Optimization of the gamma probe-guided parathyroidectomy

The objective of this study was to determine the patient-specific optimal time to surgery preoperatively to improve operative success in gamma probe-guided parathyroid localization. Fifteen patients with hyperparathyroidism underwent a double-phase Tc99m-MIBI (15-20 mCi) parathyroid scintigraphy to study the Tc99m-MIBI clearance kinetics from parathyroid and thyroid glands and to determine the time point at which the optimal target-to-background ratio was achieved. Optimal time to surgery was determined on the basis of the time at which the target-to-background ratio was maximal. On the day of surgery the patients received the same dose of Tc99m-MIBI and were taken to the operating room at the time of optimal target-to-background ratio. A four-gland exploration was performed with identification and excision of hot lesions using a gamma probe. Ex vivo lesion-to-background ratios were determined. Histopathologic confirmation of a successful parathyroidectomy was obtained intraoperatively by frozen section. The total operative time and the time to localize and excise the parathyroid glands were recorded. The mean surgery time was compared with that of previous parathyroidectomies performed by the same surgical team without use of preoperative scintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe. Scintigraphy correctly localized parathyroid pathology in 12 of 15 (80%) patients. Intraoperative gamma probe was successful in 15 of 15 (100%). The optimal time to surgery was found to be different for each patient, and the mean time was calculated as 136 +/- 43 minutes. Mean surgery time for the excision of parathyroid gland was 91 +/- 46 minutes, which was significantly shorter than previous four-gland exploration without use of scintigraphy and gamma probe (160 +/- 61 minutes; t = 3.021, P = 0.007). The mean ex vivo lesion-to-background gamma probe count ratio of abnormal parathyroid glands (77.35) was found to be significantly higher than that of all other lesions with abnormal Tc99m-MIBI uptake (5.05) (U = 10.5, P < 0.0001). Optimal target-to-background ratio is essential for the success of gamma probe-guided parathyroidectomy. This ratio was highly variable among the patients in this study. Individualization of the best surgical exploration time after Tc99m-MIBI injection will improve the surgical success of this operation.     

The indication for gamma probe-guided surgery of spinal osteoid osteomas

The standard treatment for osteoid osteomas is CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This minimally invasive procedure is effective in terms of pain reduction as well as the recurrence rate. Nevertheless, the use for spinal lesions is limited due to a possible thermal damage of neural structures. Although the literature is contradictory, RFA should only be used when a cortical shell between the lesion and the spinal canal is existent. We present seven cases (five males, two females, mean age 23 years) with spinal osteoid osteoma in which RFA was not applicable and open resection with the use of probe-guided surgery (PGS) was performed. The principle of PGS is that after preoperative bone scintigraphy, a handheld radiation probe is used intraoperatively for tumour localisation. Here, exposure and bone resection can be minimised and completeness of tumour excision may be estimated. At the initial measurement we found a hot-spot (maximum count-rate) in all patients and after tumour resection, the signal decreased by a mean of 68% in the operative field. After a mean follow-up of 17 months one patient had residual pain but no patient had signs of tumour recurrence. The authors recommend to use PGS for those spinal osteoid osteomas where RFA is not applicable and intraoperative localisation—and here complete resection—of the tumour is difficult.     

Comparison of vital dye-guided lymphatic mapping and dye plus gamma probe-guided sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer

The optimal technique for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is still debated. SLNB with peritumoral injection of Patent blue dye was performed in 129 clinically T1-T2 and N0 breast cancers in 127 patients (group A); it was later replaced by combined dye and radiocolloid-guided SLNB preceded by lymphoscintigraphy in 72 breast cancer patients (group B). This study compares these two methods. All patients underwent completion axillary dissection. Means of 1.4 and 1.3 SLNs were identified in groups A and B, respectively. The mean number of non-SLNs for the whole series was 14.9 (range 5-42). The first 53 cases of lymphatic mapping (dye only) comprised the institutional learning period during which the identification rate of at least 1 SLN in 30 consecutive attempts reached 90%. The identification rate for the subsequent 76 group A patients was 92%. The accuracy rate of SLNBs for overall axillary nodal status prediction and the false-negative rate for group A patients (after excluding the learning-phase cases) were 93% and 10%, respectively. All 72 group B cases had at least one SLN identified, and only one false-negative case occurred in this group (accuracy and false-negative rates of 99% and 3%, respectively). Both the dye-only and the combined SLNB methods are suitable for SLN identification, but the latter works better and results in higher accuracy, a higher negative predictive value, and a lower false-negative rate. It is therefore the method of choice.     

