Sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism in young individuals: different disease and treatment?

Background: Younger individuals with hyperparathyroidism may experience severe disease with a higher incidence of multigland disease (MGD) and operative failure, thereby requiring subtotal parathyroidectomy. This study examines the characteristics and surgical outcome of younger compared with older patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (SPHPT).

Methods: Prospectively collected data of 1101 patients with SPHPT who underwent parathyroidectomy at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed.

Role of intraoperative parathormone monitoring during parathyroidectomy in patients with discordant localization studies.

Background: Many patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (SPHPT) have discordant preoperative Tc-99m-sestamibi (MIBI) and ultrasonography studies prior to focused parathyroidectomy (PTX). This study examines the usefulness of intraoperative parathormone monitoring (IPM) during PTX in patients with discordant preoperative localization studies.

Methods: A retrospective series of 225 consecutive SPHPT patients with MIBI scans and surgeon performed ultrasonography (SUS) prior to focused parathyroidectomy were studied.

Long-term outcome of patients with elevated parathyroid hormone levels after successful parathyroidectomy for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism.

Hypothesis: Untreated long-term elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels after successful parathyroidectomy may predict recurrent hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Although elevated PTH levels have been reported in eucalcemic patients after parathyroidectomy for sporadic primary HPT, the long-term clinical significance of this finding remains unclear.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Role of surgeon-performed ultrasound in predicting malignancy in patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Background: Certain ultrasound features can predict malignancy in patients with thyroid nodules. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of surgeon-performed ultrasound (SUS) in predicting thyroid malignancy in patients with indeterminate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology.

Methods: 477 consecutive patients with dominant thyroid nodules were referred to our institution from 2002 to 2007.

Outcomes of pheochromocytoma management in the laparoscopic era.

Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is the preferred surgical approach for pheochromocytomas. We have investigated the changes in diagnosis, management and outcome of pheochromocytomas treated since the widespread advent of LA.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from 96 patients with pheochromocytomas that had been surgically treated at three tertiary referral centers.

Efficacy and toxicity of zinc salts as candidate topical microbicides against vaginal herpes simplex virus type 2 infection.

Zinc salt solutions administered as topical microbicides provided significant protection against herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in a mouse vaginal challenge model. However, at the therapeutic concentration, the salt solutions caused sloughing of sheets of vaginal epithelial cells. These observations limit the utility of zinc salts as microbicides and suggest that the application of zinc solutions to mucosal surfaces has the potential to cause damage that might increase susceptibility to secondary infections at a later time.

Nicotine treatment produces persistent increases in amphetamine-stimulated locomotor activity in periadolescent male but not female or adult male rats.

Nicotine is a popular addictive drug used among the adolescent population, and it has long been questioned whether nicotine use in adolescence may lead to the use of other psychostimulant drugs. It is not fully understood, however, how nicotine alters behavior and brain neurochemistry in the adolescent age cohort and how this may affect subsequent illicit drug use. In the current study, periadolescent and adult male and female rats were treated with nicotine for 7 days.