Management of surgical diseases of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: indications of the United Italian Society of Endocrine Surgery (SIUEC).

A task force of the United Italian society of Endocrine Surgery (SIUEC) was commissioned to review the position statement on diagnostic, therapeutic and health­care management protocol in parathyroid surgery published in 2014, at the light of new technologies, recent oncological concepts, and tailored approaches. The objective of this publication was to support surgeons with modern rational protocols of treatment that can be shared by health-care professionals, taking into account important clinical, healthcare and therapeutic aspects, as well as potential sequelae and complications. The task force consists of 12 members of the SIUEC highly trained and experienced in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. The main topics concern diagnostic test and localization studies, mode of admission and waiting time, therapeutic pathway (patient preparation for surgery, surgical treatment, postoperative management, management of major complications), hospital discharge and patient information, outpatient care and follow-up, outpatient initial management of patients with pHPT.

Effects of magnesium supplementation on post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia: a prospective single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Severe and/or symptomatic hypocalcemia due to hypoparathyroidism is the main contraindication for discharge in patients who have undergone thyroid surgery. Hypomagnesemia may contribute to the onset of hypoparathyroidism and is frequently observed after thyroid surgery in hypocalcemic patients. The impact of prophylactic and postoperative Magnesium supplementation on postoperative hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia was prospectively evaluated by comparing patients undergoing prophylactic supplementation to a control group of patients who had only received Magnesium after evidence of postoperative hypoMg. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy participated in the study. Seventy-three patients were included in the study group, 47 in the control group. Prior to surgery, patients in the study group were given Magnesium orally for 5 days; postoperatively, Calcium and Magnesium was administered to all patients who displayed hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia. RESULTS: Postoperative biochemical hypocalcemia (serum Calcium<8.5 mg/dL, regardless of its clinical severity) was found in 60 patients (50%) on D1 and in 58 patients (48.4%) on D2. Among hypocalcemic patients, hypomagnesemia was recorded in 29 at D1 (48%), and in 46 at D2 (79%). A significant positive correlation was found between Magnesium, Calcium, and parathyroid hormone in the first two postoperative days, while a significant inverse correlation occurred for these same parameters and length of hospital stay (p<0.001). One hundred and five patients (87.5%) were discharged as expected on the second postoperative day (Study group = 65, Control group = 40, p = 0.724), whereas 15 patients (12.5%) required prolonged hospitalization (Study group = 8, Control group = 7, p = 0.721). The Study group only showed significantly higher Magnesium levels on the first postoperative day (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Although Magnesium and Calcium levels showed the same trend after thyroidectomy, neither Magnesium prophylaxis nor Magnesium treatment influenced the clinical course of postoperative hypocalcemia.

Left lower limb fasciitis due to sigmoid colonic perforated diverticulitis: a rare case of colocutaneous fistula.

Up to 25% of patients with acute diverticulitis develop complicated disease. Colocutaneous fistula with lower limb fasciitis secondary to complicated diverticulitis is a rare event. A 71-year-old woman with Class 3 obesity and Type 2 diabetes was admitted to the hospital because of left lower limb fasciitis associated with acute sigmoid diverticulitis complicated by covered perforation. The fasciitis was treated with multiple fasciotomies, antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The patient was readmitted 25 days after discharge because of the formation of a left leg colocutaneous fistula associated with an enterocolic fistula. Patient underwent sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis and ileal loop repair. Three-month follow-up showed fistula healing and absence of symptoms. Fasciitis secondary to acute diverticulitis is a rare clinical scenario. Although our therapeutic strategy was successful, the optimal treatment timing and surgical technique for fasciotomy and colon resection remain to be assessed.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors do not alter GH/IGF-I axis in adult diabetic patients.

