James T. Broome

The impact of atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance on the rate of malignancy in thyroid fine-needle aspiration: Evaluation of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology

BACKGROUND The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC) was developed to refine definitions and improve clinical communication and management. This study evaluates the impact of the BSRTC in a large cohort of patients undergoing thyroidectomy before and after its adoption at a single institution. METHODS The records from 469 patients in the pre-BSRTC (n = 187) and post-BSRTC (n = 282) periods were reviewed. Cytologic categories in group 1 included nondiagnostic, benign, follicular/Hürthle neoplasm, suspicious for malignancy, and malignant. Atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) was included in group 2. The percentage of each fine-needle aspiration (FNA) category, malignancy rate per category, and rate of AUS/FLUS utilization were calculated. RESULTS Group 1 FNA results included 3% (n = 6) nondiagnostic, 48% (n = 89) benign, 17% (n = 32) follicular/Hürthle, 13% (n = 25) suspicious for malignancy, and 19% (n = 35) malignant. Group 2 results included 4% (n = 11) nondiagnostic, 34% (n = 96) benign, 29% (n = 82) AUS/FLUS, 12% (n = 33) follicular/Hürthle, 10% (n = 29) suspicious for malignancy, and 11% (n = 31) malignant. The rate of cancer changed from 25% to 36% for follicular/Hürthle lesions. AUS/FLUS was utilized in 154 of 1095(14%) FNAs reviewed with a malignancy rate of 20%. CONCLUSION The new AUS/FLUS category was used more often than recommended (14%) with a higher than expected rate of malignancy (20%). Rigorous cytopathology to histopathology correlation is needed to accurately reflect the malignancy rates of the different BSRTC categories at each individual institution. Clinical management should be tailored based on such institutional findings.

Expense of Robotic Thyroidectomy A Cost Analysis at a Single Institution

HYPOTHESIS The cost of robotic thyroidectomy (RT) is significantly higher than that of standard open thyroidectomy (ST). DESIGN A retrospective cost analysis of ST was compared with a projected cost analysis of RT using institution-specific data. SETTING Endocrine surgery division at an academic center. PARTICIPANTS Standard open thyroidectomy data from 2 high-volume endocrine surgeons vs published variables from high-volume RT surgeons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A cost analysis was performed for ST (Current Procedural Technology code 60240). The cost of RT was estimated as operative time plus anesthesia fees plus consumables plus the robotic system (da Vinci Surgical System; Intuitive Surgical, Inc). Institution-specific data were collected for ST, and only those costs that varied between ST and RT were included in the analysis. The mean operative time for ST was based on data from 2 high-volume endocrine surgeons at our institution. The RT operative data were extracted from published series of high-volume RT surgeons. RESULTS The relative costs calculated were

Completion pancreatectomy and duodenectomy for recurrent MEN-1 pancreaticoduodenal endocrine neoplasms

2668 for ST vs

Differentiating familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia from primary hyperparathyroidism.

5795 for RT. This represents a 217% increased cost of RT compared with ST. The mean operative times were 113 minutes for ST vs 137 minutes for RT. CONCLUSIONS Technologic advances are paramount in providing the best medical care for patients. This progress must be tempered by a rational, open discussion about the costs of these advancements. Only then can the proposed benefits of a new technology be weighed accurately against the overall societal cost. Surgeons need to be aware of the cost of their technologic choices and the burdens that those place on limited resources.

Lithium use and primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to describe outcomes of MEN-1 patients with recurrence requiring completion pancreatectomy and duodenectomy after initial treatment of pancreatic endocrine neoplasms (PENs) and hypergastrinemia with distal pancreatectomy, enucleation of pancreatic head PENs, and duodenotomy. METHODS After undergoing this initial operation, 8 of 49 patients (16%) have required completion pancreatectomy and duodenectomy for recurrent PENs and hypergastrinemia. Retrospective review was performed. RESULTS Median age was 39 years (27-51) at completion pancreatectomy compared to 31 years (20-40) at initial operation. Pathology revealed multiple PENs in 100%, duodenal neoplasms in 63%, and metastatic lymph nodes in 75%. There was no operative mortality and 88% of patients are currently alive. Preoperative gastrin levels were 934 +/- 847 pg/mL while postoperative levels are 93 +/- 79 pg/mL (normal 25-111 pg/mL). Mean Hemoglobin A1C levels are 8.3 +/- 3.3% (normal 3.8%-6.4%). Mean follow-up is 44 +/- 25 months. CONCLUSION This initial operation may provide tumor control and prevent metastases but recurrent PENs are multifocal and progressive. Completion pancreatectomy and duodenectomy is arduous but outcomes are acceptable. Considering the radical nature of this treatment, individual consideration should be given to MEN-1 patients amenable to initial alternative pancreatic resections that preserve pancreatic mass and allow future pancreas-preserving reoperations.

