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OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to determine whether preoperative thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in patients with multinodular goiter (MNG) and compressive symptoms influences the type of thyroid surgery performed, the incidence of recurrent thyroid cancer, or the need for successive surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 431 patients who underwent thyroidectomy at our institution from 2008 to 2011. Patients who presented with compressive symptoms and no prior FNA at initial presentation were included in this study. RESULTS: Eighty patients met the criteria for our study, of which 46 (57.5%) underwent FNA prior to surgery and 34 (42.5%) were referred to surgery without FNA. The prevalence rates of malignancy (>1 cm) on surgical pathology in the FNA and non-FNA groups were 41% (n = 19) and 38% (n = 13), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the rate of total/subtotal thyroidectomies (71.7% in FNA vs. 79.4% in non-FNA, P = .31), lobectomies/partial thyroidectomies (28.3% in FNA vs. 20.5% in non-FNA, P = .43), neck lymph node dissections (P = .89) or subsequent surgeries (P = .72) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that preoperative FNA in patients with an MNG and compressive symptoms does not influence the type of surgery performed, short-term outcomes, or the need for subsequent surgeries. Further studies are needed to validate the need for preoperative FNA in such patients. ABBREVIATIONS: FNA = fine-needle aspiration MNG = multinodular goiter WHO = World Health Organization.

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INTRODUCTION: The Azores archipelago has long been the Portuguese region that presents the highest mortality rates for certain cancers. Lack of incidence data has prevented the evaluation of the actual burden of this disease in the Azorean population. METHODS: Malignant tumours (ICD-O 5th Digit /3) initially diagnosed between the January 1st 2000 and December 31st 2002 were retrieved from the database of the recently established population-based cancer registry. Crude, age-specific and age-standardized rates were calculated and confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson approximation. Relative risks of developing cancer in the Azores when compared to mainland Portugal have been represented by standardized ratios. Quality indicators, including Mortality:Incidence (M:I) ratios, were also assessed. RESULTS: Overall, the data shows a high incidence rate for some malignant diseases, specifically in men. Compared to those living in mainland Portugal, both Azorean men (RR 1.412; 99% CI 1.407-1.416) and women (1.127; 1.125-1.129) presented a significantly higher risk of developing cancer, all sites combined. When compared with other cancer registries, a less favourable cancer survival pattern is reported in the Azores, as emphasized by higher M:I ratios for several cancer sites. CONCLUSIONS: A preliminary analysis of the results suggests the presence of some major risk factors in the Azorean population, namely tobacco smoking in men. Higher M:I ratios would also point to survival disparities between the Azores archipelago and the continent, which should be further studied.

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INTRODUCTION: The Azores archipelago has long been the Portuguese region that presents the highest mortality rates for certain cancers. Lack of incidence data has prevented the evaluation of the actual burden of this disease in the Azorean population. METHODS: Malignant tumours (ICD-O 5th Digit /3) initially diagnosed between the January 1st 2000 and December 31st 2002 were retrieved from the database of the recently established population-based cancer registry. Crude, age-specific and age-standardized rates were calculated and confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson approximation. Relative risks of developing cancer in the Azores when compared to mainland Portugal have been represented by standardized ratios. Quality indicators, including Mortality:Incidence (M:I) ratios, were also assessed. RESULTS: Overall, the data shows a high incidence rate for some malignant diseases, specifically in men. Compared to those living in mainland Portugal, both Azorean men (RR 1.412; 99% CI 1.407-1.416) and women (1.127; 1.125-1.129) presented a significantly higher risk of developing cancer, all sites combined. When compared with other cancer registries, a less favourable cancer survival pattern is reported in the Azores, as emphasized by higher M:I ratios for several cancer sites. CONCLUSIONS: A preliminary analysis of the results suggests the presence of some major risk factors in the Azorean population, namely tobacco smoking in men. Higher M:I ratios would also point to survival disparities between the Azores archipelago and the continent, which should be further studied.

