RTA induced a marked TN volume shrinkage resulting in parallel improvement of pressure symptoms. In most patients with toxic TNs, hyperthyroidism significantly improved as well. RTA may represent a valid therapeutic approach in patients with TNs not receiving conventional treatments.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a hereditary syndrome predisposing to many endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Conventional imaging (CI) cannot provide satisfactory results for all the different types of MEN1-related tumors. Objective of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the role of (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in MEN1 compared to CI. Diagnostic performance of (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT for the detection of NET was evaluated as well as the prognostic role of SUVmax. Eighteen patients with genetically confirmed MEN1 were evaluated by (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT, endoscopic ultrasounds, multidetector-row computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and hormone/markers serum measurements. Four MEN1-related tumor sites (pancreas, pituitary, parathyroids, adrenals) were considered. Sensitivity and specificity of (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT for the detection of NET were calculated. There was (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT uptake in 11/11 patients with pancreatic lesions, in 9/12 with pituitary adenoma, in 5/15 with parathyroid enlargements, and in 5/7 with adrenal lesions. (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT showed sensitivity and specificity of 100 and 100 % in pancreas, 75 and 83 % in pituitary, 28 and 100 % in parathyroids, and 62.5 and 100 % in adrenals, respectively. Compared with CI, no significant difference in sensitivity for pancreas, pituitary, and adrenals was found, while CI had a better sensitivity for parathyroids (p = 0.002). On the ROC analysis, progression of pancreatic lesions was significantly associated to SUVmax <12.3 (p < 0.05). (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT is greatly helpful in the work-up of MEN1 providing a panoramic view of MEN1-related lesions. There is also a prognostic role of (68)Ga-PET in patients with MEN1-pancreatic lesions.
Liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumor (NET) can be treated by transarterial embolization (TAE) or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). The goal of TAE and TACE is to reduce blood flow to the tumor resulting in tumor ischemia and necrosis. In this retrospective study, the effectiveness and safety of TAE-TACE in the treatment of liver metastases in patients with NET was compared. Thirty patients with a histologically confirmed gastro-entero-pancreatic NET with liver metastases were retrospectively investigated. Seventeen patients underwent TAE, while 13 patients underwent TACE. Tumor response, degree of devascularization in treated lesions, and progression free survival (PFS) were evaluated in the whole population and then separately in TAE and TACE subgroups. In all patients treated with TAE and TACE, there was a significant size reduction of lesions as compared to baseline. Per lesion reduction was 2.2 ± 1.4 versus 3.3 ± 1.5 cm for TAE (p < 0.001) and 2.2 ± 1.5 versus 3.4 ± 1.7 cm for TACE (p < 0.001). In the whole population, the median PFS for all patients was 36 months (16.2-55.7 CI), without significant difference between TAE and TACE. In no patient did adverse events grade 3 and 4 as well as TAE/TACE-related death occurred, while the post-embolization syndrome occurred in 41 % of patients treated with TAE and 61 % of those treated with TACE. TAE and TACE are both effective in NET patients with liver metastases. TAE should be preferred to TACE in light of its similar anti-tumor effects and slightly better toxicity profile.
Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions had negative impact on the psychopathology of people with Eating Disorders (EDs). Factors involved in the vulnerability to stressful events have been under-investigated in this population. We aimed to assess which factors contributed to COVID-19-induced worsening in both general and specific psychopathology. Methods Three-hundred and twelve people with a clinically defined diagnosis of an ED and undergoing a specialist ED treatment in different Italian ED services before the spreading of COVID-19 pandemic filled in an online survey. ED specific and general psychopathology changes after COVID-19 quarantine were retrospectively evaluated. Factors related to COVID-19 concerns (financial condition, fear of contagion, perceived social isolation/support, satisfaction in peer, family or sentimental relationships), illness duration and treatment-related variables (type of treatment provided, type of access to care, satisfaction with therapeutic relationships) were included as predicting factors in a structural equational model, which included latent variables consisting of general and ED psychopathology items as outcomes. Results A perceived low quality of therapeutic relationships, fear of contagion and increased isolation were positively associated with psychopathology worsening. Reduced satisfaction with family and with friends' relationships and reduced perceived social support were associated with ED and general symptoms deterioration, respectively. No significant effect emerged for intimate relationships, illness duration, economic condition and type of treatment. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of clinical variables associated with psychopathological changes during the COVID-19 lockdown period highlighting potential risk and resilience factors and, possibly, informing treatment as well as prevention strategies for EDs. Level of evidence IV Evidence obtained from multiple time series analysis such as case studies
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