Long-Term Follow-Up of a Patient With Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma,Elevated Thyroglobulin Levels,and Negative Imaging Studies

ObjectiveTo describe a patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma who had measurable thyroglobulin (Tg) levels for 20 years without clinical or imaging evidence of a malignant lesion.MethodsWe reviewed the clinical course, pathologic findings, Tg measurements, and results of various imaging studies in our patient and reviewed the literature regarding Tg-positive, diagnostic total-body radioiodine scan-negative patients with thyroid cancer.ResultsFour months after a 3.5- by 3.5-cm follicular thyroid cancer was removed from the anterior neck area of a 5-year-old girl, a bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy was performed. At age 12 years, she presented with a 2-cm mass on the right side of the neck. After a completion thyroidectomy, recurrent mixed papillary-follicular thyroid cancer was found scattered throughout the remaining thyroid parenchyma. Although a postoperative diagnostic total-body radioiodine scan did not reveal uptake of ¹³¹I, the Tg level was 58 ng/mL. Despite Tg levels as high as 2,528 ng/mL, the patient had no clinical evidence of thyroid cancer during a 20-year period of follow-up. Moreover, numerous imaging studies, including total-body scanning after the administration of 150 mCi of ¹³¹I and [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, were negative. Review of pathologic specimens from both operations with use of updated diagnostic criteria indicated that the tumor was a papillary thyroid carcinoma.ConclusionOur observations and the observations of other investigators indicate that some thyroid cancers produce Tg so efficiently that high levels of Tg may be associated with tumors that remain too small to be detected by imaging studies. The Tg levels may remain stable, decline, or even disappear over time without treatment. (Endocr Pract. 2005;11:43-48)     

Synchronous Parathyroid Carcinoma,Parathyroid Adenoma,and Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Patient with Severe and Long-Standing Hyperparathyroidism

ObjectiveTo describe a patient presenting with the rare constellation of synchronous parathyroid carcinoma, parathyroid adenoma, and papillary thyroid carcinoma.MethodsWe summarize the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, surgical management, and pathologic features of our patient and review the pertinent literature.ResultsThe patient was a 59-year-old man who presented with severe clinical manifestations of long-standing primary hyperparathyroidism, a serum calcium concentration of 14.4 mg/dL, and a parathyroid hormone level of 2,023 pg/mL. He was found to have a 3.4-cm parathyroid carcinoma on the left side and a 3.2-cm papillary carcinoma in the right thyroid lobe. In addition, a 917-mg parathyroid adenoma was found on the right side.ConclusionSynchronous parathyroid and thyroid carcinomas are extremely rare. To our knowledge, our patient is the first documented case with a parathyroid adenoma in addition to synchronous parathyroid and thyroid carcinomas. The presence of concurrent parathyroid carcinoma and parathyroid adenoma can cause diagnostic confusion and should be considered in patients presenting with severe hyperparathyroidism. Any concomitant thyroid nodules must be investigated to rule out thyroid carcinoma. (Endocr Pract. 2009;15:463-468)     

Delayed treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma arising from struma ovarii in a patient with history of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: a case report

ObjectiveWe present a case of papillary thyroid carcinoma arising from struma ovarii treated erroneously as ovarian adenocarcinoma for more than 3 years.MethodsWe report clinical, surgical, laboratory, and imaging findings of the study patient and review the relevant literature.ResultsA 64-year-old woman was treated for ovarian adenocarcinoma for more than 3 years before it was determined that she likely had papillary thyroid carcinoma arising from struma ovarii. This is the first reported case of thyroid carcinoma arising from struma ovarii in a patient with a history of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Possible etiologies include residual ovarian tissue after oophorectomy, ectopic thyroid, or metastatic thyroid cancer.ConclusionsIt is important to include struma ovarii and thyroid carcinoma arising from struma ovarii in the differential diagnosis, even with a history of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This case emphasizes the importance of effective communication among the pathologist, oncologist, and surgeon to ensure timely initiation of appropriate therapy and reduced patient morbidity. (Endocr Pract. 2012;18:e1-e4)     