PURPOSE: Incretin-based therapies have been introduced in clinical practice for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatment in the last few years. Current available medications of this class include glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. In addition to GLP-1, DPP-4 is able to inactivate many others peptides as hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate, on adult diabetic patients, the impact of therapy with incretins, particularly DPP-4 inhibitors on GH/IGF-I axis. METHODS: 60 patients with T2DM were included in the study and they were divided into three groups (age and sex comparable) on the basis of their hypoglycemic drugs in the last 4 months: group 1 (17 patients, exenatide or liraglutide + metformin), group 2 (18 patients, sitagliptin or vildagliptin + metformin), group 3 (25 patients, metformin). Anthropometric data, glycemia, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), IGF-I and acid-labile subunit (ALS) were collected in all patients. RESULTS: Weight, waist circumference and BMI of group 1 were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to the other groups. Fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c of the group 1 were similar compared to those of group 3 (P ns) and higher compared to those of group 2 (P < 0.05). IGF-I absolute values, IGF-I SDS were not significantly different in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data evidence that DPP-4 inhibition does not influence significantly GH/IGF-I system, confirming what was observed in animal models. Further studies are needed to better characterize the properties of these molecules on endocrine system.

PICC-PORT totally implantable vascular access device in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The increasing use of arm totally implantable vascular access devices for breast cancer patients who require chemotherapy has led to a greater risk of complications and failures and, in particular, to upper extremity deep vein thrombosis. This study aims to investigate the outcomes of the arm peripherally inserted central catheter-PORT technique in breast cancer patients. METHODS: The peripherally inserted central catheter-PORT technique is an evolution of the standard arm-totally implantable vascular access device implant based on guided ultrasound venous access in the proximal third of the upper limb with subsequent placement of the reservoir at the middle third of the arm. A prospective study was conducted on 418 adult female breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The primary study outcome was peripherally inserted central catheter-PORT failure. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 215 days. Complications occurred in 29 patients (6.9%) and failure resulting in removal of the device in 11 patients (2.6%). The main complication we observed was upper extremity deep vein thrombosis, 10 (2.4%); all patients were rescued by anticoagulant treatment without peripherally inserted central catheter-PORT removal. The main reason for removal was reservoir pocket infection: 4 (0.9%) with an infection rate of 0.012 per 1000 catheter days. Cumulative 1-year risk of failure was 3.6% (95% confidence interval, 1.3%-7.1%). With regard to the patients' characteristics, body mass index <22.5 was the only significant risk for failure (p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: The peripherally inserted central catheter-PORT is a safe vascular device for chemotherapy delivery that achieves similar clinical results as traditional long-term vascular access devices (peripherally inserted central catheter and arm totally implantable vascular access device, in particular) in breast cancer patients.

Diagnostic Value of Sural Nerve Biopsy: Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Cases From 1981 to 2017.

Nerve biopsy represents the conclusive step in the diagnostic work-up of peripheral neuropathies, and its diagnostic yield is still debated. The aim of this study is to consider the impact of nerve biopsy on reaching a useful diagnosis in different peripheral neuropathies and its changing over time. We retrospectively analyzed 1,179 sural nerve biopsies performed in the period 1981-2017 at Neurological Clinic of Policlinico San Martino (Genoa). We relied on medical records and collected both clinical and pathological data in a database. Biopsy provided univocal diagnoses in 53% of cases (with an increase over time), multiple diagnostic options in 14%, while diagnosis was undetermined in 33% (undetermined reports decreased during the years). In 57% of patients, the pre-biopsy suspicion was confirmed, while in 43% sural biopsy modified the clinical diagnosis. The highest yield was in axonal neuropathies (29% undetermined reports vs. 40% in demyelinating and 48% in mixed neuropathies). In 68% of patients with vasculitic neuropathy, this etiology was already suspected, whereas in 32% nerve biopsy modified the clinical diagnosis. During the years, the number of annually performed biopsies decreased significantly (p = 0.007), with an increase in the mean age of patients (p < 0.0001). The percentage of hereditary neuropathies had a significant decrease (p = 0.016), while the rate of vasculitic and chronic inflammatory neuropathies increased (p < 0.0001). This is the largest Italian study addressing the yield of sural nerve biopsy. During the years, we observed a progressive refinement of the indication of this procedure, which confirms its utility for interstitial neuropathies, particularly if non-systemic vasculitic neuropathy is suspected.

