RAI therapy in low-risk papillary thyroid cancer: recurrence reduction and long-term outcomes in the Turkish population.

PURPOSE: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy, characterized by its slow progression and favorable prognosis. This study re-evaluates the efficacy of radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy versus no RAI in low-risk PTC patients following total thyroidectomy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 588 patients treated between 2010 and 2016 at a major tertiary center in Turkey. Patients were divided into two cohorts: those receiving total thyroidectomy (TT) with high-dose RAI (100 mCi) and those receiving TT alone. A matched cohort of 138 patients per group was analyzed to minimize bias. RESULTS: Follow-up data indicated that at 24 months, the RAI group demonstrated a higher percentage of excellent treatment responses (86%) compared to the non-RAI group (74%). Long-term follow-up showed that 99.3% of the RAI group achieved no evidence of disease (NED), versus 90.6% in the non-RAI group. Recurrence rates were significantly lower in the RAI group (1%) compared to the non-RAI group (5.8% with a > 2.0 ng/ml cut-off for biological events). CONCLUSION: In summary, the findings from this study underscore the efficacy of RAI therapy in reducing recurrence rates and enhancing long-term disease control in low-risk papillary thyroid cancer patients. While total thyroidectomy alone is effective, the addition of RAI therapy provides a marked improvement in treatment responses and reduces the risk of disease recurrence. This indicates that personalized treatment plans incorporating RAI may offer significant advantages in managing low-risk PTC.

Pediatric Graves' Disease: Surgical Interventions in a Single Institution - A Comprehensive Case Series.

Introduction: Graves' disease (GD) is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents. Data regarding pediatric GD in Indonesia are limited and pose challenges to diagnosing and treating the patients. In many aspects the clinical presentation of GD in children and adolescents resembles that of the adult population. There are three treatments for pediatric GD: anti-thyroid drugs, radioiodine ablation, and thyroidectomy. Although surgery is gaining acceptance as the definitive first-line treatment for children with GD, several studies examining pediatric populations have shown high complication rates. This study aims to describe a series of pediatric GD cases from a tertiary care center over an eight-year period. Presentation of Cases: Retrospective data of five patients with hyperthyroidism diagnosed with GD between 2014 and 2022 were reviewed. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, therapies, and short-term postoperative outcomes of GD were analyzed. All five GD patients presented with neck lumps. Low TSH levels and elevated FT4 levels were found in all patients preoperatively. Total thyroidectomy was performed in all patients, while one patient had lymphadenectomy concurrently. Histopathologic examination confirmed a diagnosis of GD in all patients. All patients in this study experienced postoperative complications such as hoarseness, while only three patients had hypocalcemia as a complication. Discussion: Total thyroidectomy in pediatric patients remains challenging. The euthyroid condition in patient prior to surgery is recommended to avoid the risk of thyroid storm during surgery, but a few studies have revealed that there is no difference in outcomes for hyperthyroid individuals. Close postoperative surveillance for complications of total thyroidectomy is necessary. Conclusions: Results of this study showed that pediatric GD patients had the same symptoms of hyperthyroidism as adults with all patients complained of neck lumps. Total thyroidectomy is the definitive therapy for GD in pediatrics as well as in adults. The minority of patients will experience transient and benign morbidities, with hoarseness of the voice being the most common transient postoperative morbidity. In performing total thyroidectomy, meticulous surgery and good anatomical recognition are required to avoid postoperative complications. So that, follow-up of post-total thyroidectomy in pediatric GD patients needs to be done.

Non-recurrent Laryngeal Nerve - A Rare Anatomical Anomaly that Increases the Risk of Nerve Injury during Thyroidectomy.