Unusual Case of Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumor

ObjectiveTo report a rare case of metastatic growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary carcinoma causing acromegaly.MethodsWe present a case report and review the available literature on this topic.ResultsA 68-year-old woman presented with persistent acromegaly after treatment for a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma. Evaluation of long-standing cervical adenopathy revealed findings consistent with a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor. Further work-up revealed additional thyroid, parathyroid, and cervical masses. After operative treatment including total thyroidectomy, subtotal parathyroidectomy, partial thymectomy, and right modified radical neck dissection, the patient’s symptoms diminished, and her GH levels approached the normal range. Surgical pathology findings were consistent with a GH-secreting pituitary carcinoma metastatic to the cervical lymph nodes, multinodular thyroid hyperplasia with a focus of papillary microcarcinoma, and parathyroid hyperplasia.ConclusionOverall, pituitary carcinomas are extremely rare. To date, about 100 cases have been reported in the world’s literature, and of these, only 19 cases originated from GH-secreting cells. Our examination of the symptoms, signs, diagnosis, and treatment of our patient, in comparison with the previously reported cases, should enhance awareness of this unusual disease process. (Endocr Pract. 2007;13:72-76)     

Be Aware of the Patient With Benign Follicular Thyroid Lesion Histology and Rising Thyroglobulin Level

Objective: The accurate diagnosis of thyroid follicular/Hürthle cell tumors is challenging and a matter of controversy. We present a series of patients in whom a misclassification of follicular/Hürthle cell thyroid lesions as benign has led to devastating clinical outcomes.Methods: The Thyroid Cancer Registry of Rabin Medical Center was screened for patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) who had been initially diagnosed with benign follicular lesion between 1974 and 2015 and treated with hemithyroidectomy. Clinical, pathologic, and outcome data were collected from the medical files. Adequate pathology specimens, when available, were re-evaluated.Results: Seven patients met the inclusion criteria. The original pathologic diagnosis was follicular adenoma in 4 patients and Hürthle cell adenoma in 3 patients. Five patients had bone metastases, of whom one also had lung metastases and one, liver metastases. One patient had both cervical and lung metastases, and 1 patient had only meta-static neck lymph nodes. Six patients had a final diagnosis of encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (EFVPTC), and 1 patient was diagnosed as having follicular thyroid cancer metastasis by bone biopsy. In 3 of the patients, capsular invasion was detected retrospectively; only 1 patient had evidence of vascular invasion. All 7 patients had high levels of thyroglobulin at diagnosis of metastatic DTC.Conclusion: Misclassification of follicular thyroid lesions as benign may lead to progressive disseminated DTC. To minimize the clinical risk of misdiagnosis, especially if a thorough evaluation of the specimens by an experienced pathologist is unfeasible, we suggest long-term follow-up of serum thyroglobulin levels.Abbreviations: DTC = differentiated thyroid carcinoma; EFVPTC = encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma; FVPTC = follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma; NIFTP = noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features; PTC = papillary thyroid carcinoma     

Papillary Hyperplastic Nodule: Pitfall in the Cytopathologic Diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

ObjectiveTo identify the pitfalls of overdiagnosing papillary formation as papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in thyroid cytology specimens.MethodsPatients with papillary hyperplastic nodules who had preoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) were selected for this study. All patients had been diagnosed as having either PTC or lesions suggestive of PTC on preoperative FNAB. Pathology reports, surgical reports, and cytopathology slides were reviewed and analyzed for demographic data, nature of surgery, and pathologic features.ResultsSix women and 2 men with a mean age of 49 years (range, 16-79 years) were included. The lesion size ranged from 1.0 to 3.5 cm. Four patients were diagnosed as having PTC and 4 as having lesions suspicious for PTC. FNAB specimens were available for review in 6 cases. Surgical pathology slides were reviewed in all cases. When cytologic material was evaluated for the morphologic features that led to the misdiagnosis of PTC by comparing it with FNAB specimens of classic variant of PTC, the specimens from these patients showed follicular cells arranged in short, nonbranching papillae in a background of watery colloid and macrophages. The follicular cells were round and demonstrated oncocytic change with nuclear enlargement, prominent central nucleoli, nuclear chromatin clearing, and intranuclear grooves.ConclusionsCaution should be exercised rendering the diagnosis of PTC on FNAB samples when a thyroid lesion shows papillary configurations and oncocytic cells and if convincing nuclear features of PTC are not present. Furthermore, some morphologic features on thyroid aspiration can help differentiate these cases from true PTC. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:863-868)     

Papillary Carcinoma of a Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in a Patient with Thyroid Hemiagenesis: Effectiveness of Conservative Surgical Treatment