Possible role of low magnesium levels in the onset of postoperative hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: A positive correlation between calcium and magnesium serum levels is well known and depends upon various factors. This study aims at verifying the existence of this association in a retrospective series of patients who underwent thyroid surgery. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-five consecutive patients (202 female, 83 male, mean age 57 years) who underwent at least total thyroidectomy (TT) and had a complete clinical and biochemical pre- and postoperative evaluation were included in the study. Patients were evaluated with regard to: sex, age, indications for surgery, operative time, number of accidentally removed parathyroids, extent and time of surgery, thyroiditis, final histology, pre- and postoperative levels of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and creatinine, presence of symptoms of hypocalcemia. Statistical analysis was performed using the R software. RESULTS: In the postoperative period, biochemical hypocalcemia (<8.5 mg/dL) was observed in 126 patients (44%) and severe hypocalcemia (<7.5 mg/dL, a level indicating the need for longer hospitalization) was seen in 40 (14%). When analyzing patients with and without postoperative hypocalcemia, the factors affecting postoperative biochemical hypocalcemia were: older age (P=0.019), longer operative time (P=0.039), and a highly significant correlation between postoperative calcium and magnesium levels (r=0.432; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The only factor among the ones we analyzed in this retrospective study that would appear to be linked to the onset of clinically relevant hypocalcemia is low magnesium levels in the postoperative period. A prospective randomized study with a group of patients undergoing magnesium replacement in the postoperative period can clarify the possible role of magnesium repletion on hypocalcemia.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with malignant melanoma: analysis of post-operative complications.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the incidence of post-operative complications and risk factors of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in melanoma patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single cancer institution on 408 consecutive SLNBs. RESULTS: Fifty-five post-operative complications occurred in 39 (9.5%) patients and included: wound infection in 24 (5.9%), seroma and lymphorrhea in 15 (3.7%), wound dehiscence in seven (1.7%), lymphocele in six (1.5%) and others in three (0.7%). Univariate analysis failed to identify possible risk factors (i.e. gender, age, lymph node region, number of excised lymph nodes, Breslow index, pT levels, comorbidities, length of surgery and hospital stay). Metastatic sentinel nodes occurred in four of 135 (3%) patients with thin melanoma (Breslow <1 mm) and in 68 of 262 (25.9%) patients with Breslow >1 mm. CONCLUSION: For patients with thin melanoma in whom the incidence of lymph node metastasis is low, the reported post-operative morbidity of almost 10% of SLNB highlights the need for careful patient selection.

Case report: lenvatinib in neoadjuvant setting in a patient affected by invasive poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

We report a case of an elderly woman presenting with a huge cervical mass invading the tracheal lumen. Diagnosed as invasive poorly differentiated thyroid cancer, after an endotracheal biopsy, stenting and radiotherapy, it was judged eligible for total thyroidectomy, but surgery was delayed due to pulmonary thromboembolism. The patient was therefore treated with lenvatinib with a neoadjuvant intent until hemodynamic stability was obtained. Thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy were then performed and the postdose scan revealed an area of modest uptake in the anterior part of the neck. The patient is now in a good clinical status and she continues her follow-up program without any adjuvant therapy.

An H-TERT Mutated Skin Metastasis as First Occurrence in a Case of Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma.

Differentiated thyroid cancer arising from thyroid follicular epithelial cells is the most frequent endocrine malignancy, and skin metastases are very rare. We describe a case of a 70-year-old women with a history of an indeterminate thyroid nodule on cytology. A painless, erythematous skin nodule of about 7 mm diameter was removed from the scalp and diagnosed as a metastasis from thyroid cancer. After total thyroidectomy, a histological diagnosis of follicular thyroid cancer was made. Two cycles of radioactive iodine were performed. Both the follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) and the metastasis were investigated for the presence of BRAF/RAS and TERT promoter mutations. The results showed that the cutaneous metastasis was BRAF wild-type and TERT promoter-mutated (position g.1,295,228 C>T); in contrast, the primary thyroid lesion was negative for both molecular markers.

