Role of hemithyroidectomy in differentiated thyroid cancer.

Purpose Of Review: The incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), especially among small tumors, is increasing worldwide, despite the fact that the mortality rate from thyroid cancer remains stable. Total thyroidectomy with or without radioiodine therapy is actually the standard treatment. In the last 2 decades, several studies have shown that lobectomy could be an alternative to total thyroidectomy in low-risk DTC without compromising overall survival.

Graves'-like orbitopathy in a patient with chronic autoimmune pancreatitis.

Background: Graves' orbitopathy is an inflammatory orbital disease that represents the commonest extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease. Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by prominent lymphocytic infiltration and fibrosis of the pancreas causing organ dysfunction.

Summary: This report provides the first clinical description of severe Graves'-like orbitopathy occurring in association with AIP.

Interstitial laser photocoagulation for benign thyroid nodules: time to treat large nodules.

Background And Objective: Interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) is a new therapeutic option for the ablation of non-functioning and hyper-functioning benign thyroid nodules. Amelioration of the ablation procedure currently allows treating large nodules. Aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ILP, performed according to a modified protocol of ablation, in patients with large functioning and non-functioning thyroid nodules and to identify the best parameters for predicting successful outcome in hyperthyroid patients.

Thyroidal effect of metformin treatment in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: Metformin is widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Growing evidence supports the beneficial effects of metformin also in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It was recently reported that metformin has a TSH-lowering effect in hypothyroid patients with diabetes being treated with metformin.