ObjectiveTo describe a case of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma that arose in a patient with right thyroid lobe hemiagenesis.MethodsWe present the imaging, physical examination findings, treatment, and clinical course of the study patient.ResultsA 35-year-old woman was evaluated for a neck mass that had been present for 6 months and was slowly growing. She reported a previous diagnosis of right hemithyroid agenesis. The patient’s preoperative workup included ultrasonography of the neck and head and neck T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, which showed right hemithyroid agenesis and a cystic lesion in the median region of the neck below the hyoid bone. Findings from chest x-rays and thyroid function tests were normal. The patient underwent a modified Sistrunk procedure that included removal of the median portion of the hyoid bone. Histologic findings showed a 2.5-cm thyroglossal duct cyst with a 0.6-cm focus of follicular variant of papillary carcinoma with invasion of the cyst wall. Total thyroidectomy was not performed because of the absence of tumoral invasion of the parenchyma around the thyroglossal duct cyst and because the patient was at low risk for aggressive disease. Cervical ultrasonography examinations were performed 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment, and all findings were normal. Presently, the patient is symptom-free after 4 years of follow-up and has no evidence of disease.ConclusionIncidentally discovered, well-differentiated thyroid cancer that is confined to a thyroglossal duct cyst in a patient at low risk for aggressive disease can be adequately treated by a modified Sistrunk procedure that includes the median portion of the hyoid bone. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:465-469)     

Incidental Finding of Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Patient with Primary Hyperparathyroidism

ObjectiveTo report on the management of a patient with the rare concurrence of primary hyperparathyroidism and incidentally found metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma in an adjacent lymph node.MethodsWe present a case report, including scintigraphic and histologic documentation, and a summary of the related literature.ResultsPrimary hyperparathyroidism with concomitant occurrence of nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma is rare, occurring in less than 4% of patients. We report a case of a 53-year-old woman with no prior history of endocrine disease with primary hyperparathyroidism and an incidental finding of a concurrent thyroid carcinoma. In this patient, technetium 99m scintigraphy revealed a parathyroid adenoma beneath the inferior pole of the left thyroid bed. Parathyroidectomy was performed successfully with no complications. The final pathology examination showed a large parathyroid adenoma with an incidental finding of a small adjacent lymph node containing metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma. The patient subsequently underwent total thyroidectomy, and the pathology evaluation revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular variant.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this case of concomitant primary hyperparathyroidism and papillary thyroid cancer is unique in the way in which the diagnosis of metastatic papillary thyroid cancer was made. The presence of parathyroid adenoma should not exclude the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma; therefore, careful thyroid evaluation should be considered for all patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. (Endocr Pract. 2007;13:380-383)     

An Unusual Case of Recurrent Hyperparathyroidism and Papillary Thyroid Cancer

ObjectiveTo report an unusual occurrence of recurrent hyperparathyroidism due to papillary thyroid carcinoma.MethodsWe describe the clinical history, physical examination findings, laboratory values, imaging findings, and pathologic findings of a woman who developed recurrent hyperparathyroidism 13 years after successful parathyroidectomy.ResultsA 59-year-old woman presented to our clinic with recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism. In 1994, she presented with nephrolithiasis and underwent resection of a right superior parathyroid adenoma that resulted in clinical and biochemical cure. Her clinical course had been followed at periodic intervals, and she had been symptom-free and normocalcemic. In 2007, she again developed nephrolithiasis and was documented to have recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Imaging studies suggested a parathyroid adenoma near the right inferior pole of the thyroid. The patient had reoperative neck exploration. No obvious parathyroid adenoma was found and a right thyroid lobectomy was performed, which resulted in normalization of intraoperative intact parathyroid hormone levels, and the incision was closed. Final pathology demonstrated no parathyroid adenoma, but instead, a 1-cm papillary thyroid carcinoma that stained positive for parathyroid hormone. More than 6 months after surgery, she remains clinically and biochemically cured.ConclusionsRecurrent hyperparathyroidism occurs secondary to multiple causes. This case demonstrates the challenge a surgeon faces in managing recurrent disease and highlights a rare phenomenon of papillary thyroid cancer causing recurrent hyperparathyroidism. (Endocr Pract. 2009;15:349-352)     

