Related Disciplines > Otolaryngology

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Darija Tudor Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia

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Iva Kolombo Department of Pediatrics, Šibenik General Hospital, Šibenik, Croatia

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Ana Tot Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia

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Drasko Cikojevic Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia

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Marko Simunovic Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia
Department of Pediatrics, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia

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Veselin Skrabic Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia
Department of Pediatrics, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia

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Summary

This is a case report of a child with chronic hyponatremia due to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) as a paraneoplastic manifestation of olfactory neuroblastoma (OFN). We hereby report a clinical presentation as well as a pragmatic approach to one of the most common electrolytic disorders in the pediatric population and have emphasized the necessity of involving the sinonasal area in the diagnostic procedure while evaluating possible causes of SIADH. This report indicates that the chronicity of the process along with the gradual onset of hyponatremia occurrence is responsible for the lack of neurological symptoms at the moment of disease presentation.

Learning points

  • Hyponatremia is not infrequently attributed to SIADH.

  • Paraneoplastic syndromes are uncommon but they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric SIADH.

  • Chronic insidious hyponatremia may not be associated with clear neurological symptoms despite its severity.

Open access
Simone Pederzoli Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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Tiziana Salviato Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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Francesco Mattioli Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy

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Gianluca Di Massa Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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Giulia Brigante Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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Summary

We present the case of a 45-year-old Caucasian woman who attended the Endocrinology Unit for a left cervical mass discovered during follow-up for autoimmune chronic thyroiditis. The ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the lesion was consistent with a metastasis of follicular thyroid carcinoma. The sonographic neck evaluation revealed no thyroid nodules but three markedly hypoechoic and highly vascularized areas, with irregular margins and hyperechoic spots. In the clinical suspicion of primary thyroid neoplasm, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of two of the three areas was performed, but both cytological reports were non-diagnostic, revealing only colloid and blood. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgical removal of the cervical mass, with the intra-operatory consultation with frozen section examination suggesting follicular-like neoplasia. For this reason, thyroidectomy with both central and lateral neck dissection was performed. Surprisingly, the final histologic examination revealed chronic thyroiditis in the thyroid specimen and no evidence of metastasis in the left neck mass. Consequently, the pathological revision of the frozen section assessment led to the final diagnosis of chronic thyroiditis on the lateral ectopic thyroid. This case represents an uncommon example of lateral ectopic thyroid tissue with coexisting normally located thyroid tissue both affected by chronic thyroiditis.

Learning points

  • Ectopic thyroid must be considered in the diagnostic work-up of lateral neck mass.

  • Even if rare, ectopic thyroid tissue can be found lateral to the carotid sheath and with coexisting normally located thyroid tissue.

  • As the orthotopic tissue, lateral ectopic thyroid tissue can be affected by chronic thyroiditis, which may complicate the diagnosis both on ultrasound and cytology.

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Rishi Raj Pikeville Medical Center, Pikeville, Kentucky, USA

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Samaneh Hasanzadeh Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

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Mitra Dashtizadeh Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

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Mohammadreza Kalantarhormozi Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

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Katayoun Vahdat Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

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Mohammad Hossein Dabbaghmanesh Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

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Iraj Nabipour Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

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Mohammdreza Ravanbod Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

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Majid Assadi Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

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Basir Hashemi Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

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Kamyar Asadipooya University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

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Summary

Oncogenic osteomalacia secondary to glomus tumor is extremely rare. Localization of causative tumors is critical as surgical resection can lead to a complete biochemical and clinical cure. We present a case of oncogenic osteomalacia treated with resection of glomus tumor. A 39-year-old woman with a history of chronic sinusitis presented with chronic body ache and muscle weakness. Biochemical evaluation revealed elevated alkaline phosphatase hypophosphatemia, increased urinary phosphate excretion, low calcitriol, and FGF23 was unsuppressed suggestive of oncogenic osteomalacia. Diagnostic studies showed increase uptake in multiple bones. Localization with MRI of paranasal sinuses revealed a sinonasal mass with concurrent uptake in the same area on the octreotide scan. Surgical resection of the sinonasal mass was consistent with the glomus tumor. The patient improved both clinically and biochemically postoperatively. Along with the case of oncogenic osteomalacia secondary to a glomus tumor, we have also discussed in detail the recent development in the diagnosis and management of oncogenic osteomalacia.

Learning points

  • Tumor-induced osteomalacia is a rare cause of osteomalacia caused by the secretion of FGF23 from mesenchymal tumors.

