Prediction of remission in Graves' disease treated with long-term carbimazole therapy: Evaluation of technetium-99m thyroid uptake and TSH concentrations as prognostic indicators

Computerized technetium-99m thyroid uptake and thyrotropin (TSH) estimation using a sensitive immunoradiometric assay were performed at presentation and following completion of an 18-month course of antithyroid drug therapy in 45 patients with Graves' disease. All patients had increased^99mTc thyroid uptake and subnormal TSH levels before the start of treatment. Twenty-two patients developed recurrent hyperthyroidism in a 3-year follow-up period. Of these 22 patients with relapse, 20 had had a persistently increased^99mTc thyroid uptake at the end of the course of carbimazole treatment, whereas TSH had remained subnormal in 18 of the 22. All 23 patients who remained in remission until the end of the 3-year follow-up had had normal^99mTc thyroid uptake following completion of antithyroid drug treatment. TSH levels had reverted to normal in 19 cases, but remained subnormal in four cases in this group at the end of treatment. The results suggest a high likelihood of relapse in patients who have persistently increased^99mTc thyroid uptake and subnormal TSH after a full course of carbimazole treatment. Patients whose^99mTc thyroid uptake and TSH levels have reverted to normal are likely to stay in long-term remission. Assessment of^99mTc thyroid uptake and TSH levels following completion of carbimazole therapy for Graves' disease offers useful information regarding long-term prognosis.     

Role of flowmetric analysis and of color-Doppler ultrasonography with contrast media in the different phases and follow-up of Graves' disease]

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were: 1) to evaluate the role of color-Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) assessment of thyroid vascularity, measuring the peak systolic velocity (PSV) at the level of the inferior thyroid artery, and the intrathyroid vascularization in Graves' diseas; 2) to evaluate the role of contrast agent administration in predicting the relapse of hyperthyroidism or the biological activity of the disease after withdrawal of antithyroid drugs. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study included 74 Graves' patients (59 F/ 15 M; mean age 45 years; range 23-71). Graves' disease was diagnosed according to the usual clinical and laboratory criteria. On the basis of the clinical and biochemical findings we divided Graves' patients into 4 different groups. Treatment was continued for at least 12 months, CDU examination was carried out after discontinuing therapy. Eight patients showed a relapse of hyperthyroidism within 5 months after suspension of therapy. In all cases the evaluation of intraparenchymal vascularization and PSV at the level of the inferior thyroid artery in basal conditions was followed by administration of contrast agent (Levovist, 300 mg/ml), with slow infusion (<2 ml/min) to avoid blooming artifact. Intraparenchymal vascularization was classified into 4 patterns according to Vitti et al. RESULTS: The value of the peak systolic velocity (PSV) at the level of the inferior thyroid artery was the best predictor of relapse. A value higher than 40 cm/sec was present in all the patients that showed relapse and only in two patients with stable remission. Administration of contrast agent is important to evaluate the biological activity of the disease. In the 5 patients exhibiting slightly increased vascularization after contrast agent administration we could assume the clinico-pathological recovery. CONCLUSIONS: CDU study of thyroid vascularization, based on the measurement of PSV at the level of the inferior thyroid artery and on the response to contrast agent administration is useful to distinguish three groups of patients: A) PSV >40 cm/sec with pattern III for at least 10 minutes from the beginning of the contrast agent administration (High risk of relapse); B) PSV <40 cm/sec with pattern II or III after contrast agent administration (Biological activity of the disease-Thyroiditis); C) PSV <40 cm/sec with Pattern I after contrast agent administration (Poor biological activity of the disease-recovery).     

Thyroid arterial embolization to treat Graves' disease

Purpose: To prospectively investigate the effect of thyroid arterial embolization on hyperthyroid Graves' disease in selected patients.

Material and Methods: Twenty-eight patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease were enrolled to undergo thyroid arterial embolization and followed up for 12-22 months. Twenty-two patients had three thyroid arteries embolized and six patients two arteries. Serum thyroid hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and autoimmune function were tested before and after embolization in all patients.