ERBB1- and ERBB2-Positive Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) are rare thyroid tumors occurring in both sporadic and hereditary forms, whose pathogenesis is related to RET proto-oncogene alterations. MTCs originate from parafollicular cells, which produce calcitonin that represents the biochemical activity of MTC. Total thyroidectomy is the main treatment for MTC and often cures patients with confined diseases. In the presence of metastasis, the therapeutic approach depends on the rate of disease progression. We report a case of a 54-year-old female with a single, incidentally discovered, thyroid nodule of 1 cm, classified as suspicious MTC after a stimulation test with intravenous (iv) calcium. After surgery, we examined the nodule using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. In addition to calcitonin, we found that it expressed intracellular positivity for the tyrosine kinase RTK receptors ERBB1 and ERBB2. Consistently with MTC features, the ultrastructural examination of the tumor displayed heterogeneous spindle-shaped cells containing two groups of secretory granules. Because of the significant correlation found between high ERBB1/ERBB2 levels in MTCs and extrathyroidal growth, the detection of ERBB1 and ERBB2 expression suggests that the two oncoproteins may be involved in the tumor proliferative responses and/or in the differentiation of parafollicular C-cells. The biological, prognostic, and therapeutic significance of these patterns would merit further investigations.

Can Total Thyroidectomy Be Safely Performed by Residents?: A Comparative Retrospective Multicenter Study.

This retrospective comparative multicenter study aims to analyze the impact on patient outcomes of total thyroidectomy (TT) performed by resident surgeons (RS) with close supervision and assistance of attending surgeons (AS).All patients who underwent TT between 2009 and 2013 in 10 Units of endocrine surgery (8 in Italy, 1 in France, and 1 in UK) were evaluated. Demographic data, preoperative diagnosis, extension of goiter, type of surgical access, surgical approach, operative time, use and duration of drain, length of hospitalization, histology, and postoperative complications were recorded. Patients were divided into 3 groups: A, when treated by an AS assisted by an RS; B and C, when treated by a junior and a senior RS, respectively, assisted by an AS.The 8908 patients (mean age 51.1 ±â€Š13.6 years), with 6602 (74.1%) females were enrolled. Group A counted 7092 (79.6%) patients, Group B 261 (2.9%) and Group C 1555 (17.5%). Operative time was significantly greater (P < 0.001) in B (101.3 ±â€Š43.0 min) vs A (71.8 ±â€Š27.6 min) and C (81.2 ±â€Š29.9 min). Duration of drain was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in A (47.4 ±â€Š13.2 h) vs C (56.4 ±â€Š16.5 h), and in B (42.8 ±â€Š14.9 h) vs A and C. Length of hospitalization was significantly longer (P < 0.001) in C (3.8 ±â€Š1.8 days) vs B (2.4 ±â€Š1.0 days) and A (2.6 ±â€Š1.5 days). No mortality occurred. Overall postoperative morbidity was 22.3%: it was significantly higher in B vs A (29.5% vs 22.3%; odds ratio [OR] 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-1.92, P = 0.006) and C (21.3%; OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.15-2.07, P = 0.003). No differences were found for recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, hypoparathyroidism, hemorrhage, and wound infection. The adjusted ORs in multivariate analysis showed that overall morbidity remained significantly associated with Group B vs A (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.12-1.96, P = 0.005) and vs C (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.19-2.17, P = 0.002), while no difference was observed in Group A vs B + C.TT can be safely performed by residents correctly supervised. Innovative gradual training in dedicated high-volume hospitals should be proposed in order to allow adequate autonomy for the RS and safeguard patient outcome.

A combination of immunohistochemistry and molecular approaches improves highly sensitive detection of BRAF mutations in papillary thyroid cancer.

The optimal method for BRAF mutation detection remains to be determined despite advances in molecular detection techniques. The aim of this study was to compare, against classical Sanger sequencing, the diagnostic performance of two of the most recently developed, highly sensitive methods: BRAF V600E immunohistochemistry (IHC) and peptide nucleic-acid (PNA)-clamp qPCR. BRAF exon 15 mutations were searched in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 86 papillary thyroid carcinoma using the three methods. The limits of detection of Sanger sequencing in borderline or discordant cases were quantified by next generation sequencing. BRAF mutations were found in 74.4 % of cases by PNA, in 71 % of cases by IHC, and in 64 % of cases by Sanger sequencing. Complete concordance for the three methods was observed in 80 % of samples. Better concordance was observed with the combination of two methods, particularly PNA and IHC (59/64) (92 %), while the combination of PNA and Sanger was concordant in 55 cases (86 %). Sensitivity of the three methods was 99 % for PNA, 94.2 % for IHC, and 89.5 % for Sanger. Our data show that IHC could be used as a cost-effective, first-line method for BRAF V600E detection in daily practice, followed by PNA analysis in negative or uninterpretable cases, as the most efficient method. PNA-clamp quantitative PCR is highly sensitive and complementary to IHC as it also recognizes other mutations besides V600E and it is suitable for diagnostic purposes.

