Stief, Christian G.

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between pre‐operative PSA value, 68Ga‐prostate‐specific‐membrane‐antigen (PSMA) PET performance and oncologic outcomes after salvage lymph node dissection (sLND) for biochemical recurrent prostate cancer (PCa).Patients and methodsThe study included 164 patients diagnosed with ≤2 pelvic lymph‐node recurrence(s) of PCa documented on 68Ga‐PSMA PET scan and treated with pelvic ± retroperitoneal sLND at 11 high‐volume centres between 2012 and 2019. Pathologic findings were correlated to PSA values at time of sLND, categorized in early (<0.5 ng/ml), low (0.5–0.99 ng/ml), moderate (1–1.5 ng/ml) and high (>1.5 ng/ml). Clinical recurrence (CR)‐free survival after sLND was calculated using multivariable analyses and plotted over pre‐operative PSA value.ResultsMedian [interquartile range (IQR)] PSA at sLND was 1.1 (0.6, 2.0) ng/ml, and 131 (80%) patients had one positive spot at PET scan. All patients received pelvic sLND, whereas 91 (55%) men received also retroperitoneal dissection. Median (IQR) number of node removed was 15 (6, 28). The rate of positive pathology increased as a function of pre‐operative PSA value, with highest rates for patients with pre‐operative PSA > 1.5 ng/ml (pelvic‐only sLNDs: 84%; pelvic + retroperitoneal sLNDs: 90%). After sLND, PSA ≤ 0.3 ng/ml was detected in 67 (41%) men. On multivariable analyses, pre‐operative PSA was associated with PSA response (p < 0.0001). There were 51 CRs after sLND. After adjusting for confounders, we found a significant, non‐linear relationship between PSA level at sLND and the 12‐month CR‐free survival (p < 0.0001), with the highest probability of freedom from CR for patients who received sLND at PSA level ≥1 ng/ml.ConclusionsIn case of PET‐detected nodal recurrences amenable to sLND, salvage surgery was associated with the highest short‐term oncologic outcomes when performed in men with PSA ≥ 1 ng/ml. Awaiting confirmatory data from prospective trials, these findings may help physicians to optimize the timing for 68Ga‐PSMA PET in biochemical recurrent PCa.

Summary Struma ovarii is a teratoma of the ovaries predominantly composed of thyroid tissue. Hyperthyroidism associated with struma ovarii is rare, occurring in approximately 8% of cases. Due to the rarity of struma ovarii, available data are limited to case reports and small case series.We report on a 61-year-old female patient with known Hashimoto’s thyroiditis on levothyroxine replacement therapy for years with transition to clinical and biochemical hyperthyroidism despite antithyroid medication with carbimazole (10 mg/day), new diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma and an adnexal mass suspicious of ovarian cancer. The patient underwent resection of the adnexal mass and histopathology revealed a mature teratoma predominantly composed of thyroid tissue showing high levels of sodium iodide symporter protein expression. Following struma ovarii resection and disappearance of autonomous production of thyroid hormones, the patient developed hypothyroidism with severely decreased thyroid hormone levels fT4 and fT3 (fT4 0.4 ng/dL, reference interval 0.9–1.7 and fT3 < 1.0 pg/mL, reference interval 2.0–4.4). This has previously been masked by continued thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression due to long-term hyperthyroidism pre-surgery indicating secondary hypothyroidism, in addition to primary hypothyroidism based on the known co-existing chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis of the orthotopic thyroid gland. Levothyroxine administration was started immediately restoring euthyroidism.This case illustrates possible diagnostic pitfalls in a patient with two concurrent causes of abnormal thyroid function. Learning points: Struma ovarii is an ovarian tumor containing either entirely or predominantly thyroid tissue and accounts for approximately 5% of all ovarian teratomas. In rare cases, both benign and malignant struma ovarii can secrete thyroid hormones, causing clinical and biochemical features of hyperthyroidism. Biochemical features of patients with struma ovarii and hyperthyroidism are similar to those of patients with primary hyperthyroidism. In such cases, thyroid scintigraphy should reveal low or absent radioiodine uptake in the thyroid gland, but the presence of radioiodine uptake in the pelvis in a whole body radioiodine scintigraphy. We give advice on possible diagnostic pitfalls in a case with two simultaneous causes of abnormal thyroid function due to the co-existence of struma ovarii.

ABSTRACT Introduction Sexual health is an integral part of overall health. Sexual dysfunction can have a major impact on quality of life and psychosocial and emotional well-being. Aim To provide evidence-based, expert-opinion consensus guidelines for clinical management of sexual dysfunction in men. Methods An international consultation collaborating with major urologic and sexual medicine societies convened in Paris, July 2009. More than 190 multidisciplinary experts from 33 countries were assembled into 25 consultation committees. Committee members established scope and objectives for each chapter. Following an exhaustive review of available data and publications, committees developed evidence-based guidelines in each area. Main Outcome Measures New algorithms and guidelines for assessment and treatment of sexual dysfunctions were developed based on work of previous consultations and evidence from scientific literature published from 2003 to 2009. The Oxford system of evidence-based review was systematically applied. Expert opinion was based on systematic grading of medical literature, and cultural and ethical considerations. Results Algorithms, recommendations, and guidelines for sexual dysfunction in men are presented. These guidelines were developed in an evidence-based, patient-centered, multidisciplinary manner. It was felt that all sexual dysfunctions should be evaluated and managed following a uniform strategy, thus the International Consultation of Sexual Medicine (ICSM-5) developed a stepwise diagnostic and treatment algorithm for sexual dysfunction. The main goal of ICSM-5 is to unmask the underlying etiology and/or indicate appropriate treatment options according to men’s and women’s individual needs (patient-centered medicine) using the best available data from population-based research (evidence-based medicine). Specific evaluation, treatment guidelines, and algorithms were developed for every sexual dysfunction in men, including erectile dysfunction; disorders of libido, orgasm, and ejaculation; Peyronie’s disease; and priapism. Conclusions Sexual dysfunction in men represents a group of common medical conditions that need to be managed from a multidisciplinary perspective.