Grzegorz Buła

Imaging diagnostics for primary hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) is a benign condition characterised by malignant potential. Even in specialist wards, 5-10% of operations for PHP are unsuccessful. The main reasons seem to be ectopy of the parathyroid gland, numerous adenomas, multiglandular parathyroid hyperplasia, and intrathyroid location of the parathyroid. The last three decades have witnessed a rapid progression in imaging diagnostics.

Oxidative stress and angiogenesis in primary hyperparathyroidism

SummaryBackgroundThe inappropriate elevation of parathormone (PTH), which regulates the process of angiogenesis in parathyroid tissue, causes the changes of activity of enzymes responsible for the removal of free radicals. Parathyroidectomy (PTX) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) lowers the level of PTH and leads to the reduction of risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality by normalization of the antioxidant status. Therefore, the aims of the study were to assess the activity of antioxidant enzymes and free radical reaction products in patients after parathyroidectomy, and to evaluate the correlation between the systemic oxidative stress and angiogenic parameters.Materials and methodsPatients with PHPT treated surgically were enrolled into the study. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidative status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ceruloplasmin (CER), lipid hydroperoxides (LHP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured before and after parathyroidectomy. The immunohistological expression of angiogenic factors in parathyroid specimens was assessed by the BrightVision method from ImmunoLogic using murine monoclonal anti-human: anti-VEGF, anti-CD31 and anti-CD106 antibodies.ResultsThe significant increase of TAC, CER, reduction of TOS, MDA, SOD, especially for cytoplasmic form, and significant decrease of OSI, LHP were observed after PTX. There was no significant correlation between changes of oxidative stress markers and angiogenic parameters: VEGF, CD-31, CD-106 in parathyroid tissue. The correlation level was low and medium.ConclusionsParathyroidectomy causes down-regulation of lipid peroxidation processes and leads to reduction of oxidative stress in patients with PHPT. The decrease in the OSI is the results of down-regulation of oxidative stress in the postoperative period. The change of the antioxidant status has no impact on angiogenesis processes in parathyroid tissue.

Expression of TRAIL and Fas in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

ABSTRACT Aim: Differentiating between parathyroid lesions is still difficult and ambiguous. In cases of primary hyperparathyroidism, appropriate and prompt diagnosis is of great importance for effective treatment and follow-up. A great amount of mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of primary hyperparathyroidism, such as disturbance in balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic factors. Therefore, we examined whether immunohistochemical expression of apoptotic factors, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and Fas, could have clinical utility as a marker of proliferative lesions of parathyroid gland. Materials and methods: Parathyroid specimens of 58 consecutive patients who had undertaken surgery due to primary hyperparathyroidism were incubated with purified mouse monoclonal antihuman antibodies: anti-TRAIL and anti-Fas. Staining was considered positive when at least 5% of the cells showed immunoreactivity. Results: The percentage of cells which were positively stained for TRAIL in parathyroid hyperplasia was 9.65%, in parathyroid adenoma 8.31%, and in normal controls 2.24%. Immunoreactivity for TRAIL was detected in 91.89% of parathyroid hyperplasias, 85.71% of parathyroid adenomas, and none in healthy glands. The percentage of cells with a positive reaction to Fas in parathyroid hyperplasia was 8.92%, in parathyroid adenoma 8.09%, and in normal tissue 1.9%. The expression of Fas was found in 94.59% of parathyroid hyperplasias, 90.48% of parathyroid adenomas, and none in healthy glands. Conclusions: In our study, hyperplasias demonstrated the highest expression of TRAIL and Fas, whereas in adenomas it was increased compared to normal tissue, but lower than in hyperplasias. These factors could be an additive tool in the differential diagnosis of parathyroid lesions.

Non-Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve.

