Mutations of the ret protooncogene in German multiple endocrine neoplasia families: relation between genotype and phenotype. German Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Study Group.

It has been suggested that not only the position but also the nature of the mutations of the ret protooncogene strongly correlate with the clinical manifestation of the multiple endocrine neoplasm type 2 (MEN 2) syndrome. In particular, individuals with a Cys634-Arg substitution should have a greater risk of developing parathyroid disease. We, therefore, analyzed 94 unrelated families from Germany with inherited medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) for mutation of the ret protooncogene.

[Radiation exposure from nuclear medical procedures in the former DDR].

From 1978-1988 central records were kept of nuclear medical in vivo and in vitro examinations and of treatments with radiopharmaceuticals in the former GDR. On the basis of ICRP publications No 60 the effective dose, the collective effective dose, and the radiation risk were assessed. Twenty-six different nuclear medical examinations were used in the calculations.

Prognostic factors in medullary thyroid carcinoma: evaluation of 741 patients from the German Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Register.

A retrospective study of 741 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma diagnosed between 1967 and 1991 was carried out by members of the German Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Study Group to evaluate prognostic factors. A total of 559 patients (75%) were considered to have sporadic disease, and 182 (25%) had the familial type. The sex ratio (male to female) was 1:1.

[Incidence of autonomy and immune hyperthyroidism before and following preventive use of iodized salt in the Berlin-Brandenburg area].

The incidence of hyperthyroidism was observed in the area of Berlin (1.2 million inhabitants) and in a rural district in the geographical region of the "Mark Brandenburg" (48.115 inhabitants) during the period from 1975 und 1989.

A 5 year interdisciplinary control of iodine deficiency in the GDR.

The interdisciplinary iodine prophylaxis in the GDR is a successful measure for control of ID. The iodization of nearly all the salt is planed perhaps with reduction of the iodine concentration. However, next further steps may be done in cooperation of the Interdisciplinary Iodine Commission with the "Arbeitskreis: Jodmangel" in the FRG.

[The validity of selected nuclear medicine imaging procedures (brain, skeletal, and hepatobiliary diagnosis)].

In a retrospective study we tested several scintigraphic investigations for a total of 2,014 patients. As reference we used the results of biopsy, autopsy or the epicritic final diagnosis before emission, summing all clinical signs as well as the results of additional alternative methods and other imaging methods. Criteria of validity (sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy) are used in a consistent manner.

[Imaging procedures in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases].

The image-producing examination techniques used in the morphological diagnostics of the thyroid gland are demonstrated. Their application must deliberately be done dependent upon the clinical findings and the therapeutic questioning. For the various thyropathies in this sense a diagnostic step programme is reported with the aim of a rational application of the individual techniques.

Radiopharmacokinetics and radiation absorbed dose calculations from 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG).

In connection with clinical 131I-MIBG studies of patients with suspected pheochromocytoma and adrenomedullary hyperplasia quantitative biokinetic data have been collected in order to improve the present estimations of absorbed dose to various organs and tissues. Whole-body profiles as a function of time were measured with a whole-body counter. The retention in the total body and in the thyroid gland could be derived from the measured whole-body profiles by summing up the corresponding values.