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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
The effect of total thyroidectomy on the recovery of bone mineral density in subjects with hyperthyroidism
Poongkodi Karunakaran1, Chandrasekaran Maharajan2, Rajasekaran Chockalingam3
1Endocrine Surgery, Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College, Salem, India; Research Scholar, Madras Medical College, The Tamilnadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, India; The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, India; Endocrine Surgery, SKS Hospital, Salem, India.
Background:
Although hyperthyroidism is associated with high turnover osteopenia and its recovery after treatment, the extent of recovery with different forms of therapy remains controversial. This prospective study evaluated the bone mineral density in thyrotoxic subjects undergoing total thyroidectomy and 131I radioactive iodine therapy.
Methods:
Newly diagnosed subjects with hyperthyroidism undergoing total thyroidectomy (group 1; n = 127) and 131I radioactive iodine therapy (group 2; n = 30) were evaluated for bone mineral density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry at the time of diagnosis (point A), on achieving euthyroidism with antithyroid drugs (point B), and 6 months after definitive treatment (point C).
Results:
In group 1, bone mineral density (expressed as g/sq cm; mean ± standard deviation) in the hip (0.842 ± 0.157) and spine (0.97 ± 0.155) at point A, improved at point B (hip, 0.853 ± 0.157 and spine, 0.982 ± 0.155), and further improved at point C (hip, 0.91 ± 0.158 and spine, 1.053 ± 0.161, each P < .001). In group 2, at point C, bone mineral density in the hip (0.761 ± 0.168 versus point A, 0.741 ± 0.146) and spine (0.831 ± 0.159 versus point A, 0.823 ± 0.158) were less than group 1 (each P < .01).
Conclusion:
Bone mineral density improved significantly after all forms of treatment of hyperthyroidism and was greatest in lumbar vertebrae (8.6%) as early as 6 months after total thyroidectomy. The delayed recovery of bone mineral density after 131I radioactive iodine therapy needs long-term evaluation.
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