Label-free Intraoperative Parathyroid Localization With Near-Infrared Autofluorescence Imaging

OBJECTIVE Because the clinical features of familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) overlap significantly with those of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), various means of differentiating between the two diseases have been suggested. Here we present a review of the clinical delineation of these two diseases. METHODS Review of the English language literature on FHH and PHPT. RESULTS FHH is a rare genetic disorder generally resulting in asymptomatic hypercalcemia of minimal clinical consequence. It is easily misdiagnosed as PHPT because both entities can manifest as hypercalcemia with an inappropriately normal or elevated level of parathyroid hormone. The 2 disorders differ in renal processing of calcium, and a number of indices of renal calcium excretion have been proposed to differentiate the 2 entities. However, the two disorders have considerable overlaps in their ranges on these indices making differentiation a challenge. There are many mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) gene associated with FHH and it is becoming increasingly recognized that the CaSR has broad functional variability. CONCLUSION The calcium:creatinine clearance ratio (CCCR) is the consensus biochemical test to differentiate between PHPT and FHH. However, this test is still limited by a considerable indeterminate range, and definitive diagnosis of FHH requires genetic testing. A combination of clinical suspicion, biochemical testing, and genetic analysis is required to differentiate PHPT from FHH and thus spare patients with FHH from nontherapeutic operative treatment.

Establishing the clinical utility of autofluorescence spectroscopy for parathyroid detection

OBJECTIVE To review suspected causes of lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism, disease presentation, underlying pathology, and current recommendations and trends in medical and surgical treatment. METHODS Relevant literature was reviewed. RESULTS Lithium carbonate therapy has continued to be a mainstay of treatment for bipolar disease and schizoaffective disorder since its introduction into clinical use. Several metabolic consequences are associated with its long-term use, including hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS Until further data become available, the surgeon should remain vigilant for the presence of pathologically active glands that may manifest their function at different times during the disease course.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer manifesting as new-onset Horner syndrome.

CONTEXT The inability to accurately localize the parathyroid glands during parathyroidectomy and thyroidectomy procedures can prevent patients from achieving postoperative normocalcemia. There is a critical need for an improved intraoperative method for real-time parathyroid identification. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to test the accuracy of a real-time, label-free technique that uses near-infrared (NIR) autofluorescence imaging to localize the parathyroid. SETTING The study was conducted at the Vanderbilt University endocrine surgery center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Patients undergoing parathyroidectomy and/or thyroidectomy were included in this study. To validate the intrinsic fluorescence signal in parathyroid, point measurements from 110 patients were collected using NIR fluorescence spectroscopy. Fluorescence imaging was performed on 6 patients. Imaging contrast is based on a previously unreported intrinsic NIR fluorophore in the parathyroid gland. The accuracy of fluorescence imaging was analyzed in comparison with visual assessment and histological findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The detection rate of parathyroid glands was measured. RESULTS The parathyroid glands in 100% of patients measured with fluorescence imaging were successfully detected in real time. Fluorescence images consistently showed 2.4 to 8.5 times higher emission intensity from the parathyroid than surrounding tissue. Histological validation confirmed that the high intrinsic fluorescence signal in the parathyroid gland can be used to localize the parathyroid gland regardless of disease state. CONCLUSION NIR fluorescence imaging represents a highly sensitive, real-time, label-free tool for parathyroid localization during surgery. The elegance and effectiveness of NIR autofluorescence imaging of the parathyroid gland makes it highly attractive for clinical application in endocrine surgery.

Influence of adrenal pathology on perioperative outcomes: a multi-institutional analysis

BACKGROUND The inability of surgeons to identify parathyroid glands accurately during cervical endocrine surgery hinders patients from achieving postoperative normocalcemia. An intrinsic, near-infrared fluorescence method was developed for real-time parathyroid identification with high accuracy. This study assesses the clinical utility of this approach. METHODS Autofluorescence measurements were obtained from 137 patients (264 parathyroid glands) undergoing parathyroidectomy and/or thyroidectomy. Measurements were correlated to disease state, calcium levels, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D levels, age, sex, ethnicity, and body mass index. Statistical analysis identified which factors affect parathyroid detection. RESULTS High parathyroid fluorescence was detected consistently and showed wide variability across patients. Near-infrared fluorescence was used to identify 256 of 264 (97%) of glands correctly. The technique showed high accuracy over a wide variety of disease states, although patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism demonstrated confounding results. Analysis revealed body mass index (P < .01), disease state (P < .01), vitamin D (P < .05), and calcium levels (P < .05) account greatly for variability in signal intensity. Age, sex, parathyroid hormone, and ethnicity had no effect. CONCLUSION This intrinsic fluorescence-based intraoperative technique can detect nearly all parathyroid glands accurately in real time. Its discrimination capacity is largely unlimited by patient variables, but several factors affect signal intensity. These results demonstrate potential clinical utility of optical guidance for parathyroid detection.

Parathyroid carcinoma arising from four-gland hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE To report a case of Horner syndrome as the initial sign of locally advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer. METHODS We present a case report in conjunction with a retrospective review and evaluation of the English-language literature on Horner syndrome and thyroid pathologic conditions. RESULTS Horner syndrome is a rare complication of thyroid disease most often occurring in the postoperative setting after resections. Preoperatively, Horner syndrome is usually caused by a benign intrathoracic goiter that compresses the sympathetic plexus as it exits the thoracic cavity to enter the neck. Malignant thyroid disease leading to Horner syndrome is less common than benign causes of the syndrome. Treatment of compressive lesions can lead to resolution of nerve compression. CONCLUSION Horner syndrome is a rare complication of thyroid pathologic conditions. When present preoperatively, the majority of cases are due to benign compression of the cervical plexus. Therefore, Horner syndrome in the setting of a goiter does not necessarily portend a malignant process as one might suspect. Nonetheless, it still remains important that those patients who present with Horner syndrome undergo appropriate assessment for detection of mass lesions, underlying vascular etiologic factors, or other potentially treatable disorders causing sympathetic chain dysfunction.