Introduction: Nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN), a rare anatomical variation of recurrent laryngeal nerve, is a branch of the vagus nerve (Morais M, Capela-Costa J, Matos-Lima L, Costa-Maia J (2015) Nonrecurrent Laryngeal Nerve and Associated Anatomical Variations: The Art of Prediction. Eur Thyroid J 4(4):234-238). On the right side, the prevalence of NRLN is 0.3-0.8%, while on the left side, it is extremely rare with a prevalence of 0.004%. Case-Report: A female in her twenties presented with thyroid swelling for 3 years with an ultrasound neck showing a TIRADS IV lesion in the left thyroid lobe. Contrast-enhanced tomography of the neck reported a lesion in the left thyroid lobe causing mass effect in the form of contralateral deviation of trachea and splaying of bilateral common carotid arteries from its common origin - probability of thyroid neoplasm along with aberrant right subclavian artery with a retroesophageal course was noted. Intraoperatively, the right laryngeal nerve was identified near its entry point in right cricothyroid joint and was traced laterally and was found to be nonrecurrent lying superior to inferior thyroid artery. Total thyroidectomy was done preserving the left recurrent laryngeal nerve and right non recurrent laryngeal nerve. Conclusion: NRLN should be suspected in cases with vascular anomalies based on preoperative imaging. Meticulous dissection during thyroid surgery for identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve or NRLN is still considered to be the precise approach to avoid nerve injury.

Clinical evaluation of CoolSeal - a new, safe, and fast vessel sealing device in total thyroidectomy.

Objective. CoolSeal is a new vessel sealing system for dissection and hemostasis during surgery. No clinical studies have investigated safety, advantages or disadvantages regarding the use of this device. The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety of CoolSeal and compare it with conventional ligation technique or LigaSure during the total thyroidectomy. We hypothesized that the use of CoolSeal would reduce the operating time and bleeding without complications increase. Study design represents a retrospective cohort study with a tertiary reference center setting. Methods. We analyzed total thyroidectomy data from January 2021 to June 2023. We recorded patients' characteristics, surgical information, and postoperative outcome. Results. We performed 221 total thyroidectomies in the study period. Analysis was restricted to 171 patients operated by only two surgeons. Hemostasis was secured by conventional ligation in 117 patients (68%), LigaSure in 34 patients (20%) and CoolSeal in 20 patients (12%). Median thyroid weight and bleeding were 67 g and 50 ml, respectively. Procedures using LigaSure or Cool-Seal were on larger glands (median 205 g) without increased bleeding (50 ml). Operating time was shortest with CoolSeal (96 min, p=0.003) compared with LigaSure (117 min) or conventional ligation (115 min). Bleeding was reduced with CoolSeal compared with LigaSure (45 vs. 100 ml, p=0.003). With CoolSeal, median hospitalization was one postoperative day, no patients required re-operation. There was no palsy of recurrent laryngeal nerves and no permanent hypoparathyroidism. Conclusion. In our first clinical experience, CoolSeal was safe and efficient for total thyroidectomy. With a small sample size, we saw a clinical benefit with reduced operating time without post-operative complications increase.

Incidence of transient and chronic hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy - the experience of a tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: The most common cause of hypoparathyroidism (hypoPT) in adults is iatrogenic due to total thyroidectomy, while the ideal moment for considering it chronic is still under debate. Our study aims at reporting the prevalence of transient and permanent hypoPT following thyroid surgery in a tertiary surgical center, as well as serum Parathormone (PTH) variation up to 12 months after surgery stratified according to the type of thyroid disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 519 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy in a tertiary surgical center from 2018 to 2023 were analyzed. Postoperative hypoPT was defined as low PTH (less than 15 pg/ml) and/or hypocalcemia (albumin-corrected levels less than 8.5 mg/dl) on day 1 after surgery. Patients were considered to have permanent hypoPT if they had not recovered completely within 1 year after total thyroidectomy. PTH levels were compared according to the underlying thyroid disease. RESULTS: 140 patients (26.97%) had postoperative hypoPT. Twenty-two patients (4.23%) were considered to have permanent hypoPT 12 months after surgery. Approximately half of the patients recovered between 3 months and 12 months after surgery. HypoPT thyroiditis patients had higher PTH levels 3 months after surgery compared to papillary/follicular cancer and multinodular goiter, respectively, and all recovered 1 year after surgery. Papillary/follicular carcinoma was associated with a 29.4% rate of transient and 8.5% rate of chronic hypoPT, respectively. CONCLUSION: Most patients without incidental parathyroidectomy that still develop postoperative hypoPT will eventually recover; nevertheless, it can take up to 1 year for full resolution. Measuring serum PTH 3 months postoperative may be of interest.

