ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is critical for risk stratification of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Evaluation can be made by echocardiography or biological markers among which plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The aim of our study is assessment of BNP levels in patients with PE associating or not RVD as diagnosed by classic echocardiographic criteria. We prospectively assessed 40 patients with deep venous thrombosis and confirmed PE (age range 52.5 ? 9.14 years, 22 men and 18 women), with (14) or without (26) RVD on echocardiography. Plasma BNP levels were significantly higher in RVD patients (190 ? 171.2 pg/mL vs. 15.75 ? 18.85 pg/mL, P < 0.0001). A cut-off level of plasma BNP = 50 pg/mL had a sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for the diagnosis of RVD of 84% (C.I. 79% - 88%), 80% (C.I. 75% - 85%), 83% (C.I. 77% - 87%) and 79% (C.I. 75% - 84%), respectively. There was a significant correlation between plasma BNP levels and end-diastolic RV diameter (r = 0.56, P < 0.0001), RV systolic pressure (r = 0.50, P < 0.001) and the presence of a Qr complex in V1-lead on ECG (r = 0.55, P < 0.05). Four patients with RVD on echocardiography and syncope, all admitted relatively soon after the onset of their symptoms, had BNP in normal range. In conclusion, PE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with dyspnoea and increased plasma BNP levels. A cut-off level of 50 pg/mL could identify the RVD in patients with PE with a good sensitivity and specificity. Normal range plasma BNP levels do not exclude even a severe PE and should be interpreted with caution, especially in highly symptomatic patients with recent symptom onset.

A 62 years old woman was diagnosed with multinodular toxic goiter and primary hyperparathyroidism/ left parathyroid adenoma by hormonal assessment, ultrasound and nuclear thyroid/parathyroid scans. Cervical ultrasound illustrated a multinodular aspect of the thyroid with solid nodules and cystic-component nodules; the larger one represented a multinodular complex with necrosis areas in the left thyroid lobe, ACR TI-RADS score 4 (moderately suspicious). Functional nuclear imaging was performed for accurate differential diagnosis between thyroid vs. parathyroid localization, between cold vs. hot nodules, and eventually, for guiding the choice of a subsequent Fine- Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB). Scans described an early intense 99mTc-sestaMIBI uptake with no 99mTc-pertechnetate uptake in the left thyroid lobe larger nodule. Due to the suspicion of malignancy for this nodule, we performed an additional scan (1 hour before the classical 2 hours parathyroid delayed scan). The intense uptake persists in both delayed scans suggesting no malignant phenotype and which was confirmed after surgery by benign histology. In conclusion, using a 99mTc-sestaMIBI personalized protocol, related to the radiotracer cellular uptake mechanisms: 1 hour scan (supplementary image, corresponding to the maximum uptake pattern of 99mTc-sestaMIBI for cancer cells) and 2 hours scan (for parathyroid washout evaluation) may avoid unnecessary extensive thyroid surgery.

Neonatal metabolic screening has proven to be an important tool for the early detection of innate metabolic errors. Despite the fact that simple and effective methods of testing for metabolic diseases have been identified since the middle of the twentieth century, no consensus has been reached so far on the content of neonatal metabolic screening panels. There are large differences between countries in the number of metabolic diseases identified through national metabolic screening programs, ranging from zero to several tens, the most common testing being for phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism (including in Romania). Given the fact that rare but treatable diseases have been identified in recent decades, reducing the financial burden on the health system, it would be useful to include them in the national neonatal metabolic screening program.

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Context. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is common in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, being difficult to diagnose. Objective. To find a correlation between elastographic parameters and lab results, for facilitating the diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Design. This is a cross sectional study, conducted at the Departments of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, and Gastroenterology and Hepatology, of the Clinical Emergency Hospital “Pius Brinzeu” Timisoara. Subjects and Methods. We included 190 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, collected data regarding medical history, clinical and biological features and applied the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. We excluded patients with other causes of liver disease. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were evaluated through transient elastography, yielding two parameters: liver stiffness as an indicator of liver fibrosis stage, expressed in kPa, and liver steatosis stage, assessed by controlled attenuation parameter, expressed in dB/m. Data were analyzed using SPSS 15. Results. The analyzed group comprised 113 patients. Elastographic measurements showed that 93.8% of the patients had steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter ≥232.5 dB/m) and 70.8% severe steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter ≥290 dB/m). Severe steatosis was more common in women (75.7%) than in men (68.1%) (p<0.0001). From the patients with steatosis, 47.2% had liver stiffness values suggestive for fibrosis and 19.8% for cirrhosis. Most patients with steatosis and severe fibrosis were obese (66.7%). Triglycerides/HDLc ratio >4 correlated with hepatic steatosis (p=0.04), being more common in patients with severe fibrosis/cirrhosis (58.3%) than in those with absent or mild fibrosis (36.2%). Conclusions. Our study found a clear correlation between type 2 diabetes mellitus and the presence of liver steatosis. It correlates with body mass index, waist circumference (in men) and triglycerides/HDLc ratio. Controlled attenuation parameter is a useful noninvasive method for detection and quantification of liver steatosis.

