Stylianos Kapetanakis

Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: clinicopathological characteristics and implications for treatment in 276 patients

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (6): 657–664

Clinical and pathological characteristics of incidental and nonincidental papillary thyroid microcarcinoma in 339 patients

We analyzed the incidence and the clinicopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) in a high prevalence region of goiter with the purpose to investigate differences between incidental and nonincidental PTMC.

Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy for Lumbar Disc Herniation in Parkinson's Disease: A Case-Control Study

Study Design A case-control study. Purpose To investigate the effectiveness of transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic discectomy (TPED) in Parkinsons disease (PD). Overview of Literature Patients with PD frequently suffer from radiculopathy and low back pain. Additionally, they demonstrate higher complication rates after open spine surgery. However, the clinical outcome of minimally invasive techniques for lumbar discectomy, such as TPED, have not been established for this population. Methods Patients diagnosed with lumbar disc hernia were divided into Group A (11 patients diagnosed with PD), and Group B (10 patients as the control, non-PD group). All patients underwent TPED. Indexes of visual analogue scale (VAS) for leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were assessed right before surgery and at six weeks, three months, six months and one year post-surgery. Results At the baseline visit, groups did not differ significantly with age (p=0.724), gender (p=0.835), level of operation (p=0.407), ODI (p=0.497) and VAS (p=0.772). Parkinsons patients had higher scores in ODI at every visit, but the outcome was statistically significant only at 3 months (p=0.004) and one year (p=0.007). Similarly, VAS measurements were higher at each time point, with the difference being significant at 3 (p<0.001), 6 (0.021), and 12 (p<0.001) months after surgery. At the end of a year of follow up, ODI was reduced by 49.6% (±16.7) in Group A and 59.2% (±8.0) in Group B (p=0.111), translating to a 79.5% (±13.0) and 91.5% (±4.1) average improvement in daily functionality (p=0.024). VAS was reduced by 59.1 mm (±11.8) in Group A and 62.2 mm (±7.4) in Group B (p=0.485), leading to an 85.3 % (±4.0) and 91.9% (±2.6) general improvement in leg pain (p<0.001). Conclusions Our data indicate that TPED led to satisfactory improvement in leg pain and daily living in PD patients a year after surgery.

A giant adrenal lipoma presenting in a woman with chronic mild postprandial abdominal pain: a case report.

IntroductionAdrenal lipomas are rare, small, benign, non-functioning tumors, which must be histopathologically differentiated from other tumors such as myelolipomas or liposarcomas. They are usually identified incidentally during autopsy, imaging, or laparotomy. Occasionally, they may present acutely due to complications such as abdominal pain from retroperitoneal bleeding, or systemic symptoms of infection. We report a giant adrenal lipoma (to the best of our knowledge, the second largest in the literature) clinically presenting with chronic mild postprandial pain.Case presentationA 54-year-old Caucasian woman presented several times over a period of 10 years to various emergency departments complaining of long-term mild postprandial abdominal pain. Although clinical examinations were unrevealing, an abdominal computed tomography scan performed at her most recent presentation led to the identification of a large lipoma of the left adrenal gland, which occupied most of the retroperitoneal space. Myelolipoma was ruled out due to the absence of megakaryocytes, immature leukocytes, or erythrocytes. Liposarcoma was ruled out due to the absence of lipoblasts. The size of the lipoma (16 × 14 × 7 cm) is, to the best of our knowledge, the second largest reported to date. After surgical resection, our patient was relieved of her symptoms and remains healthy six years postoperatively.ConclusionPhysicians should be aware that differential diagnosis of mild chronic abdominal pain in patients presenting in emergency rooms may include large adrenal lipomas. When initial diagnostic investigation is not revealing, out-patient specialist evaluation should be planned to enable appropriate further investigations.