Results: Of 28 patients, 22 (78.6%) became euthyroid, five improved (17.8%), and one had temporary improvement followed by recurrence (3.6%). No serious complications occurred. Compared with the pre-embolization values, serum concentrations of thyroid hormone increased temporarily on day 3 post-embolization, dropped substantially after 1 and 2 months, and returned to nearly normal at 6 and 12 months post-embolization. TSH dropped on day 3, increased after 1 and 2 months, and returned to normal after 6 and 12 months. Thyroid antibodies TGAb and TMAb declined on day 3 to normal range, rose after 1 month, dropped to normal again after 2 months, and were slightly increased at 6 and 12 months follow-up.

Conclusion: Thyroid arterial embolization may be an effective approach for patients with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease.     

Determination of the effect of a single hemodialysis session on retrobulbar blood hemodynamics by color Doppler ultrasonography

Background: Retrobulbar hemodynamic alterations can occur during hemodialysis sessions, and patients with chronic renal failure may experience visual problems.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of single-session hemodialysis on retrobulbar vessel hemodynamics by color Doppler ultrasonography.

Material and Methods: Thirty-five patients were included in the study. Retrobulbar blood flows were examined before and after dialysis sessions. Doppler spectral patterns of retrobulbar blood flow were evaluated. The t test for paired samples and the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test were used for comparing the flow values before and after dialysis.

Results: Systolic and diastolic blood flow velocities of the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, central retinal vein, nasal posterior ciliary artery, and temporal posterior ciliary artery were found to be decreased bilaterally after hemodialysis sessions. No significant change was observed in resistivity index values after hemodialysis sessions.

Conclusion: Our findings reveal that retrobulbar circulation was disturbed after a single hemodialysis session.     

The development of a solitary toxic thyroid nodule following Graves' disease

A 52-year-old woman developed a toxic, solitary, autonomously functioning thyroid nodule four years after antithyroid drug treatment for Graves' disease. When she was initially seen, a thyroid scan showed the homogeneous enlargement of both lobes with increased uptake. Graves' disease was diagnosed and the patient was treated with methimazole. Thyroid function was well-controlled with medication for 18 months, after which the patient stopped taking the drug for three years. Four years after Graves' disease was diagnosed, the patient again showed symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The etiology was a toxic, autonomously functioning nodule.     

Long-term carbimazole intake does not affect success rate of radioactive 131Iodine in treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of long-term antithyroid drug intake on the success rate of iodine-131 (131I) treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism, and to explore other clinical/laboratory factors that may predict/affect the treatment outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with Graves' disease were referred for radioactive iodine therapy after failure of medical treatment, which was given for at least 6 months. Antithyroid drug (carbimazole) was stopped for at least 2 days before administration of a fixed dose of 370 MBq. Treatment outcome was determined at the end of 1-year follow-up after iodine administration. Treatment success was reported if the thyroid hormonal profile indicated euthyroid or hypothyroid state. RESULTS: One year after 131I administration, 19% of our patients were still hyperthyroid (treatment failure), 15.5% became euthyroid and 65.5% were hypothyroid (treatment success, 81%). No statistically significant correlation was found between treatment outcome and patient's age at the time of I administration (P=0.20); duration of medical treatment before 131I administration (P=0.22) and duration of stoppage of medical treatment before 131I intake (P=0.15). In contrast, there was significant association between treatment outcome and pretreatment Tc99m-thyroid uptake (P=0.0001), thyroid size (P=0.001) and TSH level (P=0.04). Using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, we generated a cut-off value for thyroid uptake (18%) and thyroid weight (70 g) to predict response to 370 MBq of 131I. The 18% thyroid uptake cut-off value predicted treatment outcome with 93.6% sensitivity, 100% specificity and 94.8% accuracy, whereas the 70 g thyroid weight predicted treatment outcome with sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 80.9, 72.7 and 79.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Long-term carbimazole treatment will not increase the failure rate of 131I treatment in patients with Graves' disease if the drug was discontinued for at least 2 days before iodine administration. A fixed dose of 370 MBq is efficient in patients with Tc99m-pertechnetate thyroid uptake less than 18% and gland weight less than 70 g. Patients with larger goitres and/or higher thyroid uptake level will probably need a higher dose of radioactive iodine.     