Impact of periodic neck ultrasonography on locoregional disease control in surveillance after total thyroidectomy for patients with low- and intermediate-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma: a propensity score-matched study.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of periodic neck ultrasonography (US) on postoperative surveillance for locoregional disease control of patients with low- and intermediate-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who underwent total thyroidectomy. This retrospective cohort study included patients with PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection at our institution between January, 2000 and December, 2016. The patients were divided into two groups: the physical examination (PE) group (follow-up by PE without periodic US) and the US group (follow-up by PE with periodic US). Serum thyroglobulin levels were measured periodically in both groups. Propensity score matching was used to rigorously balance the significant variables and assess the 10-year postoperative outcomes between the groups. Of the 189 patients, 150 were included after matching (75 in each group). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of background characteristics. The median follow-up period was 127.9 months. There was no significant difference in locoregional relapse-free survival between the PE and US groups (97.0 vs. 98.7%, p = 0.541). The overall survival was 96.7% and 98.7% in the PE and US groups, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.364). This study demonstrated that the addition of periodic US to PE for postoperative surveillance of patients with low- and intermediate-risk PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy did not significantly affect locoregional control.

Total Thyroidectomy versus Subtotal Thyroidectomy as a Suitable Surgery for Benign Thyroid Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of benign thyroid disease varies from lobectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy, and total thyroidectomy (TT). OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to compare complications of both total and subtotal thyroidectomy (STT) for patients with bilateral benign thyroid disorders. METHODS: Sixty patients with benign goiter, 32 for TT and 28 for STT, where indications for surgery, operating time, hospital stay, and complications were studied. RESULTS: The incidence of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy was (6.25%) for TT vs (3.57%) for STT, and temporary hypoparathyroidism was (9.38%) in TT patients compared to (7.14%) in STT patients. Permanent RLN palsy and hypoparathyroidism occurred only in one case (3.12%) from the TT group. No permanent complications occurred in STT patients. Recurrence of goiter occurred in two patients (7.14%) undergoing STT. Incidental papillary carcinoma was (7.14%) in STT patients and (3.13%) for follicular carcinoma in TT patients. There was no postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION: TT is a suitable surgical procedure in patients with bilateral benign thyroid disease as complication rate, operative time, and hospital stay are less comparable to STT. It will give a permanent cure without recurrences, and incidental thyroid malignancies can be avoided.

CONTEXTE: Le traitement chirurgical des maladies bénignes de la thyroïde varie de la lobectomie, thyroïdectomie subtotale à la thyroïdectomie totale (TT). OBJECTIF: La présente étude visait à comparer les complications de la thyroïdectomie totale et subtotale (STT) chez les patients atteints de troubles thyroïdiens bénins bilatéraux. MÉTHODES: Soixante patients atteints de goitre bénin, 32 pour TT et 28 pour STT, où les indications pour la chirurgie, le temps opératoire, la durée d'hospitalisation et les complications ont été étudiés. RÉSULTATS: L'incidence de la paralysie transitoire du nerf laryngé récurrent (RLN) était de (6,25%) pour TT contre (3,57%) pour STT, et l'hypoparathyroïdie temporaire était de (9,38%) chez les patients TT contre (7,14%) chez les patients STT. La paralysie permanente du RLN et l'hypoparathyroïdie sont survenues chez un seul cas (3,12%) du groupe TT. Aucune complication permanente n'a été observée chez les patients STT. La récidive du goitre est survenue chez deux patients (7,14%) ayant subi une STT. Un carcinome papillaire incidentel a été observé chez (7,14%) des patients STT et un carcinome folliculaire chez (3,13%) des patients TT. Il n'y a pas eu de mortalité postopératoire. CONCLUSION: La TT est une procédure chirurgicale appropriée chez les patients atteints de maladie thyroïdienne bénigne bilatérale, car le taux de complications, le temps opératoire et la durée d'hospitalisation sont moindres par rapport à la STT. Elle offre une guérison permanente sans récidives, et les malignités thyroïdiennes incidentelles peuvent être évitées. MOTS-CLÉS: Troubles thyroïdiens bénins, Thyroïdectomie subtotale, Thyroïdectomie totale.

