Data-Driven Thyroglobulin Cutoffs for Low- and Intermediate-Risk Thyroid Cancer Follow-Up: ITCO Real-World Analysis.

Context: The utility of thyroglobulin (Tg) in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients has been well-documented. Although third-generation immunoassays have improved accuracy, limitations persist (interfering anti-Tg antibodies and measurement variability). Evolving treatment strategies require a reevaluation of Tg thresholds for optimal patient management.

Radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment for Bethesda III thyroid nodules without genetic alterations.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is effective in the treatment of thyroid nodules, leading to a 50-90% reduction with respect to baseline. Current guidelines indicate the need for a benign cytology prior to RFA, though, on the other side, this procedure is also successfully used for the treatment of papillary microcarcinomas. No specific indications are available for nodules with an indeterminate cytology (Bethesda III/IV).

Reappraising the role of thyroid scintigraphy in the era of TIRADS: A clinically-oriented viewpoint.

Thyroid nodules (TNs) are a common entity, with the majority being benign. Therefore, employing an accurate rule-out strategy in clinical practice is essential. In the thyroid field, the current era is significantly marked by the worldwide diffusion of ultrasound (US)-based malignancy risk stratification systems of TN, usually reported as Thyroid Imaging Reporting And Data System (TIRADS).

Could Transplantation into the Thyroid Gland Benefit Pancreatic Islet Grafting in Unstable Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM), Complicated Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM), and Patients with Total Pancreatectomy?

Background: Insular allograft for unstable type 1 diabetes and autograft in pancreatectomy patients are nowadays considered established procedures with precise indications and predictable outcomes. The clinical outcome of islet transplantation is similar to that of pancreas transplantation, avoiding the complications associated with organ transplantation.

Objective: We hypothesised that transplantation of islets of Langerhans within an endocrine organ could better promote their engraftment and function.

Treating intra-thyroid parathyroid adenoma by radiofrequency is a valuable alternative to hemithyroidectomy.

Background: Parathyroid adenoma (PA) is the most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). One infrequent scenario (0.7%-6%) is represented by intra-thyroid PA (I-PA), an ectopic variant of the parathyroid gland included in the thyroid parenchyma.

Clinical Outcomes of Thermal Ablation Re-Treatment of Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Multicenter Study from the Italian Minimally Invasive Treatments of the Thyroid Group.

Thermal ablation (TA) is an established therapeutic option alternative to surgery in patients with solid benign thyroid nodules causing local symptoms. However, a variable part of thyroid nodules remain viable after these nonsurgical treatments, and as many as 15% of nodules treated with TA may require a second treatment over time. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of TA re-treatment on symptomatic benign thyroid nodules where the volume decreased by <50% after the first procedure ( = technique inefficacy).

A Prospective Multicenter Study Examining the Relationship Between Thyroid Cancer Treatment Outcomes and the Presence of Autoimmune Thyroiditis.

There is some controversy on the potential relationship between autoimmune processes and clinicopathologic features as well as prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and the evidence is limited by its largely retrospective nature. We examined the relationship between the presence of autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) and 1-year thyroid cancer treatment outcomes in a large multicenter study using prospectively collected data. We included data from consecutive DTC patients enrolled in the Italian Thyroid Cancer Observatory (ITCO) database (NCT04031339).

Preoperative neck ultrasound combined with pathological data can significantly impact the outcome of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

The diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is challenging since the accuracy of ultrasound (US) and fine-needle aspiration cytology are suboptimal. As a result, MTC has a generally poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to analyze whether perioperative data can modify the risk of relapse in these patients.

Italian Guidelines for the Management of Non-Functioning Benign and Locally Symptomatic Thyroid Nodules.

Aim: This guideline (GL) is aimed at providing a reference for the management of non-functioning, benign thyroid nodules causing local symptoms in adults outside of pregnancy.

Methods: This GL has been developed following the methods described in the Manual of the National Guideline System. For each question, the panel appointed by Associazione Medici Endocrinology (AME) identified potentially relevant outcomes, which were then rated for their impact on therapeutic choices.

Suboptimal accuracy of ultrasound and ultrasound-based risk stratification systems in detecting medullary thyroid carcinoma should not be overlooked. Findings from a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objective: Ultrasound (US) is the pivotal procedure during the diagnostic work-up of thyroid nodule and several US-based risk stratification systems (RSSs) have been recently developed. Since the performance of RSSs in detecting medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) has been rarely investigated, the present systematic review aimed to achieve high evidence about (1) how MTC is classified according to RSSs; (2) if RSSs correctly classify MTC at high risk/suspicion, and (3) if MTC is classified as suspicious at US when RSSs are not used.