UNLABELLED The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of non-recurrent laryngeal nerves (Non-RLN). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 6110 patients were operated in our hospital between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2013 for various goiters (5429) and various types of hyperparathyroidism (618). Laryngeal nerve was exposed during operation in 1700 patients from superior aperture of the chest to superior aperture of the larynx. Identification process of RLN was started with dissecting inferior thyroid artery (ITA) and its junction with the nerve. Then main trunk of the nerve was exposed backwards till the region of superior aperture of the chest together with the end portion till the nerve outlet to the larynx. RESULTS In the group of 1700 patients, RLN was exposed bilaterally in 1400 (82.4%) and unilaterally in 300 (17.6%). In the group of 3100 dissected RLNs the course of RLN was observed on the right side in 1710 patients and on the left in 1390. Irreversible nature RLN was shown in four cases (0.1%) - four women (02%) aged 42-55 (mean 49.3) - three operated for non-toxic nodular goiter and one for primary hyperparathyroidism. Each time the Non-RLN was seen on the right side. The other patients manifested recurrent character RLN. Moreover, interstitial course of RLN was found on the left side in one man. CONCLUSION Non recurrent laryngeal nerve is a rare anatomical variation, occurring more frequently on the right side. Surgeon during surgery of the thyroid and parathyroid glands should be aware of its existence to avoid damage.

Tissue hemostasis and chronic inflammation in colon biopsies of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by a chronic inflammation accompanied by procoagulation settings. However, tissue hemostasis in IBD patients was only incidentally reported. Accordingly, the current study characterizes changes in tissue hemostasis components in a colon inflammatory setting. Serial cryostat sections of endoscopic mucosal biopsy specimens taken from 26 consecutive IBD patients diagnosed de novo and normal colon resection specimens taken from 6 patients were immunohistochemically stained with monoclonal anti-human tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), thrombomodulin (TM), as well as CD3 and CD68 positive cells. The hemostatic components studied differed significantly from the control subjects. Up-regulation predominated in the case of TF while down-regulation was mainly found in TM and TFPI in IBD. In the control sections, TF was observed in a few fibroblast-shaped cells in the lamina propria, while in the majority of IBD sections, TF positively stained small microvessels, infiltrating mononuclear cells and fibroblast-shaped cells tightly surrounding the colon crypts. Thrombomodulin intensively stained the endothelium of the small capillary vessels in the control, whereas such staining mainly accompanied infiltrating mononuclear cells of the IBD subjects. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor positively stained the endothelium of the small capillary vessels in the control group, whereas in the IBD group endothelial cells presented only weak TFPI staining. The mean number of CD3-positive lymphocytes in IBD was 23.3 ± 14.3, but the mean number of CD68-positive cells was 114.5 ± 55.8. In the control sections, it was 4.1 ± 2.4 and 39.6 ± 17.9, respectively. There was no relationship between CD3 and CD68 (+) cells and the hemostasis markers studied. The results of the current study indicate a shift of tissue hemostasis toward the procoagulant state irrespective of the severity of inflammatory infiltration. In addition, TF distribution in the colon sections of IBD patients may indicate a role in the restoration of the barrier function in injured intestinal mucosa.

A follow-up study of patients with MEN syndromes — five case reports

THE AIM OF THE STUDY Evaluation of the results of surgical treatment in patients with hyperparathyroidism related to MEN syndrome MATERIALS AND METHODS: The group of three women and two men aged between 17 and 72 years ( av. 38.6) with MEN- related hyperparathyroidism within 419 patients were operated between 2010-2016. MEN1 syndrome was diagnosed in four patients and MEN2 only once. Pre- and postoperative results of PTH levels and serum calcium values were compared. RESULTS The mean preoperative serum PTH level was 215,56 pg/ml, whereas calcium concentration was 1.40 mmol/l. Three Patients with MEN1 syndrome had three and two thirds of parathyroid gland taken, and one had a single parathyroid gland excised with biopsy of the rest glands performed. A patient with MEN2 syndrome had one parathyroid gland excised. Postoperatively, we reported decreased secretion of both PTH (a mean serum PTH concentration 6.72 pg/ml), and serum calcium concentration 1.11 mmol/l. One patient (25%) with MEN 1 developed recurrent hyperparathyroidism after five years from the surgery. The patient was reoperated. The rest of the parathyroid gland was removed with an implantation into separated muscle pockets in the anterior forearm muscles. CONCLUSIONS 1. MEN syndrome is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. 2. Subtotal parathyroidectomy helps to bring back a normal calcium metabolism. 3. Recurrence of hyperparathyroidism in patients with MEN syndrome requires total parathyroidectomy with an autotransplantation into the anterior forearm muscles.

