1/11. color-Doppler in the imaging work-up of primary hyperparathyroidism.Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) is a rare disease that must be suspected in all the cases of recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis, and that may be totally corrected by surgery. The imaging techniques permit to locate the hyperplastic gland or adenoma before intervention, but their usefulness in patients without a history of previous neck surgery is still debated. Several imaging techniques have been proposed with the aim of locating parathyroid hyperfunctioning glands, including high resolution sonography (US) with color-Doppler (CD), scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We report here a case of recurrent calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis sustained by PHP, which demonstrates how US coupled with CD and echocontrast enhancement is useful in the preoperative location of parathyroid glands. US is the first choice technique in the evaluation of PHP because it is less expensive and useful in detailing lesions of the neck when carried out by a skilled operator. CD should be regarded as a useful complement of US enhancing its sensitivity (80 vs 90%) especially in the cases of associated thyroid gland diseases. Tc-99m SESTAMIBI scintigraphy coupled with MRI is mandatory in high risk surgical patients, namely in those undergoing repeated neck surgery. In conclusion, considering that surgeon must explore all the four parathyroid glands (because of the possibility of multiple adenomas or hyperplasia) a well definite location of the adenomatous lesion may reduce the risks and the time of intervention, and allow the use of alternative procedures, such as videoscopic surgery. On this view and in terms of economy, only US and CD coupled with Tc-99 SESTAMIBI scintigraphy should be considered before surgery.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/11. Thymic carcinoid and parathyroid hyperplasia detection with 99mTc-MIBI men type 1.We report a case of a 35-year-old male, with a history of diarrhea, renal lithiasis with frequent expulsions of calculus and hypercalcemia during the last 2 years. The patient was studied and diagnosed with a multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN I), familiar (mother with MEN I). A scintigraphic study with 99mTc-MIBI was performed in order to localize hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands because of biochemical diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. Double phase 99mTc-MIBI scan detected one hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland and a large anterior mediastinal mass. Subsequent, plain radiograph and CT of the chest showed a soft-tissue mass in that localization. Punch biopsy of the lesion guided by CT revealed malignant cells of neuroendocrine tumor. The tumor was removed and histologically confirmed as a carcinoid within a thymus in a MEN type I syndrome. MEN I patients can benefit from the examination with this agent which can potentially localize not only parathyroid endocrine pathology but also unknown associated tumors.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.4keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/11. milk of calcium in the inferior calyx of a hydronephrotic kidney in a tetraplegic patient - a diagnosis to be made before scheduling for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.STUDY DESIGN: A Case Report of renal milk of calcium in a tetraplegic subject. OBJECTIVES: To increase the awareness of renal milk of calcium in spinal cord injury (SCI) physicians. Renal milk of calcium contains a colloidal suspension of calcium crystals. Since upright views of the kidneys are not performed in tetraplegic subjects, the renal milk of calcium may be misinterpreted as renal lithiasis by routine radiography taken in supine position. SETTING: Regional spinal injuries Centre, Southport, england. METHOD: In a 41-year-old male with traumatic tetraplegia, X-ray of abdomen in supine position showed multiple opacities in the region of the left kidney. These radio opaque shadows were interpreted as renal calculi. Subsequently, computed tomography (CT) of the kidneys was performed. RESULTS: CT confirmed the presence of calculi in the mid-polar calyx. However, the density situated in the inferior calyx of the hydronephrotic left kidney exhibited a horizontal upper edge. This specific radiological finding as observed in the CT of kidneys, provided the clue to the presence of milk of calcium in the inferior calyx of the hydronephrotic left kidney. CONCLUSION: As plain film of the abdomen in standing position is not performed in SCI patients, physicians caring for SCI patients should have a high index of suspicion for renal milk of calcium. Prompt diagnosis of renal milk of calcium will help to avoid unnecessary surgery, or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.2keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/11. Adenomatoid of the adrenal gland.Adenomatoid tumors are common in the genital tract but rare in the adrenal gland. These tumors can be difficult to diagnose when present in extragenital sites. This type of adrenal tumor lacks specific radiographic features and can be confused preoperatively with more common adrenal gland tumors. We present the case of a 54-year-old man with an incidental right adrenal mass with calcified components and elevated urinary levels of homovanillic acid that was found to be an adenomatoid tumor of the adrenal gland.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.4keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/11. An unusual hamartoma of the folliculosebaceous-apocrine unit: a case report.hamartoma is a neoplasm-like lesion composed of an abnormal mixture of tissues native to the area. We report on an unusual example of a hamartomatous lesion that showed an abnormal mixture of elements of the folliculosebaceous-apocrine unit and arrector pili muscle. A 13-year-old female presented with two nodules situated 2 cm apart on the lower leg that were present since birth. The patient reported some enlargement and slight pain of the otherwise asymptomatic lesions during 2 years, before they were surgically removed. The patient obviously had no skin problems afterwards; her 12-year follow-up was significant for leucopenia and nephrolithiasis. The biopsies from both lesions looked identical. Each lesion was biphasic, i.e. composed of a predominant mesenchymal component and epithelial elements. The mesenchymal part resembled a leiomyoma, or in minor areas, the constituting cells had a myofibroblastic appearance. Encased within the mesenchymal component were large infundibulocystic structures and plentiful grouped and scattered roundish solid epithelial nodules, duct-like, glandular, and tubular elements. Some of the epithelial structures were reminiscent of those seen in tubular apocrine adenoma; others resembled syringomatous elements. We interpreted this unusual lesion as a hamartoma of the folliculosebaceous-apocrine unit.