Single Institution Experience in the Management of Locally Advanced (pT4) Differentiated Thyroid Carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Locally infiltrating (T4) differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC) represent a challenge. Surgical strategy and adjuvant therapy should be planned balancing morbidity and oncologic outcome. A series of patients with T4 DTC who underwent multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment is reported. The main study endpoints were the oncologic outcome, complication rates, and risk factors for tumor recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All DTC cases operated between 2009 and 2021 were reviewed and T4 DTC cases were identified. En bloc resection of inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN), tracheal, and/or internal jugular vein (IJV) was performed in cases of massive infiltration. In cases of pharyngoesophageal junction (PEJ) invasion, the shaving technique was always applied. RESULTS: Among 4775 DTC cases, 60 were T4. ILN infiltration was documented in 45 cases (en bloc resection in 9), tracheal infiltration in 14 (tracheal resection in 2), PEJ invasion in 11 (R0 resection in 7 cases and < 1 cm residual tissue in 4 cases), IJV resection in 6, and laryngeal in 2. In total, 11 postoperative ILN palsy, 23 transient hypoparathyroidisms, and 2 hematomas requiring reoperation were registered. Final histology showed 7 pN0, 22 pN1a, and 31 pN1b tumors. Aggressive variants were observed in 47 patients. All but 1 patient underwent radioiodine treatment, 12 underwent adjuvant external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and 2 underwent chemotherapy. At a median follow-up of 58 months, no tumor-related death was registered, and seven patients required reoperation for recurrence. Tracheal invasion was the only significant factor negatively impacting recurrence (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary approach is essential for the management of T4 DTC. Individualized and balanced surgical strategy and adjuvant treatments, in particular EBRT, ensure control of locally advanced disease with acceptable morbidity.

Is There Any Reliable Predictor of Functional Recovery Following Post-thyroidectomy Vocal Fold Paralysis?

BACKGROUND: Predicting definitive outcomes of post-thyroidectomy vocal fold paralysis (VFP) is challenging. We aimed to identify reliable predictors based on intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) and flexible fiberoptic laryngostroboscopy (FFL) findings. METHODS: Among 1172 thyroid operations performed from April to December 2021, all patients who exhibited vocal fold paralysis (VFP) at post-operative laryngoscopy were included. IONM data, including type of loss of signal (LOS), were collected. Patients underwent FFL, with arytenoid motility assessment, at 15, 45 and 120 days post-operatively. Patients were divided into two groups: those who recovered vocal fold motility (VFM) by the 120th post-operative day (recovery group) and those who did not (non-recovery group). RESULTS: Fifty-nine VFP cases (5.0% of total patients) met the inclusion criteria. Eight patients were lost at follow-up and were excluded. Overall, 9 patients were included in the non-recovery group (0.8% of total patients) and 42 in the recovery group. Among various predictive factors, only arytenoid fixation (AF) at the 15th post-operative day and Type I LOS were significant predictors for no VFM recovery (p = 0.007, RR = 9.739, CI:1.3-72.3 and p = 0.001, RR = 9.25, CI:2.2-39.3 for AF and Type I injury, respectively). The combination of type of LOS and arytenoid motility at the 15th post-op day yielded satisfactory predictive values for the progression of transient VFP to permanent. CONCLUSIONS: Arytenoid motility at the 15th post-op day and type II LOS are associated with recovery of VFM. Type of LOS and FFL could be included in the follow-up protocols of patients with VFP to reliably predict clinical outcomes.

Distal outpatients hemodynamic treatment of chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs: a new proposal.

The etiology of the venous insufficiency of the lower limbs is related to the increase of the district pressure. This occurs in case of pressure overload of the afferent compartment with a progressive increase of the gradient until the reversal of the flow direction. Varicose veins would be the effect and not the cause of the pressure overload which must always be researched in the efferent (draining) compartment. The gradient inversion in a compartment causes a reflux circuit (venous shunt) only if - in addition to the escape point - one re-entry point is also active, The closure of the escape point does not solve the etiological moment of the district pressure overload. It is therefore a symptomatic treatment that cannot reduce the potential of the system to cause recurrences. During walking, reflux will cause Transmural Pressure Peaks (PPT): in diastole if the reflux is systolic; in systole if the reflux is diastolic; in diastole and in systole if the reflux is diastolic-systolic. On this basis, it has been proposed CHIVA 2 distal outpatient treatment without CHIVA 1 with interesting haemodynamic effects. In the subcutaneous area by the pressure overload block it improves compartment drainage, reduces the peak of trans-mural pressure and the caliber of the varicose veins. In the intrafascial district: reduces peak and trans-mural walking pressure; does not change the drainage of the reflux; can restore an antegrade flow. KEY WORDS: Hemodyamic venous treatment, Vricose veins, Venous Hemodynamic Map (VHM).