Management of Low-Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

ObjectiveTo summarize the definitions of and management recommendations for low-risk thyroid cancer made by the American and European Thyroid Associations and synthesize this information with the recent literature, including systematic evaluations of tumor staging systems guiding therapy.MethodsThe American Thyroid Association and European Thyroid Association guidelines were compared and pertinent literature since 2005 was reviewed.ResultsOf papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMC), up to 50% breach the thyroid capsule, 64% have lymph node metastases, up to 43% are multifocal, and as many as 2.8% have distant metastases. Locoregional and distant recurrences are, respectively, as high as 5.9% and 1.5%. As many as 1 in 4 patients with a papillary thyroid carcinoma 1.5 cm or smaller develop persistent disease. Cancer-related mortality rates are usually less than 1%, but are as high as 2% in some reports. Tumor staging systems are too inaccurate to guide therapy.ConclusionIt is unlikely that many patients will forgo treatment after understanding their risk, especially when total thyroidectomy and radioiodine (¹³¹I) therapy can reduce the PTMC recurrence or persistence disease rate to zero. Preoperatively diagnosed PTMC should be treated with total or near-total thyroidectomy, regardless of tumor size. For very low-risk patients with unifocal PTMC smaller than 1 cm that is removed by chance during surgery to treat benign thyroid disease, lobectomy alone without ¹³¹I therapy may be sufficient therapy if there are no concerning histologic features and no tumor extension beyond the thyroid, metastases, history of head and neck irradiation, or positive family history—any of which requires total or near-total thyroidectomy and remnant ablation with 30 mCi. (Endocr Pract. 2007;13:498-512)     

What if Many Follicular Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas are not Malignant? a Review of Follicular Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and a Proposal for a New Classification

ObjectivesTo review the relevant literature concerning follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) with an emphasis on the heterogeneity of this disorder and to propose a new classification for FVPTC on the basis of molecular diagnostics and apply the classification to a typical case.MethodsEnglish-language articles pertaining to FVPTC published between January 1990 and December 2010 were reviewed.ResultsFVPTC is particularly vexing. The criteria for diagnosing FVPTC appear to have changed over the years. Pathologists often disagree about the diagnosis of FVPTC. The clinical behavior of these tumors is variable. Molecular diagnostic studies suggest that FVPTC represents a heterogeneous group of disorders rather than a single entity.ConclusionsOn the basis of the available data, it is proposed that individual cases of FVPTC be reclassified as papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma, or follicular adenomas, after appropriate molecularbiologic studies have been completed. Long-term followup studies to validate this classification are necessary. (Endocr Pract. 2011;17:768-787)     

Development of Thyroid Storm After Surgical Resection of A Thyrotropin-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma

ObjectiveTo describe a patient with a thyrotropinsecreting pituitary adenoma in whom postoperative thyroid storm developed.MethodsWe present a case report with details of the initial presentation, laboratory evaluation, surgical and pathologic findings, and subsequent course in a patient with a thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH)- secreting adenoma and postoperative thyroid storm.ResultsAn 18-year-old male patient presented with severe headaches and was found to have a large suprasellar tumor and a mildly elevated level of TSH. Thyroid storm developed immediately after surgical resection of the pituitary mass. Results of laboratory evaluation undertaken preoperatively became available after the patient had undergone the surgical procedure and revealed thyroid hormone levels 2 to 3 times the upper limit of normal. Propylthiouracil and β-adrenergic blocking agents controlled the postoperative thyrotoxicosis and were subsequently discontinued as his TSH and thyroid hormone levels normalized.ConclusionThis case demonstrates the rare case of a TSH-secreting adenoma in a young patient, which was complicated by the development of postoperative thyroid storm. In addition, this case emphasizes the importance of preoperative pituitary hormonal evaluation and treatment of hormonal abnormalities in all patients presenting with sellar or suprasellar tumors. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:732- 737)     

Preoperative and Postoperative Evaluation of Thyroid Disease in Patients Undergoing Surgical Treatment of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

