Diffuse Sclerosing Papillary Carcinoma In A Pediatric Patient With Intrauterine Diagnostic Xray Exposure

Objective: The relationship between occurrence of childhood cancer and intrauterine exposure to radiation is well known. We describe a case of diffuse sclerosing papillary carcinoma (PTC) in a pediatric patient exposed to diagnostic radiation in utero. Methods: Clinical presentation, including radiation history and outcome, was reported. Case Presentation: A 14 year old male was referred for a thyroid cancer consultation in 2008. His history was notable for a rapidly growing thyroid mass during the preceding 3 months and in utero exposure to radiation, in the form of multiple xrays and CT scans, at 12 weeks gestation as a result of maternal multiple trauma due to a car accident. A total thyroidectomy with bilateral central, level 7 and right modified neck dissection for a rapidly growing thyroid mass was performed. Pathology revealed multifocal, bilateral, moderately differentiated, diffuse sclerosing PTC 8.6 em in greatest dimension. The tumor was not encapsulated, with vascular invasion and extensive extrathyroidal extension. Metastases were positive in 32 of 36 lymph nodes sampled. Post-operative unstimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) by RIA and Tg antibody (TgAb) were 137 (0-39 ng/mL) and 4183 (0- 100 IU/mL), respectively. Ultrasound (US), PET/CT and post I-131 treatment scan revealed abnormal nodes but no distant metastases. To date, he has had an additional right neck dissection for poorly differentiated PTC lymph node metastases, a total of 340 mCi ofl-131, and has persistently positive unstimulated Tg and TgAb at 9.2 (/mL) and 36 ( Discussion: Diffuse sclerosing PTC occurred in this pediatric patient exposed to diagnostic radiation in utero. His clinical course was notable for locally aggressive behavior of the PTC and biochemically persistent disease. A causal relationship between the timing and quantity of the radiation exposure and the development of a rare variant of PTC in this patient was suspected. Conclusion: The relationship between radiation exposure and PTC is well known. Case control studies have documented an increased risk of childhood cancer in those exposed to radiation over 10mSv in utero. Although radiation exposure to the developing fetus rarely occurs, consideration should be given for close monitoring of in utero radiation exposed patients for the development of PTC

Physical Activity Levels of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) Study

Background- Bariatric surgery candidates' physical activity (PA) level may contribute to the variability of weight loss and body composition changes following bariatric surgery. However, there is little research describing the PA of patients undergoing bariatric surgery to inform PA recommendations in preparation for, and following, surgery. Objectives- Describe PA assessment in the LABS-2 study and report pre-surgery PA level. Examine relationships between objectively determined PA level and 1) BMI and 2) self-reported purposeful exercise. Setting- Six sites in the U.S. Methods- Participants wore an accelerometer and completed a PA diary. Standardized measures of height and weight were obtained. Results- Of 757 participants, 20% were sedentary (<5000 steps/day), 34% low active (5000-7499 steps/day), 27% somewhat active (7500-9999 steps/day), 14% active (10000-12499 steps/day), and 6% were highly active (greater than or equal to 12500 steps/day). BMI was inversely related to mean steps/day and mean steps/minute during the most active 30 minutes each day. The most commonly reported activities were walking, 44%; gardening, 11%; playing with children, 10%; and stretching, 7%. Self-report of minutes of exercise accounted for 2% of the variance in objectively determined steps. Conclusion- Patients present for bariatric surgery with a wide range of PA levels, with almost half categorized as somewhat active or active. BMI is inversely related to total amount and intensity of PA. Few patients report a regular pre-operative exercise regimen suggesting most PA is accumulated from activities of daily living. Patient report of daily minutes of walking or exercise may not be a reliable indication of their PA level. Originally published Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, Vol. 4, No. 6, Nov-Dec 200

Rapid intraoperative insulin assay: a novel method to differentiate insulinoma from nesidioblastosis in the pediatric patient

Introduction: Hyperinsulinism is the most common cause of recurrent and persistent hypoglycemia in infancy and childhood. Causes can include nesidioblastosis, pancreatic islet cell tumors such as insulinoma, and associations with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes. Although new, improved imaging techniques have allowed for more precise preoperative localization of insulinomas, the differentiation of nesidioblastosis and insulinoma, particularly in children, can be challenging. To improve intraoperative localization and confirmation of successful resection of insulinoma, a novel hormonal assay, the rapid intraoperative insulin assay, is reported for the first time in a pediatric patient. This intraoperative radioimmunoassay for insulin yields results within several minutes and confirms complete resection of insulinoma. Case description: We present a case of pancreatic insulinoma in a child with symptoms of severe hypoglycemia, causing seizures. The insulinoma was enucleated laparoscopically, and rapid intra-operative insulin assay used to determine the success of the procedure. Discussion and evaluation: This rapid intra-operative test provides a valuable adjunct for determining complete excision in complicated cases of recurrent or questionable insulinoma. Although not a common problem, for pediatric patients in whom the diagnosis is not clear, this test may provide a novel approach to confirming disease. Conclusion: We propose the use of this assay in facilitating intra-operative resection and confirmation of complete excision in pediatric patients. This population may especially benefit from this novel assay to confirm complete resection and to differentiate multiple etiologies of hyperinsulinism