Molecular Characterization of Thyroid Follicular Lesions in the Era of "Next-Generation" Techniques.

It is unequivocally recognized that thyroid nodules are frequently detected in the adult population and mostly characterized by benign lesions (up to 70% of them), with only 5%-15% malignant lesions. The evaluation of thyroid lesions with fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) represents one of the first and most useful diagnostic tools in the definition of their nature. Despite the fact that the majority of thyroid lesions are correctly diagnosed as either benign (70%-75%) or malignant (5%-10%) entities, the remaining nodules (20%-25%) represent the "gray zone" of follicular lesions, which belong to indeterminate categories, according to the different classification systems. This indeterminate group of lesions includes both benign and malignant entities, which cannot be easily discriminate with morphology alone. In these last decades, the increasing role of molecular testings, feasibly performed on cytological material combined with the discoveries of specific genetic alterations in the field of thyroid pathology, has opened the pace to their more accurate and specific contribution on cytology. In fact, in 2015, in the revised management guidelines for patients with thyroid nodules and well-differentiated thyroid cancers (WDTCs), the American Thyroid Association (ATA) confirmed the performance of molecular testing in thyroid indeterminate cytology, and the same performance was addressed in recent update of the management of thyroid nodules in the second edition of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (TBSRTC). In the current review, we discuss the role of molecular tests for the different thyroid diagnostic categories of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology, mostly focusing our attention on the follicular and indeterminate lesions.

Does Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer Have Different Features? Results from a Single Academic Center.

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that the majority of thyroid cancers are indolent, 15% of patients with well-differentiated carcinoma including papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) present with locally advanced thyroid cancer (LATC) at diagnosis. The current study analyzes a cohort of patients with LATC focusing on their risk for local recurrence, distant metastases, and overall survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2020, 65 patients with LATC were retrieved, including 42 cases with preoperative cytological samples. BRAFV600E and TERT mutations were performed on both cytology and histopathology specimens in this cohort. RESULTS: Among the 65 cases, 42 (65%) were women. The median age was 60.1 years. Histological diagnoses included 25 (38.4%) with classic PTC and 30 (46.1%) aggressive variants of PTC, mostly tall cell variant (17 cases, 26.1%). Multifocality was seen in 33 cases (50.8%). All patients had nodal metastases. The most common site of extrathyroidal extension was the recurrent laryngeal nerve (69.2%). Staging revealed 21 cases were stage I, none were stage II, 33 were stage III, and 7 were stage IVa and 4 stage IVb. No differences were found between well and poorly/undifferentiated thyroid cancers. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that locally advanced thyroid cancers, including variants of PTC, exhibit a more aggressive biological course and should accordingly be more assertively managed.

Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia: Is a routine preferable over a selective supplementation?

BACKGROUND: Comparative studies among protocols for the management of post-total thyroidectomy (TT) hypocalcemia are lacking. We compared the effectiveness of PTH-driven selective supplementation (PD-SS) and routine calcium and calcitriol supplementation with preoperative calcitriol administration in preventing symptomatic hypocalcemia (SH) and readmission. METHODS: Three-hundred consecutive patients undergoing TT were assigned to 3 groups: the PD-SS group, the high-dose routine supplementation (HD-RS) group and the low-dose routine supplementation (LD-RS) group. RESULTS: Mean post-operative stay was shorter in HD-RS patients when compared to PD-SS and LD-RS (p < 0.001). Significantly more patients in the PD-SS group experienced SH (p = 0.042). The rate of post-operative hypocalcemia was not significantly different among the groups (p = 0.063). No readmission for SH or hypercalcemia occurred. CONCLUSIONS: HD-RS emerged as the most effective treatment to prevent SH, without increasing the risk of readmission for calcitriol-related hypercalcemia. Basing on the present results, HD-RS should be recommended as the preferable protocol.

