Silvia Oddo

A comparison of laser with radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules: a propensity score matching analysis

Abstract Purpose: To compare technique efficacy and safety of laser ablation (LA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of benign thyroid nodules. Materials and methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and patients’ consent was waived. 601 nodules were treated from May 2009 to December 2014 at eight centres, 449 (309 females, age 57 ± 14 years) with LA and 152 (107 females, age 57 ± 14 years) with RFA. A matched cohort composed of 138 patients from each group was selected after adjustment with propensity score matching. Factors influencing volume reduction at 6 and 12 months and complications were evaluated. Results: No significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between groups after propensity score matching adjustment. Mean nodule reduction at 6 and 12 months was −67 ± 19% vs. −57 ± 21% (p < 0.001) − 70 ± 19% vs. −62 ± 22% (p = 0.001) in LA group and in RFA group, respectively. Nodules with volume >30 mL had significantly higher percentage volume reduction at 6 and 12 months (−69 ± 19 vs. −50 ± 21, p = 0.001) and (−73 ± 18 vs. −54 ± 23 8, p = 0.001) in the LA group than in the RFA group, respectively. In both groups, operator’s skills affected the results. Major complications occurred in 4 cases in each group (p = 0.116) Conclusions: LA and RFA showed nearly similar outcome but LA was slightly more effective than RFA in large nodules. Operator’s skills could be crucial in determining the extent of nodule volume reduction regardless of the used technique.

Primary hyperparathyroidism diagnosed after surgical ablation of a costal mass mistaken for giant-cell bone tumor: a case report

IntroductionPrimary hyperparathyroidism is a common endocrine disorder characterized by elevated parathyroid hormone levels, which cause continuous osteoclastic bone resorption. Giant cell tumor of bone is an expansile osteolytic tumor that contains numerous osteoclast-like giant cells. There are many similarities in the radiological and histological features of giant cell tumor of bone and brown tumor. This is a rare benign focal osteolytic process most commonly caused by hyperparathyroidism.Case presentationWe report the unusual case of a 40-year-old Caucasian woman in which primary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed after surgical ablation of a costal mass. The mass was suspected of being neoplastic and histopathology was compatible with a giant cell tumor of bone. On the basis of the biochemical results (including serum calcium, phosphorous and intact parathyroid hormone levels) primary hyperparathyroidism was suspected and a brown tumor secondary to refractory hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed.ConclusionsSince giant cell tumor is a bone neoplasm that has major implications for the patient, the standard laboratory tests in patients with bone lesions are important for a correct diagnosis.

Primary hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy treated with cinacalcet: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundThe efficacy and safety of various modes of medical treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy are largely unknown.Case presentationWe report the case of a 34-year-old white woman with primary hyperparathyroidism symptomatic for nephrolithiasis. Her serum calcium was 3.15 mmol/l and parathyroid hormone was 109.0 ng/L. Neck imaging found no pathological parathyroid tissue. Cinacalcet and cholecalciferol were started. She became pregnant 17 months later. The calcimimetic was stopped. During pregnancy, she was admitted for hydration administered intravenously two to three times per week. In her 24th week of pregnancy, cinacalcet was restarted. In her 32nd week, a cesarean section was carried out as planned.ConclusionsOnly three cases of primary hyperparathyroidism in women on cinacalcet therapy in pregnancy have been published in the literature. In the present case, hydration was useful in controlling serum calcium. Cinacalcet therapy helped to control serum calcium.

Five-year longitudinal evaluation of mild primary hyperparathyroidism — medical treatment versus clinical observation

INTRODUCTION Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is an increasingly common endocrine disorder. Most patients with PHPT do not have disease-specific symptoms. The management of these patients has been widely debated. Recent studies have shown the importance of following up asymptomatic patients in order to reduce co-morbidity. However, there are conflicting opinions as to medical management. The aim of our study was to compare the outcome of PHPT patients on antiresorptive therapy vs. observation only. MATERIAL AND METHODS We longitudinally evaluated 157 PHPT patients (126 females) aged 22-90 years. Patients who did not undergo surgery were divided into two groups: those on anti-resorptive therapy (N = 52), and those without any treatment (N = 37). Patients who were disease-free after surgery (N = 50) served as controls. RESULTS The values of serum calcium (S-Ca), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and indices of bone metabolism did not differ significantly among the three groups of subjects. No differences in 25(OH)-vitamin D levels were noted. Bone mineral density (BMD) was not significantly different at the spinal level. Finally, we found no evidence of an effect of medical treatment on quality of life (QoL). However, QoL significantly improved in the surgery group after parathyroidectomy (PTX). CONCLUSIONS This study provided up-to-date information in terms of biochemical progression on the natural history of PHPT patients. No significant differences emerged between anti-resorptive therapy and observation only. It is not yet possible to assess the effect of pharmacological treatments on QoL in statistical terms.