Sentinel lymph node mapping for gastric cancer using a dual procedure with dye- and gamma probe-guided techniques

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence supports the sentinel lymph node (SN) concept for melanoma and breast cancers. SN biopsy may replace routine lymph node dissection in the treatment of these cancers. But there are little data evaluating this concept in patients with gastric cancer. The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of SN mapping in gastric cancers by using the dual-mapping procedure with dye and radioactive colloid. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-one consecutive patients preoperatively diagnosed as T1-2 and N0 underwent SN biopsy using the dual-mapping procedure. Distributions of SNs identified by the dye-guided technique (blue nodes; BNs) were compared with those identified by the gamma probe guided technique (hot nodes; HNs). RESULTS: Among the 31 patients, 7 were found to have lymph node metastases. All positive nodes were detected by SN biopsy using the dual method. So, an accuracy rate of 100% was achieved in predicting the status of regional lymph nodes. Both BNs and HNs were identified in 28 of 31 patients (90%), but significant discrepancy of distribution was noted between BNs and HNs. Among the 28 patients with identified BNs, there was one metastasis in a non-BN. So the accuracy rate was 96% for the dye-guided technique. In contrast, among the 28 patients with identified HNs, 2 patients had metastasis in non-HNs, making the accuracy rate 93% for the gamma probe-guided technique. CONCLUSIONS: SN mapping is feasible in gastric cancer, but the dye-guided and gamma probe-guided techniques are complementary. So we recommend the dual-mapping procedure.     

Surgical management of malignant melanoma using dynamic lymphoscintigraphy and gamma probe-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy: the Emory experience

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is revolutionizing the surgical management of primary malignant melanoma. It allows accurate nodal staging which targets patients who may benefit from regional lymphadenectomy and systemic therapy. This is a retrospective review of patients treated at Emory University for stage I and II malignant melanoma with gamma probe-guided SLN biopsy from 1/1/94 to 6/30/98. Three hundred sixty patients (males 228, females 132) were identified. Primary melanoma sites included: head and neck 58, trunk 148, and extremities 154 (upper 71, lower 83). Primary tumor staging was T1 9, T2 134, T3 153, and T4 64. SLNs were successfully identified in 99.7 per cent of patients and 98.9 per cent of nodal basins mapped. In 275 (76.6%) cases a single draining nodal basin was identified. In 84 (23.3%) cases there were multiple draining nodal basins. Positive SLNs were identified in 63 patients (17.5%). SLN positivity by tumor staging was T1 0 per cent, T2 9.0 per cent, T3 22.2 per cent, and T4 26.6 per cent. The overall recurrence rate was 11.9 per cent. Recurrences by SLN status were SLN+, 27 per cent, and SLN-, 8.8 per cent. Regional recurrence occurred in 7 (2.4%) of the 297 with negative SLN biopsies and 7 (11.1%) of the 63 with positive SLN biopsies. Dynamic lymphoscintigraphy and gamma probe-guided SLN localization was successful in more than 98 per cent of cases. Patients with negative SLN biopsies have a low risk of recurrence.     

The sentinel lymph node concept in prostate cancer - first results of gamma probe-guided sentinel lymph node identification

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to show lymphatic drainage and to verify the validity of lymphoscintigraphy for the identification of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) in prostate cancer. Furthermore, the question is to be raised whether the standardized pelvic lymphadenectomy is a sufficient means for also detecting solitary micrometastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with prostate cancer received a sonographically controlled, transrectal administration of a technetium-99m colloid injected directly into the prostate 1 day prior to pelvic lymphadenectomy. 20 min later the dynamic lymphoscintigraphy was carried out. During surgery, the SLNs were identified by using a gamma probe. The standard pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed after removal of the SLN. RESULTS: In 3 of 4 patients with micrometastasis the spread of the tumor could exclusively be found in those nodes which had been identified as SLNs by means of scintigraphy by combining preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe detection. In 2 cases, the pathologically proved SLNs were situated at the anteromedial region of the internal iliac artery, thus being located outside of the standard pelvic lymphadenectomy area. In 1 patient, however, the micrometastasis was found beyond those nodes which had been identified as SLN intraoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: In the future, we expect the restriction of pelvic staging lymphadenectomy to scintigraphically proved SLN. The perioperative morbidity may be reduced by increasing the sensitivity of the detection of micrometastases. Our data confirm earlier perceptions, according to which even modified standardized pelvic lymphadenectomy is considered insufficient in terms of the detection of micrometastases.     