  • Mesenchymal tumors causing TIO are often difficult to localize and treat.

  • Resection of the tumor can result in complete resolution of biochemical and clinical manifestations in a very short span of time.

  • Glomus tumor can lead to tumor induced osteomalacia and should be surgically treated.

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Joana Lima Ferreira Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Matosinhos, Portugal

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Bernardo Marques Department of Endocrinology, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Coimbra Francisco Gentil, Coimbra, Portugal

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C Willemien Menke-van der Houven van Oordt Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Wouter W de Herder Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, ENETS Center of Excellence, Erasmus Cancer Institute, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Tessa Brabander Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, ENETS Center of Excellence, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Johannes Hofland Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, ENETS Center of Excellence, Erasmus Cancer Institute, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Summary

Middle ear adenomas with neuroendocrine features (ANEF) are rare, with an estimated 150 reported cases. They usually pursue an indolent clinical course. Four reported cases of middle ear ANEF with distant metastases were treated with surgery, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and chemotherapy. To date, no successful systemic treatment for malignant behaviour of this rare tumour has been reported. Long-acting somatostatin analogues (SSAs) and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) have been used in well-differentiated metastatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), but their use has never been described in cases of metastatic middle ear ANEF. We report two patients with grade 1 middle ear ANEF treated with surgery and EBRT. They had stable disease for several years, until clinical symptoms appeared and extensive metastases were detected on 68Ga-DOTA0-Tyr3-octreotate (DOTATATE) PET/CT. Treatment with long-acting SSA was started, with stable disease for 1 year. Afterwards, despite undergoing local treatments, both patients presented progressive disease. Due to high-uptake metastases at 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT, both cases underwent four cycles of PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE, which secured disease control and improvement of quality of life in both. Similar to other well-differentiated NETs, SSA and PRRT could constitute efficacious therapeutic options in metastatic middle ear ANEF. Its neuroendocrine differentiation, potential to metastasize and somatostatin receptor type 2 expression prompt consideration and management of this disease as a neuroendocrine neoplasm.

Learning points

  • Our cases oppose the 2017 WHO classification of middle ear adenoma with neuroendocrine features as a benign disease.

  • This entity warrants long-term follow-up, as local recurrence or persistence of disease is reported in up to 18% of surgically treated patients.

  • PET/CT scan with 68Ga-labelled somatostatin analogues (SSA) can be used for staging of metastatic middle ear adenoma with neuroendocrine features.

  • Unlabelled SSA and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with radiolabelled SSA can be the first systemic therapeutic options for patients with advanced middle ear adenoma with neuroendocrine features.

Open access
Hannah E Forde Department of Endocrinology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

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Niamh Mehigan-Farrelly Department of Endocrinology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

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Katie Ryan Department of Pathology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

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Tom Moran Department of Otolaryngology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

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Megan Greally Department of Oncology, Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

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Austin G Duffy Department of Oncology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

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Maria M Byrne Department of Endocrinology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

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Summary

A 41-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department with a 6-month history of back and hip pain. Skeletal survey revealed bilateral pubic rami fractures and MRI of the spine demonstrated multiple thoracic and lumbar fractures. Secondary work up for osteoporosis was undertaken. There was no evidence of hyperparathyroidism and the patient was vitamin D replete. Testosterone (T) was low at 1.7 nmol/L (8.6–29.0) and gonadotrophins were undetectable. The patient failed a 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) with a morning cortisol of 570 nmol/L (<50) and subsequently a low dose DST with a cortisol post 48 h of dexamethasone of 773 nmol/L (<50) and an elevated ACTH 98 ng/L. A corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) test suggested ectopic ACTH secretion. The patient was commenced on teriparatide for osteoporosis and metyrapone to control the hypercortisolaemia. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan to look for the source of ACTH secretion demonstrated right neck adenopathy. Biopsy and subsequent lymph node dissection were performed and histology revealed a metastatic neuroendocrine tumour. Immunostaining was positive for calcitonin and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1). Serum calcitonin was also significantly elevated at 45 264 ng/L (<10). The patient proceeded to a total thyroidectomy and left neck dissection. Histology confirmed a 7 mm medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Post-operatively, the patient commenced vandetanib therapy and achieved a clinical and biochemical response. After approximately 18 months of vandetanib therapy, the patient developed recurrent disease in his neck. He is currently on LOXO-292 and is doing well 36 months post-diagnosis.