Synchronous totally laparoscopic management of colorectal cancer and resectable liver metastases: a single center experience.

PURPOSE: The simultaneous management of primary colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases has been reported extensively in open surgery. Data regarding feasibility, safety, and outcomes of the laparoscopic procedure is emerging from the experience of a few surgical centers. This paper aims at discussing the technique and results of a one-step laparoscopic approach for colorectal cancer and liver metastases resection on a series of 35 patients. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2013, 18 males and 17 females (median age 71 years) underwent colorectal and hepatic laparoscopic resection for colorectal metastatic cancer. RESULTS: Thirty-five colorectal resections and 66 liver resections were performed; no conversion to open surgery has been indicated. Median blood loss was 200 ml, median operative time 240 min, and median hospital stay was 8 days (range 4-30). According to Clavien-Dindo classification, two class II complications, two class IIIb complications, and one class IV complication were recorded. Two high-risk patients died within 30 days from surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This series confirms the feasibility of synchronous laparoscopic colorectal and hepatic resections. To ensure the best outcomes, a careful selection of patients is needed. However, most patients can benefit from this surgical approach.

[Modern approach to parathyroidectomy]. / Approccio chirurgico alla paratiroidectomia nel 2014: chirurgia tradizionale, mini-invasiva e tecniche "alternative"

Parathyroid surgery underwent significant innovations in the past 20 years, after both the improvement of the imaging techniques used to localize abnormal parathyroids (ultrasonography and MIBI scintiscan) and the possibility of the intraoperative PTH assay. These two tools, in experienced hands, can correctly differentiate uniglandular (more than 85% of the cases of primary hyperparathyroidism) from multiglandular disease. These technological improvements led to the possibility of limiting the surgical exploration to the single parathyroid responsible for the hyperparathyroidism in the majority of cases, avoiding unnecessary bilateral exploration that might increase both the morbidity of the surgery and its global costs. Furthermore, from a technical point of view, the philosophy of a minimally invasive surgery has also been applied to parathyroidectomy and several techniques have been described which are commonly considered minimally invasive. In this paper, the authors want to summarize their indications to perform a focused parathyroidectomy vs. a more traditional bilateral exploration, their definition of a minimally invasive parathyroidectomy and finally, it is given an overview of the techniques currently used for a parathyroidectomy.

Neurological complications in thyroid surgery: a surgical point of view on laryngeal nerves.

THE CERVICAL BRANCHES OF THE VAGUS NERVE THAT ARE PERTINENT TO ENDOCRINE SURGERY ARE THE SUPERIOR AND THE INFERIOR LARYNGEAL NERVES: their anatomical course in the neck places them at risk during thyroid surgery. The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EB) is at risk during thyroid surgery because of its close anatomical relationship with the superior thyroid vessels and the superior thyroid pole region. The rate of EB injury (which leads to the paralysis of the cricothyroid muscle) varies from 0 to 58%. The identification of the EB during surgery helps avoiding both an accidental transection and an excessive stretching. When the nerve is not identified, the ligation of superior thyroid artery branches close to the thyroid gland is suggested, as well as the abstention from an indiscriminate use of energy-based devices that might damage it. The inferior laryngeal nerve (RLN) runs in the tracheoesophageal groove toward the larynx, close to the posterior aspect of the thyroid. It is the main motor nerve of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles, and also provides sensory innervation to the larynx. Its injury finally causes the paralysis of the omolateral vocal cord and various sensory alterations: the symptoms range from mild to severe hoarseness, to acute airway obstruction, and swallowing impairment. Permanent lesions of the RNL occur from 0.3 to 7% of cases, according to different factors. The surgeon must be aware of the possible anatomical variations of the nerve, which should be actively searched for and identified. Visual control and gentle dissection of RLN are imperative. The use of intraoperative nerve monitoring has been safely applied but, at the moment, its impact in the incidence of RLN injuries has not been clarified. In conclusion, despite a thorough surgical technique and the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring, the incidence of neurological complications after thyroid surgery cannot be suppressed, but should be maintained in a low range.