[Aesthetic result of thyroidectomy: evaluation of different kinds of skin suture]. / Il risultato estetico della tiroidectomia: valutazione di diversi tipi di sutura cutanea.

AIM: The aesthetic results of thyroidectomy have been evaluated in a prospective single-blinded randomized study MATERIAL OF STUDY: 140 patients undergoing thyroid surgery were randomized for skin closure into 4 groups: (1) intradermal non-absorbable suture; (2) intradermal non-absorbable double layer suture; (3) staples; (4) tissue adhesive. 136 out of the 140 patients were followed up at 3 months postoperatively. Scars were evaluated by a blinded plastic surgeon using the mVSS tool (modified Vancouver Scar Scale). Patients completed the PSAS form (Patient Scar Assessment Scale). RESULTS: Assessment of wound cosmesis with the mVSS revealed no statistical difference between group (1), (2) and (3); a statistically significant difference in the results with the group (4) (p = 0.0020) was found. The analysis of the results of PSAS showed very good subjective outcomes in all groups. However, the median values of PSAS at 3 months are better (p = 0.0001) for the group (1): follow results of group (2), (3) and (4). In some cases, the subjective rating in the group of women has been even higher than that reported by the blinded specialist. DISCUSSION: (1) still represents the gold standard in thyroidectomy. Conceptually the ideal technique should be (2): removing the suture (after two weeks from surgery) all problems related to the stimulus from foreign body are eliminated. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of suture technique to use depends on the skill and experience of the single surgeon. All four types of suture, if performed correctly, have given very attractive subjective and objective results.

Is it possible to intraoperatively modulate the extent of thyroidectomy in small papillary thyroid carcinoma?

BACKGROUND: Thyroid lobectomy is the preferred option for small, unifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma. Involvement of the central neck lymph nodes is an indication for total thyroidectomy plus central neck dissection. We aimed to verify if frozen section examination of ipsilateral central neck nodes can identify the subgroup of patients scheduled for thyroid lobectomy intraoperatively who could benefit of more extensive initial operative treatment. METHODS: Ninety-four consenting patients with clinically unifocal cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma underwent thyroid lobectomy plus ipsilateral central neck dissection with frozen section examination. If the frozen section examination was positive for metastases, a completion thyroidectomy and a bilateral central neck dissection were accomplished during the same procedure. RESULTS: Frozen section examination identified occult nodal metastases in 25 of the 94 patients who then underwent immediate completion thyroidectomy and bilateral central neck dissection. Overall, central neck node metastases were found at final histology in 35 cases: occult micrometastases were observed in additional 9 patients and nodal metastases ≥2 mm in additional 1 patient. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative assessment of nodal status obtained with ipsilateral central neck dissection and frozen section examination is able to change the extent of thyroidectomy in about one-fourth of patients scheduled for thyroid lobectomy. Frozen section examination appears a safe and effective strategy to decrease the need of a second-step completion procedure and, theoretically, the risk of recurrence.

The role of fine-needle aspiration performed with liquid-based cytology in the surgical management of thyroid lesions.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the accuracy and usefulness of cytological classification of fine-needle aspirates in determining the appropriate surgical treatment for thyroid lesions studied with conventional smears (CS) and liquid-based cytology (LBC) in a split-sample method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 353 patients were studied with both CS and LBC. The cytological diagnoses were classified according to the British Thyroid Association into 5 groups: Thy1, inadequate; Thy2, non-neoplastic or benign group including goiter, thyrocytic hyperplasia without nuclear atypia and thyroiditis; Thy3 or indeterminate/follicular proliferation, including follicular neoplasm not otherwise specified and oxyphilic follicular neoplasm; Thy4, suspicious for malignancy, including follicular lesion with nuclear pleomorphism; Thy5, diagnostic for malignancy including papillary carcinoma and medullary carcinoma. The efficacy of thyroid fine-needle aspiration processed by CS with LBC in a split-sample method was evaluated. RESULTS: Overall 164 patients were included in the Thy2, 97 in the Thy3, 49 in the Thy4, and 43 in the malignant Thy5 group. The percentage of unnecessary thyroidectomies decreased from 58.5 to 42% in our series. CONCLUSION: Our subclassification, according to the British Thyroid Association classification, attempts to reduce the number of Thy3 who undergo surgery. The comparison between the traditional management of thyroid lesions and our morphological categories with the use of CS and LBC together allows the number of unnecessary thyroidectomies to be reduced.