ObjectiveTo evaluate the occurrence of thyroid disease in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.MethodsIn this case series, records of all patients with a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent parathyroidectomy between January 2005 and December 2008 in our clinic were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperatively, all patients were evaluated with ultrasonography and parathyroid scintigraphy; when needed, thyroid scintigraphy and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) were used. All patients underwent standard neck exploration. Postoperative histopathologic findings of thyroid tissue were classified as nodular/ multinodular hyperplasia, Hashimoto thyroiditis, papillary thyroid carcinoma, or normal.ResultsFifty-one women and 9 men were included. In the 60 patients, preoperative ultrasonography revealed thyroiditis (without nodules) in 13 (22%), a solitary nodule in 9 (15%) (coexistent with thyroiditis in 7 patients), multinodular goiter in 24 (40%) (coexistent with thyroiditis in 5 patients), and normal findings in 14 (23%). Rates of thyroiditis and nodular goiter were 42% and 55%, respectively. Collectively, prevalence of thyroid disease was 77%. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 27 patients, and hemithyroidectomy was performed in 15 patients. Indications for total thyroidectomy were nondiagnostic or suspicious FNAB results in 5 patients, hyperthyroidism in 4 patients, ultrasonography findings in 11 patients, and intraoperatively recognized suspicious nodularity in 7 patients. Postoperatively, thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in 9 patients (15%).ConclusionsThyroid disease, particularly thyroid carcinoma, is common in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. This association should be considered when selecting the surgical procedure. Intraoperative evaluation of the thyroid is as important as preoperative evaluation with ultrasonography and FNAB in patients with thyroid disease and primary hyperparathyroidism. (Endocr Pract. 2010;16:7-13)     

Additional Surgery for Occult Risk Factors After Lobectomy in Solitary Thyroid Nodules is Predicted by Cytopathology Classification and Tumor Size

Objective: Clinical practice for differentiated thyroid cancer is moving towards lobectomy rather than total thyroidectomy in patients at low risk of recurrence. However, recurrence risk assessment depends on post-operative findings, while the surgical decision is based on preoperative factors. We determined the preoperative predictors of occult higher-risk pathology and rates of completion thyroidectomy among surgical candidates with nonbenign thyroid nodules 10 to 40 mm and no evidence of extrathyroidal extension or metastasis on preoperative evaluation.Methods: Thyroid surgery cases at a single institution from 2005–2015 were reviewed to identify those meeting American Thyroid Association (ATA) criteria for lobectomy. ATA-based risk stratification from postoperative surgical pathology was compared to preoperative cytopathology, ultrasound, and clinical findings.Results: Of 1,995 thyroid surgeries performed for nonbenign thyroid nodules 10 to 40 mm, 349 met ATA criteria for lobectomy. Occult high-risk features such as tall cell variant, gross extrathyroidal invasion, or vascular invasion were found in 36 cases (10.7%), while intraoperative lymphadenopathy led to surgical upstaging in 13 (3.7%). Intermediate risk features such as moderate lymphadenopathy or minimal extrathyroidal extension were present in an additional 44 cases. Occult risk features were present twice as often in Bethesda class 6 cases (35%) as in lower categories (12 to 17%). In multivariable analysis, Bethesda class and nodule size, but not age, race, sex, or ultrasound features, were significant predictors of occult higher-risk pathology.Conclusion: Most solitary thyroid nodules less than 4 cm and with cytology findings including atypia of undetermined significance through suspicious for papillary thyroid cancer would be sufficiently treated by lobectomy.Abbreviations: ATA = American Thyroid Association; CND = central neck dissection; DTC = differentiated thyroid cancer; ETE = extrathyroidal extension; FNA = fine needle aspiration; FTC/HCC = follicular thyroid carcinoma/Hurthle cell carcinoma; NIFTP = noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features; OR = odds ratio; PTC = papillary thyroid cancer; US = ultrasound     

Insular Variant of Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

ObjectiveTo present a case of an insular variant of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) and to review the literature related to diagnosis, natural history, and treatment of this unusual form of thyroid cancer.MethodsWe present the clinical, laboratory, and pathologic findings of the study patient and review Englishlanguage literature related to PDTC published between 1970 and the present.ResultsPDTC is a controversial and rare epithelial thyroid cancer, intermediate between differentiated thyroid carcinoma and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma that exhibits increased aggressiveness, propensity to local recurrence, distant metastases, and increased mortality. PDTC warrants aggressive management with total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine ablation and potentially additional therapy for residual or recurrent disease. Some carcinomas do not take up radioactive iodine, and dedifferentiated clones of distant metastases may evolve. It is unclear whether chemotherapy is beneficial. Use of additional imaging modalities, including positron emission tomography, 18-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, 18-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, ¹²⁴I positron emission tomography/computed tomography, positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging fusion studies, and recombinant human thyrotropin-stimulated radioactive iodine uptake for cancer surveillance are discussed.ConclusionsPDTC is an unusual and aggressive form of thyroid cancer. Fine-needle aspiration cytology may not yield sufficient information to specifically diagnose PDTC. Aggressive management with total thyroidectomy and neck dissection followed by high-dose radioactive iodine remnant ablation is standard. Iodine I 131 whole body scanning is often the initial test for tumor surveillance, with other imaging modalities applied as needed. (Endocr Pract. 2011;17:115-121)     