应用彩超评价甲状腺动脉栓塞术治疗甲状腺功能亢进的疗效

目的　应用彩超评价甲状腺动脉栓塞术治疗甲状腺功能亢进 (甲亢 )的疗效。方法　 4 2例甲亢患者行甲状腺动脉栓塞术。术前及术后 1、3、6个月用彩超观察腺体回声 ,测量腺体容积及动脉内径 ,多普勒测量血流收缩期最大速度 (Vs)、舒张期最大速度 (Vd)、平均速度 (Vm)、搏动指数 (PI)、阻力系数 (RI) ,计算血流量。并观察各项测值与T3 、T4、促甲状腺激素 (TSH)之间变化关系。结果　术前腺体容积增大为弥漫性、均质或非均质性低回声 ,部分有结节 ,甲状腺动脉及腺体内多级分支动脉多而粗 ,术后腺体容积缩小 ,术后 1～ 3个月腺体回声增强、增粗 ,血管变细而少 ,腺体内仅见星点状血流束 ,时隐时现 ,部分腺体内无血流信号 ,3～ 6个月腺体回声由强逐渐变低或强弱相间 ,分布不均。血流参数各项测值 ,术前与术后比较差异均有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　甲状腺动脉栓塞术治疗甲亢近期效果明显 ,彩色多普勒超声对术前明确诊断术后疗效观察具有重要价值。     

The present status of I-131 therapy for Graves' hyperthyroidism in Japan (survey by questionnaire)

A survey on the I-131 therapy of Graves' hyperthyroidism was undertaken by questionnaire in 1,246 hospitals of Japan. One thousand and ninety seven of them (88.0%) responded to the questionnaire. In this paper, we report the results and analysis of the replies to the questionnaire. In the 121 hospitals (11.03%) of the respondents, I-131 therapy is being performed for Graves' hyperthyroidism. A gradual increase was observed in the annual number of I-131 treated Graves' disease patients during the period of 1998-2001, from 1,740 to 2,484. I-131 treatment was selected mainly for the cases with side effects from antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy, followed by the cases with complication of heart or hepatic diseases, recurrences of hyperthyroidism after surgery, radioiodine treatment, and long-term ATD treatment. The 41% of respondents used I-131 in order to restore euthyroidism, 34% aimed for hyperthyroidism and 41% used the dose properly between the two according to the patients. Administration dosage of I-131 was estimated mainly on the basis of thyroid uptake and volume in 93% of the respondents and 48% calculated the radiation dose by also determining the effective half-life in the thyroid gland. Thyroid size was estimated by scintigram (51%), US (33%), CT (22%) and palpation (12%). ATD treatment was used before I-131 administration by 70% of the respondents and 34% after radioiodine therapy. A low-iodine diet was given to the patients for a week (46%) or two weeks (47%) before I-131 administration. However, after treatment only 46% of the respondents continued low-iodine diet for a week.     

Value of color Doppler ultrasonography in the evaluation of orbital vascular flow in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis

Purpose: To evaluate choroidal and retinal vascular flow dynamics by means of color Doppler ultrasonography in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis and to compare these findings with healthy controls. Material and Methods: Color Doppler ultrasonography and spectral analysis of nasal and temporal posterior ciliary and central retinal artery flow of both eyes were performed in 20 patients (40 eyes) and 22 controls (44 eyes) to assess peak systolic flow velocity, end-diastolic flow velocity, and resistive indices (RI). Patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and any cardiac pathology were not included in the study. A general ophthalmologic examination was performed in all patients and controls. Results: The average peak-systolic and end-diastolic blood flow velocities of nasal (12.88±4.91/6.88±3.26) and temporal (15.22±9.59/6.41±3.97) posterior ciliary artery and central retinal artery (14.94±8.38/6.7±4.13) in patients were significantly higher than the corresponding values of the controls. The RI values of nasal (0.52±0.10) and temporal (0.58±0.12) posterior ciliary artery and central retinal artery (0.55±0.11) in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis were significantly lower than in the controls. Conclusion: Choroidal and retinal blood flow velocities are higher and RI values for all three vessels lower in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis compared to healthy controls. These alterations may be related to either increased choroidal blood flow or vasoconstriction of the proximal vessels.     