甲状腺手术中甲状旁腺误切的危险因素分析

目的探讨甲状腺手术中甲状旁腺误切的危险因素。方法回顾性分析2013年1月至2016年6月期间在四川大学华西医院甲状(旁)腺疾病外科诊疗中心因甲状腺良恶性结节至少行甲状腺全切除的983例患者的临床资料。依据术后病理学检查结果所示的切除标本是否存在整枚或大部分甲状旁腺,将患者分为误切组和非误切组。比较2组患者的临床资料数据,并采用单因素及多因素方法探索甲状旁腺误切的危险因素。结果983例甲状腺疾病患者中,发生甲状旁腺误切50例(误切组),未发生甲状旁腺误切933例(非误切组)。术后暂时性甲状旁腺功能低下发生率:误切组为66.0%(33/50),非误切组为36.2%(338/933),2组比较差异有统计学意义,误切组较高(χ~2=19.903,P<0.05);术后永久性甲状旁腺功能低下发生率:误切组为2.0%(1/50),非误切组为0.4%(4/933),2组比较差异无统计学意义(χ!2=2.315,P=0.128)。单因素分析结果表明,双侧中央区淋巴结清扫(P=0.004)和术中辨认甲状旁腺总数≤2枚(P=0.002)是甲状腺手术中甲状旁腺误切的危险因素;多因素分析结果表明,双侧中央区淋巴结清扫[OR=2.553,95%CI为(1.236,5.277),P=0.011]和术中辨认甲状旁腺总数≤2枚[OR=2.819,95%CI为(1.423,5.581),P=0.003]是甲状腺手术中甲状旁腺误切的独立危险因素。结论甲状腺手术应充分评估患者的获益与风险,合理施行双侧中央区淋巴结清扫。甲状腺手术医师应努力提高对甲状旁腺的辨认能力,从而降低手术中甲状旁腺误切的发生率。     

原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进术后低钙血症相关因素分析

目的 探讨原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进术后出现低钙血症及其症状的相关因素。方法 收集2009年1月至2015年3月北京协和医院行手术治疗的原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进病人临床资料,分析与术后低钙血症及其症状相关的临床因素。 结果 641例原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进病人成功接受甲状旁腺切除术治疗,并得到术后病理学诊断及长期随访证实。118例（18.4%）术后第一日血清总钙低于正常值下限,210例（32.8%）出现低钙血症相关的临床症状。多因素相关分析发现：原发性甲状旁腺病人术后出现低钙血症相关症状,与病人年龄、术前血清无机磷及碱性磷酸酶（ALP）相关;术后第一日血清总钙水平低于正常与术前血清全片段甲状旁腺激素（iPTH）水平相关。 结论 青年病人、术前血清iPTH和ALP水平增高、血清无机磷水平低可能是原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进术后低钙的相关因素。     

Analysis of risk factors of severe hypocalcemia after total parathyroidectomy

Objective To analyze the incidence and risk factors of hypocalcemia after total parathyroidectomy without autotransplantation. Methods A total of 783 maintenance hemodialysis patients who underwent TPTX in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2008 to September 2017 were included in the study. The preoperative blood biochemical examination, preoperative iPTH, total mass of parathyroid gland (M) and postoperative iPTH and electrolyte results were collected. The incidence of severe hypocalcemia after TPTX were analyzed retrospectively. Binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of severe hypocalcemia after TPTX. Results The age of 783 patients with TPTX was (46.90±10.78) years old, and the average dialysis age was (91.36±41.75) months. Postoperative severe hypocalcemia occurred in 235 cases (30.01%). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that higher preoperative blood iPTH (OR=7.56, 95%CI: 1.55-36.79, P=0.01), higher blood alkaline phosphatase (OR=36.71, 95%CI: 14.75-91.36, P＜0.01), blood phosphorus (OR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.11-2.71, P=0.02) and greater mass of resected glands (OR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.06-1.31, P＜0.01) were the risk factors for post-hypocalcemia. The higher preoperative serum calcium can reduce the risk of postoperative hypocalcemia (OR=0.02, 95%CI: 0.01-0.07, P＜0.01). Conclusions The incidence of hypocalcemia after TPTX treatment for SHPT is very high. Blood iPTH, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, and total mass of intraoperative parathyroid gland excision are the independent risk factors for severe hypocalcemia after surgery.     

