Clinical significance of monitoring parathyroid hormone in drainage fluid and serum after total thyroidectomy / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of different clinical factors on the level of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and to predict the possibility of permanent hypothyroidism (PHP) after total thyroidectomy (TT) by monitoring the levels of PTH in serum and drainage fluid after TT.Methods:Retrospective analysis was made on 150 patients who underwent TT for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in the Department of Thyroid Head and Neck Surgery in Jilin Cancer Hospital from Jan. 2020 to Aug. 2021. The changes of serum PTH were recorded at 1, 3, 7, 30 days and 6 months after surgery. The risk factors of postoperative hypoparathyroidism (HP) were investigated by single factor and multi factor methods. The impairment of parathyroid function was predicted combined with the level of PTH in the drainage fluid 1 day after operation.Results:After TT, serum PTH returned to normal value in most patients 1 month after operation. The proportion of PHP was 3.33% (5/150). Univariate analysis showed that bilateral central lymph node dissection, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, tumor diameter ≥2 cm and intraoperative selective parathyroid autologous transplantation were risk factors for temporary hypoparathyroidism (THP). Multivariate analysis showed that BCND ( OR=0.322, P=0.001) , intraoperative selective parathyroid autograft ( OR=5.442, P=0.001) and tumor diameter ≥2 cm ( OR=2.247, P=0.003) were independent risk factors for THP. ROC curve was used to compare the predictive effect of postoperative serum and drainage PTH levels on postoperative PHP. The statistical results showed that the highest predictive effect of postoperative PHP was found on the first day of drainage PTH level within 1 week after operation (AUC 0.81) . 54 cases whose serum PTH was lower than normal value on the first day after operation were divided into 4 groups according to the level of PTH in drainage fluid from high to low. The results showed that the lower the level of PTH in drainage fluid, the greater the possibility of PHP ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Most of the patients with low PTH one month after operation develop PHP, while bilateral central lymph node dissection, intraoperative selective parathyroid transplantation, tumor diameter ≥2 cm are risk factors for THP after TT. If the serum PTH is lower than the normal value on the first day after operation, there is a possibility of PTH. The lower the PTH in the drainage fluid, the greater the possibility of PHP, which should be paid attention to in clinical practice.

Carcinoma medular esporádico de tiroides / Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma

Introducción: El carcinoma medular de tiroides, representa aproximadamente entre el 5 - 10 por ciento de todos los carcinomas tiroideos, aparece con más frecuencia entre los 25 y 60 años y en el sexo femenino. Se distinguen dos tipos: el esporádico (no hereditario) y el familiar (hereditario). La localización más frecuente es la unión del tercio superior de lóbulo tiroideo con el tercio medio, que es la zona de mayor concentración de células C. Objetivo: Presentar el caso de paciente masculino operado de carcinoma medular de tiroides, tipo esporádico, en la provincia de Cienfuegos. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino de 60 años de edad, piel blanca, que acudió a la consulta; refiere aumento de volumen del cuello acompañado de disfonía y disfagia a los alimentos sólidos. Al examen físico se constató la presencia del nódulo tiroideo. Se le realizó ultrasonido que corrobora la presencia de un nódulo en el lóbulo derecho del tiroides. La biopsia por aspiración con aguja fina informó el nódulo como sospechoso de malignidad. Se le realizó tiroidectomía total, informándose por la biopsia por parafina de la pieza como un carcinoma medular del tiroides. En la actualidad lleva 6 meses de operado con evolución favorable. Conclusiones: El carcinoma medular de tiroides constituye una entidad rara y agresiva más frecuente en los pacientes mayores de 45 años, cuyo tratamiento de elección es la cirugía(AU)

Introduction: Medullary thyroid carcinoma accounts for approximately 5-10 percent of all thyroid carcinomas. It appears more frequently at ages 25-60 years and in females. Two types are distinguished: sporadic (nonhereditary) and familial (hereditary). The most common location is the union of the upper third of the thyroid lobe to the middle third, the area with the highest concentration of C cells. Objective: To present the case of a male patient operated on for medullary thyroid carcinoma, of sporadic type, in the Cienfuegos Province. Clinical case: A 60-year-old male patient of white skin attended consultation. He reported an increase in neck volume accompanied by dysphonia and dysphagia for solid food. The physical examination revealed the presence of the thyroid nodule. Ultrasound was performed, which confirmed the presence of a nodule in the right lobe of the thyroid. Fine needle aspiration biopsy reported the nodule as suspicious for malignancy. A total thyroidectomy was performed, after which, paraffin biopsy of the specimen permitted to report a medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. At present, he has been operating for six months, with favorable evolution. Conclusions: Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a rare and aggressive entity, more frequent in patients over 45 years of age, whose treatment of choice is surgery(AU)

