Injeção percutânea de etanol guiada por ultra-sonografia para paliação de carcinoma de paratireóide não-extirpável

BACKGROUND: Severe hypercalcemia is the leading cause of death in patients with parathyroid carcinoma. Non-curative resection and pharmacological measures may be useful for palliation in cases with recurrent and metastatic disease. Palliative treatment with intra-neoplastic ethanol injection has not been reported yet. METHODS: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous alcohol injection in one patient with unresectable parathyroid carcinoma is reported. RESULTS: One male patient with extensive recurrent parathyroid carcinoma suffering from severe hypercalcemia, refractory to all available medical measures has undergone two percutaneous ethanol injections. No major complications ensued and parathormone levels decreased from 2,990 pg/mL to 2,230pg/ml after the first injection, and to 1,104pg/mL after the second one. Calcium levels decreased from 19.8 mg/dL to 16.1 mg/dL and to 14.5 mg/dL, respectively. The patient died of metabolic hypercalcemia complications about two months later, probably due to mediastinal disease progression. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol injection may be employed to palliate parathyroid carcinoma in selected cases, with a transitory decrease in PTH and calcium levels.INTRODUÇÃO: A hipercalcemia severa é a principal causa de óbito nos pacientes com carcinoma de paratireóide. Em casos com recidiva ou doença metastática inoperáveis, a ressecção não curativa e as medidas farmacológicas podem ser úteis para a paliação. O presente estudo relata a experiência com a injeção de etanol na neoplasia para tratamento paliativo em um caso. MÉTODO: Relato da injeção percutânea de etanol em paciente com carcinoma de paratireóide recidivado, não passível de ressecção. RESULTADO: Paciente masculino com hipercalcemia refratária a tratamento clínico decorrente de recidiva local não extirpável de carcinoma de paratireóide. Submetido a duas sessões de injeção percutânea de etanol. Não houve complicações maiores. Após a primeira injeção, o nível de paratormônio reduziu-se de 2.990 pg/mL para 2.230 pg/ml. Após a segunda injeção, o nível caiu para 1.104 pg/mL. A calcemia declinou de 19,8 mg/dL para 16,1 mg/dL e 14,5 mg/dL, respectivamente. O paciente faleceu de complicação metabólica, cerca de dois meses depois, possivelmente pela progressão da doença no mediastino. CONCLUSÃO: A injeção percutânea de etanol pode ser utilizada para paliação do carcinoma de paratireóide em casos selecionados, com queda transitória do nível de hormônio da paratireóide e da calcemia

Biometric measurements involving the terminal portion of the thoracic duct on left level IV: an anatomic study

INTRODUÇÃO: No esvaziamento cervical do nível IV à esquerda, a porção final do ducto torácico (DT) pode ser lesada, aumentando significativamente a morbimortalidade pós-operatória. O melhor tratamento é a prevenção. Contudo, não há disponível na literatura medidas biométricas que auxiliem a identificação da desembocadura do DT. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: a desembocadura do DT foi identificada e distâncias úteis foram medidas em 25 cadáveres não-formolizados. Análise estatística foi realizada para verificar associações. RESULTADOS: a desembocadura do DT ocorreu na confluência jugulo-subclávia (CJS – 60%), na veia jugular interna esquerda (VJIE – 36%) e na veia braquiocefálica esquerda (4%). Uma associação estatisticamente significante foi encontrada entre a desembocadura na confluência jugulo-subclávia e a distância entre a VJIE e o músculo omo-hioide (Medida #1). Indivíduos cujo DT desemboca na CJS apresentaram a Medida #1 com mediana de 34.5±12.0mm, já os com desembocadura na VJIE apresentaram mediana de 22.3±8.7mm (p=0.015 – Student´s t-test). A regressão logística demonstrou que para cada aumento de 10mm na Medida #1 há uma chance de 1.12x de encontrar a desembocadura do DT na CJS (OR=1.12; CI95%:1,01-1,25; p=0.032). Para essa Medida #1 estabeleceu-se um cut-off de 19mm como teste diagnóstico para prever a desembocadura do DT na CJS, com sensibilidade de 86.7% (CI95%:59.5-98.3%), especificidade de 55.6% (CI95%:21.2-86.3%), PPV de 76.5% (CI95%:50.1-93.2%), NPV de 71.4% (CI95%:25.8-97.2%) e ROC AUC de 79.3% (CI95%: 58.0-92.9%). CONCLUSÃO: este estudo anatômico demonstrou que o local de desembocadura do DT mais frequente é a CJS e que a Medida #1 é capaz de prever o local de desembocadura do DT.BACKGROUND: During a neck dissection involving the left IV level, the final segment of the thoracic duct (TD) may be injured, significantly increasing postoperative morbi-mortality. The best treatment is its prevention. However, there is a lack of helpful biometric measurements focusing on the TD termination in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The TD termination was identified and some helpful biometric measurements were obtained on 25 non-preserved cadavers. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze correlations. RESULTS: TD termination was found on the jugulo-subclavian junction (JSJ - 60%), on the left internal jugular vein (LIJV - 36%), and on the left brachiocephalic vein in 4%. A statistically significant association was found between TD termination on the JSJ and the distance between LIJV and omohyoid muscle (Measurement #1). Individuals with TD termination on the JSJ had median Measurement #1 of 34.5±12.0mm, compared with median Measurement #1 of 22.3±8.7mm among individuals with TD termination on LIJV (p=0.015 – Student´s t-test). The logistic regression showed for every 10mm increment of Measurement #1 there was 1.12x chance to find the TD termination on the JSJ (OR=1.12; CI95%:1,01-1,25; p=0.032). A 19mm cut-off was established for this distance as a diagnostic test to predict the TD termination on the JSJ, with sensitivity of 86.7% (CI95%:59.5-98.3%), specificity of 55.6% (CI95%:21.2-86.3%), PPV of 76.5% (CI95%:50.1-93.2%), NPV of 71.4% (CI95%:25.8-97.2%) and ROC AUC of 79.3% (CI95%: 58.0-92.9%). CONCLUSION: This anatomic study demonstrated the most frequent TD termination was on JSJ and Measurement #1 is able to predict the localization of TD termination