Graves病甲状腺功能亢进症与血糖代谢

Graves病甲状腺功能亢进症(甲亢)患者常伴有糖代谢紊乱,其机制主要与胰岛β细胞功能受损及胰岛素抵抗有关,而免疫遗传因素也起一定的作用.在131I和抗甲状腺药物治疗后,伴随着甲状腺激素水平的恢复,血糖逐渐开始下调并恢复正常.因此,对Graves病甲亢伴糖代谢紊乱患者进行积极的早期治疗有助于血糖的控制及并发症的预防.     

Graves病的131I治疗和抗甲状腺药物治疗:随机对照试验荟萃分析

目的通过荟萃分析比较131I治疗与抗甲状腺药物治疗对Graves病的临床治疗效果,包括眼病的发生或恶化、甲状腺功能亢进症（甲亢）的治愈率、甲状腺功能减退症（甲减）发生率、复发率和不良反应。 方法以"Graves病"、"放射性碘"、"抗甲状腺药物"、"治疗"等为关键词检索了1990年至2016年在PubMed检索系统、荷兰医学文摘数据库、科学网、中国生物医学文献服务系统（SinoMed）和中国国家知识基础设施（中国知网）等数据库中发表的关于Graves病131I和抗甲状腺药物治疗效果的随机对照试验（RCTs）研究文献,比较131I治疗与抗甲状腺药物治疗对Graves病患者的疗效。采用12.0版Stata软件进行荟萃分析。结果以置信区间95% CIs风险比表示。利用固定效应模型和随机效应模型,根据研究的异质性,进行综合分析。 结果最终纳入了1992年至2015年的17项RCTs,共4024例患者。综合分析结果表明:131I治疗组和抗甲状腺药物治疗组患新眼病率分别为23.3%和16.1%,甲亢的治愈率分别是77.8%和45.6%,甲减发病率分别是19.7%和9.3%,甲亢复发率分别是6.3%和35.0%。131I治疗会增加患者患眼病（RR=1.36,95% CI:[1.04,1.77];P=0.024）、眼病恶化（RR=1.76,95% CI:[1.30,2.38];P < 0.001）和甲减的风险（RR=1.99,95% CI:[1.34,2.98];P=0.001）。但是,与抗甲状腺药物治疗相比,131I治疗的甲亢治愈率高（RR=1.66,95% CI:[1.49,1.86];P < 0.001）、复发率低（RR=0.16,95% CI:[0.08,0.33];P < 0.001）,且不良反应的发生率相对较低（RR=0.22,95% CI:[0.10,0.49];P < 0.001）。 结论与抗甲状腺药物治疗相比,131I治疗的甲亢治愈率相对较高,复发率相对较低。但是,131I治疗同时也会增加患眼病和甲减的风险。因此,要采取更积极的干预措施,以减少和预防这些合并症的发生。     

Functional results of radioiodine therapy with a 300-GY absorbed dose in Graves' disease

The aim of this study was to assess the results of high-dose radioiodine therapy given to 43 patients with recurrent hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease between 1986 and 1992. We chose an intrathyroidal absorbed dose of 300 Gy and determined the applied activity individually, which ranged from 240 to 3120 MBq with a median of 752 MBq. Hyperthyroidism was eliminated in 86% of cases after 3 months and in 100% after 12 months. No patient required a second radioiodine treatment. The incidence of hypothyroidism was 63% after 3 months and 93% after 18 months. Neither the pretherapeutic thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin level nor the degree of co-existing endocrine ophthalmopathy was correlated with the time at which hypothyroidism developed. Patients with previous radioiodine therapy developed hypothyroidism earlier than patients with previous thyroid surgery. The results show that ablative radioiodine therapy with a 300-Gy absorbed dose is a very effective treatment of hyperthyroidism in Graves' disease, but it should be restricted to patients with recurrent hyperthyroidism combined with severe co-existing disorders or episodes of unfavourable reactions to antithyroid drugs. Correspondence to: U.F. Willemsen     