IA期乳腺癌临床病理特征及预后相关因素分析

目的：探讨IA期乳腺癌患者的临床病理特征与预后因素。 方法：回顾性分析2004年1月—2009年12月天津医科大学肿瘤医院收治的156例IA期（T1N0M0,）乳腺癌患者的临床病理资料。 结果：156例患者均为女性;病理类型以浸润性导管癌为主（115例,73.7%）;原发肿瘤大小以T1c居多 （77例,49.4%）;组织学分级以II级（79例,50.6%）及III级（58例,37.2%）为主。5年无进展生存（PFS）为93.3%,5年总生存（OS）为99.1%。单因素分析结果显示,组织学分级、Ki-67表达及淋巴脉管侵犯与患者的PFS有关（均P<0.05）;多因素分析显示,组织学分级及Ki-67表达情况是影响患者PFS的独立预后因素（均P<0.05）。 结论：IA期乳腺癌患者虽然总体预后较好,但对于某些亚组患者而言,预后较差,该类患者的复发转移风险较大。     

Clinicopathologic factors and patient perceptions associated with surgical breast-conserving treatment

Background: Clinical studies have shown equivalent survival rates between breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and mastectomy in early breast cancer; however, rates for BCS remain low. The purpose of this study was to determine (a) the prevalence of BCS in a regional medical center, (b) clinicopathologic factors associated with BCS, and (c) patient perceptions of the treatment decision-making process. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 251 consecutive breast cancer cases during January 1990–December 1991; 77 patients were ineligible for BCS because of unfavorable pathology. We then interviewed 118 of the 160 women available for interview. Results: BCS was performed in 31 of the eligible patients (18%). Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size <10 mm (p=0.03) was the only significant predictive variable for BCS. Patient interviews revealed that 93% said their surgeon was the primary source of information regarding treatment options. Among 69% of the women whose surgeons reportedly recommended a particular option, 89% recommended mastectomy with 93% compliance, and 11% recommended BCS with 89% compliance. The BCS group more often obtained a second opinion (p=0.04) and 60% said they made the decision themselves compared with only 37% of the mastectomy group (p=0.05). Conclusion: Limiting BCS to women whose tumor size is <10 mm is too restrictive; this excludes a large number of women who are clinically eligible for BCS. The surgical decision-making process for early-stage breast cancer is very much surgeon-driven, with a high degree of patient compliance.Results of this study were presented at the 48th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Boston, Massachusetts, March 23–26, 1995.     

Predictive factors for postoperative severe hypocalcaemia after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism

Hypocalcaemia is a complication of parathyroidectomy. We retrospectively analyzed data on patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) to identify predictive factors for severe postoperative hypocalcaemia. Since 2004 we performed 87 parathyroidectomies for pHPT. We divided the patients into two groups: subjects who presented with postoperative hypocalcaemia (group B) or otherwise (group A). We looked for a correlation between several variables and the incidence of postoperative hypocalcaemia. The median calcemia in group B (19 patients) was 6.9 mg/dL on the first postoperative day and 7.6 mg/dL on the third day. We observed hypocalcemia related clinical symptoms in every patient. In all 19 cases the reduction of intraoperative parathyroid hormone above 85 per cent after parathyroidectomy was related to the development of severe postoperative hypocalcaemia (P = 0.042). We found that the reduction of intraoperative parathyroid hormone over 85 per cent after parathyroidectomy can be considered a reliable predictive factor of postoperative hypocalcaemia after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.     

Dehydration and factors affecting pulmonary antibacterial defenses

Since impaired intrapulmonary bacterial inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus has been described in rats which were dehydrated for 38 hr, the effect of dehydration on several factors known to influence host responses to bacteria in the lung were studied.After 38 hr of dehydration, arterial pH, pCO₂, and pO₂ were unchanged, but plasma osmolality was increased. Surfactant, measured by the bubble stability ratio, was impaired by dehydration. When macrophages were recovered from the lung by bronchial lavage, their number, viability, oxygen consumption, and enzyme (acid phosphatase, β glucuronidase, leucine aminopeptidase) contents were similar to controls. Since normal oxidative metabolism is needed for phagocytosis and normal enzyme content is needed for lytic activity, the alveolar macrophage appears capable of bactericidal activity. A cofactor, perhaps within the alveolar lining fluid, may be necessary for normal activity of the macrophage and was adversely affected by dehydration. Since in vitro studies have demonstrated the need for normal surfactant fraction for maximal bactericidal activity of the alveolar macrophage, the abnormal surface lining material with dehydration may have contributed to the impaired in vivo host defenses.