Transcraneal Magnetic Stimulation Improves Sleep Parameters in Patients Affected with Imsomnia Associated to Electroencephalographic Abnormalities

Insomnia is one of the most frequently observed sleep disorders, affecting nearly 10% of the general population. It has multiple etiological factors. Recently, it has been reported that EEG abnormalities are associated with insomnia in patients previously diagnosed as idiopathic insomniacs. In addition, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has shown to be effective in the treatment of disorders characterized by neural hyper-excitability. Method: In the present study, patients with insomnia and EEG abnormalities were submitted to slow repetitive trans-cranial magnetic stimulation, for 15 minutes daily during 10 days. Polysomnographic recordings were performed before and after TMS. Results: The results indicate that the presence of EEG abnormalities significantly decreased after TMS. In addition, most of the sleep parameters showed significant improvement. Conclusions: These data support the notion that TMS is a reliable therapeutic tool for patients affected with abnormalities linked to neuronal hyper-excitability.

Primary reperfusion in acute right ventricular infarction: An observational study

AIM: To investigate the impact of primary reperfusion therapy(RT) on early and late mortality in acute right ventricular infarction(RVI). METHODS: RVI patients(n = 679) were prospectivelyclassified as without right ventricular failure(RVF)(class A, n = 425, 64%), with RVF(class B, n = 158, 24%) or with cardiogenic shock(CS)(class C, n = 96, 12%). Of the 679 patients, 148(21.7%) were considered to be eligible for thrombolytic therapy(TT) and 351(51.6%) for primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI). TIMI 3-flow by TT was achieved for A, B and C RVI class in 65%, 64% and 0%, respectively and with PPCI in 93%, 91% and 87%, respectively. RESULTS: For class A without RT, the mortality rate was 7.9%, with TT was reduced to 4.4%(P < 0.01) and with PPCI to 3.2%(P < 0.01). Considering TT vs PPCI, PPCI was superior(P < 0.05). For class B without RT the mortality was 27%, decreased to 13% with TT(P < 0.01) and to 8.3% with PPCI(P < 0.01). In a TT and PPCI comparison, PPCI was superior(P < 0.01). For class C without RT the in-hospital mortality was 80%, with TT was 100% and with PPCI, the rate decreased to 44%(P < 0.01). At 8 years, the mortality rate without RT for class A was 32%, for class B was 48% and for class C was 85%. When PPCI was successful, the longterm mortality was lower than previously reported for the 3 RVI classes(A: 21%, B: 38%, C: 70%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PPCI is superior to TT and reduces short/long-term mortality for all RVI categories. RVI CS patients should be encouraged to undergo PPCI at a specialized center.

Up to Date Management of DCIS and Future Directions

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive malignancy confined within the basement membrane of the breast ductal system. There is a lot of disparity in the natural history of DCIS with an estimated incidence of progression to invasive ductal carcinoma between 20% to 53% over ten or more years after initial diagnosis. The surgical and adjuvant management of DCIS has advanced significantly in the last couple of decades. Nonetheless, surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists, along with their patients, still depend on conventional clinical and pathologic risk factors to make management decisions. Irrespective of the management strategy, long-term survival is excellent. The debate around DCIS relates to preventing either under-treatment or over-treatment. In this paper, we will review the incidence and management options of DCIS. Additionally, we will focus on several current disputes related to the management of DCIS, including breast conserving surgery, the role of radiation in breast conservation surgery, sentinel node biopsy in DCIS, hormonal therapy, various risk stratification schemes, and the option of active surveillance for low-risk DCIS.

Parathyroid Embryology,Anatomy,and Pathophysiology of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Unregulated overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH) from an abnormal parathyroid gland is the origin of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Patients who have an elevated serum calcium concentration have a problem in one or more of their parathyroid glands. To understand this disease state adequately and provide appropriate treatment, a thorough understanding of parathyroid embryology, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology is essential. In this manuscript, we review our current understanding of parathyroid gland embryology, anatomy, histology, physiology, and pathophysiology.