Influence of therapy with iodine-131 on thyroid tissue pattern in colour and power Doppler sonography

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of radioiodine therapy on sonographic thyroid patterns using power Doppler (PD) and colour Doppler (CD) sonography in hyperthyroid patients with autonomous nodules (AN) and Graves' disease (GD). METHOD: B-mode, colour, and power Doppler sonography, (99m)Tc scintigraphy, and laboratory analyses (free thyronine fT(3), free thyroxine fT(4), thyroid stimulating hormone TSH) were performed in 55 patients (AN = 27, GD = 28) before and 6 months following therapy with (131)I radioiodine therapy (RIT). RESULTS: In patients with an AN (but not in GD), a significant reduction in thyroid vascularization was subjectively noted following radioiodine therapy on both CD and PD ultrasound (Wilcoxon matched pairs, P < 0.05). The pre-therapeutic grade of hypervascularization in the periphery of autonomous nodules correlated closely with the laboratory parameters of hyperthyroidism. As expected, PD indicated a higher grade of vascularization when compared with CD due to its greater sensitivity to flow. CONCLUSIONS: Radioiodine therapy led to a significant reduction in hypervascularization in patients with AN (but not in GD) corresponding to the normalization of serological values. Comparing CD and PD, PD detected a greater number of vessels. CD and PD are not able to replace scintigraphy and/or laboratory analyses in the management of patients with hyperthyroidism.     

Prevention, screening and therapy of thyroid diseases and their cost-effectiveness

Cost-effectiveness analyses focused on benign thyroid diseases are under-represented in the literature. The calculation of costs per additionally gained life year is difficult: The benefit of prevention is shifted into the distant future. The influence of an untreated subclinical thyroid disease on life expectancy can only be demonstrated by a long-term follow-up and by epidemiological databases. Iodine supplementation and programs for the prevention of tobacco smoking (primary prevention) are very cost-effective. Smoking increases the risk both of multinodular goiter and of Graves' disease. Screening programs (secondary prevention) are discussed for the laboratory parameters thyrotropin (TSH), calcium and calcitonin. TSH testing seems to be very cost-effective for epidemiological considerations in a certain lifespan (newborn, pregnancy, postpartal, older persons, hospitalisation due to acute diseases) and in persons with previously elevated TPO-antibodies or TSH-values >2 mU/l, but dedicated cost-effectiveness analyses are lacking. On the other hand, the cost-effectiveness of a routine TSH testing beyond the age of 35 years has been shown by a high-quality decision analysis. Therapeutic strategies (tertiary prevention) aim at the avoidance of complications (atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, death for cardiac reasons) and of iatrogenic complications. Examples of a tertiary prevention are: firstly the definitive therapy of Graves' disease in patients who have an increased risk of relapse after antithyroid drugs (ATD), secondly the radioiodine therapy for subclinical hyperthyroidism and the radioiodine therapy of large goiters in older patients or in patients suffering from a relevant comorbidity. Cost-effectiveness analyses for different therapeutic strategies of Graves' disease were published using a lifelong time-horizon. The ablative radioiodine dose-regime is cost-effective as a first line therapy if the risk of relapse after ATD exceeds 60%.     

Benign thyroid disease: what is the role of nuclear medicine?