Extremely Late Recovery of Unusual Cervical Ankylosing Spondylitis-Related Dysphagia: Anesthesiologic, Surgical, and Pathophysiological Considerations, and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disease that involves above all the spine and the pelvis. In the spine, the inflammatory processes cause the formation of syndesmophytes between the vertebral bodies and the ossification of ligaments, with bony overgrowth. In this setting, dysphagia is a rare but severe complication and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe the case of a 50-year-old man suffering from AS, with a 6-month history of severe dysphagia caused by bone compression of the esophagus at the C3-5 level. Because the patient underwent a 10-kg weight loss 2 months after clinical onset, a gastrostomy tube placement was needed. Complete surgical excision of the bone overgrowth via an anterior cervical approach was performed, but despite continuous intensive swallowing rehabilitation therapy, the patient failed to improve in the first following months. Surprisingly, the patient started to improve 18 months after the operation, with a complete recovery from dysphagia 24 months after. CONCLUSIONS: Among the 5 reports (including the present case) available in the current literature with a clear dysphagia recovery follow-up, the present case (the second one harboring gastrostomy) is associated with the slowest complete recovery published so far. This unusually late recovery suggests a possible role not only of the mechanical decompression of the esophagus but also of the degeneration/regeneration ratio of the myenteric plexus, along with local neurotransmitters sensitivity changes, to better understand the dysphagia recovery time course of this unique patient.

A large series of hyalinizing trabecular tumors: Cytomorphology and ancillary techniques on fine needle aspiration.

BACKGROUND: Hyalinizing trabecular tumors (HTTs) are rare, essentially benign, follicular cell-derived thyroid neoplasms characterized by a trabecular growth pattern and nuclear pseudoinclusions. Their cytological findings are misleading, because these tumors are often misinterpreted on fine needle aspirate cytology as malignant lesions, such as papillary thyroid cancer and/or medullary thyroid cancer, leading to unnecessary total thyroidectomy. The aim of this study was to analyze the cytomorphological features and application of ancillary techniques in a series of HTTs. METHODS: Of 26 histological cases of HTT collected from September 2001 to December 2018, 18 cases had concomitant cytopathology. Cytological cases were processed with liquid-based cytology (LBC). Immunocytochemistry for HBME-1 and galectine-3 as well as molecular testing for BRAFV600E mutation were performed on both LBC and histological specimens. RESULTS: The 18 lesions with fine needle aspirate cytology ranged in size from 5 to 45 mm. Cytological diagnoses included: 1 benign lesion favoring goiter (5.5%), 4 atypia of undetermined significance (22.2%), 6 follicular neoplasms (33.3%), 5 suspicious for malignancy favoring papillary thyroid cancer (28%), and 2 malignant (11%). Hence, 89% HTT had a negative concordant immunopanel, and they were 100% wild-type BRAFV600E . CONCLUSION: The majority of our HTTs (83.3%) were diagnosed in the indeterminate Bethesda categories, suggesting that their cytomorphological features pose issues for reaching a conclusive cytological diagnosis. The ancillary test results in our series support the fact that HTT is a benign neoplasm.

Echocolor Doppler morpho-functional study of the jugulo-subclavian confluence in chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency and multiple sclerosis patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work is to measure the mean diameter of the confluence jugulo- subclavian, the impact of different types of jugular confluences and the correlation between the types of confluences and the Valsalva maneuver (jugular reflux) in subjects with Chronic Cerebro-Spinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) and Multiple Sclerosis. METHOD: We investigated by Echo-Color-Doppler (ECD) 103 subjects (67 F 36M) of mean age 45 ± 12 years (a minimum of 22 to a maximum of 79 years, with a median of 44 and a modal value 42 years), mean EDSS of 4.7 and average disease duration of 12 years. RESULTS: The 103 right jugular veins investigated had an average diameter of 8.4 ± 2.4 mm (minimum 4.0, maximum 14.9 mm; median 7.9; modal value 7.6 mm). Three form types were found: 56 cylindrical, 29 conical and 18 funnel. Valsalva maneuver was positive in 30 patients. The 103 left jugular investigated had an average diameter of 8.9 ± 2.4 mm (minimum 2.8, maximum 14.4 mm; median of 8.8; modal value 8.7 mm). The form types were found: 42 cylindrical, 45 conical and 16 funnel. Valsalva maneuver was positive in 30 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The mean diameter of the jugular veins was 8.7 mm. Internal jugular veins with cylindrical morphology have a diameter smaller than other forms; this difference is statistically significant. The different morphology of the jugular vein confluence does not increase the possibility of a reflux because the positive Valsalva maneuvers are not statistically significant when compared to the various types. KEY WORDS: CCSVI, EchoColorDoppler Map, Jugulo-Subclavian Confluence Diameter.