PTH como predictor de hipocalcemia postiroidectomía total / PTH as a predictor of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre el valor de PTH medido a las 6 h posoperatorias de los pacientes sometidos a una tiroidectomía total, y la presentación de hipocalcemia en las primeras 24 h posoperatorias. Materiales y Método: Estudio analítico retrospectivo que utiliza una base de datos de 173 pacientes operados de tiroidectomía total entre enero de 2016 a diciembre de 2018 en el Hospital Militar de Santiago (HMS). Se revisaron datos demográficos y perioperatorios. Se utilizó curva ROC para evaluar la asociación entre PTH e hipocalcemia en nuestros pacientes. Resultados: 106 pacientes que cumplen criterios de inclusión. Promedio de PTH 30,5 (1,4-169), 58% presentó hipocalcemia, solo 17 pacientes fueron sintomáticos. PTH promedio en pacientes sintomáticos fue de 7,8 pg/ml. Curva ROC con área bajo la curva de 0,83 (0,75-0,92). Considerando valores útiles para la práctica clínica, una PTH menor a 6,3 (valor más bajo en nuestro laboratorio), tiene sensibilidad de 97%. El valor 18 de PTH (límite inferior del rango de normalidad del laboratorio) se obtiene 88,89% de sensibilidad con 66,07% de especificidad. Y con un valor de 47 pg/ml, se obtiene con un 91% de especificidad para predecir pacientes que no tendrían hipocalcemia. Conclusión: Con un valor de PTH disminuido bajo su valor normal, se puede decir que el riesgo de tener hipocalcemia es sobre el 80%, por lo que se debería iniciar tratamiento profiláctico y desistir del alta. En cambio, para definir un valor superior sobre el cual dar de alta precoz con seguridad, faltan más estudios.

Aim: To evaluate the association between PTH (parathormone) value measured at 6 hours postoperatively of patients submitted to total thyroidectomy, and the presentation of hypocalcemia in the first 24 hours. Materials and Method: Retrospective study of 173 patients with total thyroidectomy between January 2016 to December 2018 in HMS. Demographic and perioperative data were reviewed. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the association between PTH and hypocalcemia in our patients. Results: 106 patients meet inclusion criteria. Average of PTH 30.5 (1.4-169), 58% presented hypocalcemia, 17 patients were symptomatic. ROC curve with area under the curve of 0.83 (0.75-0.92) was obtained considering useful values for clinical practice, a PTH less than 6.3 (lowest value in our laboratory), has 97% sensitivity to predict hypocalcemia. If we use the value 18 we obtain 88.89% sensitivity with 66.07% specificity. And with a value of 47, it is obtained with 91% specificity to predict patients who would not have hypocalcemia Conclusion: With a PTH value decreased below its normal value, it can be said that the risk of having hypocalcemia is over 80%, so that prophylactic treatment should be initiated. To define a value on which to register early with security, more study is needed.

