were 104.2 ± 28.7 mg/dl (43.4% of subjects had LDLc < 100 mg/dl). Systolic and diastolic BP levels were 135.3 ± 17.6 and 76.3 ± 10.2 mmHg (45.5% of subjects had systolic BP < 130 and 78.5% diastolic BP < 80). There was a significant improvement of metabolic results since 2000 (HbA1c 8.5 ± 1.3%, LDLc 128.2 ± 28.5 mg/dl, median systolic y diastolic BP 140.2 ± 17.9 and 77.9 ± 12.1 mmHg). Antiplatelet agents use increased from 17% in 2000 to 38% in 2004 (84% as secondary prevention and 26% as primary prevention). Conclusions: Although we have obtained an important improvement in cardiovascular risk factors control, probably due to a multifactorial intervention treatment, overall metabolic and BP control remain unsatisfactory. Antiplatelet agents use has increased but continues to be low in primary prevention (AU)