Nuclear medicine is directly involved in both the diagnosis and treatment of benign thyroid disease, which requires an understanding of the pathophysiology and management of thyroid disorders in addition to expertise in nuclear methodology. Thyroid uptake and imaging, the principal nuclear tests in thyroid disease, may be used as follows: (1) Differential diagnosis of hyperthyroidism: A very low thyroid uptake suggests destructive ("subacute") thyroiditis, a self-limited disorder, whereas a normal or elevated uptake is consistent with toxic nodular goiter and Graves' disease. Scintigraphic characteristics also help differentiate between nodular and Graves' disease. (2) Function of thyroid nodules: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy with cytological examination (FNAB) is used routinely to assess for malignancy in thyroid nodules. Scintigraphy may be of assistance before FNAB. "Hot" nodules are generally benign and do not require FNAB, while "cold" nodules may be malignant. (3) Differential diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism: Scintigraphy combined with ultrasound examination may be used to identify such conditions as thyroid agenesis, dyshormonogenesis, and incomplete thyroid descent. Treatment of Graves' disease and toxic nodular disease with (131)I may require greater clinical involvement and decision analysis compared with thyroid uptake and imaging. The following aspects of treatment are particularly important: (1) Risk: Radioiodine treatment may occasionally aggravate hyperthyroidism, Graves' ophthalmopathy, and airway obstruction caused by large, nodular goiters. Alternative treatments, including the temporary use of antithyroid drugs, and surgery for nodular goiters, may be considered. (2) Radioiodine dose: Cure of hyperthyroidism with a single (131)I treatment is desirable, though not always possible. Such factors as a large goiter, severe hyperthyroidism, and prior propylthiouracil therapy, may contribute to treatment failure. (3) Informed consent: A detailed discussion with the patient regarding the clinical risks, outcomes, and side effects of (131)I is a critical component of successful management.     

Graves病动脉栓塞治疗并发症分析

目的探讨甲状腺动脉栓塞治疗Graves病的并发症及其产生因素。方法对28例Graves病患者的甲状腺动脉造影、介入栓塞治疗、并发症及其产生因素进行分析,并作中期随访。结果1年有效率78.6%(治愈 好转),复发率14.2%。脑梗死2例(7.1%),1例治疗后恢复,1例并发甲状腺功能亢进危象抢救无效死亡;1例术后有一过性甲状腺功能减退,1例术后发生一过性甲状旁腺功能减退,无永久性的甲状腺和甲状旁腺功能减退;1例术后有较重的栓塞后综合征反应。其余并发症均经治疗后消失,随访至少1年以上,无其他不良反应。结论反流误栓是甲状腺动脉栓塞术治疗Graves病并发症产生的重要原因,栓塞时必须作超选插管、避开危险吻合、防止反流误拴,严格透视下操作,以期降低并发症、提高疗效。     

Radioiodine treatment of hyperthyroidism using a simplified dosimetric approach. Clinical results

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a simplified dosimetric approach to the iodine-131 treatment of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease or uninodular and multinodular toxic goiter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 189 patients with biochemically confirmed hyperthyroidism and performed thyroid ultrasonography and scintigraphy obtaining the diagnosis of Graves' disease in 43 patients, uninodular toxic goiter in 57 patients and multinodular toxic goiter in 89 patients. In 28 patients we found cold thyroid nodules and performed fine-needle aspiration with negative cytology for thyroid malignancy in all cases. Antithyroid drugs were stopped 5 days till radioiodine administration and, if necessary, restored 15 days after the treatment. Radioiodine uptake test was performed in all patients and therapeutic activity calculated to obtain a minimal activity of 185 MBq in the thyroid 24 hours after administration. The minimal activity was adjusted based on clinical, biochemical and imaging data to obtain a maximal activity of 370 MBq after 24 hours. RESULTS: Biochemical and clinical tests were scheduled at 3 and 12 months posttreatment and thyroxine treatment was started when hypothyroidism occurred. In Graves' disease patients a mean activity of 370 MBq (distribution 259-555 MBq) was administered. Three months after treatment and at least 15 days after methimazole discontinuation 32 of 43 (74%) patients were hypothyroid, 5 of 43 (11%) euthyroid and 6 of 43 (15%) hyperthyroid. Three of the latter were immediately submitted to a new radioiodine administration while 32 hypothyroid patients received thyroxine treatment. One year after the radioiodine treatment no patient had hyperthyroidism; 38 of 43 (89%) were on a replacement treatment while 5 (11%) remained euthyroid. In uni- and multinodular toxic goiter a mean activity of 444 MBq (distribution 259-555 MBq) was administered. Three months posttreatment 134 of 146 (92%) patients were euthyroid and 12 of 146 (8%) patients hyperthyroid. Two patients were immediately submitted to a new radioiodine administration. One year posttreatment 142 of 146 (97%) patients were euthyroid while only 4 of 146 (3%) patients showed TSH levels above the normal range. Only 2 of them required thyroxine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The simplified dosimetric method illustrated in our paper is very effective in clinical practice because it permits to avoid resorting to sophisticated but also imprecise quantitative methods. Hypothyroidism should not be considered as a major collateral effect of radioiodine treatment, particularly in Graves' disease. In fact, the pathogenesis of the disease requires an ablative treatment with both surgery and radioidine treatment and the control of hyperthyroidism and the prevention of relapse are the major clinical targets. Vice versa, hypothyroidism was very uncommon in uni- and multinodular toxic goiter when our dosimetric approach was applied.     

