thyroid

Alemtuzumab-induced thyroid events in multiple sclerosis. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Autoimmune thyroid events (ATEs) are common side effects after alemtuzumab (ALZ) therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Our purpose was to reach more robust evidence on prevalence and outcome of the spectrum of alemtuzumab-induced autoimmune thyroid events in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The clinical phenotype of Graves' disease occurring as an isolated condition or in association with other autoimmune diseases

Graves' disease (GD) can present as an isolated disease (iGD) or in association with other autoimmune diseases (aGD). The aim of this study, performed in two Endocrine referral centers settled in different geographical areas of Italy, was to compare the anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical phenotype of iGD patients with that of the aGD ones.

Sunitinib in the treatment of thyroid cancer

Background: Sunitinib (SU11248) is an oral multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with low molecular weight, that inhibits platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGF-Rs) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs), c-KIT, fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) and RET. The concurrent inhibition of these pathways reduces tumor vascularization and causes cancer cell apoptosis, inducing a tumor shrinkage. Sunitinib is approved for the treatment of imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), renal carcinoma, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Thyroid diseases and skin autoimmunity

The skin is the largest organ of the body, at the boundary with the outside environment. Primarily, it provides a physical and chemical barrier against external insults, but it can act also as immune organ because it contains a whole host of immune-competent cells of both the innate and the adaptive immune systems, which cooperate in eliminating invading pathogens following tissue injury. On the other hand, improper skin immune responses lead to autoimmune skin diseases (AISD), such as pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, vitiligo, and alopecia.

Nodular thyroid disease with aging

Epithelial thyroid cancers (TC) comprise two differentiated histotypes (DTC), the papillary (PTC) and the follicular (FTC) TC which, following dedifferentiation, progress toward the poorly differentiated TC (PDTC) and the highly aggressive anaplastic TC (ATC). Even though thyroid cancer mortality did not change, its annual incidence has increased over the last two decades, largely due to the improved ability to diagnose malignant transformation in small non-palpable thyroid nodules.

Comparison of high intensity focused ultrasound and radioiodine for treating toxic thyroid nodules

Purpose: We compared the effectiveness of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and radioiodine (RAI) to treat patients carrying toxic thyroid nodule (TTN). Normalization of serum thyrotropin (TSH) 1 year after treatment was the primary end-point; concurrent changes in nodules' volume and scintigraphic pattern were also evaluated as secondary end-points.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for benign thyroid nodules without anesthesia or sedation

Background: Thermal ablation of thyroid nodules has gained momentum due to the possibility to avoid surgery. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) allows thermal treatment by energy ultrasound beam inside the targeted zone. Aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of HIFU treatment using Beamotion mode without anesthesia. Methods: Since 2016, patients with normal thyroid function, benign thyroid nodules with diameter no larger than 4 cm, and presenting local discomfort and/or compressive symptoms were treated by HIFU. We performed Beamotion HIFU and did not use anesthesia.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for benign thyroid nodules: 2-year follow-up results

Background: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is the last introduced thermal treatment of thyroid nodules. Here we evaluated the results at 24 months after HIFU. Methods: Since 2016, HIFU was considered as a therapeutic option at our institute in patients with benign thyroid nodules presenting local symptoms. We searched in our database all patients who had undergone thyroid HIFU and selected for the study only cases followed-up for at least 24 months after the treatment. Volume reduction rate (VRR) was evaluated. A reduction above 50% defined the success of HIFU.

Performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in assessing thyroid nodules: a systematic review and meta-analysis using histological standard of reference

Background: The present study was undertaken to systematically review the literature on the reliability of using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to assess thyroid nodules. To avoid the potential bias in studies using a cytological standard of reference, here we aimed to meta-analyze data from studies adopting histological diagnosis as the gold standard. Methods: A comprehensive literature exploration of PubMed and Scopus was conducted. The search was updated until June 2018 and references of the retrieved articles screened.

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