The changing face of reoperative parathyroidectomy: a single-centre comparison of 147 parathyroid reoperations

IntroductionReoperative parathyroidectomy for persistent and recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism is dependent on radiology. This study aimed to compare outcomes in reoperative parathyroidectomy at a single centre using a combination of traditional and newer imaging studies.Materials and methodsRetrospective case note review of all reoperative parathyroidectomies for persistent and recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism over five years (June 2014 to June 2019; group A). Imaging modalities used and their positive predictive value, complications and cure rates were compared with a published dataset spanning the preceding nine years (group B).ResultsFrom over 2000 parathyroidectomies, 147 were reoperations (101 in group A and 46 in group B). Age and sex ratios were similar (56 vs 62 years; 77% vs 72% female). Ultrasound use remains high and shows better positive predictive value (76% vs 57 %). 99mTc-sestamibi use has declined (79% vs 91%) but the positive predictive value has improved (74% vs 53%). 4DCT use has almost doubled (61% vs 37%) with better positive predictive value (88% vs 75%). 18F-fluorocholine positron emission tomography-computed tomography and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for parathyroid hormone are novel modalities only available for group A. Both carried a positive predictive value of 100%. Venous sampling with or without angiography use has decreased (35% vs 39%) but maintains a high positive predictive value (86% vs 91%). Cure rates were similar (96% vs 100%). Group A had 5% permanent hypoparathyroidism, 1% permanent vocal cord palsy and 1% haematoma requiring reoperation. No complications for group B.ConclusionOptimal imaging is key to good cure rates in reoperative parathyroidectomy. High-quality, non-interventional imaging techniques have produced a shift in the preoperative algorithm without compromising outcomes.     

Lung bullae and pulmonary fibrosis associated with marijuana smoking

A 26‐year‐old man with a history of heavy marijuana and minimal tobacco use was found to have extensive bilateral lung bullae and interstitial fibrosis, heavily infiltrated by pigmented macrophages. These features can be associated with marijuana smoking. The differential diagnoses in this patient are also discussed.     

Chylothorax in Henoch-Schonlein purpura: a case report and review of the literature

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common acute vasculitis in the pediatric population, with an incidence of 10-14 per 100,000. The classic presentation of this disorder includes erythematous papules followed by palpable purpura in the lower extremities, trunk, and face, arthralgia or arthritis, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, and nephritis. While renal abnormalities in HSP are common, the classic pulmonary manifestations, such as hemorrhage and pneumonitis, are thought to be infrequent. Subclinical pulmonary manifestations, including diffusion defects and radiographic anomalies, seem to be quite frequent in patients with HSP but are not commonly reported. Other respiratory manifestations include pleural effusion and chylothorax, but these are rarely mentioned in the literature. Chylothorax was only reported once in an adult patient with HSP in whom the mechanism of formation was demonstrated to be secondary to transdiaphragmatic passage of chylous fluid from the peritoneal cavity. Here we describe an 8-year-old girl with HSP, nephrotic syndrome, and chylothorax, and we report the results of a review of the literature regarding respiratory complications in HSP. The present case is the first pediatric patient reported with HSP and chylothorax. The therapeutic measures utilized were effective in resolving her edema, ascites, and chylothorax, and we advocate the use of these measures as first-line therapy in future patients with similar complications from HSP.     

Microhemorrhage is an early event in the pulmonary fibrotic disease of PECAM-1 deficient FVB/n mice

Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (PECAM-1) deficient mice in the FVB/n strain exhibit fatal chronic pulmonary fibrotic disease. The illness occurs in the absence of a detectable pro-inflammatory event. PECAM-1 is vital to the stability of vascular permeability, leukocyte extravasation, clotting of platelets, and clearance of apoptotic cells. We show here that the spontaneous development of fibrotic disease in PECAM-1 deficient FVB/n mice is characterized by early loss of vascular integrity in pulmonary capillaries, resulting in spontaneous microbleeds. Hemosiderin-positive macrophages were found in interstitial spaces and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in relatively healthy animals. We also observed a gradually increasing presence of hemosiderin-positive macrophages and fibrin deposition in the advanced stages of disease, corresponding to the accumulation of collagen, IL-10 expression, and myofibroblasts expressing alpha smooth muscle actin (SMA). Together with the growing evidence that pulmonary microbleeds and coagulation play an active part in human pulmonary fibrosis, this data further supports our hypothesis that PECAM-1 expression is necessary for vascular barrier function control and regulation of homeostasis specifically, in the pulmonary environment.