High pre-therapy [99mTc]pertechnetate thyroid uptake, thyroid size and thyrostatic drugs: predictive factors of failure in [131I]iodide therapy in Graves' disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several factors may interfere with the success rate of radioiodine therapy (RIT) in Graves' disease. Our aim was to evaluate, retrospectively, some of these factors in the outcome of RIT. METHODS: Patient gender, age at diagnosis, ophthalmopathy, disease duration, thyroid size, drug used as clinical treatment, thionamide withdrawal period during RIT preparation, FT4, TSH and [99mTc]pertechnetate thyroid uptake prior to RIT were studied as potential interference factors for RIT success. Eighty-two Graves' disease patients were submitted to RIT after thionamide treatment failure. Prior to RIT, 67 patients were receiving methimazole and 15 propylthiouracil. Thirty-three patients received thionamides during RIT; in 49 patients the medication was withdrawn for 2-30 days. [99mTc]pertechnetate thyroid uptake was determined before RIT. Fixed doses of 370 MBq of [131I]iodide were administered to all patients. RESULTS: Eleven patients became euthyroid; 40 became hypothyroid and 31 remained hyperthyroid. There was no association between outcome and age at diagnosis, gender, ophthalmopathy, pre-RIT FT4, TSH, antithyroid antibodies or thyrostatic drug. Multiple logistic regression showed higher probability of treatment success in patients with thyroid mass <53 g (odds ratio (OR)=8.9), with pre-RIT thyroid uptake <12.5% (OR=4.1) and in patients who withdrew thionamide before RIT (OR=4.9). CONCLUSIONS: Fixed doses of 370 MBq of radioiodine seem to be practical and effective for treating Graves' disease patients with [99mTc]pertechnetate uptake <12.5% and thyroid mass <53 g. This treatment is clearly not recommended for patients with large goitre. In contrast to what could be expected, patients with a high pre-RIT thyroid uptake presented a higher rate of RIT failure.     

Utility of color duplex sonography in the assessment of efficacy of the stellate ganglion blockade

Purpose: 
To assess the hemodynamic changes in the upper extremity arteries after sympathetic ganglion blockade (SGB) by using spectral Doppler parameters and to determine the applicability of these parameters for the evaluation of SGB efficacy. Material and Methods: 
Spectral Doppler parameters (peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (mean V), flow volume, resistive and pulsatility indices (RI, PI), inner arterial diameters (intima to intima) (D) with simultaneous recordings of heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressures and upper extremity surface temperature changes) were recorded before and 5 min after during the first, fifth and tenth SGB procedures. Results: 
SGB induced an increase in skin temperature in the ipsilateral hand and persistent dilatation of the radial diameter accompanied by reduction of RI and PI in the radial and third digital arteries in all patients. Conclusion: 
Hemodynamic changes assessed by spectral Doppler parameters could be used as sensitive and objective measurements of peripheral sympathetic nervous activity and vascular tonus, and may confirm a successfully performed SGB.