CIRCULATING ADIPOCYTE-DERIVED EXOSOMAL MICRORNAs ASSOCIATED WITH DECREASED INSULIN RESISTANCE AFTER GASTRIC BYPASS

OBJECTIVE: Exosomes from obese adipose contain dysregulated microRNAs linked to insulin signaling, as compared to lean controls, providing a direct connection between adiposity and insulin resistance. The current study tested the hypotheses that gastric bypass surgery and its subsequent weight loss would normalize adipocyte-derived-exosomal microRNAs associated with insulin signaling and the associated metabolome related to glucose homeostasis. METHODS: African-American female subjects with obesity (N=6; age: 38.5±6.8 years; BMI: 51.2±8.8 kg/m(2)) were tested before and one year after surgery. Insulin resistance (HOMA), serum metabolomics and global microRNA profiles of circulating adipocyte-derived exosomes were evaluated via ANCOVA and correlational analyses. RESULTS: One-year post-surgery, patients showed decreased BMI (−18.6±5.1 kg/m(2); p<0.001), ameliorated insulin resistance (HOMA: 1.94±0.6 pre-surgery, 0.49±0.1 post-surgery; p<0.001), and altered metabolites including branched chain amino acids. Biological pathways analysis of predicted mRNA targets of 168 surgery-responsive microRNAs (p<0.05) identified the insulin signaling pathway (p=1.27E-10; 52/138 elements), among others, in our dataset. The insulin signaling pathway was also a target of 10 microRNAs correlated to changes in HOMA (p<0.05; r>0.4), and 48 microRNAs correlated to changes in BCAA levels. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that circulating adipocyte-derived exosomes are modified following gastric bypass surgery and correlate to improved post-surgery insulin resistance

Bariatric surgery: evidence-based practical recommendations

[Resumen] La obesidad mórbida es, habitualmente, refractaria a los tratamientos convencionales, por lo que la modificación de hábitos dietéticos y de actividad física y/o el uso de fármacos consiguen pérdidas de peso parciales con habitual recuperación posterior. La cirugía bariátrica constituye una opción terapéutica para los casos de obesidad con elevado índice de masa corporal (IMC) asociada a comorbilidades, con buenos resultados a corto y largo plazo. El Grupo de Trabajo sobre Obesidad de la Sociedad Española de Endocrinología y Nutrición (GOSEEN) ha elaborado un documento con recomendaciones prácticas basadas en la evidencia para el tratamiento quirúrgico de la obesidad. La revisión se estructura en 3 partes. En la primera se definen los conceptos de obesidad y comorbilidades asociadas, los tratamientos médicos y sus resultados, las indicaciones y contraindicaciones para el tratamiento quirúrgico con los criterios de selección de los pacientes, el manejo pre y perioperatorio y la valoración de grupos especiales, como adolescentes y personas de edad avanzada. En la segunda parte se describen las distintas técnicas quirúrgicas, las vías de acceso y los resultados comparativos, las complicaciones tanto a corto como a largo plazo, la repercusión de la pérdida ponderal sobre las comorbilidades y los criterios para evaluar la efectividad de la cirugía. En la tercera parte se desarrolla el seguimiento postoperatorio, el control dietético en fases tempranas y más tardías tras la cirugía, y el calendario de control médico y analítico con la suplementación de los distintos macro y micronutrientes en función de la técnica quirúrgica empleada. Se incluye un apartado final sobre gestación y cirugía bariátrica, así como tablas y gráficos complementarios al texto desarrollado. La cirugía bariátrica sigue siendo un tratamiento discutido para la obesidad, pero los resultados en la corrección del exceso ponderal con mejoría en las patologías asociadas y en la calidad de vida confirman que puede ser el tratamiento de elección en pacientes seleccionados, con la técnica quirúrgica apropiada y con un correcto control pre y postoperatorio.[Abstract] Morbid obesity is usually refractory to conventional treatments. Consequently, weight that is lost by modifying diet and exercise and/or the use of drugs is usually later regained. Bariatric surgery constitutes a therapeutic option in obese patients with a high body mass index associated with comorbidities and achieves good results in both the short and the long term. The Obesity Working Group of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition has produced a document with practical, evidencebased recommendations for the surgical treatment of obesity. The review is structured in three parts. The first part defines the concepts of obesity and associated comorbidities, medical treatments, their results, and the indications and contraindications for surgical treatment, as well as the criteria for patient selection, pre- and perisurgical management, and assessment of special groups such as adolescents and the elderly. The second part discusses the different surgical techniques, approaches and comparative results, short- and long-term complications, the repercussions of weight loss on comorbidities, and the criteria for assessing the effectiveness of surgery. The third part discusses postsurgical follow-up, dietary control in the early and subsequent stages after surgery and the schedule for medical and laboratory follow-up, together with the different macro- and micronutrient supplements that should be used depending on the surgical technique employed. A final section is included on pregnancy and bariatric surgery, as well as tables and figures that complement the text. Although bariatric surgery continues to be a questionable treatment for obesity, the results correcting excess weight, with improvements in associated comorbidities and in quality of life, confirm that this option could be the treatment of choice in selected patients when the appropriate surgical technique and correct preand postoperative follow-up are employed

Successful removal of intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma diagnosed and accurately located preoperatively by parathyroid scintigraphy (SPECT-CT)

We describe the case of a large intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma in a 46-year-old woman who had a history of recently diagnosed hypercalcaemia and a 2-year history of an asymptomatic enlargement of the right lobe of the thyroid. This rare case highlights the potential difficulties that can arise in the evaluation of hyperparathyroidism, especially in cases of multinodular goiter. In some cases, including this one, even a thorough preoperative evaluation that includes radiological studies (ultrasonography and computed tomography [CT]) may not allow for a definitive preoperative diagnosis due to limited sensitivity, especially in multinodular goiter. The overlapping histological features between thyroid and parathyroid lesions can also be problematic at the time of the intraoperative frozen-section evaluation. We present a case in which, with parathyroid scintigraphy and combination of structural and functional imaging (SPECT-CT), we could accurately locate the intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma in a patient with multinodular goiter