Efficacy of Convalescent Plasma to Treat Long-Standing COVID-19 in Patients with B-Cell Depletion.

The use of antivirals, corticosteroids, and IL-6 inhibitors has been recommended by the WHO to treat COVID-19. CP has also been considered for severe and critical cases. Clinical trials on CP have shown contradictory results, but an increasing number of patients, including immunocompromised ones, have shown benefits from this treatment.

[Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis].

Amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction occurs in about 15-20% of patients under amiodarone therapy. Amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (AIH) can develop in patients with an apparently normal thyroid gland or in those with an underlying chronic autoimmune thyroiditis. On a clinical ground, AIH is not challenging and can be easily treated with L-thyroxine therapy.

Disease activity and lifestyle influence comorbidities and cardiovascular events in patients with acromegaly.

Objective: The primary objective of this study is to identify the predictors of comorbidities and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) that can develop after diagnosis of acromegaly. The role of therapy for acromegaly in the event of such complications was also evaluated.

Design And Methods: Retrospective cohort study was conducted on 200 consecutive acromegalic patients in a tertiary referral center.

The presence of anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb) and/or anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) does not exclude the diagnosis of type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis.

Purpose: It is widely accepted that type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) generally occurs in patients with a normal thyroid gland without signs of thyroid autoimmunity. However, it is currently unknown if the presence of anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb) and/or anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) in AIT patients without other signs of an underlying thyroid disease may impair the response to glucocorticoid therapy.

Methods: We performed a pilot retrospective cohort study with matched-subject design and an equivalence hypothesis, comparing the response to glucocorticoid therapy between 20 AIT patients with a normal thyroid gland, low radioiodine uptake, undetectable TSH receptor antibodies and positive TgAb and/or TPOAb (Ab+ group), and 40 patients with the same features and absent thyroid antibodies (Ab- group).

A novel germline mutation in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) gene in an Italian family with gigantism.

Purpose: Acromegaly usually occurs as a sporadic disease, but it may be a part of familial pituitary tumor syndromes in rare cases. Germline mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) gene have been associated with a predisposition to familial isolated pituitary adenoma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the AIP gene in a patient with gigantism and in her relatives.

The onset time of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) depends on AIT type.

Objective: Considering the different pathogenic mechanisms of the two main forms of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT), we ascertained whether this results in a different onset time as well.

Design And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 200 consecutive AIT patients (157 men and 43 women; mean age 62.2±12.

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy versus conventional thyroidectomy in pediatric patients.

Background: Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) proved to be safe and effective in the treatment of both benign and malignant disease. The aim of the present study is to compare MIVAT approach with conventional approach for total thyroidectomy in a group of 99 pediatric patients operated in the Department of General Surgery of the University of Pisa between March 2007 and July 2012.

Patients: A total of 99 pediatric patients under the age of 18 years with thyroid disease referred to our Department to undergo total thyroidectomy.

Effects of amiodarone, thyroid hormones and CYP2C9 and VKORC1 polymorphisms on warfarin metabolism: a review of the literature.

Objective: To review the literature regarding the interaction among amiodarone therapy, thyroid hormone levels, and warfarin metabolism.

Methods: A 73-year-old male with type 2 after describing an unusual case of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) who experienced a severe rise in international normalized ratio (INR) values after initiating warfarin therapy due to an unusual combination of excessive thyroid hormones, amiodarone therapy, and a genetic abnormality affecting warfarin metabolism.

Results: Genetic analysis revealed that the patient was CYP2C9*2 wild-type, CYP2C9*3/*3 homozygous mutant, and VKORC1*3/*3 homozygous mutant.

Total thyroidectomy in patients with amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis and severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Context: Patients with amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) and left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction have a high mortality rate. Usually, medical therapy is the first choice for AIT patients, whereas the role of the thyroidectomy is unsettled.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a total thyroidectomy on cardiac function and survival of AIT patients with severe LV systolic dysfunction.