Complications of Neck Dissections in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Modified Procedure to Reduce Parathyroid Morbidity.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Hypoparathyroidism is the most significant morbidity after neck dissection for thyroid cancer. Addition of lateral neck dissection (ND) to central ND combined with total thyroidectomy (TT) increases the risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism compared to TT plus central ND. The aim of this study was to verify if a modified procedure and different access to the neck for lateral ND may improve safety. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 62 patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) undergoing TT plus central and lateral ND between 2010 and 2013, lateral ND was performed as first step approaching the neck via extrathyroideal space. Calcium in serum and parathormone (PTH) were determined preoperatively, intraoperatively and during the follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty patients (32%) developed postoperative hypocalcemia. Calcium levels and PTH completely recovered for 58 out of 62 patients from 3 to 6 months after surgery. After a mean of 12 months' follow-up, only four patients (6.5%) had developed permanent hypoparathyroidism. The incidence of parathyroid complication after TT plus central ND and lateral ND did not differ from postoperative hypoparathyroidim after TT plus central ND. CONCLUSION: The presented surgical procedure may provide a better outcome in terms of parathyroid morbidity.

Complications in thyroid surgery. Harmonic Scalpel, Harmonic Focus versus Conventional Hemostasis: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the incidence of postoperative complications, hemostatic effects and safety of Total Thyroidectomy (TT) performed using the Harmonic Scalpel (HS), the Harmonic Focus (HF) or Conventional Hemostasis (CH). METHODS: The meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was conducted from 2003 to 2014 and stringent criteria were required for inclusion. Thirteen studies concerning an overall population of 1458 compared HS versus CH, whilst 8 studies with 1667 patients compared HF versus CH. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction of operative time (Mean Difference [MD] = -25.49 min.; 95% CI -32.43 to -18.55), intraoperative blood loss (MD = -30.49 mL; 95% CI -53.01 to -7.97), postoperative drainage volume (MD = -12.90 mL; 95% CI -22.83 to -2.98) and postoperative pain (MD = -0.87; 95% CI -1.27 to -0.46) in patients underwent TT with HS. Regarding HF group, a significant reduction of operative time (MD = -25.99 min., 95% CI -34.56 to -17.41), length of hospital stay (MD = -0.57; 95% CI -0.97 to -0.17), transient hypocalcemia (OR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.39 to 0.81) and postoperative pain (MD = -1.33 days; 95% CI -2.49 to -0.17) resulted. CONCLUSIONS: HS TT can be a safe, useful and fast alternative to conventional TT. The newer HF can reduce the rate of hypocalcemia. Future RCTs of larger patient cohorts with more detailed data of postoperative complications, cost-effectiveness and cosmetic results, randomization procedures, intention-to-treat analyses and blinding of outcome assessors are needed to draw more meaningful conclusions.

[Legal contentions in thyroid surgery. Kind of preoperative information to the patients]. / Problematiche medico-legale in chirurgia tiroidea. L'informazione preoperatoria al paziente.

The question of patients information and the achievement of an informed consent to medical and/or surgical treatment by the patient still represents one of the main issue of the medical profession, having greater importance nowadays in respect to the past regarding the relationship doctor-patient and to the diagnostic-therapeutic approach to the patient. Written informed consent is a pre requisite for surgical intervention as it provides the forum for the patient to appreciate implications of the procedure and the doctor to explain details and effects of the surgery. Patients refusal is, nowadays, according to the latest orientation of the Italian Supreme Court, the major limitation to medical or surgical intervention. For these reason we have thought better to propose a written form of informed consent regarding the thyroid surgery, which implies, more than other surgery's act, the exposition of the patient to adverse iatrogenic risks and as a consequence it can expose the surgeon to criminal or civil liabilities.

Well-differentiated thyroid cancer with a minor poorly differentiated component: clonal heterogeneity through the prognostic role of CXCR4 and BRAF analysis.