Patterns of central lymph node metastasis of the cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma located in the isthmus and their significance to the choice of operative method and scope / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the patterns and risk factors of central lymph node metastasis in node-negative neck (cN0) papillary thyroid carcinoma located in the isthmus. To discuss different operation methods and the postoperative complications to find out the appropriate surgical approach and scope.Methods:Forty-eight patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma located in isthmus for surgery at the First Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from Jan. 2013 to Dec. 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. They were divided into two groups: the lymph node metastatic group and the lymph node non-metastatic group. The metastatic lymph node group was further divided into the group with the number of lymph node metastasis ≤5 and the lymph node metastasis > 5. The clinical features, including gender, age, number and size of tumor, extrathyroidal extension, and whether combined with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the incidence of central lymph node metastasis and related factors, the scope of surgery, postoperative complications and recurrence were analyzed. SPSS 21.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis, t test was used for measurement data, and χ2 test was used for counting data. Results:Among 48 patients, 27 had lymph node metastasis, with a metastatic rate of 56.25% (27/48) . Lymph node metastasis in pretracheal, prelaryngeal, left and right paratracheal lymph node was present in 47.9%, 22.9%, 20.8% and 16.7% of the patients respectively. The proportion and risk of lymph node metastasis were significantly increased in patients with tumor size>1 cm ( P=0.014, OR=6.78, 95% CI:1.59-28.95) . In patients with the number of lymph node metastasis > 5, the incidence of tumor size > 1 cm, prelaryngeal, left and right paratracheal lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that of patients with lymph node metastasis ≤5 ( P=0.008, P=0.033, P=0.025, P=0.027) . There was a higher proportion of pretracheal or prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis in patients with left paratracheal lymph node metastasis ( ( P=0.008, P=0.007) . Multivariate analyses of risk factors associated with paratracheal lymph node metastasis indicated that the paratracheal lymph node metastasis correlated with the metastasis of pretracheal and (or) prelaryngeal lymph node ( P=0.016, OR=5.92, 95% CI:1.39-25.3) . In 48 patients with cN0 isthmic PTC, 43 cases underwent total thyroidectomy plus bilateral central lymph node dissection, and 5 patients reseived extended isthmus resection plus prelaryngeal and pretracheal lymph node dissection. 21 (41.8%) patients in total thyroidectomy group had PTH reduction, which was a transient hypoparathyroidism. 48 patients were followed up for 1-6 years without recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions:cN0 isthmic papillary thyroid carcinoma has a high incidence of central lymph node metastasis. Pretracheal and prelaryngeal lymph node are the most common metastatic location. For patients with tumor size>1 cm, a total thyroidectomy plus bilateral prophylactic central lymphadenectomy is needed. However, for patients without capsular invasion, tumor size≤1 cm, without pretracheal and prelaryngeal lymph node metastasis confirmed by intraoperative fast-frozen pathology, extended isthmus resection plus prophylactic pretracheal and prelaryngeal lymphadenectomy can be selected for reducing the complications of operation.

Comparison of Quality of Life of Patients with Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma Treated by Different Modalities / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To compare the health-related quality of life(HRQoL)of patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC)treated by different modalities. Methods The PTMC patients after treatment who came to our department for follow-up from October to December in 2019 were enrolled and assigned into three groups according to treatment modalities:radiofrequency ablation(RFA)group(

Resultado del tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer de tiroides Hospital Universitario Comandante "Faustino Pérez Hernández" Matanzas / Outcome of thyroid cancer surgical treatment. University Hospital ¨Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández. Matanzas

RESUMEN Introducción: el cáncer de tiroides representa un 1% del total de todos los tipos de cáncer. Su incidencia parece aumentar un 4% cada año, y en la actualidad es el octavo cáncer más frecuente en mujeres. Objetivo: evaluar el resultado del tratamiento quirúrgico en el cáncer de tiroides. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo que incluye todos los pacientes operados de cáncer tiroides en el servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Universitario "Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández", en el período desde enero de 1993 a diciembre del 2018. Se empleó un modelo recolector de datos con las variables de interés para el estudio y los resultados se presentaron en tablas de frecuencia, números y porciento. Resultados: el cáncer de tiroides fue más frecuente en el grupo etario de 31 a 50 años, predomino el sexo femenino, la variedad histológica papilar fue la más frecuente, la técnica quirúrgica más empleada fue la tiroidectomía total. El hipotiroidismo fue la complicación más encontrada. Conclusiones: el cáncer de tiroides es más frecuente en pacientes relativamente jóvenes y del sexo femenino, la variedad papilar, la tiroidectomía total y el hipotiroidismo como complicación posquirúrgica son los de más incidencia (AU).

SUMMARY Introduction: thyroid cancer represents 1% of the total of all kinds of cancer. Its incidence seems to increase 4% every year, and at the present time it is the eighth more frequent cancer in women. Objective: to evaluate the results of the thyroid cancer surgical treatment. Materials and methods: a retrospective, descriptive, observational study was carried out including all patients who underwent a surgery of thyroid cancer in the service of General Surgery of the University Hospital ¨Comandante Faustino Perez Hernandez¨ in the period from January 1993 to December 2018. A data collector model was used with the variables of interest for the study and the results were presented by charts of frequency, numbers and percent. Results: the thyroid cancer was more frequent in the age group of 31 to 50 years; the female sex prevailed; the most frequent variety was the histological papillary one; the most used surgical technique was total thyroidectomy. Hypothyroidism was the most commonly found complication. Conclusions: thyroid cancer is more frequent in relatively young, female patients; the papillary variety, total thyroidectomy and hypothyroidism as surgical complication are the ones with higher incidence (AU).