Differential utilization of thyroid lobectomy after the 2015 American Thyroid Association guideline update.

Background: The 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines added thyroid lobectomy (TL) as the appropriate treatment for low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). We aimed to investigate the population-level factors that influence the utilization of TL. Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was queried for all DTC patients fitting low-risk criteria as defined by the ATA. Trends in total thyroidectomy (TT) and TL were identified using a Cochrane-Armitage test. Multivariable logistic regression identified patient and socioeconomic characteristics associated with TL, and difference-in-difference analysis was used to control for secular trends over time. Results: A total of 43,526 patients with low-risk DTC were identified in the SEER database; 39,411 pre-2015 and 4115 post-2015. After 2015, TT continued to outnumber TL (76.2% vs 23.8%), although the rate of TL increased significantly (11.6% to 23.8%, P < 0.001). However, difference-in-difference analysis found that age > 55 (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.19, P < 0.001) and rurality (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.28, P < 0.001) were independently associated with TT. TL was associated with T1 disease (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.19, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Although the 2015 ATA guideline update led to an increase in TL for low-risk DTC, most patients still underwent TT. Age and neighborhood significantly impact the odds of receiving guideline-appropriate TL for low-risk DTC, especially for T2 disease.

The Impact of Thyroid Surgery on Calcium and Magnesium Homeostasis: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Total thyroidectomy constitutes one of the bread-and-butter procedures of surgeons all over the world. Like with any surgical procedure, complications form a part and parcel of the postoperative course in the hospital. Hypocalcemia represents one such prevalent complication post-total thyroidectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of total thyroidectomy on calcium and magnesium levels and to assess the role of magnesium in postoperative hypocalcemia. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study was carried out at a tertiary health center over a two-year period from 2022 to 2024. It involved 100 participants with thyroid conditions (benign/malignant) who required total thyroidectomy. Patients with pre-existing conditions affecting calcium levels (e.g., chronic renal failure, medullary carcinoma thyroid, etc.) were expressly excluded. Preoperative calcium, magnesium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were recorded. Intraoperative parameters such as time and fluid volume were also measured. Postoperatively, serum calcium and magnesium levels, PTH levels, and complications like hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia were monitored. The descriptive statistics were computed to delineate the study sample. After completion of data collection, data analysis was achieved using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, V. 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). The chi-squared test of significance was utilized to establish statistical correlations between calcium and magnesium levels post-total thyroidectomy. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study analyzed 100 total thyroidectomy patients. The mean age of patients in our study was 50.7±8.86 years, with 97 females and three males. The most common pathology indicating total thyroidectomy was diffuse colloid goiter (46%), followed by multinodular goiter (38%). Only a single patient had preoperative biochemical hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia, but none exhibited symptoms. After total thyroidectomy, 15% (n=15) developed hypocalcemia, and 11% (n=11) developed hypomagnesemia. Postoperative mean PTH levels slightly decreased to 28.8±11.75 pg/dl, indicating similar variability to preoperative levels. Patients who underwent intra-capsular dissection had a mean postoperative ionic calcium level of 4.89±0.54 mg/dl, while those who underwent extra-capsular dissection had a slightly lower mean ionic calcium level of 4.72±0.76 mg/dl. CONCLUSION: Hypocalcemia is one of the most prevalent complications associated with total thyroidectomy. The role of magnesium in maintaining calcium homeostasis after thyroidectomy should be further explored to improve the management of hypocalcemia. Additionally, the type of capsular dissection performed during the surgery can impact the occurrence of hypocalcemia, and using intra-capsular dissection whenever possible may help reduce the incidence of hypocalcemia.