Can a giant cervical osteophyte cause dysphagia and airway obstruction? A case report

ZusammenfassungZervikale Spondylose ist eine häufige Erkrankung, von der hauptsächlich ältere Personen betroffen werden. Oft führt sie zu exzessivem Knochenbau (Osteophyten). Dadurch können Schmerzen und neurologische Defizite wegen radikulärer Kompression verursacht werden. Dysphagie und Atemwegsobstruktion aufgrund eines riesigen vorderen Osteophyts der Halswirbelsäule sind äußerst selten. Wir berichten von einem 81 jährigen Patienten mit Dysphagie und geringer Dyspnöe aufgrund eines solchen Osteophyts. Osteophytenresektion wurde durchgeführt und der Patient wurde von seinen Symptomen befreit. Dieser Fall zeigt, dass ein großes zervikales Osteophyt eine seltene Ursache für simultane Dysphagie und Dyspnöe sein kann und deswegen im entsprechenden differenzialdiagnostischen Vorgehen eingeschlossen werden sollte.SummaryCervical spondylosis is a common disorder mainly affecting elderly people. It frequently presents with excessive bone formation (osteophytes). These may lead to pain and neurological deficits due to root compression. Dysphagia and airway obstruction due to a giant anterior osteophyte of the cervical spine are extremely rare. We present the case of an 81-year-old patient suffering from dysphagia and slight dyspnoea due to a giant cervical osteophyte. Osteophyte resection was performed and the patient was relieved from symptoms. This case highlights that a large cervical osteophyte may, albeit rarely, be the cause of simultaneously presenting dysphagia and dyspnoea, and should, therefore, be included in the diagnostic workup in such cases.

Rapidly Growing Chondroid Syringoma of the External Auditory Canal: Report of a Rare Case

Introduction. Chondroid syrinoma of the external auditory canal is an extremely rare benign neoplasm representing the cutaneous counterpart of pleomorphic adenoma of salivary glands. Less than 35 cases have been reported in the international literature. Case Presentation. We report a case of a 34-year-old male in whom a rapidly growing, well-circumscribed tumor arising from the external auditory canal was presented. Otoscopy revealed a smooth, nontender lesion covered by normal skin that almost obstructs the external auditory meatus. MRI was performed to define the extension of the lesion. It confirmed the presence of a 1.5 × 0.8 cm T2 high-signal intensity lesion in the superior and posterior wall of EAC without signs of bone erosion. The patient underwent complete resection of the tumor. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination. Conclusion. Although chondroid syringoma is extremely rare, it should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of an aural polyp. Chondroid syringomas are usually asymptomatic, slow-growing, single benign tumors in subcutaneous or intradermal location. In our case, the new information is that this benign tumor could present also as a rapidly growing lesion, arising the suspicion for malignancy.

Risk factors for fear of falling in elderly patients with severe knee osteoarthritis before and one year after total knee arthroplasty

Purpose To evaluate the regression of fear of falling (FOF) and identify its risk factors in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis before and one year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods 11 men and 57 women with a mean age of 73 years and a mean body mass index of 30.36 kg/m2 who had severe (grade 3 or 4) knee osteoarthritis and knee pain of ≥1 year were included. Two weeks before and one year after TKA, patients were asked about their FOF status and falls history. Patients were asked to complete the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, Short Form 36 (SF-36), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaires. Clinical performance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Results Of the 68 patients, 56 (82.4%) had FOF preoperatively and 30 (44.1%) had FOF one year after TKA (p<0.001). The strongest predictors for FOF preoperatively were fallers (odds ratio [OR]=9.83, p=0.028), mental component summary (MCS) score of SF-36 (OR=0.88, p=0.024), and TUG (OR=3.4, p=0.013). The strongest predictors for FOF one year postoperatively were fallers (OR=16.51, p=0.041), patients with ≥2 chronic diseases (OR=17.33, p=0.011), physical function score of WOMAC (OR=1.015, p=0.005), and MCS score of SF-36 (OR=0.86, p=0.015). Conclusion TKA positively affected FOF and gradually reduced the FOF rate over a year period after TKA in an elderly population.