Background. Oncogenic osteomalacia (OOM) is a rare syndrome caused by a tumor that produces a phosphaturic factor: fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). These tumors can be extremely difficult to localize because they are small, slow growing and cause no local symptoms.\r\nPatient and methods: Venous sampling for detection of a gradient of FGF23 has been used to limit the area of further\r\nimaging. We describe a case of OOM in a 73-year old woman, with two years of spontaneous fractures, severe musculoskeletal pain and phosphate wasting.\r\nResults: Her serum FGF23 level was increased and whole-body intravenous sampling (11 sites) revealed a FGF23 gradient\r\nfrom the right leg. The second sampling indicated that the source of FGF23 was below the knee, but imaging studies, including magnetic resonance imaging and octreotide scintigraphy, were not conclusive. A third sampling demonstrated increasing FGF23 the more distal one came in the lower leg. Imaging of the forefoot finally identified a 10 mm tumor that was removed. Histopathological examination showed a phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor of mixed connective\r\ntissue type. The phosphate level and symptoms improved in days after surgery.\r\nConclusion: Repeated determinations of a venous gradient of FGF23 may be used to localize tumors of OOM.

Objective. After total thyroidectomy, radioiodine (131I) treatment is a usual treatment in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Since most of ingested 131I is excreted by the kidneys, one of the procedures for enhancement of 131I excretion from the body is the use of diuretics. The aim of study was to investigate the effect of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) administration on the excretion of 131I in the urine in patients with DTC treated with 131I. Design. Study included 90 patients with DTC, normal renal function and low 131I uptake in the thyroid gland region. Patients were divided into two groups: the group taking HCTZ and the control group. All patients underwent whole-body measurements of the radioactivity of 131I in the urine and in blood samples. Results. Blood radioactivity was significantly higher in the HCTZ group as compared to the control group (16380.89 vs. 11731.61cpm/mL/GBq; P=0.007). The residual radioactivity in the body and the exposed dose were higher in patients taking HCTZ (71.61 vs. 60.70MBq/ GBq and 7.05% vs. 6.14%) but this difference was not significant. During the first 36h from 131I administration the patients taking HCTZ excreted a higher percentage of the 131I than the controls (65.45±12.12% vs. 62.21±11.25%, P=0.032). During the second part of the hospitalization (36- 72h) the urinary excretion as reversed, so after 72h patients taking HCT excreted less 131I than controls, however, this difference was not significant (P=0.084; 76.54±10.16% vs. 83.81±13.46%). Conclusions. HCTZ given as additional treatment decreases urinary excretion of 131I as and should not be administered in patients under 131I treatment for DTC.

Background. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of denosumab on bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers and serum calcium in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and osteoporosis. Methods. Seven consecutive patients with PHPT were administered a single subcutaneous injection of denosumab, 60 mg. The subjects were followed up to 6 months: serum calcium on days 1,3,7,14,30 and at 3 months and 6 months; serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), C-telopeptide (CTX) and N-mid osteocalcin at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. BMD by DXA, at the femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS), were measured at baseline and at 6 months. Results. The patients (mean age= 69.8 yrs, range 62-81) had mild PHPT (mean total calcium = 10.8 mg/dL; mean PTH = 148.9 pg/mL); all had osteoporosis and four were currently treated with various bisphosphonates (BP). After 6 months mean LS BMD increased significantly by 4.5 % (p = 0.04) and mean FN BMD by 2.4% (p= 0.09 two-tailed; p = 0.047 one-tailed). Serum CTX decreased significantly by 90% at 3 months (p = 0.04), and by 48% at 6 months (p = 0.02); the similar changes for serum osteocalcin were 41% and 42% (p = 0.07, onetailed), respectively. In the first two weeks, serum total Ca variably decreased vs. baseline (0.5 to 2.8 mg/dL) in six out of seven patients. After 6 months mean total serum Ca nonsignificantly increased vs. baseline (11.4 mg/dL vs. 10.8 mg/dL, p = 0.1). Serum iPTH levels did not significantly change at both 3 and 6 months; after 6 months there was a trend toward decreased values (p = 0.03 onetailed). Conclusion. Denosumab increased BMD at both lumbar spine and femoral neck, and significantly decreased bone resorption in patients with PHPT. The effects on hypercalcemia were mild and transient, with a numerical increase after 6 months.