Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The quoted risk of morbidity after thyroidectomy is based on published data from large series but patients’ perception remains insufficiently explored.Methods: A standardized questionnaire was mailed to 312 patients who underwent thyroid surgery in a large university hospital between Jan2008–Dec2010.Results: Replies were received from 202(64%) patients (56M:166F, age 55±16 yrs) at median 23 months after l...

Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) metastasizes to central compartment lymph nodes (CCLN) in majority of patients. Such metastases are associated with high risk of locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis. Only one study has investigated the relation between the number of metastatic CCLN and prognosis (Soon Lee et al. 2010 WJS). This study evaluated the clinical implication of the number of metastatic CCLN in PTC.Methods: Between Jan...

Background: Length-of-stay (LOS) after various surgical procedures varies greatly between centres and countries. In the US there is increasing tendency towards day-case thyroid and parathyroid surgery but their model of care cannot be easily extrapolated. In the UK the average LOS for such operations is 3–4 days.Methods: Retrospective review of data retrieved from hospital-based software regarding the surgical activity during a decade in a large Uni...

Background: Parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is followed by a decrease in the severity of symptoms reported on the Pasieka’s parathyroid symptoms score (PPSS) questionnaires and such changes correlate with improved quality of life assessed by the SF36 questionnaire (World J Surg 2008 32 807). Some argue that these benefits are short-lived and only apparent in the first months postoperatively.Aim: To determine wh...

Background: Mild primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is frequently diagnosed in patients with minimal hypercalcaemia whose symptoms might remain sub-clinical or even be absent. In contrast, series of patients with severe PHPT report multiple end-organ failures including suppressed haematopoiesis (Horm Metab Res 1997; 29: 387) and marrow fibrosis (Clin Endo 2009; 70 :527).Aim: To determine the effect of parathyroidectomy on haem...

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disease expected to be curable in 95% of patients undergoing surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the postoperative course of patients with failed surgical treatment.Methods: Prospective database recorded clinical, biochemical, radiological, operative and pathological details of patients operated in a large tertiary referral centre.Results: Betw...

Background: Phaeochromocytomas (PHAEO) and paragangliomas (PGGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumours. The traditional ‘10%’ teaching mnemonic has recently been challenged.Methods: Clinical and biochemical/pathological data were collected prospectively. A 24-h urine sample for metanephrine assay was used for postoperative biochemical follow-up.Results: Between ‘Jan 89 and June 10’ 110 patients were operated for PHAEO...

Background: Primary hyperaldosteronism is allegedly present in 10% of hypertensive patients. Conn’s syndrome is present in a third of such patients and adrenalectomy has the potential to cure/improve the control of hypertension. This study assesses the benefits/costs of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) in a cohort of consecutive patients with Conn’s syndrome operated in a tertiary referral centre.Methods: Clinical, radiological, operative and pa...

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is commonly diagnosed after the fifth decade of life. Current guidelines suggest that young patients with apparently sporadic PHPT should be screened as potential index cases for the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) syndrome.Aim: To determine the prevalence of mutations in the MEN1 gene in young patients presenting with apparently sporadic PHPT before the age of 40 years.Met...

Background: Arguably patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancers (PTC) are more likely to have negative radioactive iodine uptake and low/undetectable thyroglobulin levels if the central compartment lymph node dissection (CCLND) is performed routinely irrespective of the macroscopic appearance of the LN. The aim of this study was to determine whether routine CCLND leads to more favourable outcome in the first year after treatment for well-differentiat...