Learning points

  • Unexplained osteoporosis requires thorough investigation and the workup for secondary causes is not complete without excluding glucocorticoid excess.

  • MTC should be considered when searching for sources of ectopic ACTH secretion.

  • Resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors is well described with MTC and clinicians should have a low threshold for screening for recurrent disease.

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Stephanie J Kim Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA

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Eric Morris Bomberg Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

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Joshua Menke Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA

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Marika Russell Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA

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Elizabeth J Murphy Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA

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Differentiated thyroid cancers generally have favorable prognoses, though follicular thyroid cancer is overall associated with a worse prognosis due in part to increased incidence of distant metastasis. We report a case of a 51-year-old woman with a history of widely invasive follicular thyroid carcinoma treated with a total thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine and external beam radiation. Five and a half years following her surgery, she was found to have an axillary lymph node mass, multiple lung masses, and a hilar mass in the setting of declining thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies. Her metastases were initially thought to be due to a primary lung adenocarcinoma given a neoplastic cell immunophenotype that included an absence of Tg expression and co-expression of TTF-1 and Napsin A. However, PAX8 expression demonstrated that the axillary and hilar metastases were actually thyroid in origin rather than lung. Axillary metastases in differentiated thyroid carcinoma are exceedingly rare and previous reports have typically involved widely disseminated disease with extensive neck lymphadenopathy. With a decline in Tg antibodies levels in high-risk patients, one should consider progression and loss of differentiation of thyroid carcinoma rather than a response to treatment.

Learning points:

  • Axillary metastases in differentiated thyroid carcinoma are uncommon.

  • In patients with high-risk thyroid carcinomas, a decline in thyroglobulin antibody may not signal disease improvement, but rather a progression to a poorly differentiated form of cancer.

  • PAX8 staining can be used to differentiate thyroid carcinomas from lung adenocarcinomas.

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Nicolás Cruz-Dardíz Endocrinology Department, San Juan City Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Nadyeschka Rivera-Santana Endocrinology Department, San Juan City Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Marina Torres-Torres Internal Medicine Department, San Juan City Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Héctor Cintrón-Colón Internal Medicine Department, San Juan City Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Shayanne Lajud Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Ernesto Solá-Sánchez Endocrinology Department, San Juan City Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Michelle Mangual-García Endocrinology Department, San Juan City Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Alex González-Bóssolo Endocrinology Department, San Juan City Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Summary

Lingual thyroid (LT) gland is the most common type of ectopic thyroid tissue, but it is an extremely rare presentation. We present a case of a 41-year-old Hispanic female patient complaining of dysphonia and dysphagia. As part of the evaluation, fiber optic flexible indirect laryngoscopy (FIL) was performed which revealed a mass at the base of the tongue. The morphological examination was highly suspicious for ectopic thyroid tissue and the diagnosis was confirmed with neck ultrasound and thyroid scintigraphy. Although the patient presented subclinical hypothyroidism, levothyroxine therapy was initiated with a favorable response which included resolution of symptoms and mass size reduction. Our case portrays how thyroid hormone replacement therapy (THRT) may lead to a reduction in the size of the ectopic tissue and improvement of symptoms, thus avoiding the need for surgical intervention which could result in profound hypothyroidism severely affecting the patients’ quality of life.

Learning points:

  • Benign LT and malignant LT are indistinguishable clinically and radiographically for which histopathology is recommended.

  • THRT, radioactive iodine 131 (RAI) therapy, and surgical excision are potential management options for LT.

  • THRT may lead to size reduction of the ectopic tissue and resolution of symptoms avoiding surgical intervention.

Open access
Karen Decaestecker Department of Diabetology-Endocrinology, AZ Nikolaas, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

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Veerle Wijtvliet Department of Diabetology-Endocrinology, AZ Nikolaas, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

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Peter Coremans Department of Diabetology-Endocrinology, AZ Nikolaas, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

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Nike Van Doninck Department of Diabetology-Endocrinology, AZ Nikolaas, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

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Summary

ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism is caused by an ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) in 20% of cases. We report a rare cause of EAS in a 41-year-old woman, presenting with clinical features of Cushing’s syndrome which developed over several months. Biochemical tests revealed hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis and high morning cortisol and ACTH levels. Further testing, including 24-hour urine analysis, late-night saliva and low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, confirmed hypercortisolism. An MRI of the pituitary gland was normal. Inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) revealed inconsistent results, with a raised basal gradient but no rise after CRH stimulation. Additional PET-CT showed intense metabolic activity in the left nasal vault. Biopsy of this lesion revealed an unsuspected cause of Cushing’s syndrome: an olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) with positive immunostaining for ACTH. Our patient underwent transnasal resection of the tumour mass, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Normalisation of cortisol and ACTH levels was seen immediately after surgery. Hydrocortisone substitution was started to prevent withdrawal symptoms. As the hypothalamic–pituitary–axis slowly recovered, daily hydrocortisone doses were tapered and stopped 4 months after surgery. Clinical Cushing’s stigmata improved gradually.