Design: The review was performed according to MOOSE.

Image-guided thermal ablation in autonomously functioning thyroid nodules. A retrospective multicenter three-year follow-up study from the Italian Minimally Invasive Treatment of the Thyroid (MITT) Group.

Objectives: To report the results of a multicenter retrospective evaluation of the clinical outcomes of thermal ablation (TA) in a large series of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) with a follow-up protracted up to 3 years.

Methods: Patients treated with single TA for an AFTN in Italy were included. Changes in nodule volume, TSH values, and ongoing anti-thyroid therapy were assessed at the 2-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-up controls.

Head-to-head comparison of FNA cytology vs. calcitonin measurement in FNA washout fluids (FNA-CT) to diagnose medullary thyroid carcinoma. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The sensitivity of cytology after fine needle aspiration (FNA-cytology) in detecting medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is low. To overcome this problem, measuring calcitonin (CT) in washout fluid of FNA (FNA-CT) has been largely diffused and showed good performance. However, no evidence-based study exists comparing systematically the sensitivity of FNA-cytology and FNA-CT.

Minimal Extrathyroidal Extension in Predicting 1-Year Outcomes: A Longitudinal Multicenter Study of Low-to-Intermediate-Risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (ITCO#4).

The role of minimal extrathyroidal extension (mETE) as a risk factor for persistent papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is still debated. The aims of this study were to assess the clinical impact of mETE as a predictor of worse initial treatment response in PTC patients and to verify the impact of radioiodine therapy after surgery in patients with mETE. We reviewed all records in the Italian Thyroid Cancer Observatory database and selected 2237 consecutive patients with PTC who satisfied the inclusion criteria (PTC with no lymph node metastases and at least 1 year of follow-up).

Long-term efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in cystic thyroid nodules: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is used for the treatment of benign cystic thyroid nodules. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to obtain strong evidence of its long-term efficacy and safety.

Methods: PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched until November 2020 for studies reporting data on volume reduction rate (VRR), compressive symptoms and cosmetic concerns.

A randomized pilot trial of oral prednisone taper vs placebo following iv methylprednisolone for multiple sclerosis relapses: Effects on adrenal function and clinical efficacy.

We performed a pilot trial investigating the effect of a steroid taper on adrenal function and safety measures after acute MS relapses. Twenty-five patients were randomized to either prednisone taper (n=12) or placebo (n=13) after 3 days of intravenous methylprednisolone. No patient showed signs of adrenal insufficiency at any time by cortisol response to ACTH.

Graves' orbitopathy: a multidisciplinary approach.

Orbitopathy is the main extra thyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease. It is a very challenging condition, which requires a cooperation between many specialists (endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, radiologists, radiotherapeutic, orbital surgeons) for an optimal clinical management. An accurate diagnostic assessment is required, in order to plan an adequate treatment of Graves' orbitopathy.

Determining an energy threshold for optimal volume reduction of benign thyroid nodules treated by radiofrequency ablation.

Objectives: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is effective in reducing the volume of benign thyroid nodules. However, what parameters can influence the response to RFA is still unclear. The present study aimed to (1) investigate which ultrasound and technical parameters are potential determinants of the volumetric reduction; (2) develop a dose-response model, and (3) analyze the effects of RFA on ultrasound features.

Long-term follow-up of cystic thyroid nodules treated with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) using two different approaches.

Background And Aim: Cystic thyroid nodules (CNs), although generally benign, can cause compressive or aesthetic problems. Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) can represent an alternative to surgery. The present retrospective study evaluates: (i) the long-term outcome of CNs after PEI; (ii) the differences between two different PEI protocols; (iii) the CNs response according to the liquid component.

Machine Learning Prediction of Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation Efficacy: A New Option to Optimize Thyroid Nodule Selection.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) is a therapeutic modality for reducing the volume of large benign thyroid nodules. If thermal therapies are interpreted as an alternative strategy to surgery, critical issues in their use are represented by the extent of nodule reduction and by the durability of nodule reduction over a long period of time.

Objective: To assess the ability of machine learning to discriminate nodules with volume reduction rate (VRR) < or ≥50% at 12 months following RF treatment.

Is concomitant treatment with steroids and radiotherapy more favorable than sequential treatment in moderate-to-severe graves orbitopathy?

Purpose: Glucocorticoids (GCs) and external radiotherapy (RT) are used for treating moderate-to-severe Graves' orbitopathy (GO). We aimed to assess whether GCs and RT were more effective when administered concomitantly or sequentially.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical outcomes [assessed by Clinical Activity Score (CAS) and NOSPECS classification] in 73 patients treated with both i.