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion and Ibuprofen, a Rare Association to Be Considered: Role of Tolvaptan

The association between the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is rare and has never been treated with an arginine vasopressin receptor antagonist. We report a unique case of SIADH associated with ibuprofen use and successfully treated with tolvaptan. A 76-year-old man came to our observation because of lumbar pain and epigastric discomfort. He was taking ibuprofen orally 400 mg bid as an analgesic treatment. Laboratory tests showed low levels of sodium (116 mmol/L) and chloride; a diagnosis of SIADH was formulated and ibuprofen was stopped immediately. Imaging tests allowed to rule out the presence of malignancies or cerebral and lung diseases. Slightly hypertonic saline infusion was administered for 3 days without significant sodium improvement; therefore, tolvaptan was started at the initial dose of 7.5 mg daily, doubled after 5 days. After 8 days of treatment the patient showed progressive increase of sodium levels up to normal values. In the following weeks tolvaptan was prescribed at progressively titrated dosage to full suspension; afterwards the sodium levels remained normal without any type of treatment.

Quality of life in patients treated with radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules

Background: Many studies have reported mean reductions in nodule volumes and described improvements in the sense of pressure and aesthetic symptoms after radiofrequency ablation. The aim of our study was to document changes in quality of life by means of a 13-scale questionnaire named ThyPRO in a cohort of patients treated with radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules. Moreover, we assessed the efficacy and safety of the procedure and correlations between efficacy and some features both of the treated nodules and of patients, and evaluated improvements in neck discomfort by means of a visual analogic scale. Methods: 32 patients with benign thyroid nodules were treated with radiofrequency ablation. We evaluated nodule volume, thyroid function and autoimmunity before and after procedures, adverse events during and after procedures, changes in neck discomfort by means of a visual analogic scale and changes in quality of life through the ThyPRO questionnaire at 1, 3, 6 12, 24 and 36 months. We sought correlations between response to radiofrequency ablation and some features of procedures and patients. We divided patients into 2 groups, according to their mean percentage of nodule volume reduction: group 1 (reduction >30%) and group 2 (reduction <30%) to evaluate whether ThyPRO questionnaire scores changed in patients in whom thyroid RFA was more effective. Results: At the last evaluation, nodule volume reduction was 45±9 in group 1, 11±9 in group 2 and 40±25% in the total population. We found a correlation between better volume reduction and greater patient age. Thyroid function and autoimmunity were not modified. Adverse events were few and mild. Visual analogic scale scores improved, though scores on the individual ThyPRO scales did not change, even in group 1. The general subjective impact of thyroid disease on quality of life improved from the 3rd month onwards. Conclusions: In our cohort of patients, quality of life, as evaluated through ThyPRO, did not improve after radiofrequency for benign thyroid nodules. In the literature, changes in quality of life in patients treated with radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules have been described in only one paper, while changes in quality of life assessed by means of ThyPRO have never been described.

Quality of Life in Patients Treated with Percutaneous Laser Ablation for Non-Functioning Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective Single-Center Study

Objective While many studies have reported that laser ablation (LA) for benign non-fuctioning thyroid nodules is efficacious in reducing nodular volume and neck symptoms, none have described changes in quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to report post-LA changes in QoL in our cohort of patients. Materials and Methods Fourteen patients with benign thyroid nodules were involved in a prospective, single-center study and underwent a single session of LA. We evaluated the following: changes in nodule volume, thyroid function, and autoimmunity; adverse events during and after LA; changes in neck discomfort by means of a visual analogic scale (VAS) at one week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; and changes in QoL through the 13-scale Thyroid-specific Patient Reported Outcome (ThyPRO) questionnaire at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. ThyPRO is a validated questionnaire for thyroid diseases, which consists of 13 scales with multiple-choice answers. They investigate several aspects of life that may be impaired by goiter-related compression symptoms, by esthetic alterations and by hypo- or hyperthyroidism. Results Nodule volume decrease was −37 ± 23%, −55 ± 22%, −53 ± 25%, −58 ± 25% (p < 0.01 vs. baseline) at the first, third, sixth, and twelfth month, respectively. No hypothyroidism or positivization of autoimmunity was observed. There were no major complications during or after LA. After LA, VAS scores improved significantly from 1 week onwards in 100% of patients, while a significant improvement was seen in the goiter symptoms score after one month, and in the general score and mean values of ThyPRO after six months. Scores on the other ThyPRO scales did not change significantly. Conclusion Laser ablation is safe and effective in reducing nodule volume and neck symptoms; this is confirmed by improvements in the goiter scale, general score, and mean values of ThyPRO and in the VAS score.

Benign thyroid nodule unresponsive to radiofrequency ablation treated with laser ablation: a case report

BackgroundRadiofrequency ablation and laser ablation are safe and effective techniques for reducing thyroid nodule volume, neck symptoms, and cosmetic complaints. Therapeutic success is defined as a nodule reduction > 50% between 6 and 12 months after the procedure, but a percentage of nodules inexplicably do not respond to thermal ablation.Case presentationWe describe the case of a young Caucasian woman with a solid benign thyroid nodule who refused surgery and who had undergone radiofrequency ablation in 2013. The nodule did not respond in terms of either volume reduction or improvement in neck symptoms. After 2 years, given the patient’s continued refusal of thyroidectomy, we proposed laser ablation. The nodule displayed a significant volume reduction (− 50% from radiofrequency ablation baseline volume, − 57% from laser ablation baseline), and the patient reported a significant improvement in neck symptoms (from 6/10 to 1/10 on a visual analogue scale).ConclusionsWe conjecture that some benign thyroid nodules may be intrinsically resistant to necrosis when one specific ablation technique is used, but may respond to another technique. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of the effect of performing a different percutaneous ablation technique in a nodule that does not respond to radiofrequency ablation.