Recombinant Thyrotropin vs Levothyroxine Withdrawal in 131I Therapy of N1 Thyroid Cancer: A Large Matched Cohort Study (ThyrNod)

CONTEXT

Recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) has been shown to be an effective stimulation method for radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer, including in those with nodal metastases (N1 DTC).

OBJECTIVES

To demonstrate the noninferiority of rhTSH vs thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) in preparation to RAI regarding disease status at the first evaluation in the real-life setting in patients with N1 DTC.

DESIGN

This was a French multicenter retrospective study. Groups were matched according to age (<45/≥45 years), number of N1 nodes (≤5/>5 lymph nodes), and stage (pT1-T2/pT3).

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 404 patients pT1-T3/N1/M0 DTC treated with rhTSH (n = 205) or THW (n = 199). Pathological characteristics and initially administrated RAI activities (3.27 ± 1.00 GBq) were similar between the two groups. At first evaluation (6 to 18 months post-RAI), disease-free status was defined by thyroglobulin levels below threshold and a normal ultrasound. Disease-free rate was not inferior in the rhTSH group (75.1%) compared with the THW group (71.9%). The observed difference between the success rates was 3.3% (-6.6 to 13.0); rhTSH was therefore considered noninferior to THW because the upper limit of this interval was <15%. At the last evaluation (29.7 ± 20.7 months for rhTSH; 36.7 ± 23.8 months for THW), 83.5% (rhTSH) and 81.5% (THW) of patients achieved a complete response. This result was not influenced by any of the known prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

A preparation for initial RAI treatment with rhTSH was noninferior to that with THW in our series of pT1-T3/N1/M0-DTC on disease-free status outcomes at the first evaluation and after 3 years.

A proposal for standardized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) descriptors of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) - From the International Society for AIP

Abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) is used to describe a placenta that does not separate naturally after delivery and cannot be extirpated without causing abnormally high blood loss. Recently, the use of a standardized terminology for descriptors of AIP signs seen on ultrasound has been prosed but to date no such unified descriptors have been developed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this paper is to propose a unified terminology based on a consensus opinion from the members of the International Society for AIP (IS-AIP) that include obstetricians, gynecologists, radiologists, pathologists, anesthesiologists and basic science researchers. We assume that using these standardized MRI descriptors for AIP will be useful for clinical use, education, teaching and future research projects, thus assumably improving care of patients with this condition. In addition, using a uniform terminology for AIP should become the first step of a standardized MRI report.

Assessment of Renal Dysfunction Improves the Simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) for Risk Stratification in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Background: Whereas the major strength of the simplified pulmonary embolism severity index (sPESI) lies in ruling out an adverse outcome in patients with sPESI of 0, the accuracy of sPESI ≥ 1 in risk assessment remains questionable. In acute pulmonary embolism (APE), the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can be viewed as an integrate marker reflecting not only previous chronic kidney disease (CKD) damage but also comorbid conditions and hemodynamic disturbances associated with APE. We sought to determine whether renal dysfunction assessment by eGFR improves the sPESI score risk stratification in patients with APE. Methods: 678 consecutive patients with APE were prospectively enrolled. Renal dysfunction (RD) at diagnosis of APE was defined by eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² and acute kidney injury (AKI) by elevation of creatinine level >25% during in-hospital stay. Results: RD was observed in 26.9% of the cohort. AKI occurred in 18.8%. A stepwise increase in 30-day mortality, cardiovascular mortality and overall mortality was evident with declining renal function. Multivariate analysis identified RD and CRP (C-reactive protein) level but not sPESI score as independent predictors of 30-day mortality. AKI, 30-day mortality, overall mortality, and cardiovascular mortality were at their highest level in patients with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² and sPESI ≥1. Conclusion: in patients with APE, the addition of RD to the sPESI score identifies a specific subset of patients at very high mortality.

Performance of 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography with computed tomography to assess inflammatory and structural sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging in axial spondyloarthritis

OBJECTIVES

To assess increased sacroiliac joint (SIJ) uptake on 18F-NaF PET/CT according to a qualitative and quantitative approach and to compare with MRI SIJ assessments for structural and inflammatory sacroiliitis in a population of 23 patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) (IDRCB: 2012-A00568-35; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT 02869100).