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.2keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/11. The undescended "parathymus". An occasional cause of failed neck exploration for hyperparathyroidism.Arrested descent of the inferior parathyroid gland ("parathymus") during embryologic development may leave the gland stranded high in the neck. Adenomas of such undescended glands are a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism, but they may not be uncommon among patients who have already had a failed cervical exploration. Unless the surgeon is aware of this entity, he will probably overlook it. If one is to find these tumors, it is necessary to extend the dissection upward above the superior pole of the thyroid gland, sometimes as far as the angle of the jaw. Adenomas of undescended "parathymus" glands were encountered in seven patients during a recent 20 month (May 1975 through December 1976) surgical experience encompassing 414 primary operations and 27 reoperations for hyperparathyroidism. These tumors were found at initial exploration in one patient and at reoperation in six patients. The individual case histories are presented to illustrate the difficulties posed by this anatomic variant.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/11. work in progress: abnormal parathyroid glands. Comparison of nonselective arterial digital arteriography, selective parathyroid arteriography, and venous digital arteriography as methods of detection.Nonselective arterial digital arteriography (NSADA), selective parathyroid arteriography (SPA), and venous digital arteriography (VDA) were compared as methods of detecting parathyroid enlargement in 14 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism undergoing preoperative localization following unsuccessful neck surgery. All 14 had SPA and NSADA, consisting of contrast injections into the ascending aorta, innominate artery, and left subclavian artery; 7 also had VDA. Surgery was performed in 9 patients, and 2 additional glands were confirmed by fine-needle aspiration and venous sampling. parathyroid glands could not be located in 3 patients, who were not re-explored. SPA demonstrated 11/13 abnormal glands (85%). NSADA detected 7/13 (54%), and there were 2 false positives. VDA showed 5/6 glands detected by NSADA (83%); the seventh patient did not have VDA. The overall quality of VDA was inferior to NSADA. Although NSADA and VDA are less sensitive than SPA, they are safer and easier to perform and should be the initial vascular screening procedures following unsuccessful parathyroid surgery.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.6keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/11. hyperparathyroidism in patients with X-linked dominant hypophosphatemic rickets--application of the calcium infusion test as an indicator for parathyroidectomy.Two children with X-linked dominant hypophosphatemic rickets treated with vitamin-D metabolites and phosphate supplementation, for prolonged periods, developed hyperparathyroidism with nephrocalcinosis. Calcium infusion tests were performed in both. In one patient, the initial test was done two weeks after all treatment was stopped. Only moderate decrease in the degree of the phosphaturia was recorded. However, a repeat test, performed after all medications were withheld for another four weeks, showed normal anti-phosphaturic response, and she continued to be treated conservatively. In the other patient, the test was done five weeks after withholding treatment. Failure to suppress the phosphaturia provided strong support for the diagnosis of tertiary hyperparathyroidism. He underwent total parathyroidectomy and the parathyroid histology confirmed the diagnosis. In both, control of parathyroid activity stopped the deterioration in kidney function and improved the response of the basic disorder to treatment. It is concluded that in patients with X-linked dominant hypophosphatemic rickets, the calcium infusion test is useful for the differentiation between secondary-reversible and tertiary-irreversible hyperparathyroidism. To avoid continued stimulation of the parathyroid glands by phosphate administration, we recommend that such calcium infusion test be performed and interpreted after at least six weeks have elapsed without phosphate or vitamin-D administration.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.2keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/11. recurrence of autonomous hyperparathyroidism in calcium nephrolithiasis.In a woman with bilateral recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis and hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia developed and she underwent parathyroid surgery, which led to excision of a histologically-confirmed adenoma. The patient became normocalcemic but remained hypercalciuric despite reduction of dietary calcium intake. Several calculi recurred in both kidneys. Four to six years after parathyroidectomy, hypercalcemia recurred and the patient underwent a new surgical exploration; a parathyroid gland with diffuse adenomatous aspects and another gland with pure hyperplasia were excised. Once again, after surgery the patient became normocalcemic but remained hypercalciuric. Evidence for a "renal calcium leak" hypercalciuria was obtained, and thiazide administration led to normalization of urinary calcium excretion. In calcium nephrolithiasis, persistent hypercalciuria may lead to recurrence of autonomous hyperparathyroidism.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.4keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/11. Ammonium urate nephrolithiasis in a variant of Bartter's syndrome with intact renal tubular function.In two patients with Bartter's syndrome proximal tubular function and distal chloride reabsorption were intact on admission; however, chloride reabsorption and distal tubular acidifying capacity decreased in one patient over a period of 10 years. Renal prostaglandin E excretion and urinary and plasma uric acid were in the normal range, but urinary ammonium was significantly elevated during controlled diet. One patient developed ammonium urate nephrolithiasis. In both patients renal biopsy demonstrated lymphocytic infiltration of the interstitial tissue and hypercellularity of the macula densa. indomethacin treatment improved serum potassium concentration and decreased plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone concentration, and urinary prostaglandin E but had to be discontinued because of side effects. It is likely that our patients represent a variant form of the syndrome originally described by Bartter.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.4keywords = gland (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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