Well-differentiated carcinoma (WDC) accounts for up to 90% of all thyroid cancers. The presence of a minor poorly differentiated (PD) component (mainly insular pattern) might represent an additional critical parameter for patients' prognosis and outcome. The role of both CXCR4 (a chemokine inducing cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell adhesion) and BRAF mutation have been studied in WDC (mainly papillary thyroid cancer and its variants), highlighting their critical role in tumor progression, local infiltration, and metastases. We discussed the clonal heterogeneity through the prognostic role of CXCR4 and BRAF mutation in WDC with a minor PD/insular component. Of our 16 WDC cases with a PD/insular component, up to 40% underwent surgery. The cases were subclassified according to the PD percentage as (1) <20% PD and (2) 20% to 40% PD, and were studied for CXCR4 expression and BRAF mutation. CXCR4 and molecular testing were distinctly performed on both components of each lesion. The majority of the cases (69%) showed an extrathyroid and metastatic dissemination. Regardless of the 2 categories, we had 8/16 (50%) patients with disease-free status. CXCR4 was negative in all 16 cases, whereas 3 of them (19%) had a mutated BRAF only in the WDC component of the lesion. WDCs with a minor PD pattern, even when <20%, showed more aggressive features than pure WDCs and should be entirely considered as PD carcinoma. The absence of CXCR4 expression and BRAF mutation in cancers with a minor PD component underlined different pathogenic and metastatic processes in comparison with WDCs.

Revisited anatomy of the recurrent laryngeal nerves.

BACKGROUND: The most frequent postthyroidectomy complication is recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) damage with subsequent vocal cord palsy. METHODS: We have undertaken an intraoperative study aimed to determine the course, distribution, and RLN's anatomical relationships with adjacent structures. Only its identification and its careful exposure allow prevention of iatrogenic injuries. RESULTS: The RLN was always routinely exposed and identified in 1,543 thyroidectomies. All patients underwent laryngoscopic evaluation before surgery and at the time of discharge. A total of 2,626 RLN were observed. The number of nerves exposed to risk was 673 (25.6%). In the whole series, of 2626 nerves controlled, there were 11 (0.4%) permanent palsies. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that damage to the RLN or to one of its branches may be avoided only by identification and careful exposure of the nerve itself. An experienced surgeon with good knowledge of the anatomy of the RLN and its anatomical variations is required for uncomplicated treatment of thyroid disease.

[Diverticular disease: complications and treatment]. / La malattia diverticolare: complicanze e trattamento.

This study reports on 10 years of experience in observing diverticular disease. The study considers 77 patients, 41 males and 36 females, aged from 50 to 88 years (mean age: 70 years), observed from January 1991 to December 2001. Sixty-two patients were admitted from the Accident and Emergency Unit and 15 were elected patients. Five patients underwent emergency surgery, while 72 received only antibiotic therapy. The overall mortality rate was 0. The morbidity rate was 22% in those patients undergoing emergency surgery. In only one of the elected patients was wound suppuration detected. Diverticular disease, in most cases, is treated by antibiotic therapy alone, but in 30% of cases surgery is necessary. Colon resection and immediate anastomosis are the first choice operation also in the emergency setting, provided local conditions (inflammation, septic contamination) make anastomosis safe. In patients with major peritoneal contamination, Hartman's operation and subsequent recanalization after 6 months are to be preferred.

Benign multicystic mesothelioma of the peritoneum: a case report.

The aim of this study is to report the experience of a case of benign multicystic mesothelioma of the peritoneum presented with acute appendicitis symptomatology. A 28 years old man with right lower and upper abdominal pain was admitted into hospital. Because of the clinical picture, the symptomatology and the leukocytosis a diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made and the patient underwent appendicectomy according to Mc Burney. At laparotomy some cc of purulent fluid were sucked and a cystic mass that contained clear fluid was revealed. In consequence of the incidental diagnosis a following middle laparotomy was made with a careful surgical excision of the mass and of the appendix. Macroscopically the lesion was identified like a neoplastic mass 25 centimeters in diameter, with a multicystic and fibrous-adipose aspect, with cysts 5 centimeters in diameter. The cystic spaces were lined by a layer of eptelial cells which presented positive reaction for cytokeratin and EMA, whereas endothelium markers were absent. The ultrastructural, morphological and immunohistochemical findings were diagnostic of a benign multicystic mesothelioma.