METHODS

This single-center prospective study included 23 patients with active SpA according to the ASAS and/or modified NY criteria. All patients had a pelvic AP-view radiograph, MRI of the SIJ and 18F-NaF PET/CT examinations within a month, which were analysed by three blinded readers. For MRI data, the SIJs were assessed according to the ASAS criteria and SPARCC method for scoring structural lesions (erosion, sclerosis, fat metaplasia, backfill and ankylosis) and inflammation. On the 18F-NaF PET, the SIJs were scored according to a slice-by-slice approach. Abnormal uptake was assessed using a qualitative method inspired by the ASAS criteria and two quantitative approaches (the PET-activity score according to the SPARCC method and the maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) for each SIJ).

RESULTS

Structural sacroiliitis was observed on 7 radiographs and 15 MRIs. 10 MRIs showed inflammatory sacroiliitis (mean SPARCC 18.7). Twenty patients had a positive PET with a mean PET-activity score of 18.2 (±8.7). The mean SUVmax for a positive PET was 1.78 vs. 1.45 for a negative one. The inter-reader reliability was good for the PET activity score (ICC= 0.56 [IC-95: 0.32; 0.76]) and good to excellent for the SUVmax (ICC=0.70-0.90 [IC-95: 0.41; 0.96]). According to a binary approach, a positive PET was not correlated with a positive MRI for structural sacroiliitis. The PET-activity score (r=0.61, p=0.001) and SUVmax (r=0.56, p=0.004) were correlated with the SPARCC inflammation score but not with structural sacroiliitis or for SPARCC structural lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal uptake by the SIJ on 18F-NaF PET is more frequent (87.0%) than inflammatory (43.5%) and structural sacroiliitis (65.2%) on MRI in a population of SpA patients. The PET activity score and SUVmax had good correlations with inflammatory sacroiliitis but not with structural lesions on MRI.

Variable phenotypic expression of Apert syndrome in monozygotic twins

Apert syndrome in monozygotic twins can lead to different phenotypic expression of the disease in the two fetuses. Apert syndrome can be associated with congenital left diaphragmatic hernia and cleft palate.

Predictors of successful manual rotation for occiput posterior positions

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of the success of manual rotation of fetuses in an occiput posterior position.

METHODS

A prospective, observational, single-center study included all women with a singleton pregnancy at term with a fetus in an occiput posterior position for whom manual rotation was attempted from December 1, 2013, to April 30, 2015 at a tertiary care maternity unit in Nancy, France. Occiput posterior position was confirmed by ultrasonography, and success of manual rotation was defined by the occiput anterior position of the fetus after the attempt.

RESULTS

Occiput posterior position was diagnosed in 233 (9.2%) of the 2522 deliveries during the study period and the majority of cases were managed successfully by manual rotation (167 [71.7%]). Factors associated with successful rotation were fetal engagement (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-4.56), spontaneous labor (aOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.01-3.43), and no failure to progress (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.02-3.94). Successful manual rotation was associated with lower rates of cesarean (P<0.001) and instrumental (P<0.001) deliveries.

CONCLUSION

Study findings suggested that manual rotation, especially after fetal engagement, succeeded more often when performed systematically than when it was attempted after failure to progress.

[Maternal outcomes in case of cesarean before 32weeks of gestation: A retrospective observational study]

OBJECTIVES

In recent years, active neonatal care in case of prematurity leads to an increase of cesarean delivery rate. Data remains sparse on maternal morbidity induced by preterm cesareans and especially before 32 weeks of gestation. The main aim of this study was to evaluate per-partum maternal morbidity in case of cesarean performed before 32 week of gestation. As secondary objectives, we assessed post-partum maternal morbidity and factors associated with maternal morbidity.

METHODS

This is a retrospective single-center study conducted in a tertiary care unit between 2014 and 2016 including cesareans performed before 32 week of gestation in the study period. The primary outcome was a composite criterion of per partum maternal morbidity including post-partum hemorrhage, blood transfusion, general anesthesia, surgical wounds and maternal death. The secondary outcome was the post-partum maternal morbidity, defined by a composite criterion including hospitalization more than 7 days, infectious disease, wall and digestive complication and venous thromboembolic disease.

RESULTS

Two hundred and eleven women were included. Maternal morbidity occurred in 21.3% in per partum and in 20.4% in post-partum. The factors associated with per partum morbidity were low-lying placenta (OR=4.40 [1.01-19.09]) and non-fetal indication of cesarean (OR=2.10[1.01-4.42]). The factors associated with post-partum morbidity were twin-pregnancy (OR=2.90 [1.12-7.54]), general anesthesia (OR=4.19 [1.68-10.49]) and non-cephalic fetal presentation (OR= 2.70 [1.23-5.93]).