INTRODUÇÃO: O arquipélago dos Açores é a região Portuguesa a apresentar as mais elevadas taxas de mortalidade por câncer desde há alguns anos. A ausência de dados de incidência tem constituído um obstáculo ao conhecimento da distribuição da doença oncológica na população açoriana. METODOLOGIA: Todos os tumores malignos (5º dígito da ICD-O: /3) diagnosticados pela primeira vez entre 1 de Janeiro de 2000 e 31 de Dezembro de 2002 foram retirados da base de dados do Registo Oncológico Regional dos Açores. Foram calculadas as taxas brutas, específicas por idade e padronizadas, e estimados os respectivos intervalos de confiança, bem como os riscos relativos de desenvolver câncer nos Açores, em relação a Portugal continental. Finalmente, foram estabelecidos alguns indicadores de qualidade do Registo, como a razão mortalidade:incidência. RESULTADOS: Em termos globais, os resultados demonstram que alguns cânceres, sobretudo nos homens, apresentam taxas de incidência relativamente elevadas. Considerando todas as localizações, quer os homens (RR 1.412; 99% IC 1.407-1.416) quer as mulheres açorianas (1.127; 1.125-1.129) apresentaram um risco significativamente maior de desenvolver câncer, quando comparados com Portugal continental. No que respeita à razão mortalidade:incidência, os resultados poderão eventualmente apontar para padrões de sobrevivência mais desfavoráveis nos Açores relativamente a outras regiões europeias, incluindo o continente. CONCLUSÃO: Uma análise preliminar dos resultados aponta para a existência de fatores de risco, como o consumo de tabaco, a contribuir para a elevada incidência de câncer do pulmão nos homens açorianos. Eventuais disparidades na sobrevivência por câncer entre os Açores e o continente deverão também ser futuramente estudadas.

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Activating mutations in the genes for fibroblast growth factor receptors 1-3 (FGFR1-3) are responsible for a diverse group of skeletal disorders. In general, mutations in FGFR1 and FGFR2 cause the majority of syndromes involving craniosynostosis, whereas the dwarfing syndromes are largely associated with FGFR3 mutations. Osteoglophonic dysplasia (OD) is a "crossover" disorder that has skeletal phenotypes associated with FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3 mutations. Indeed, patients with OD present with craniosynostosis, prominent supraorbital ridge, and depressed nasal bridge, as well as the rhizomelic dwarfism and nonossifying bone lesions that are characteristic of the disorder. We demonstrate here that OD is caused by missense mutations in highly conserved residues comprising the ligand-binding and transmembrane domains of FGFR1, thus defining novel roles for this receptor as a negative regulator of long-bone growth.

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BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism is associated with increased body weight. Weight gain may occur despite normal levels of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) achieved by replacement therapy. We evaluated the prevalence of patients on thyroid replacement for subnormal thyroid function who were operated on for morbid obesity and monitored their postoperative weight loss pattern. METHODS: Data was identified from a prospectively accrued database of patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) for morbid obesity from February 2000 to November 2001. All patients with subnormal thyroid function, diagnosed by past thyroid function tests and treated by an endocrinologist, who were on thyroid replacement therapy, were identified; 5 of these were matched for age, gender, preoperative body mass index (BMI) and surgical procedure (LRYGBP) to 5 non-hypothyroid patients. Weight loss at 3 and 9 months after surgery was compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: 192 patients underwent LRYGBP (n=155) or LAGB (n=37). Of the 21 patients (10.9%) on thyroid replacement identified, 14 were primary, 4 were postablative, and 3 were post-surgical; 17 underwent LRYGBP. All patients had normal preoperative serum levels of TSH and T4. Comparison of the 2 matched groups of patients revealed no difference in weight loss at 3 and 9 months after surgery (P=1.0). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of euthyroid patients on thyroid replacement for subnormal thyroid function who undergo surgical intervention for morbid obesity is high. Short-term weight loss in these patients is comparable to normal thyroid patients. Longer follow-up may be necessary to demonstrate the weight loss pattern in this group.

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Amiodarone causes thyrotoxicosis in 3% of US patients who use it. Two types of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis are recognized, designated type 1 and type 2, based on whether or not the patient had a preexisting thyroid disorder. Distinguishing between the two can be difficult, but it is important for providing appropriate therapy promptly.

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