Background To evaluate FCH‐PET/CT and parathyroid 4D‐CT so as to guide surgery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and prior neck surgery. Methods Medical records of all patients referred for a FCH‐PET/CT in our institution were systematically reviewed. Only patients with pHPT, a history of neck surgery (for pHPT or another reason) and an indication of reoperation were included. All patients had parathyroid ultrasound (US) and Tc‐99m‐sestaMIBI scintigraphy, and furthermore, some patients had 4D‐CT. Gold standard was defined by pathological findings and/or US‐guided fine‐needle aspiration with PTH level measurement in the washing liquid. Results Twenty‐nine patients were included in this retrospective study. FCH‐PET/CT identified 34 abnormal foci including 19 ectopic localizations. 4D‐CT, performed in 20 patients, detected 11 abnormal glands at first reading and 6 more under FCH‐PET/CT guidance. US and Tc‐99m‐sestaMIBI found concordant foci in 8/29 patients. Gold standard was obtained for 32 abnormal FCH‐PET/CT foci in 27 patients. On a per‐lesion analysis, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were, respectively, 96%, 13%, 77% and 50% for FCH‐PET/CT, 75%, 40%, 80% and 33% for 4D‐CT. On a per‐patient analysis, sensitivity was 85% for FCH‐PET/CT and 63% for 4D‐CT. FCH‐PET/CT results made it possible to successfully remove an abnormal gland in 21 patients, including 12 with a negative or discordant US/Tc‐99m‐sestaMIBI scintigraphy result, with a global cure rate of 73%. Conclusion FCH‐PET/CT is a promising tool in the challenging population of reoperative patients with pHPT. Parathyroid 4D‐CT appears as a confirmatory imaging modality.

18F-FDOPA PET is of limited value in localizing pancreatic insulin secreting tumors in adult HH. Our results contrast with the referential study and require further analysis.

BackgroundPheochromocytoma, a rare catecholamine-producing tumor, might provoke stress-induced Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy and severe cardiogenic shock. Because venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) rescue of pheochromocytoma-induced refractory cardiogenic shock has rarely been reported, we reviewed our ICU patients’ presentations and outcomes.MethodsAll pheochromocytoma-induced refractory cardiogenic shock cases managed with VA-ECMO (January 2007–March 2015) were prospectively included and reviewed. We also performed a systematic review on this topic.ResultsNine patients (7 women, 2 men; 31–51 [median, 43 (IQR 36–49) years old]) were included; none had a previously known pheochromocytoma. Six of them had medical histories suggestive of the diagnosis: palpitations and headaches for several months for four, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 1 for one and recurrent Takotsubo disease for one; at hospital admission, all were hypertensive despite cardiogenic shock. Three others had an identified surgical triggering factor. All nine patients rapidly developed refractory cardiogenic shock with very severe left ventricular (LV) impairment (LV ejection-fraction range 5–20%; LV outflow-tract velocity–time integral range 3–8 cm). Seven patients’ abdominal computed tomography scans showed pheochromocytoma-suggestive adrenal gland tumors (no scan during ICU stay for 2). Despite VA-ECMO implantation, three patients died of refractory multiple organ failure. For the six others, myocardial function improved and ECMO was removed 3–7 days post-implantation; α- and β-blockers were progressively introduced. Five survivors underwent pheochromocytoma excision 3 weeks–4 months post-ICU discharge, with satisfactory outcomes. One patient, whose pheochromocytoma was diagnosed 1 year after the index event, underwent uneventful surgical adrenalectomy. Systematic review retrieved 40 cases of pheochromocytoma-induced cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical support (mostly ECMO), with a mortality rate of 7%. Pheochromocytoma was removed surgically after mechanical support weaning in 31 patients and during mechanical support in 5. Four were not operated.ConclusionsPheochromocytoma is a rare but reversible cause of cardiogenic shock amenable to VA-ECMO rescue. Adrenal gland imaging should be obtained for all patients with unexplained cardiogenic shock. Lastly, it might be safer to perform adrenalectomy several weeks after the initial catastrophic presentation, once recovery of LV systolic function is complete.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of operator experience on the treatment outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid nodules (BTN). Methods: Data from the 90 first RFA procedures of a single operator in treating benign thyroid nodules were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their chronological treatment rank: patients 1-30 (G1), 31-60 (G2) and 61-90 (G3). Clinical symptoms, volume reduction ratio (VRR), technique efficacy (TE) defined as a VRR > 50% and ablation ratio (AR) were compared between the three groups at 6 months follow-up. All complications and side effects were recorded. Results: No significant difference was observed in improvement of clinical symptoms after the RFA procedure between the three groups, with higher satisfaction however for pressure symptoms than for esthetic complaints (complete resolution 87.5% and 52.6%, respectively). In groups 1, 2 and 3, TE was 60%, 93.3%, 76.7%, VRR 54%, 65%, 60% and AR 13.1%, 34%, 34.6%, respectively. Thus, all ultrasound efficacy parameters (TE, VRR, AR) improved significantly between G1 and G2, with no difference between G2 and G3. Solely did AR improve in nodules 30 mL between G2 and G3 to reach a median value of 94.4% in G3 versus 57.1% in G2 and 13.7% in G1. Maximum values of TE and VRR (95.6% and 68%, respectively) were seen in nodules 30 mL in G2 at 6 months follow-up, with no improvement in G3 (84.2% and 63%, respectively). Both baseline volume and energy per volume were independently associated with VRR and AR. Three minor complications were recorded which all recovered totally after conservative treatment. Conclusion:There was a measurable learning curve in RFA for benign thyroid nodules regarding efficacy until 90 patients. VRR and AR can be used as proficiency markers. Only three transient complications occurred confirming the safety of the procedure.