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid tumors include those that originate from follicular cells and those that arise from parafollicular cells (C cells). Differentiated thyroid cancer, which originates from follicular cells, includes papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, oncocytic cell carcinoma (Hürthle), poorly differentiated carcinoma, and anaplastic carcinoma. The incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing significantly, with an estimated incidence in the United States of America of 53,990 cases by the year 2018. This neoplasm is listed as the most common endocrine tumor and represents approximately 3% of all malignant tumors in humans, with 75% of cases occurring in women, and two-thirds of cases occurring in people under 55 years. The increase in the prevalence/incidence of low-risk thyroid cancer over the last 10 to 20 years has required a re-appraisal of the standard one-size-fits-all approach to differentiated thyroid cancer. This adaptation to a more individualized management of the patient with thyroid cancer has led to a much more risk-adapted approach to the diagnosis, initial therapy, adjuvant therapy, and follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. This paper with review the current understanding of the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and management of thyroid cancer centered on evidence-based and personalized medicine.

Current Understanding of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

The term thyroid neoplasm incorporates tumors that originate from follicular cells and those that arise from parafollicular cells (C cells). Differentiated thyroid cancer, which originates from follicular cells, includes papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC), oncocytic cell carcinoma (Hürthle), poorly differentiated carcinoma, and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). PTC tends to have an indolent clinical course with low morbidity and mortality. However, this entity has a broad range of biological and clinical behavior that can result in disease recurrence and death, depending on patient and tumor characteristics and the initial treatment approach. PTC is the most common form of well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) and based on the most recent statistics, accounts for approximately 89.4% of all thyroid malignancies. PTC appears as an irregular solid or cystic nodule in normal thyroid parenchyma. PTC has the propensity for lymphatic invasion, but it is less likely to have hematogenous spread. Around 11% of patients with PTC present with distant metastases outside the neck and mediastinum. This manuscript with review the current understanding of the epidemiology, pathology, molecular characteristics, prognostic factors, and dynamic risk stratification of PTC centered on an evidence-based and personalized approach.

¹¹C-Choline PET/CT in the Management of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a relative common medical problem caused by the inappropriate secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by one or more parathyroid glands. The diagnosis is established by serum calcium and PTH levels and once the diagnosis is established imaging studies help localize the hyperfunctioning adenoma in preparation for curative surgery. Until now, the imaging studies most commonly utilized in PHPT are ultrasonography and 99mTc-Sesta-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) parathyroid scintigraphy. However, these studies often fail to localize the adenoma and inappropriately delay patient referral to a potentially curative surgery. We present the case of a 64-year-old female with symptomatic PHPT who had 3 negative 99mTc-Sestamibi Scans over a period of 5 years who eventually had a PET/CT with 11C-Choline that identified a right lower parathyroid adenoma. She underwent a right lower parathyroidectomy and had a successful outcome. We present a review the current imaging techniques used in the management of PHPT including 99mTc-Sesta-MIBI scintigraphy and its limitations and novel use of PET/CT with 11C-Choline and 18F-Choline in this disease and emphasize the fact that, according to current guidelines, failure to localize the adenoma should not delay referral for curative surgery.

The Role of Preoperative Ultrasound and Sestamibi Scintigraphy in the Surgical Management of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Review of Literature