CONCLUSION

The maternal morbidity of cesareans before 32 week of gestation is more than 20%. This study confirms the high maternal morbidity associated with caesareans performed before 32 weeks of gestation.

Chain pain following cardiac surgery in a 35-year-old man

CLINICAL INTRODUCTION

A 35-year-old man with multiple cardiovascular risk factors presented with a recent history of fever and acute heart failure. His initial echocardiogram showed evidence of severe aortic regurgitation due to ongoing infective endocarditis. Preoperative coronary angiography revealed no coronary abnormalities. Urgent aortic valve replacement was performed and a 29 mm St Jude mechanical valve was implanted. While blood and resected valvular tissue cultures were negative for bacteria, a PCR-based analysis revealed the presence of penicillin-sensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae. Echocardiographic follow-up study at day 3 showed excellent mechanical valve function with no persistent signs of endocarditis. Eight days after surgery, our patient presented with severe chest pain. The ECG is shown in figure 1A and coronary angiography was performed for diagnostic confirmation (figure 1B-D and online supplementary video 1).DC1SP110.1136/heartjnl-2018-313577.supp1Supplementary file 1 heartjnl;105/3/234/F1F1F1Figure 1(A) 12-lead ECG. (B, C) Selective angiogram of the left main, left anterior descending artery and circumflex artery. (D) Aortic root angiography.

QUESTION

Which of the following is most likely the diagnostic?Occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary arteryDissection of the left anterior descending coronary arteryValsalva aneurysm presenting as an acute coronary syndromeLeft anterior descending coronary artery spasmLeft main coronary aneurysm.

Outcome after ablation in patients with low-risk thyroid cancer (ESTIMABL1): 5-year follow-up results of a randomised, phase 3, equivalence trial

BACKGROUND

In ESTIMABL1, a randomised phase 3 trial of radioactive iodine (131I) administration after complete surgical resection in patients with low-risk thyroid cancer, 92% of patients had complete thyroid ablation at 6-10 months, defined as a recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH)-stimulated serum thyroglobulin concentration of 1 ng/mL or less and normal findings on neck ultrasonography. Equivalence was shown between low-activity (1·1 GBq) and high-activity (3·7 GBq) radioactive iodine and also between the use of rhTSH injections and thyroid hormone withdrawal. Here, we report outcomes after 5 years of follow-up.

METHODS

This multicentre, randomised, open-label, equivalence trial was done at 24 centres in France. Between March 28, 2007, and Feb 25, 2010, we randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) adults with low-risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma who had undergone total thyroidectomy to one of four strategies, each combining one of two methods of thyrotropin stimulation (rhTSH or thyroid hormone withdrawal) and one of two radioactive iodine activities (1·1 GBq or 3·7 GBq). Randomisation was by computer-generated sequence, with variable block size. Follow-up consisted of a yearly serum thyroglobulin measurement on levothyroxine treatment. Measurement of rhTSH-stimulated thyroglobulin and neck ultrasonography were done at the discretion of the treating physician. No evidence of disease was defined as serum thyroglobulin of 1 ng/mL or less on levothyroxine treatment and normal results on neck ultrasonography, when performed. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00435851.

FINDINGS

726 patients (97% of the 752 patients originally randomised) were followed up. At a median follow-up since randomisation of 5·4 years (range 0·5-9·2), 715 (98%) had no evidence of disease. The other 11 had either structural disease (n=4), raised serum thyroglobulin concentration (n=5), or indeterminate findings on neck ultrasonography (n=2). At ablation, six of these patients had received 1·1 GBq radioactive iodine (five after rhTSH and one after withdrawal) and five had received 3·7 GBq (two after rhTSH and three after withdrawal). TSH-stimulated (either after rhTSH injections or thyroid hormone withdrawal according to the treatment group) thyroglobulin concentration measured at the time of ablation was prognostic for structural disease status at ablation, ablation status at 6-10 months, and the final outcome.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings suggest that disease recurrence was not related to the strategy used for ablation. These data validate the use of 1·1 GBq radioactive iodine after rhTSH for postoperative ablation in patients with low-risk thyroid cancer.

FUNDING

French National Cancer Institute (INCa), French Ministry of Health, and Sanofi Genzyme.