Transient remission of hyperparathyroidism after fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is the unregulated overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH), resulting in abnormal calcium homeostasis. PHPT is most commonly caused by a single adenoma of the parathyroid gland, which can have an intrathyroid location in rare cases. The measurement of intact PTH in the washout fluid obtained by ultrasound (US)-guided fineneedle aspiration (FNA) can be useful in clarifying the aetiology of these lesions. This study presented a 48-year-old man with a background history of symptomatic renal stone disease who was diagnosed with PHPT and referred to our Endocrinology department. A neck US revealed a thyroid nodule with a size of 21 mm in the right lobe. The patient underwent US-guided FNA of the lesion. The measurement of PTH in the washout fluid was significantly elevated. Following the procedure, he reported neck pain and noticed distal paraesthesias in the upper limbs. Blood test results showed significant hypocalcaemia and supplementation with calcium and calcitriol was started. The patient was closely monitored. Recurrence of hypercalcaemia was later observed, and the patient was submitted to surgery. We present a case of FNAinduced transitory remission of PHPT in a patient with an intrathyroid parathyroid adenoma. We conjecture that intra-nodular haemorrhage might have occurred, which temporarily affected the viability of the autonomous parathyroid tissue. A few similar cases of spontaneous or induced remission of PHPT after FNA have been previously described in the literature. This remission can be transitory or permanent, depending on the degree of cellular damage thus follow-up of these patients is recommended.

Lymph Node Metastases of Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Role of Calcitonin in the Washout Fluid of Fine-Needle Aspiration.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnostic value of calcitonin (CT) measurement in fine-needle aspirate washout (FNA-CT) for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) lymph node (LN) metastases remains to be determined. It may increase the diagnostic sensitivity, but data on this subject is sparse. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to evaluate the utility of FNA-CT in the diagnosis of LN metastases of MTC. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated, in our institutional database, 69 consecutive FNA LN cytology from 42 patients who underwent FNA cytology and CT measurement in needle washout for suspicious LN between 2012 and 2017. RESULTS: From the total of 69 FNA, 30 (43.4%) were performed in patients with personal history of MTC. MTC was detected in 19 FNA cytology (27.5%), and CT was detectable in needle washout in 23 cases (median = 2014 pg/mL; interquartile range = 490-15111 pg/mL). Based on the combined results of FNA-CT and FNA cytology, LN surgical resection was performed in 33 cases (47.8%). Histology reported MTC LN metastases in 21 lesions (63.6%). Regarding the diagnosis of MTC LN metastases, FNA cytology showed sensitivity of 81.8% and specificity of 97.9%, and FNA-CT demonstrated sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 97.9%. We determined through ROC analysis an optimal FNA-CT cut-off value of 23 pg/mL for the diagnosis of LN metastases (sensitivity 100%; specificity 100%). CONCLUSIONS: FNA-CT may be a valuable diagnostic tool for detection of MTC LN metastases, along with FNA cytology, and it should be included in the clinical workup of neck adenopathies in patients with MTC or with thyroid nodules.

Atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome from multiple missenses to a full-blown disease.

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of dorsal, lumbar and lower abdomen pain that had started 4 days before. She had a history of age-related macular degeneration (treated with intraocular bevacizumab). Blood tests showed anaemia, thrombocytopaenia, acute kidney injury, elevated liver enzymes and total bilirubin (mainly because of the indirect fraction). Viral serologies and ADAMTS13 activity levels were normal, and stool testing was negative for Escherichia coli-producing Shiga toxins. E. coli was isolated in urine. Atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome triggered by a urinary tract infection or by the vascular endothelial growth factor-inhibitor bevacizumab were the most likely hypothesis. The patient started urgent plasmapheresis and dialysis that lasted for a total of 18 days. There was complete remission and recovery of kidney function allowing for treatment discontinuation, and she was discharged home. After 6 months of follow-up, she shows no signs of relapse.

[Fulminant Emphysematous Pyelonephritis Secondary to Urothelial Neoplasia with Reno-Colic Fistula]. / Pielonefrite Enfisematosa Fulminante Secundária a Neoplasia Urotelial com Fístula Renocólica.

The emphysematous pyelonephritis is a uncommon and potentially fatal entity. The recognition of this condition enables the early correct management of patients. Diabetes and ureteral obstruction are the main risk factors identified. We present the case of a patient with no relevant risk factors or prior medical history, in which the reason of admission to the emergency department was back pain, eventually evolving into septic shock in the early hours. The imaging tests identified the presence of peri-renal and subcutaneous gas which guided the medical team to the right diagnosis (emphysematous pyelonephritis secondary to fistulized urothelial neoplasia) and the optimal surgical treatment. However, in the post-operative period the patient died, as the clinical condition and laboratory test results performed during the admission were predicting. It should also be mentioned that this same case illustrated a bacteraemia by Sphingomonas Paucimobilis (acquired in the community) with cavitated damage to lungs (probable septic embolism).

A pielonefrite enfisematosa é uma entidade pouco frequente e potencialmente fatal. O reconhecimento desta patologia permite a correta orientação precoce dos doentes. A diabetes e a obstrução ureteral são os principais fatores de risco identificados. Apresenta-se o caso de uma doente saudável, sem fatores de risco conhecidos, em que o motivo de ida ao serviço de urgência foi apenas uma dor lombar, acabando por evoluir com quadro de choque séptico nas primeiras horas. Os exames imagiológicos permitiram identificar a presença de gás perirrenal e subcutâneo o que orientou o correto diagnóstico (pielonefrite enfisematosa secundária a neoplasia urotelial fistulizada) e tratamento cirúrgico. Contudo, e como o estado clínico e analítico à admissão e no pós-operatório faziam prever a doente acabou por falecer. De referir ainda que este mesmo caso documenta uma bacteriemia por Sphingomonas paucimobilis (adquirida na comunidade) com lesões cavitadas a nível pulmonar (provável embolismo séptico).