Surgical treatment for dominant malignant nodules of the isthmus of the thyroid gland: A case control study

BACKGROUND Appropriate surgical treatment of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) located in the isthmus remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of PTC of the isthmus compared to tumors located in the thyroid lobes, to identify differences between PTC and microcarcinomas of the isthmus, and to use these findings to establish total thyroidectomy as an appropriate surgical resection for treating these tumors. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 2239 patients subjected to total thyroidectomy. PTC was diagnosed in 575 patients, of whom 521 had dominant malignant nodule located in thyroid lobes and 54 had a dominant carcinoma located in the isthmus. Patients with isthmic PTC were divided in Group A (n = 27) with PTC >10 mm and Group B (n = 27) with microcarcinoma ≤ 10 mm. RESULTS In univariate analysis, multifocality (p = 0.019), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), mean tumor size (p = 0.028) and age ≥ 45 (p = 0.036) were significantly associated with PTC with dominant nodule in the isthmus. Additional analysis of PTC groups (>10 mm vs ≤ 10 mm) in isthmus showed that multifocality, bilaterality, histological subtype and lymph node metastasis were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that PTCs located in the isthmus were more likely to be associated with multifocal disease, lymph node involvement and capsule invasion, than carcinomas in other thyroid regions. Therefore, total thyroidectomy could be considered as an appropriate surgical treatment for papillary carcinomas located in the isthmus regardless of size.

Analyzing the History of Falls in Patients with Severe Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background One out of three adults over the age of 65 years and one out of two over the age of 80 falls annually. Fall risk increases for older adults with severe knee osteoarthritis, a matter that should be further researched. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the history of falls including frequency, mechanism and location of falls, activity during falling and injuries sustained from falls examining at the same time their physical status. The secondary purpose was to determine the effect of age, gender, chronic diseases, social environment, pain elsewhere in the body and components of health related quality of life such as pain, stiffness, physical function, and dynamic stability on falls frequency in older adults aged 65 years and older with severe knee osteoarthritis. Methods An observational longitudinal study was conducted on 68 patients (11 males and 57 females) scheduled for total knee replacement due to severe knee osteoarthritis (grade 3 or 4) and knee pain lasting at least one year or more. Patients were personally interviewed for fall history and asked to complete self-administered questionnaires, such as the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and physical performance test was performed. Results The frequency of falls was 63.2% for the past year. The majority of falls took place during walking (89.23%). The main cause of falling was stumbling (41.54%). There was a high rate of injurious falling (29.3%). The time patients needed to complete the physical performance test implied the presence of disability and frailty. The high rates of fall risk, the high disability levels, and the low quality of life were confirmed by questionnaires and the mobility test. Conclusions Patients with severe knee osteoarthritis were at greater risk of falling, as compared to healthy older adults. Pain, stiffness, limited physical ability, reduced muscle strength, all consequences of severe knee osteoarthritis, restricted patients quality of life and increased the fall risk. Therefore, patients with severe knee osteoarthritis should not postpone having total knee replacement, since it was clear that they would face more complicated matters when combining with fractures other serious injuries and disability.

External Auditory Canal Mass as the First Manifestation of a Bronchogenic Carcinoma: Report of a Rare Case

Objectives: Metastatic tumors in the external auditory canal (EAC) are exceptionally rare. These metastases almost always occur in the latter stages of the disease process. Ten cases of metastatic tumors of the EAC have been reported in the literature. We report the first case of a metastatic bronchogenic adenocarcinoma that presented initially as an EAC mass. Methods: We present a case report and a literature review. Results: Although bronchogenic adenocarcinoma not uncommonly metastasizes to the temporal bone, metastasis to the EAC is extremely rare. We report the case of a 62-year-old woman who presented with a 6-week history of swelling in her right EAC and sudden onset of hearing loss. Physical examination revealed a small, polypoid, friable mass originating from the superior-posterior wall of the right EAC. Incision biopsy was performed, and the histopathologic examination of specimens revealed a moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma compatible with a bronchogenic origin. Conclusions: A patient with an aural mass presents a diagnostic dilemma. Metastatic tumors in the EAC are extremely rare, but they should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mass in this location.