The use of prophylactic infusion of calcium gluconate compared to placebo in reducing the rate of early hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy: a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Hypocalcaemia as a common complication after total thyroidectomy [23-40% in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)] and could result in prolonged hospital stay. We compared the early hypocalcaemia rate between prophylactic infusion of calcium and placebo among post total thyroidectomy patients and to establish whether prophylactic intravenous infusion of calcium reduces the rate of hypocalcaemia in the first 48 hours after surgery. Methods: Patients undergoing elective total thyroidectomy in UMMC between June 2020-May 2022, were recruited and randomized to receive placebo or prophylactic calcium infusion. Both groups of patients received same dosages of post-operative prophylactic vitamin D and oral calcium. Early hypocalcaemia (within 48 hours) rate after surgery was the primary outcome and duration of hospital stay was the secondary outcome. The data collected was analysed using per-protocol analysis. Results: Thirty-four patients were randomized equally (1:1) into both arms. No differences in the early hypocalcaemia rate between the intervention and placebo arms (0% vs. 5.8%, P>0.05). The median serum calcium levels were comparable between the intervention and placebo arms at 6 hours (2.33 vs. 2.37 mmol/L, P=0.59) and 48 hours (2.26 vs. 2.23 mmol/L, P=0.19) post-surgery. However, the median serum calcium level at 24 hours was statistically significantly higher in the intervention arm than the placebo arm (2.31 vs. 2.22 mmol/L, P=0.02). Similar duration of hospital stay between the both groups (2 vs. 2 days, P=0.81). Conclusions: Routine prophylactic calcium infusion with oral calcium and vitamin D does not diminish the rate of early symptomatic hypocalcaemia post total thyroidectomy in a low-risk group. However, its usefulness needs to be further assessed in a large scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) incorporating more bigger population. Trial Registration: Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04491357).

The effect of total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine on long-term survival in unilateral T3/T4 follicular thyroid carcinoma: insights from a propensity-matched retrospective analysis.

Background: Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is the second most common thyroid malignancy and is particularly aggressive in advanced stages such as T3 and T4. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the long-term survival outcomes of total thyroidectomy (TT) and radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) in unilateral T3 or T4 FTC using propensity score-matched analysis. Methods: Utilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we identified patients diagnosed with T3 or T4 FTC and categorized them into two cohorts, namely those who were treated with TT and those who were not (non-TT). The non-TT group was further analyzed to determine the impact of RAIT on survival. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to adjust for confounding variables. Survival analysis, including Kaplan-Meier survival curves and landmark analysis, evaluated the effects on overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Results: A total of 2,957 patients were included, with 2,271 (76.8%) undergoing TT and 686 (23.2%) receiving alternative treatments. Before and after PSM, there were no significant differences in OS and CSS between the two groups. Post-PSM landmark analysis revealed that beyond 90 months, the TT group had superior CSS compared with the non-TT group (P=0.06). Cox multivariate regression identified follicular adenocarcinoma trabecular [hazard ratio (HR) =4.7041; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1218-19.727] and minimally invasive follicular carcinoma (HR =2.0202; 95% CI: 1.2140-3.362) as independent risk factors affecting prognosis. In the second part of the study, 671 patients were analyzed, namely 197 (29.4%) who received RAIT and 474 (70.6%) who did not. Landmark analysis indicated that after 30 months, the RAIT group had superior CSS compared with the non-RAIT group (P<0.05). Conclusions: TT does not improve the survival rates of patients with stage T3/T4 FTC. For those patients who have not undergone TT, RAIT proves beneficial for CSS; however, further in-depth studies are required.

Application Value of Iodine-131 Combined with Levothyroxine Sodium in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer after Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of iodine-131 combined with levothyroxine sodium in the treatment of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) after surgery. METHODS: Prospective randomized controlled studies were conducted. A total of 374 DTC patients who underwent total or near-total thyroidectomy in the Department of Thyroid Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center and Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, from January 2019 to February 2022 were selected and divided into control group (187 cases) and observation group (187 cases) according to random number table method. The control group was treated with levothyroxine sodium after surgery, and the observation group was treated with iodine-131 on the basis of the control group. Gender, age, course of disease, tumor diameter, pathological type, TNM classification, treatment effect, thyroglobulin (Tg) levels before and after treatment, SF-36 health status questionnaires (SF-36), occurrence of adverse reactions after treatment, and recurrence rate of 1-year follow-up were compared and analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups. After treatment, the effective rate of the observation group increased by 11.23% compared to the control group, with a statistically significant difference (91.98% vs. 80.75%, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in Tg level and scores of SF-36 evaluation including physical functioning, physical problems, vitality, pain, mental health, emotional problems, social functioning, and general health perception between the two groups before surgery (p > 0.05), Tg levels and scores of SF-36 evaluation in all dimensions were significantly improved in both groups after treatment (p < 0.05), and the levels of Tg and scores of SF-36 in all dimensions in observation group were significantly better than those in control group after treatment (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (p > 0.05). The recurrence rate in the observation group was 5.89% lower than that in the control group 1 year after treatment, with a statistically significant difference (2.67% vs. 8.56%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of iodine-131 and levothyroxine sodium in the postoperative treatment of DTC can improve the therapeutic effect and reduce the postoperative recurrence rate without increasing adverse reactions, which is worthy of clinical reference and promotion.