Learning points:

  • Ectopic ACTH syndrome can originate from tumours outside the thoracoabdominal region, like the sinonasal cavity.

  • The diagnostic accuracy of IPSS is not 100%: both false positives and false negatives may occur and might be due to a sinonasal tumour with ectopic ACTH secretion.

  • Olfactory neuroblastoma (syn. esthesioneuroblastoma), named because of its sensory (olfactory) and neuroectodermal origin in the upper nasal cavity, is a rare malignant neoplasm. It should not be confused with neuroblastoma, a tumour of the sympathetic nervous system typically occurring in children.

  • If one criticises MRI of the pituitary gland because of ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism, one should take a close look at the sinonasal field as well.

Open access
Alexa Clark Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

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Marosh Manduch Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

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Russell Hollins Department of Otolaryngology, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

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Sara Awad Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

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Summary

We report a case of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting with a recurrent right-sided cervical lymph node necrotic cyst. A 55-year-old woman presented with a 3-month history of a right-sided upper neck mass following an upper respiratory tract infection. Past medical history includes a right-sided nephrectomy secondary to a benign renal tumor and hypertension. She was evaluated by Otolaryngology, and fine-needle aspiration was performed. The mass recurred 2 months following aspiration. Ultrasound of the neck showed a 2.2 × 1.4 × 1.9 cm right cervical lymph node with a small fatty hilum but a thickened cortex. Neck computed tomography (CT) scan showed a well-defined 2.3 cm mass in the right upper neck corresponding to a necrotic cervical lymph node at level IIA. It also revealed a 7 mm calcified left thyroid nodule. Cytology revealed a moderate collection of murky fluid with mildly atypical cells presumed to be reactive given the clinical history of infection. The cyst had re-grown 2 months following aspiration. Excisional biopsy was performed and revealed metastatic classic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Subsequently, a total thyroidectomy and right neck dissection was performed. Pathology confirmed metastatic unifocal classic PTC of the right thyroid lobe and two lymph node metastases out of a total of 17 resected lymph nodes. The patient underwent radioactive iodine ablation. Subsequent I-131 radioiodine whole-body scan showed no evidence of metastases. In conclusion, metastatic PTC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a recurrent solitary cystic cervical lymph node.

Learning points:

  • Metastatic PTC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a recurrent solitary cystic cervical lymph node.

  • A dedicated thyroid ultrasound is the preferred modality for identifying thyroid lesion over computed tomography.

  • There is a risk of non-diagnostic cytology following FNA for cystic neck lesions, largely predicted by the cyst content of the nodule.

Open access
Jin-Ying Lu Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

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Po-Ju Hung Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

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Pei-Lung Chen Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Department of Medical Genetics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

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Ruoh-Fang Yen Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

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Kuan-Ting Kuo Graduate Institute of Pathology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

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Tsung-Lin Yang Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

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Chih-Yuan Wang Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

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Tien-Chun Chang Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

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Tien-Shang Huang Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Department of Social Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Department of Medicine, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, 106, Taiwan

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Ching-Chung Chang Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan

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Summary

We report a case of follicular thyroid carcinoma with concomitant NRAS p.Q61K and GNAS p.R201H mutations, which manifested as a 13.5 cm thyroid mass with lung, humerus and T9 spine metastases, and exhibited good response to radioactive iodine treatment.

Learning points

  • GNAS p.R201H somatic mutation is an activating or gain-of-function mutation resulting in constitutively activated Gs-alpha protein and downstream cAMP cascade, independent of TSH signaling, causing autonomously functioning thyroid nodules.

  • NRAS p.Q61K mutations with GNAS p.R201H mutations are known for a good radioactive iodine treatment response.

  • Further exploration of the GNAS-activating pathway may provide therapeutic insights into the treatment of metastatic follicular carcinoma.

Open access