Carcinoma anaplásico de tireoide: relato de caso tratado com cirurgia e radioterapia adjuvante / Anaplastic thyroid cancer: a case report treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy

Introdução: o Carcinoma Anaplásico de Tireoide (CAT) está entre as mais letais malignidades humanas, sendo a taxa de sobrevida estimada em 10-20% em 01 ano e menor que 5% em 10 anos. Diante da raridade do CAT e desfecho consideravelmente desfavorável da doença, este relato discute as modalidades terapêuticas utilizadas no tratamento do CAT e as características da doença possivelmente relacionadas a um melhor desfecho clínico. Objetivo: relatar o caso de um paciente idoso portador de CAT com resposta completa loco-regional após tratamento combinado com cirurgia e radioterapia (RT) adjuvante. Neste estudo, a literatura a respeito das características da patologia da neoplasia indiferenciada da tireoide e modalidades de tratamento no controle oncológico desta doença é revisada e discutida. Caso clínico: trata-se de um paciente masculino de 88 anos submetido a Tireoidectomia Total (TT) cujo estudo imuno-histoquímico evidenciou neoplasia maligna indiferenciada da tireoide. O paciente realizou tratamento adjuvante com RT na dose total de 66 Gy em leito operatório. Em tempo de seguimento de 18 meses, o paciente encontra-se vivo sem doença detectável em atividade. Conclusão: neste relato, descreveu-se um raro caso de uma evolução favorável de um paciente idoso portador de CAT com longa sobrevida livre de doença quando comparada ao prognóstico reservado dessa neoplasia. Este relato destaca a importância de uma terapia multimodal no manejo desta doença.

Backgroud: anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) ranks among the most lethal of all human malignancies, and the estimated survival rate ranges from 10 to 20% in 01 year and is less than 5% in 10 years. In view of the rarity of ATC and considerably unfavorable outcome of the disease, this report makes it possible to discuss the therapeutic modalities in the treatment of the ATC and the features of the disease possibly related to a better clinical outcome. Objective: the objective of the present study is to report the case of an elderly patient with ATC with locoregional complete response after combined treatment with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT.) In this study, the literature regarding the pathological features of the undifferentiated thyroid cancer and treatment modalities on oncologic outcome is reviewed and discussed. Case presentation: this is a case of a 88 year old male patient, who underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) for thyroid cancer treatment whose cytological analysis was compatible with anaplastic thyroid cancer. The immunohistochemical study showed undifferentiated malignancy of the thyroid. The patient underwent adjuvant treatment with RT at the total dose of 66 Gy in operative bed. In a follow-up period of 18 months, the patient is alive with no detectable disease in activity. Conclusions: in this report, is described a rare case of a favorable evolution of an elderly patient with ATC relatively long disease-free survival compared to the reserved prognosis of this neoplasm. This case underlines the importance of a multimodal therapy in the management of this disease.

Study of the incidence of hypocalcemia in patients undergoing bilateral thyroid surgery

Background: Thyroid surgery are among the most common operations performed all over the world. Hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy is a fairly common complication. Occurrence of acute hypocalcemia can be predicted in patients undergoing thyroid surgery, based on serial calcium measurement and this helps in early prediction of hypocalcemia. The aim of present study was to assess the incidence of post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia and factors which might play a role in its occurrence.Methods: A total 30 patients who underwent bilateral thyroidectomy were analysed. The study period was from June 2017 to March 2019. The incidence of hypocalcemia was analysed with serial calcium estimation in immediate post-operative period, 4 hours and 24 hours after surgery and on 5th post-operative day. The factors analysed included pre-operative and post-operative serum calcium levels, clinical features, the disease type and factors related to surgery. The ethical approval was taken from the ethical committee of the institute. At the end of the study data was collected and analysed by using student t-test and chi square test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Post-operative transient hypocalcemia developed in 21 patients out of 30 (70%). Of them six patients (28.75%) developed severe hypocalcemia and 15 (71.42%) developed mild to moderate hypocalcemia. Out of six patients, five patients were histopathologically diagnosed as malignant thyroid disease. 15 patients who developed mild to moderate hypocalcemia were diagnosed to be having benign thyroid conditions.Conclusions: Patients underwent thyroid surgery for malignant conditions showed higher incidence and severity hypocalcemia as compared to cases where surgery was performed for benign thyroid disease. This complication can be prevented with meticulous perioperative dissection, prompt identification of parathyroid glands and frequent postoperative monitoring of serum calcium levels.

