Analysis of factors on voice quality in thyroidectomy patients.

OBJECTIVE: Vocal cord paralysis (VCP) is a serious complication in thyroidectomy operations; however, its management remains unclear. The present study evaluated the voice parameters of patients who underwent surgery using Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring (IONM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 52 patients (41 females and 11 males) who underwent a total thyroidectomy operation were evaluated using objective and subjective voice analysis examinations before and after surgery. Acoustic parameters, such as Fundamental Frequency (F0), Shimmer, Jitter, Noise-to-Harmonic ratio (NHR), and aerodynamic parameters, including S/Z ratio and maximum phonation time (MPT), were analyzed. Objective findings, including the VHI-10 (Voice Handicap Index) and V-RQOL (Voice-Related Quality of Life), were also analyzed. The relationship between voice parameters and IONM values was investigated. RESULTS: The objective analysis (acoustic and aerodynamic parameters) showed no difference (p>0.05). However, the subjective analysis, which involved the VHI-10 and V-RQOL measures, revealed a significant difference before and after the operation (p<0.05). The Spearman correlation analysis showed that the NHR postoperative 1st-month parameter negatively correlated (rho=-0.317, p<0.059), while the F0 postoperative 6th-month parameter positively correlated (rho=0.347) with the amplitude difference before and after dissection (Right R2-R1 difference) for the right RLN measured in IONM. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who are planning to undergo a thyroidectomy procedure should undergo voice assessment during both the preoperative and postoperative periods. IONM could improve voice quality outcomes.

Evaluation of testicles by sonoelastography in men recovering after Covid-19 disease.

INTRODUCTION: Testicular cells, seminiferous tubule cells, spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli cells showing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression have the potential to be targets and to be damaged by the coronavirus. We aimed to use Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography (2D-SWE) as an effective technique to identify parenchymal damage in the testicles of patients recovering from COVID-19 infection. METHODS: 35 Male patients (group 1) who recovered after COVID-19 infection between 4 and 12 weeks were included in this prospective study. Before 2D-SWE, these male patients were confirmed with control Rt-PCR test negativity. In addition, the first Rt-PCR test positivity of these patients was confirmed. A control group was formed of 31 healthy subjects (group 2). These two groups were compared in terms of age, volume of each testis, and SWE values. Ultrasound including SWE was applied to all the testes. A total of 9 measurements were taken as 3 SWE measurements from each third of the testis (superior, mid, inferior) and the average of these was calculated. Data obtained in the study were analyzed statistically. A value of p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean SWE values for the right testis and the left testis were determined to be statistically significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2, respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There is an increase in testicular stiffness in males who have recovered from COVID-19 infection. The underlying cause of testicular damage is changes at the cellular level. The 2D-SWE technique can predict potential testicular parenchymal damage in male patients recovering from COVID-19 infection. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography (2D-SWE) seems to be a promising imaging technique in the evaluation of testis parenchyma.

Embolization with more diluted glue-lipiodol in patients with massive hemoptysis: single center experience results.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) with more diluted N-butyl-2- cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in patients with massive hemoptysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, there are 48 patients who underwent NBCA and BAE for massive hemoptysis between March 2018 and September 2021. Demographic data, technical and clinical results, immediate hemoptysis control, recurrent hemoptysis and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The technical success rate and immediate hemoptysis control were achieved in 97.9% and 93.7%, respectively. The 3 patients who were exitus within the first 10 days were removed from the follow-up range. During the follow-up period (range, 5 months-42 months; median, 27.5 months), recurrent hemoptysis was found in 3 of the 45 patients (6.6 %). Since 1 patient refused and one patient died within the first 24 hours, repeated BAE procedures were performed in 4 patients. A total of 55 sessions of BAE with NBCA was performed to 48 patients. The underlying diseases causing hemoptysis were determined to be bronchiectasis (n=16), tuberculosis (n=8), neoplasm (n=7), aspergilloma (n=3), and arteriovenous malformation (n=2). In 4 patients, bronchiectasis and tuberculosis were present together and in 8 patients, the cause could not be specified. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, BAE with more diluted NBCA is a safe and effective embolization method. In addition, the use of more diluted NBCA reduces the recurrence rates in patients with hemoptysis.