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is one of the most common endocrine diseases and the most common cause of hypercalcemia. Since routine laboratory testing, the prevalence of the disease has increased from 0.1% to 0.4% worldwide. The only curative treatment is parathyroidectomy. Nowadays, preoperative localization studies have become standard before surgical treatment, and the first stage imaging methods are cervical ultrasonography (US) and/or Sestamibi scintigraphy. Objectives: To describe the accuracy of US and Sestamibi for detection of hyperfunctioning parathyroid adenomas preoperatively in patients with confirmed pHPT from our medical institution. Results: This is a retrospective study from a prospectively kept database that included thirty-one patients with the confirmed diagnosis of pHPT clinically and biochemically. The average age was 57.8 years old. Preoperative US and surgery findings were compared with a sensitivity of 51%. Preoperative Sestamibi and surgery findings were compared resulting in a sensitivity of 71%. Both imaging methods combined, resulted in a sensitivity of 80%. Conclusion: In patients with pHPT, Sestamibi is an effective method for localizing parathyroid pathology preoperatively, but the false negative rate can be high. US tends to have a wider range explained by the operator-dependent factor. The combination of US and Sestamibi reduces the rate of false negatives, as reported in international literature. It is important to mention that these studies cannot be used as a confirmatory test for this disease. It should only be used as an adjunct to help plan the operation.

Molecular Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules and Its Future Implications for the Management of Thyroid Cancer

Molecular testing in thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer is rapidly evolving;care must be used when incorporating molecular testing for thyroid nodules into clinical practice. A clear appreciation of the goals and restraints of molecular testing must be integrated into how physicians use and explain molecular testing to patients. Molecular tests can help rule in cancer for indeterminate thyroid nodules with very specific mutations for thyroid cancer, such as BRAF and RET/PTC, and can help reduce the rates of completion thyroidectomies in this era of de-escalation of the management of thyroid disease. The positive predictive value (PPV) of malignant cytology (Bethesda VI) is 98%;and even though molecular testing improves specificity and PPV, it falls short of this ideal for other mutations. We present a detailed evaluation of the current state of molecular testing and their clinical relevance in the setting of diagnostic utility and their impact on surgical decision-making. By recapitulating the clinical impact of these tests and some of the related drawbacks, we hope to provide adequate up to date information of the appropriate utilization of these tools in the management of indeterminate or suspicious thyroid nodules and highlight future directions on their utilization for the management of thyroid cancer.

Comprehensive Review of Thyroid Embryology,Anatomy,Histology,and Physiology for Surgeons

Emil Theodor Kocher and Theodor Billroth pioneered the surgical management of thyroid disease. Their surgical techniques, knowledge of thyroid anatomy, embryology, histology, physiology, and antisepsis practices transitioned a life-threatening operation to one with acceptable morbidity. The modern head and neck surgeon should have a meticulous surgical technique, combined with a thorough understanding of thyroid embryology and anatomy that is central to the understanding and treatment of the different disease processes of the thyroid gland and the consequences of thyroid gland surgery. In this manuscript we will be examining thyroid gland embryology, anatomy, histology, and physiology that is essential to the practicing thyroid surgeon.

Management Approach to Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules are a major health problem worldwide. The prevalence of palpable thyroid nodules in the general population is approximately 5% in women and 1% in men living in parts of the world with sufficient iodine. High resolution neck and thyroid ultrasound can detect thyroid nodules in a significant proportion of randomly selected individuals, with higher frequencies in women and the elderly population. The importance of thyroid nodules lies in the need to rule out cancer. The majority of thyroid nodules are benign, clinically irrelevant, and can be safely managed with a good surveillance program. The detection and diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancer have evolved over the years with increased use of high resolution cervical and thyroid ultrasound, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), molecular testing, and thyroglobulin as a serum tumor marker. An algorithm that utilizes high resolution ultrasound and, when indicated, FNAB, and molecular testing for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules, facilitates a personalized, risk-based protocol that promotes high-quality care and minimizes cost and unnecessary testing. Our paper reviews the current, evidence-based management of newly diagnosed thyroid nodules.