Detección ecográfica de remanentes del conducto tirogloso luego de tiroidectomía por cáncer de tiroides / Thyroglossal duct remnants detected by ultrasonography after total thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma

Resumen Existen numerosas comunicaciones de hallazgo incidental de remanentes del conducto tirogloso (CTG) posteriores a una tiroidectomía total, pero se desconoce su implicancia en pacientes con cáncer diferenciado de tiroides (CDT). Nuestro objetivo fue determinar frecuencia de detección ecográfica de remanentes del CTG posterior a la tiroidectomía total en pacientes con CDT y evaluar el impacto del hallazgo en la respuesta al tratamiento. Se incluyeron 377 pacientes con CDT tratados con tiroidectomía total entre enero 1994 y enero 2017, con seguimiento de al menos un año posterior a la cirugía. Se detectó la presencia de remanente del CTG en 16/377 (4.2%): 15 de bajo riesgo de recurrencia y uno de riesgo intermedio. Trece recibieron radioyodo. Todos tuvieron un estado sin evidencia de enfermedad al final del seguimiento, excepto uno con riesgo intermedio que presentó una respuesta inicial estructural incompleta e indeterminada posterior al vaciamiento ganglionar. La mediana del tiempo de diagnóstico del remanente del CTG luego de la tiroidectomía fue de 5 años (rango 1-16). Dos pacientes con remanentes del CTG fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente, ambos presentaron tumoraciones de aparición súbita en región suprahioidea, 2.4 y 4 cm, detectados a los 9 y 16 años luego de la tiroidectomía, respectivamente. La prevalencia de esta condición parece ser poco frecuente. Sin embargo, la aparición de una masa quística en el seguimiento de un paciente con CDT puede ser confundido con enfermedad metastásica y generar ansiedad. El hallazgo de remanentes del CTG parecería no tener ningún impacto en la respuesta al tratamiento.

Abstract There are numerous reports of incidental findings of thyroglossal duct remnants (TGDR) after total thyroidectomy, but its implication on the outcome of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of TGDR detected by ultrasonography after total thyroidectomy in patients with DTC and to evaluate the impact of this finding on the response to treatment. A total of 377 records of patients with DTC who received total thyroidectomy between January 1994 and January 2017 were reviewed. Patients with less than one year of follow-up after surgery were excluded. TGDR was diagnosed in 16 out of 377 (4.2%). Fifteen had a low risk of recurrence DTC and 13 of them were treated with radioactive iodine. All low risk patients had an excellent response to treatment. Only one with an intermediate risk of recurrence DTC had an initial structural incomplete response which changed to an indeterminate response after a modified central lymph node dissection. The median time of TGDR diagnosis after thyroidectomy was 5 years (1-16). Two patients underwent TGDR surgery due to the presence of a rapidly growing neck mass, 2.4 and 4 cm in size, detected 9 and 16 years after thyroidectomy, respectively. The prevalence of this condition seems to be rare. However, the appearance of a cystic mass during the follow-up of a patient with DTC cancer could be confused with metastatic disease. The diagnosis of TGDR seems not to have an impact on the response to treatment.