Psammoma bodies in thyroid: are they always indicative of malignancy? A multi-institutional study.

Traditionally, psammoma bodies (PB) have been considered as tale-tell evidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and are frequently encountered in classic and other subtypes of PTCs. However, the presence of PBs in the thyroid gland does not always indicate malignancy. The leading hypothesis on their origin suggests that PB are remnants of papillary structures that have undergone thrombosis, necrosis, and subsequent calcification. From January 2010 to May 2024, 26 patients with psammoma bodies associated with benign thyroid lesions, mainly thyroid follicular nodular disease (TFND), Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT), Graves' disease, and follicular adenomas, were found. The case cohort included 16 females and 10 males with a median age of 49.3 years. The series included 12 TFND, two HT, and 12 follicular adenomas (11 out of 12 were oncocytic adenomas). Twenty-four out of 26 underwent total thyroidectomy. In 24 out of 26 cases, the entire lobes and parenchyma were included and serial cuts at multiple levels were performed in cases with PB but without any evidence of malignancy. Even though the detection of PB is associated with a malignant thyroid lesion, especially PTC and its subtypes, our multi-institutional series showed that in a minority PB can be found in a variety of benign thyroid lesions. Evaluation of the entire thyroid parenchyma at multiple levels is mandatory to exclude sub-centimeter papillary thyroid carcinoma.

The Role of Risk Factors for the Progression of Patients with T1b-T2 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PC) during Long-Term Follow-Up.

Background/Objectives: Recurrence prediction for patients with PC and tumor sizes ranging between 1 and 4 cm, classified as T1b and T2, remains a controversial problem. We evaluated which risk factors, identified during the primary tumor surgery, might play a prognostic role in predicting disease progression. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 363 patients with classic PC who were in follow-up (207 T1b, 156 T2), with tissue risk factors at surgery in 209/363 cases. In all cases, an 131I-whole-body scan, SPECT/CT, and US were employed to detect any metastases during follow-up, and histology was used to confirm lesions. In the absence of surgery, metastases were validated by radioisotopic and radiologic procedures, eventually culminating in a needle biopsy and sequential thyroglobulin changes. Results: Metastases occurred in 61/363 (16.8%) patients (24 T1b, 37 T2). In 50/61 cases, the following risk factors were identified: minimal extrathyroid tumor extension (mETE) alone in 12/50 patients, neck lymph node (LN) metastases in 8/50 cases, and multifocality/multicentricity (M/M) in 6/50 cases. In the remaining 24/50 cases, the risk factors were associated with each other. From a Cox regression multivariate analysis, metastasis development was significantly (p < 0.001) influenced by only mETE and LN metastases, with a shorter disease-free survival (log-rank test). Conclusions: The current study proves that mETE and neck LN metastases are associated with aggressive PC. While LN metastasis' role is known, mETE's role is still being debated, and was removed by the AJCC's eighth edition because it was considered to not be associated with an unfavorable prognosis. However, this interpretation is not supported by the present study and, according to comparable studies, we suggest a revision of the mETE classification be considered in the next AJCC edition.

An Unusual Case of Anterior Displacement of the Vagus Nerve during Total Thyroidectomy: A Surgical Dilemma.