Assessment of operative treatment of patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation

INTRODUCTION The purpose of the study was to assess the results of operative treatment of patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism (tHPT) after kidney transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 30 patients in whom kidney transplantation was performed between 2006 and 2013, and in whom parathyroidectomy had to be performed at a later time because of tHPT. There were 17 (56.7%) women and 13 (43,3%) men in the group, aged 18-64, mean 46.1 years. In order to locate the lesion before the operation, all patients had to undergo USG, and 14 had scintigraphy MIBI in addition. Serum levels of PTH, ionised calcium, and creatinine were determined together with glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The results of control tests were compared with those performed one day before parathyroidectomy (PTX) and three days after the operation. RESULTS Among 30 patients, 19 (63.3%) underwent total resection of three parathyroid glands and 3/4 of the fourth. Two parathyroid glands were resected in eight (26.7%) patients, and one in the remaining three (10%) patients. Histopathological examination showed one parathyroid adenoma in six (20%) patients, and one parathyroid adenoma and hyperplasia of the remaining glands in one (3.3%) patient. Five (16.7%) patients had hyperplasia of two parathyroid glands whereas no changes were observed in two patients. On the other hand, hyperplasia of all glands was noted in 18 (60%) patients. Serum PTH level was significantly lower compared to the level before operation (p < 0.001), being 5.5-58.5 pg/mL, on day 3 postoperatively. Differences in the levels of serum-ionised calcium were also significant (p < 0.0001) after eight months. CONCLUSIONS Surgical resection of parathyroid glands is a management of choice in patients after kidney transplantation accompanied by hypercalcaemia lasting longer than one year. Resection of 3 3/4 parathyroid glands because of hyperplasia in patients with hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation enables restoration of normal calcium metabolism. Moreover, resection of 3 3/4 parathyroid glands can allow avoidance of autotransplantation, which is necessary in cases of total resection of parathyroid glands.

Lateral and median cysts of the neck

THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to present clinical picture, indications for surgery, immediate and remote results of surgical treatment for lateral and median cysts of the neck. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 17247 patients were operated between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2011 for neck tumors. RESULTS Neck cysts were diagnosed in 34 (0.2%) patients, including lateral in 12 (35.3%) and median in 22 (64.7%). Lateral cyst once descended to the mediastinal. Nodular goitres were diagnosed in 17 (50%) of them--with the lateral cysts 4x and median cysts 13x. Guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the cyst-like lesions revealed the presence of protein masses in all patients. The lesions were found to have inflammatory character in 6 patients (17.6%) regarding median cysts (5x) or lateral cyst (1x). Out of them, 3 patients developed purulent inflammatory process. All patients were operated. The operation consisted of radical resection of the cyst only or plus partial resection of both thyroid lobes and total resection of pyramidal lobe if concomitant goitre was found. Two patients required one-stage resection of the enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Suspected focus of thyroid papillary cancer was found by intra-operative examination in neck median cyst wall in one patient. However, paraffin tests did not confirm the suspicion. Another patient was found by histopathological examination to have active tuberculotic process within both lateral cyst and lymph nodes. The patient received intensive antituberculotic treatment postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS 1. Median cysts of the neck are more often accompanied by thyroid tumor-like goitres than lateral cysts. 2. Radical resection of the cysts in operative treatment results in good long term patient condition and prevent in recurrence of the illness.