[99mTc Tetrofosmin in diagnosis of distant metastases from differentiated thyroid cancer].

Unlabelled: Technetium 99mTc(TF), non-specific tumor-searching tracer was evaluated for its ability to detect distant metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and its reliability in the follow-up of DTC. Whole body scintigraphy (wbs) was performed 20-30 min after intravenous injection of 740 MBq 99mTc tetrofosmin by means of a dual-head gamma-camera (followed by spot images if needed) in 61 patients (pts) with DTC; 52 pts with distant metastases in 131I whole body scintigraphy (34) or in other methods (x-ray, CT, ultrasound) (7) or with negative 131I whole body scan and elevated thyroglobulin (11). In the group of 52 pts with signs of neoplasm dissemination, 36 showed positive TF whole body scan (69%), 16 (31%) pts were TF-negative.

[Non-iodine-absorbing metastasis of differentiated thyroid cancer--therapeutic probe with 13-cis retinoic acid].

The absence of iodine uptake in metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma makes them unresponsive to treatment with radioiodine 131I. In many of such cases symptomatic treatment remains the only available therapy. The results of studies on partial redifferentiation of metastases of thyroid cancer achieved after cis-retinoid acid therapy have drawn attention to the possibility of restoration of iodine uptake in metastases after pretreatment with cis-retinoic acid (Roaccutane).

Association of Addison's disease with autoimmune disorders--a long-term observation of 180 patients.

This study aimed at evaluating the frequency of autoimmune disorders in Addison's disease. We have observed 180 patients (113 females, 67 males, aged 9-74 years) for 1 to 26 years. Tuberculosis was noted in 54 patients.

The effect of magnesium valproate on plasma ACTH concentrations in Nelson's syndrome.

Sodium valproate, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist, was found to decrease plasma ACTH concentration in some cases of Cushing's disease and Nelson's syndrome. In this study we have investigated the influence of magnesium valproate (MV), a newly introduced salt of valproic acid, on plasma ACTH levels in 8 patients with Nelson's syndrome. The daily dose, 1200 mg of MV, significantly decreased plasma ACTH level at 10 p.