Metastatic Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast Presenting with Small Bowel Metastases:Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common histologic type of breast cancer, representing 5% to 15% of invasive tumors. ILC tends to spread to bones, lungs, central nervous system, reproductive organs, and the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). The most commonly affected organs in the GI tract are the stomach, small intestine, followed by colon and rectum. Case presentation: A 78-year-old woman who was referred to our institution after having a bowel obstruction that required a diagnostic laparoscopy where they identified an obstructing ulcerative lesion in the distal ileum that was managed with a segmental bowel resection. Pathology report showed an invasive lobular breast carcinoma that occluded 90% of the bowel lumen. A PET/CT scan revealed a left breast tumor with increased metabolism. The patient was staged as a clinical cT4b, cN0, cM1 left breast invasive lobular carcinoma (ER/PgR positive, HER-2 negative). She was managed with endocrine therapy with Letrozole (an eight-week course). A follow-up PET/CT showed a peritoneal hypermetabolic nodule adjacent to the previous ileal anastomosis. The lesion decreased in size and metabolic activity. In a multidisciplinary fashion, the endocrine therapy was extended for another three months. Another follow-up PET/CT scan was performed three months after the identification of the peritoneal implant that showed that the nodule increased in size and in metabolism. The lesion continued to decrease significantly in size and became metabolically inactivity. Due to the good breast response and the possibility that the ileal nodule could be a granuloma, she underwent an exploratory laparoscopy with excision of the peritoneal nodule, and a modified left radical mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (complex wound closure). The final pathology report of the nodule was negative for malignancy. She continued on endocrine therapy and underwent whole breast irradiation four weeks after the operation. Currently, she is free of disease with no evidence of local, regional, or distant recurrence, and she is still on endocrine therapy. Discussion: The time interval between primary breast cancer and gastrointestinal involvement may range from synchronous presentation to as long as 30 years. The clinical manifestations in GI lobular breast cancer metastasis may range from non-specific complaints to acute GI symptoms, such as a bowel obstruction. There are multiple controversies in the management of ILC. Systemic treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. Indications for postmastectomy radiotherapy are also controversial, given the propensity for multifocal/multicentric tumors and late recurrences, sometimes in atypical locations. Five years of postoperative adjuvant hormonal therapy is an option for women with poor prognosis. Remissions are observed in 32% to 53% of patients. Conclusion: Metastatic lobular carcinoma of the breast has a wide range of clinical presentations. Patients with a history of breast cancer who present with new GI tumors should have these lesions evaluated for evidence of metastasis through histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis, this will allow for appropriate management. Currently, breast cancer management involves a multidisciplinary approach including surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic medical therapy, and the treatment must be tailored to the patient’s needs.

Ischemic Stroke Secondary to Dissection of the Internal Carotid Artery: A Case Report and a Brief Review

Background: Internal carotid artery (ICA) dissections generally occur when a tear occurs in the intima-media layer, either of traumatic or spontaneous origin. In this scenario, multifocal cerebral thrombosis may be a clear consequence of untreated ICA dissection. The incidence of internal carotid artery dissection in the US is estimated to be 1.72 per 100,000 population per year. Objective: To make a brief review of the literature and to explain, through a clinical case, the scenario of multiple ischemic cerebrovascular events is associated with the dissection of the internal carotid artery, in a young patient with no relevant history. Presentation of the Case: A 46-year-old female patient, with no significant history, who came to the emergency service presenting loss of strength in the right pelvic limb, disordered language, and difficulty walking for 3 hours, in the neurological examination evidence of decreased tendon reflexes and loss of strength of the right side of the body. Imaging studies show compromise of the M2 and M3 segments of the left middle cerebral artery, as well as multiple areas of associated ischemia in this hemisphere. Additional studies identify concomitant left ICA dissection. Based on the findings, it was decided to perform a thrombectomy of the affected area, as well as subsequent placement of a stent in the area of dissection. In the control angioTC study, revascularization of the M2 and M3 segments was observed, and in the follow-up of the patient, complete recovery of the symptoms was observed, with muscle strength, tendon reflexes, and preserved language functions. Conclusions: The ischemic cerebrovascular event is a frequent pathological entity in the emergency service;in the scenario of a young patient as mentioned above, it is important to take into consideration the different causes of this pathology. We are obliged to familiarize ourselves with the different imaging modalities for an adequate diagnostic approach, as well as the treatment methods according to the time of evolution.