We present a case report describing an unexpected anomaly encountered during a total thyroidectomy for a patient with papillary carcinoma of the left lobe of the thyroid with retrosternal extension. Intraoperatively, we discovered that the left lobe of the thyroid gland had extended posteriorly, invading the carotid space and displacing the carotid sheath anteriorly. The vagus nerve was identified as a cord-like structure abutting the anterior surface of the tumor, in close relation to the strap muscles. This case highlights the importance of careful dissection and identification of anatomical structures during thyroidectomy procedures to avoid inadvertent nerve injury. We discuss the significance of meticulous dissection-wide exposure and advocate for greater awareness and vigilance among surgeons.

The INMSG Survey on the Loss of Signal Management on the First Side During Planned Bilateral Thyroid Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to describe the management and associated follow-up strategies adopted by thyroid surgeons with different surgical volumes when loss of signal (LOS) occurred on the first side of planned bilateral thyroid surgery, and to further define the consensus on intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) applications. METHODS: The International Neural Monitoring Study Group (INMSG) web-based survey was sent to 950 thyroid surgeons worldwide. The survey included information on the participants, IONM team/equipment/procedure, intraoperative/postoperative management of LOS, and management of LOS on the first side of thyroidectomy for benign and malignant disease. RESULTS: Out of 950, 318 (33.5%) respondents completed the survey. Subgroup analyses were performed based on thyroid surgery volume: <50 cases/year (n = 108, 34%); 50 to 100 cases/year (n = 69, 22%); and >100 cases/year (n = 141, 44.3%). High-volume surgeons were significantly (P < .05) more likely to perform the standard procedures (L1-V1-R1-S1-S2-R2-V2-L2), to differentiate true/false LOS, and to verify the LOS lesion/injury type. When LOS occurs, most surgeons arrange otolaryngologists or speech consultation. When first-side LOS occurs, not all respondents decided to perform stage contralateral surgery, especially for malignant patients with severe disease (eg, extrathyroid invasion and poorly differentiated thyroid cancer). CONCLUSIONS: Respondents felt that IONM was optimized when conducted under a collaborative team-based approach, and completed IONM standard procedures and management algorithm for LOS, especially those with high volume. In cases of first-site LOS, surgeons can determine the optimal management of disease-related, patient-related, and surgical factors. Surgeons need additional education on LOS management standards and guidelines to master their decision-making process involving the application of IONM.

Risk and Protective Factors of Postoperative and Persistent Hypoparathyroidism after Total Thyroidectomy in a Series of 1965 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative hypoparathyroidism (HypoPTH) is the most common complication following total thyroidectomy. Several risk factors have been identified, but data on postoperative follow-up are scarce. METHODS: The study focused on 1965 patients undergoing surgery for benign and malignant thyroid diseases at a tertiary-level academic center. Anamnestic, biochemical, surgical, pathological, and follow-up data were evaluated. HypoPTH was defined by a serum concentration of PTH < 10 pg/mL on the first or the second post-operative day. Persistent HypoPTH was defined by the need for calcium/active vitamin D treatment > 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Postoperative HypoPTH occurred in 542 patients. Multivariate analysis identified the association of central lymph-nodal dissection, reduced preoperative PTH levels, a lower rate of parathyroid glands preserved in situ, and longer duration of surgery as independent risk factors. At a median follow-up of 47 months, HypoPTH regressed in 443 patients (more than 6 months after surgery in 7%) and persisted in 53 patients. Patients receiving a lower dose of calcium/active vitamin D treatment at discharge (HR 0.559; p < 0.001) or undergoing prolonged, tailored, and direct follow-up by the operating endocrine surgeon team had a significantly lower risk of persistent HypoPTH (2.4% compared to 32.8% for other specialists) (HR 2.563; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Various patient, disease, and surgeon-related risk factors may predict postoperative HypoPTH. Lower postoperative calcium/active vitamin D treatment and prolonged, tailored follow-up directly performed by operating endocrine surgeons may significantly reduce the rate of persistent HypoPTH.