The density of metastatic lymph node as prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and floor of the mouth

The presence of metastatic lymph nodes is a relevant prognostic factor in oral cancer. Objective: This paper aims to assess metastatic lymph node density (pN+) in patients with tongue and floor-of-mouth squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the association of this parameter with disease-free survival (DFS). Materials and Methods: A group of 182 patients seen between 1985 and 2007 was included, 169 of which were males. Five were on stage I, 35 on stage II, 56 on stage III, and 85 on stage IV. Median values were considered in lymph node density assessment, and the Kaplan-Meier curve was used to evaluate DFS; survival differences within the group were elicited through the log-rank test. Results: An average 3.2 metastatic lymph nodes were excised from the patients in the group. Density ranged from 0.009 to 0.4, with a mean value of 0.09. Five-year DFS rates were of 44% and 28% for the groups with lymph node densities below and above the median respectively (p = 0.006). Two-year local/regional control was achieved for 71% and 49% for the patients below and above the median density respectively (p = 0.01). In terms of pN staging, local/regional control was achieved in 70% and 54% of pN1 and pN2 patients respectively, albeit without statistical significance (0.20%). Conclusion: Lymph node density may be used as a prognostic indicator for tongue and floor-ofmouth SCC

Malignancy rates for Bethesda III subcategories in thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)

OBJECTIVES: Most thyroid diseases are nodular and have been investigated using ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), the reports of which are standardized by the Bethesda System. Bethesda category III represents a heterogeneous group in terms of lesion characteristics and the malignancy rates reported in the literature. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the differences in the malignancy rates among Bethesda III subcategories. METHODS: Data from 1,479 patients who had thyroid surgery were reviewed. In total, 1,093 patients (89.6% female, mean age 52.7 (13-89) years) were included, and 386 patients were excluded. FNAB results (based on Bethesda Class) and histopathological results (benign or malignant) for coincident areas were collected. Bethesda III patients were subcategorized according to cytopathological characteristics (FLUS: follicular lesion of undetermined significance, Bethesda IIIA; AUS: atypia of undetermined significance, Bethesda IIIB). Data were correlated to obtain the malignancy rates for each Bethesda category and the newly defined subcategory. RESULTS: FNAB results for these patients were as follows: Bethesda I: 3.1%; Bethesda II: 18.6%; Bethesda III: 35.0%; Bethesda IV: 22.1%; Bethesda V: 4.1%; and Bethesda VI: 17.1%. The malignancy rates for Bethesda Class IIIB were significantly higher than those for Bethesda Class IIIA (

Pharyngocutaneous fistula following total laryngectomy

Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is the most common complication after total laryngectomy. Objectives: To establish the incidence of this complication and to analyze the predisposing factors. Method: This is a cross-sectional study of a historical cohort including 94 patients who underwent total laryngectomy. The following aspects were correlated to the occurrence of PCF: gender, age, tumor site, TNM staging, type of neck dissection, previous radiation therapy, previous tracheotomy, and use of stapler for pharyngeal closure. The following were considered in PCF cases: the day into postoperative care when the fistula was diagnosed, duration of occurrence, and proposed treatment. Results: Twenty (21.3%) patients had PCF. The incidence of PCF was statistically higher in T4 tumors when compared to T2 and T3 neoplasms (p = 0.03). The other analyzed correlations were not statistically significant. However, 40.9% of the patients submitted to tracheostomy previously had fistulae, against 21.1% of the patients not submitted to this procedure. Conclusion: Advanced primary tumor staging is correlated with higher incidences of PCF

Value of PET/CT in the approach to head and neck cancer

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a PET/CT na abordagem de pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de 63 prontuários e exames de PET/CT de pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço. RESULTADOS: Foram encontradas alterações em 76% dos exames. Destes, 7 (11%) foram considerados falso-positivos, com SUV < 5,0. A PET/CT mostrou-se negativa em 15 situações (24%). Dos 14 casos nos quais se utilizou o exame para estadiamento, em 3 (22%) houve aumento no estadiamento. CONCLUSÃO: A PET/CT mostra-se como exame de potencial valor na rotina de avaliação de pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço, entretanto, necessitamos de maior número de casos para definirmos protocolo de uso

Vocal fold mobility alteration reversed after thyroidectomy

The involvement of the inferior or recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in mobility derangement of the vocal folds occurs more frequently due to thyroid malignancy invasion. Although uncommon, the same derangement, which is caused by benign thyroid entities, is also described and reverts to normality after a thyroidectomy in up to 89% of cases. In these cases, the pathogenesis of the vocal cord mobility disturbance is attributed to the direct compression of the RLN by massive thyroid enlargement. The authors describe three cases of patients presenting unilateral vocal cord palsy, which, before surgery, was diagnosed by laryngoscopy concomitantly with large and compressive goiter. Vocal fold mobility became normal after the thyroidectomy in all three cases. Therefore, it is noteworthy that these alterations may present reversibility after appropriate surgical treatment. An early surgical approach is recommended to reduce the nerve injury as much as possible; to preserve the integrity of both RLNs since the nerve function will be restored in some patient