Simultaneous intrathyroidal parathyroid adenomas and multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma in a patient with kidney transplantation: a case report

Incidentally detected follicular thyroid carcinoma mimicking parathyroid adenoma on Tc-99m MIBI scan: A case report

RATIONALE

Primary hyperparathyroidism, though relatively prevalent among endocrine disorders, affecting 1% of the general population, often presents diagnostic challenges. Given its potential to precipitate severe complications including nephrolithiasis and fractures, timely diagnosis, and effective management are crucial.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 38-year-old woman with hypercalcemia was referred to the Department of Nuclear Medicine for a Tc-99m MIBI scan.

DIAGNOSES

Tc-99m MIBI scan showed focal increased uptake in the left thyroid gland area, initially suggesting a parathyroid adenoma. Further examination using SPECT/CT revealed a nodular lesion within the left thyroid gland showing high Tc-99m MIBI uptake.

INTERVENTIONS

Left thyroid lumpectomy confirmed the lesion as follicular thyroid carcinoma. On the second Tc-99m MIBI scan conducted after total thyroidectomy, a parathyroid adenoma was eventually detected in the right lower area, enabling the subsequent appropriate treatment, a right lower parathyroidectomy.

OUTCOMES

Thirteen days after the parathyroidectomy, serum levels of total calcium and parathyroid hormone returned to normal. Furthermore, bone mineral density evaluated using DEXA remained within the expected range for her age even after 14 months.

LESSONS

When interpreting the Tc-99m MIBI scan, it is essential to keep in mind that various tumors rich in mitochondria, such as thyroid carcinoma, could show a high uptake of Tc-99m MIBI.

An atypical concurrent occurrence of parathyroid adenoma and micropapillary thyroid carcinoma: First case reported in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most frequent endocrine cancer and most common thyroid cancer. The concurrent occurrence of both tumors however is a very rare occasional finding. Surgical treatment via excision is the only definitive. Our study aims to highlight a rare occurrence of concurrent parathyroid adenoma and micropapillary thyroid carcinoma.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe a 36-year-old female who presented to the outpatient clinic with a left thyroid nodule. Both a Tc-99m-MIBI parathyroid scan and Tc-99m thyroid scan were performed. A left total thyroidectomy was performed then subsequently the parathyroid adenoma was localized. Intra-operative parathyroid hormone decreased by >50 % from 531.5 pg/ml iPTH Stat to 39.8 pg/ml iPTH Stat which is diagnostic for proper localization. Two specimens were sent for histopathological evaluation. Histopathological evaluation of the first specimen confirmed the diagnosis of parathyroid adenoma. Histopathological evaluation of the second specimen revealed that the presence of papillary microcarcinoma of a size of 0.8 cm and pathologic staging to be pT1a, pNx, pMx.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first case of concurrent occurrence of parathyroid adenoma and micropapillary thyroid carcinoma reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Intraoperatively, management was done by via excision and confirmation of the parathyroid localization was done via intraoperative parathyroid hormone level measurement. We recommend more extensive studies to identify any possible patterns or predictors of finding these two concurrent tumors.

A Silent Non-thyroidal Adenoma in the Thyroid

The surgeon needs to assess clinically significant thyroid nodules as they may represent aggressive forms of thyroid cancer or ectopic parathyroid glands. We discuss one such unusual nodule in the thyroid.

Effects of hydroxychloroquine on proteinuria in membranous nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Many patients with primary membranous nephropathy have severe proteinuria unresponsive to optimized renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine as an adjunctive agent in membranous nephropathy (MN) treatments.

METHODS

We prospectively recruited 126 patients with biopsy-proven primary membranous nephropathy and urinary protein 1-8 g/day while receiving optimized RAASi treatment for ≥ 3 months and well-controlled blood pressure. Forty-three patients received hydroxychloroquine and RAASi (hydroxychloroquine-RAASi group), and 83 patients received RAASi alone (RAASi group). Treatment responses, including proteinuria reduction, complete and partial remission rates, and autoantibody against phospholipase A2 receptor (anti-PLA2R) levels, were compared between the two groups at 6 months and over the long term.

RESULTS

At 6 months, the effective response rate (proteinuria reduction > 30%) (57.5% vs. 28.9%, P = 0.002), clinical remission rate (35.0% vs. 15.7%, P = 0.015), and percentage change in proteinuria (- 51.7% vs. - 21.9%, P < 0.001) were higher, and the rate of switching to immunosuppressants (25.0% vs. 45.8%, P = 0.027) was lower in the hydroxychloroquine-RAASi group than in the RAASi group. Hydroxychloroquine administration was an independent protective factor with an effective response (OR 0.37, P = 0.021). In the long term, the clinical remission rate was higher in the HCQ-RAASi group (62.5% vs. 38.6%, P = 0.013). Hydroxychloroquine therapy was associated with a higher rate of anti-PLA2R reduction (< 20 U/ml) (HR 0.28, P = 0.031). We observed no serious adverse events associated with hydroxychloroquine.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydroxychloroquine could be an option for patients with membranous nephropathy seeking to achieve proteinuria reduction and anti-PLA2R antibody reduction in addition to optimized RAASi. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2100045947, 20210430, retrospectively registered.

Co-occurrence of bilateral intrathyroidal parathyroid gland and papillary thyroid carcinoma; a case report

Introduction

Intrathyroidal parathyroid is a parathyroid completely embedded within the thyroid parenchyma. The aim of this study is to present a case with co-occurring bilateral normal intrathyroidal parathyroid glands and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Case presentation

A 35-year-old female presented with anterior neck swelling for a duration of a week. The patient was generally asymptomatic. Ultrasound showed mild enlargement of the thyroid gland, and a well-defined solid nodule measuring 9 ∗ 8 ∗ 7 mm in the left lobe with malignant characteristics. Laboratory findings were within normal limits. Fine needle aspiration of the nodule resulted in the diagnosis of PTC. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of well differentiated multifocal bilateral PTC alongside two bilaterally located intrathyroidal parathyroid glands.

Discussion

The occurrence of normal ITP is exceedingly rare, and even rarer when simultaneous with other thyroidal lesions. It is theorized that inferior parathyroid glands arise from the third pharyngeal pouch, and during embryogenesis they might migrate to other anatomic locations. In this case, two bilateral normal ITP were present with PTC.

Conclusion

Normal ITP presents a diagnostic challenge due to their high insensitivity to current preoperative diagnostic techniques; hence, surgeons are required to carefully examine thyroid tissue during thyroidectomy when missing parathyroid glands are observed.

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Intrathyroidal parathyroid is completely embedded parathyroid gland within the thyroid parenchyma.

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The ectopic localization of parathyroid inside the thyroid is uncommon.

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It is even rarer when synchronous with another thyroidal tumor.

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In this study, a case of co-occurring bilateral normal ITP and papillary thyroid carcinoma is discussed.