Increased risk of chronic kidney disease after total thyroidectomy: A nationwide matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Development of hypoparathyroidism (hypoPT) after total thyroidectomy (TT) may increase the risk of kidney-related morbidity. We aimed to examine the risk of hypoPT and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients undergoing TT in Denmark over a 20-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using population-based registries, we identified all Danish individuals with TT between January 1998 and December 2017. We included a matched comparison cohort by randomly selecting 10 citizens for each patient, by sex and birth year. We calculated cumulative incidence and hazard ratio (HR) of CKD by Cox regression in patients with TT compared with the comparison cohort. Further, CKD risks were stratified by indications for TT and comorbidity groups according to Charlson Comorbidity Index. RESULTS: We included 2421 patients with TT and 21.5% had hypoPT. After 10 years, the risk of developing CKD for hypoPT patients was 13.5% (95% CI:9.8-17.7), 11.6% (95% CI: 9.7-13.7) for patients without hypoPT, and 5.8% (95% CI: 5.3-6.2) for the comparison cohort. When compared with the matched comparison cohort, the adjusted HR for CKD in hypoPT patients was 3.23 (95% CI: 2.37-4-41) and 2.27 (1.87-2.75) for patients without hypoPT. For patients without previous comorbidities, the adjusted HR of CKD was higher than in patients with several comorbidities. CONCLUSION: HypoPT was a frequent complication after TT and was associated with an increased risk of CKD. We also found an increased risk of CKD in patients with a normal parathyroid function after TT, which needs to be further evaluated.

The Coexistence of Occult (Latent) Thyroid Cancer and Multinodular Goiter After Total Thyroidectomy: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction Multinodular goiter (MNG) is a common thyroid disorder characterized by the presence of multiple nodules within the thyroid gland. While most cases of MNG are benign, there is a risk of malignancy, particularly in nodules with certain features. The coexistence of occult (latent) thyroid cancer within MNG presents diagnostic and management challenges, underscoring the need for comprehensive investigation and treatment strategies. Objective The objective of this retrospective study is to investigate the prevalence of occult thyroid carcinoma in non-toxic MNG following total thyroidectomy. Materials and methods The study population consisted of 412 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between 2004 and 2022 at the Second Surgical Department of the 424 General Military Hospital of Education in Thessaloniki. Data collection included patients' demographic characteristics, surgical indications for thyroidectomy, and histopathological examination findings. Initial data were available for all 412 patients, while sufficient information was present for 319 individuals, with a subset of 271 undergoing total thyroidectomy due to non-toxic MNG. Out of the aforementioned group, 253 cases were histologically confirmed as MNG. Subsequently, a statistical analysis was conducted concerning age, gender, the association of MNG with malignancy, and other thyroid disorders. Results Out of the total 412 thyroidectomies performed, 271 patients remained for statistical analysis and study. Among them, 253 patients had histologically confirmed MNG. Among the histological findings, 38 cases (14.02%) were identified with occult carcinoma within MNG. The predominant histological type was papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), comprising 93.3% of cases. Additionally, 18 patients (6.64%) were diagnosed with MNG, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), and malignancy concurrently. Conclusions The coexistence of occult thyroid carcinoma within MNG underscores the importance of vigilant evaluation and management strategies in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive preoperative assessment and postoperative surveillance to detect and address occult thyroid cancer, thereby optimizing patient care and outcomes.

Intermediate-sized follicular thyroid cancer surgical trends before and after the 2015 American thyroid association guideline changes.

In 2015, the ATA updated the guidelines to advocate for a lobectomy for tumors <1.0 â€‹cm and total thyroidectomy for tumors >4.0 â€‹cm. Treatment for tumors of intermediate size 1.0-4.0 â€‹cm is dependent on high-risk characteristics. There is limited research comparing the impact of the updated ATA guidelines on clinical practice on intermediate-sized tumors. In this study, the impact of the 2015 ATA guidelines on the surgical treatment of intermediated-sized FTC will be evaluated using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. A total of 9983 patients were included; 7769 patients (74.1 â€‹%) were diagnosed pre-ATA guidelines and 2709 patients (25.9 â€‹%) post-ATA guidelines. The mean rate of lobectomy for intermediate-sized tumors was 22.1 â€‹% which increased to 33.4 â€‹% post-ATA updates. The results of the logistic regression showed the rate of lobectomy increased significantly in the post-ATA changes period (p â€‹< â€‹0.001). Future research could benefit from evaluating how these trends impact patient outcome measures.