Unusual Manifestation of Parathyroid Carcinoma in the Setting of Papillary Thyroid Cancer

ObjectiveTo describe a rare manifestation of parathyroid carcinoma in association with papillary thyroid carcinoma.MethodsWe describe the clinical history, findings on physical examination, results of laboratory studies, imaging findings, and histopathologic features of a woman with 2 previously palpable thyroid nodules and mild hypercalcemia.ResultsA 79-year-old woman presented to our endocrinology clinic for reevaluation of 2 thyroid nodules and long-standing hyperparathyroidism. She initially had undergone assessment 6 years previously, at which time an intact parathyroid hormone level was 89 pg/mL (reference range, 10 to 69) and the serum calcium concentration was 10.4 mg/dL (reference range, 8.2 to 10.2) in conjunction with normal alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Subsequently, she was found to have multifocal papillary thyroid cancer in the right thyroid lobe and a 5-cm parathyroid carcinoma in the left side.ConclusionSynchronous parathyroid and thyroid carcinomas are extremely rare. To our knowledge, our current case is the first documented patient with parathyroid carcinoma who had a clinical presentation consistent with longstanding mild adenoma in addition to synchronous papillary thyroid carcinoma. (Endocr Pract. 2010;16:664-668)     

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma to the Thyroid Gland

ObjectiveTo examine the presentation, diagnosis, and appropriate management of renal clear cell carcinoma metastasis to the thyroid gland.MethodsWe describe a clinical case of solitary thyroid metastasis from renal clear cell carcinoma and present a comprehensive review of the related English-language literature. Common patterns of presentation and generalized overall management recommendations are evaluated and summarized.ResultsEight years after nephrectomy for renal carcinoma at age 61 years, a man presented with a thyroid mass. Cytology and histopathologic surgical findings were consistent with a solitary metastasis most compatible with metastatic clear cell carcinoma from his previous renal carcinoma. After left thyroid lobectomy and isthmusectomy, the patient remains disease-free 5 years later. Although uncommon, nearly 150 cases of clinically recognized metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the thyroid have been reported in the English-language literature. Metastatic disease from the kidney to the thyroid gland can occur more than 20 years after nephrectomy with the average time interval being 7.5 years. Obtaining a full clinical history in any patient who presents with a thyroid nodule is essential to allow consideration of possible metastatic disease from previous primary tumor. Metastatic disease to the thyroid gland can be correctly diagnosed preoperatively. If metastatic renal cancer is limited to the thyroid gland only, prompt, appropriate surgical intervention can be curative.ConclusionMetastatic renal carcinoma to the thyroid should be considered in any patient presenting with a thyroid mass and a medical history of renal cell carcinoma. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:1040-1046)     

Thyrotoxicosis due to Ectopic Lateral Thyroid Tissue Presenting 5 Years After Total Thyroidectomy

ObjectiveTo describe a patient who, 5 years after total thyroidectomy to treat Graves disease, presented with thyrotoxicosis due to nonmalignant lateral ectopic thyroid tissue.MethodWe describe the laboratory, imaging, and physical findings of the study patient and review the relevant literature.ResultsA 32-year-old white woman with a history of Graves disease presented with recurrent hyperthyroidism 5 years after total thyroidectomy. A radioactive iodine scan was performed, which revealed elevated uptake (40%) and positive imaging in the left mid-neck. Ultrasonography examination of the neck confirmed the absence of any thyroid tissue within the thyroid bed, but documented 2 nodular, hypoechoic left upper-neck masses with punctuate hyperlucency. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed to precisely localize the nodules, which were excised surgically via selective neck dissection. Histopathologic examination revealed chronic lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate with focal thyroid hyperplasia and papillary infoldings and no evidence of malignancy.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this represents the first report of ectopic benign thyroid tissue as the sole cause of hyperthyroid symptoms, and this entity should be considered in patients who have undergone thyroidectomy and have persistent hyperthyroidism. (Endocr Pract. 2011;17:70-73)