Proteomics, and metabolomics: magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the presurgical screening of thyroid nodules.

We review the progress and state-of-the-art applications of studies in Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and Imaging as an aid for diagnosis of thyroid lesions of different nature, especially focusing our attention to those lesions that are cytologically undetermined. It appears that the high-resolution of High-Resolution Magic-Angle-Spinning (HRMAS) MRS improves the overall accuracy of the analysis of thyroid lesions to a point that a significant improvement in the diagnosis of cytologically undetermined lesions can be expected. This analysis, in the meantime, allows a more precise comprehension of the alterations in the metabolic pathways induced by the development of the different tumors. Although these results are promising, at the moment, a clinical application of the method to the common workup of thyroid nodules cannot be used, due to both the limitation in the availability of this technology and the wide range of techniques, that are not uniformly used. The coming future will certainly see a wider application of these methods to the clinical practice in patients affected with thyroid nodules and various other neoplastic diseases.

Postoperative follow up in patients showing no evident residual disease - cut-offs for imaging/ intervention.

The European Group generally agrees with the American guidelines on the issue of the indications for additional surgery in patients with recurrence of medullary thyroid cancer. The discussions have been focused mainly on the postoperative follow-up, where some European experts feel that a postoperative calcitonin-stimulating test is of some importance in assigning the patient to the "Cured" or "Non-cured" group immediately after surgery. A part of the European group feels that a negative calcitonin-stimulating test might lead to a less intensive follow-up in the late follow-up of these patients.

Incidental versus clinically evident thyroid cancer: a 5-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer in patients undergoing surgery for presumed benign thyroid disease (incidental thyroid cancer) is not negligible. The purpose of this study was to verify if incidental thyroid cancers have a different clinical course than the clinically evident thyroid cancer. METHODS: A group of patients with incidental thyroid cancer (n = 95) has been compared to a control group with clinically evident thyroid cancer (n = 93). Both the histology and the outcome after a 5-year follow-up have been compared. RESULTS: At the univariate analysis, the groups demonstrated significant differences in many pathologic features, remnant ablation (p < .001), and persistent disease (p = .006). Nevertheless, the multivariate analysis revealed that the outcome was not influenced by the preoperative or the incidental diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Incidental thyroid cancers show a different pathological pattern when compared to clinically evident thyroid cancers. Nonetheless, the final outcome is not influenced by preoperative or postoperative diagnosis. Hence, patients with incidental thyroid cancer should follow the same postoperative protocols of patients with clinically evident thyroid cancer.

Metabolomics approach to thyroid nodules: a high-resolution magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance-based study.

BACKGROUND: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of operative specimens has been reported to successfully differentiate normal tissue from malignant thyroid tissue. We used a new high-resolution magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique for the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid neoplasms. METHODS: Histological specimens from 72 patients undergoing a total thyroidectomy were processed into a 4-mm ZrO(2) high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) rotor with 5 µL of D(2)O. A Bruker Avance spectrometer operating at 400 MHz for the (1)H frequency and equipped with a (1)H/(13)C/(31)P HRMAS probe was used. RESULTS: Normal and neoplastic thyroid tissues could be discriminated from each other by different relative concentrations of several amino acids and lipids, as well as benign and malignant neoplasms, that differed in terms of a greater lactate and taurine and a lesser lipid choline, phosphocholine, myo-inositol, and scyllo-inositol levels in malignant samples. A statistical analysis with a receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that 77% of the samples were accurately predicted. Similar results were obtained with specimens obtained from ex vivo aspirates. CONCLUSION: A further development of this project will be to use the metabolomics approach on specimens obtained from aspirates in vivo after the resolution of technical problems attributable to possible contamination.