Amiodarone and the thyroid: a 2012 update.

Amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction occurs in 15-20% of amiodarone-treated patients. Amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (AIH) does not pose relevant problems, is easily controlled by L-thyroxine replacement, and does not require amiodarone withdrawal. Most frequently AIH develops in patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.

Continuation of amiodarone delays restoration of euthyroidism in patients with type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis treated with prednisone: a pilot study.

Context: Type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is a destructive thyroiditis usually responsive to glucocorticoids. Whether continuation of amiodarone affects treatment outcome is unsettled.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the outcome of glucocorticoid treatment in type 2 AIT patients who continued or withdrew amiodarone.

Vitamin D status may contribute to serum insulin-like growth factor I concentrations in healthy subjects.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether vitamin D [25-(OH) D3] status affects serum IGFI concentrations in healthy subjects.

Design And Patients: Two hundred and forty-one consecutive healthy subjects were included in the present study.

Measurements: Serum IGF-I and 25-(OH) D3 concentrations.

Glucocorticoids are preferable to thionamides as first-line treatment for amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis due to destructive thyroiditis: a matched retrospective cohort study.

Context: Type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is a destructive thyroiditis usually responsive to glucocorticoids; however, recent surveys showed that many expert thyroidologists worldwide use thionamides for type 2 AIT patients.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of methimazole (MMI) or prednisone (GLU) in type 2 AIT patients who had a short cure time according to a published predictive model.

Design: This was a matched retrospective cohort study.

Potassium perchlorate only temporarily restores euthyroidism in patients with amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism who continue amiodarone therapy.

Context: Amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (AIH) may occur in patients with or without underlying thyroid disorders. In the latter, restoration of euthyroidism, after amiodarone discontinuation, can be facilitated and accelerated by a short course of potassium perchlorate (KClO4). However, it is unknown whether KClO4 may exert similar effects on thyroid function of AIH patients if amiodarone treatment is continued.

A special case of bilateral ovarian metastases in a woman with papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is a slow growing tumor with low metastatic potential. The most frequent sites of distant metastases are lung and bone; less frequent sites are brain, liver, kidney, and skin. Ovarian metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma are exceptional.

Proportion of type 1 and type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis has changed over a 27-year period in Italy.

Context: Two main forms of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) exist. Type 1 AIT is a form of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism. Its management is complex and includes thionamides, potassium perchlorate and, occasionally, thyroidectomy.

Glucocorticoid response in amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis resulting from destructive thyroiditis is predicted by thyroid volume and serum free thyroid hormone concentrations.

Context: Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) resulting from destructive thyroiditis (type 2) is commonly treated with glucocorticoids, but time needed to restore euthyroidism may be unacceptable for patients with underlying cardiac disorders.

Objective: The objective of this prospective study was to identify factors affecting the response to glucocorticoids in a large cohort of patients with type 2 AIT followed prospectively.

Setting: This study was conducted at university centers.

Thyroid color flow Doppler sonography: an adjunctive tool for differentiating patients with inappropriate thyrotropin (TSH) secretion due to TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma or resistance to thyroid hormone.

Background: Thyrotropin (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenoma (TSHoma) and resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) are two forms of inappropriate TSH secretion. Thyroid blood flow is largely TSH dependent.

Objective: To assess whether thyroid blood flow may help to differentiate TSHoma and RTH.

Long-term outcome of thyroid function after amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis, as compared to subacute thyroiditis.

Background: Two main forms of amiodarone- induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) exist: type 1 AIT is a condition of true hyperthyroidism developing in patients with pre-existing thyroid disorders, and usually requires thyroid ablative treatment. On the other hand, type 2 AIT is a form of destructive thyroiditis occurring in normal thyroids, the management of which usually consists in glucocorticoid treatment.

Aim: To assess the long-term outcome of thyroid function in a prospective study of type 2 AIT patients, as compared to patients with De Quervain's subacute thyroiditis (SAT).