Parathyroidectomy in primary hyperparathyroidism: retrospective study of 167 patients, experience in Jules Bordet Institute.

The aim of this study is to compare our surgical results of parathyroidectomies in primary hyperparathyroidism with literature results. From 1985 until 2009, 167 patients were operated for primary hyperparathyroidism by bilateral central neck exploration. The sex ratio (women/men) is 4/1 and the middle age is 57 years old. We record clinical information, laboratory and radiological results of the preoperative period. We count 158 adenomas, 5 parathyroid hyperplasias, two carcinomas and two parathyroid glands reported as normal. The morbidity rate was low (0.6%) and there was no mortality. With a mean follow-up of 6 years, the majority of symptoms and clinical signs improved after surgery, the parathyroid hormone level (PTH) and the calcaemia normalized in all patients except 4/166 (2.41%). Among twenty-four patients who go for a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry test (DEXA), 16/24 (66.67%) demonstrated a lumbar spine bone mass increase and 15/24 (62.5%) a total hip bone mass increase. There was one recurrence of hyperparathyroidism due to a missed second adenoma in the mediastinum. In conclusion, the parathyroidectomy by bilateral neck exploration under general anesthesia in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism is a surgical technique associated with a high recovery rate and a low complications rate. A systematic study of the bone mass before and after parathyroidectomy should allow identification of the factors that are associated with the bone density increase of these patients.

Heterogeneity of metabolic response to systemic therapy in metastatic breast cancer patients.

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the intra-individual heterogeneity of the ¹8F-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) response among lesions in bone-dominant metastatic breast cancer patients treated with systemic therapies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The metabolic response was analysed by comparing PET/CT scans carried out before and during a new treatment phase (n=46) in 25 bone-dominant metastatic breast cancer patients. Patients presented both bone and extra-bone metastases in 48% treatment phases. The metabolic response was analysed according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria. A heterogeneous response was defined as the coexistence of responding and non-responding lesions within the same patient. RESULTS: The lesion-based response analysis showed a heterogeneous metabolic response in 48% of treatment phases. In the subset with both bone and extra-bone metastases (n=20), PET/CT showed discordant responses between bone and extra-bone metastases in 6/20 (30%) treatment phases. Considering all the cases included in the study, the time to progression (TTP) was longer in cases with a metabolic response compared with the cases with a metabolic non-response (P=0.02). In cases with a PET/CT non-response, TTP seemed to be lower in those with a homogeneous non-response compared with those with a heterogeneous metabolic response (P=0.07). CONCLUSION: Whole-body FDG-PET allows frequent heterogeneous responses after systemic therapy to be identified in bone-dominant metastatic breast cancer patients.

Development of a desmoid tumor at the site of a total hip replacement.

Extra-abdominal desmoid tumors are locally aggressive benign soft tissue tumors arising from the connective tissue of muscle and overlying fascia or aponeuroses. Location around the hip occurs in about 10% of all desmoid tumors. The authors report the development of a desmoid tumor around the hip 45 months after implantation of a total hip prosthesis. Endocrine and physical factors seem to play an important role in the development of the disease. Moreover, an association has been reported between trauma and desmoid tumor. Desmoid tumors developing around silicon implants have also been described. However, no association between hip prostheses and desmoid tumors has been published in the world literature. Although soft tissue tumors induced by metallic implants have been observed clinically, we still seek a coherent explanation for the exact pathogenesis.

Camurati-Engelmann disease. Effects of corticosteroids.

Camurati-Engelmann disease is an uncommon condition, radiologically characterized by symmetric diaphyseal sclerosis involving the tubular bones. Clinical features include limb pain, muscle weakness, waddling gait and sometimes deafness. The evaluation is made by conjunction of radiographic and scintigraphic data. Corticosteroids and analgesics improve the quality of life, decrease the pain but do not alter the course of the disease. The evolution is unpredictable. The history of a 23 year old male with such a disorder is presented hereafter. His clinical course shows a very good response to the administration of corticosteroids, whereas no improvement is observed as far as the radiographic and isotopic features are concerned.

Intramuscular myxoma.

Intramuscular myxoma is a rare, benign, mesenchymal tumour. It contains fibroblast-like, histiocyt-like and myofibroblast-like cells in a myxoid material. These tumours occur in adults between 40 and 60 years with a predilection for women (70%). The incidence varies between 0.10 and 0.13/100.000. They may occur as an independent lesion or in conjunction with fibrous dysplasia or Albright syndrome. Although only circumstantial features have linked fibrous dysplasia and myxoma, the concept of a basic metabolic error of both tissues during initial growth period has been proposed. There are no specific clinical manifestations of this tumour. Although MRI offers the best imaging approach in terms of determination of the local extension of the tumour and its fatty texture, the differential diagnosis between intramuscular myxoma and myxoid degenerescence of a liposarcoma must be considered. The diagnosis is always made after microscopic examination. Local excision with histological margins free of tumour provides excellent local control without recurrence. The case of a patient presenting this rare tumour is presented. A thorough survey of the literature was done.

Post-myelographic meningeal irritation with iohexol.

A 45-year-old woman developed signs of meningeal irritation after myelography with iohexol. Her condition improved very quickly (after antibiotic treatment). Rapid improvement, absence of pathogenic organisms in the pre-treatment CSF culture, the level of CSF pleocytosis and protein were in favor of chemical meningitis.