Anatomía quirúrgica de la vena tiroidea media: prevalencia en 100 tiroidectomías totales consecutivas / Surgical anatomy of the median thyroid vein: prevalence in 100 consecutive total thyroidectomies

El estudio de las venas tiroideas no ha recibido una investigación tan exhaustiva como lo tuvieron las arterias tiroideas y los nervios laríngeos en relación a la cirugía tiroidea.De los tres pedículos venosos de la glándula tiroides, el medio, de lejos es el menos estudiado. La vena tiroidea media es inconstante y es el primer elemento vascular de la glándula tiroides que debe ser seccionado antes de luxar el lóbulo hacia medial para evaluar sus relaciones posteriores. Su lesión puede provocar sangrado intraoperatorio dificultando secundariamente la identificación del nervio laríngeo inferior y las glándulas paratiroides, próximas a la misma. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal evaluando la pesencia, número, simetría y asociación de la vena tiroidea media con variables tales como edad y sexo del paciente, así como la hiperfuncionalidad de la glándula tiroides y la presencia del tubérculo de Zuckerkandl en 100 tiroidectomías totales llevadas a cabo en el Instituto Nacional del Cáncer y en el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Central del Instituto de Previsión Social del Paraguay. La prevalencia global de vena tiroidea media fue del 74 %. En el lóbulo derecho, la vena se presentó en el 60 %, mientras que en el lóbulo izquierdo en el 53 %. En el 38 % se encontró la vena en ambos lóbulos. En 4 pacientes se localizaron venas tiroideas medias dobles, en una de ellas fue bilateral. El mayor porcentaje de las venas tiroideas medias se originó en el tercio medio del lóbulo, el 72 % en el lado derecho y el 70% en el izquierdo. No se encontró asociación entre la presencia de la vena tiroidea media y la edad, sexo, estado de hiperfunción glandular, así como tampoco con la presencia del tubérculo de Zuckerkandl.

The study of the thyroid veins has not received an investigation as extensive as the thyroid arteries and laryngeal nerves did in relation to thyroid surgery. Of the three veins pedicles of the gland the middle is far the least studied. This vein is inconstant and is the first vascular element of the gland that must be sectioned before the medial lobe is dislocated to evaluate ist posterior relationships. His injury can cause intraoperative bleeding, making it difficult to identify the inferior laryngeal nerve and the parathyroid glands, proximal to it. A descriptive crossseccional study was carried aot evaluating the presence, number, symmetricity and association of the middle thyroid vein with variables such as age and sex of the patient, as well as the hyperfunctionality of the gland and the presence of the Zuckerkandl tubercle in 100 total thyroidectomies undergoing at the National Cancer Institute and the ENT Service of the Social Security Institute´s Central Hospital. The overall prevalence of the middle thyroid vein was 74%. In the right lobe the vein appeared in 60% while in the left lobe in 53 %. Double middle thyroid vein was found in 4 patients, in one of them it was bilateral. The highest percentage of the middle thyroid veins originated in the middle third of the lobe, 72 % on the right and 70% on the left side. No association was found between the presence of the vain and age and sex, the state of glandular hyperfunstion, as well as the presence of Zuckerkandl tubercle.

A comparative study of postoperative hypocalcaemia following total thyroidectomy in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and multinodular goitre in a rural tertiary care hospital

Background: Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hypothyroidism and hypocalcaemia have long been recognized as the three main sequalae of thyroidectomy. Persistent hypocalcaemia may cause intracranial lesions and cardiac arrhythmias. As the definitive diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was not always possible with clinical and cytological parameters when antibody testing was not done, surgery was planned with the diagnosis of multinodular goitre. This study was conducted to find out the incidence of post-operative hypocalcaemia following total thyroidectomy by skilled surgeons in patients with multinodular goitre and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study to compare the incidence of hypocalcaemia in patients with biopsy-proven Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and multinodular goitre. After obtaining approval from the institutional review board and ethics committee, data was collected serially, from the surgical records of 123 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy in this tertiary care centre, during the past two years.Results: The incidence of post-operative hypocalcaemia (71.1%) in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was significantly higher than in patients with multinodular goitre (56.4%). Of the 45 patients who had a biopsy report of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, 8 (17.8 %) developed permanent hypocalcaemia while only 8 (10.3%) of the 78 patients with histopathological diagnosis of multinodular goitre developed persistent hypocalcaemia needing supplementation following total thyroidectomy in this rural tertiary care hospital.Conclusions: The significant risk of post-operative hypocalcaemia should be kept in mind before opting for total thyroidectomy for benign lesions of the thyroid and pre-operative antibody studies must be done to diagnose Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Factores de riesgo de hipocalcemia severa postiroidectomía total / Risk factors for severe hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy

Antecedentes: la hipocalcemia es la complicación más frecuente luego de una tiroidectomía total y puede manifestarse de manera bioquímica, o con síntomas leves o severos. Objetivos: analizar factores de riesgo asociados al desarrollo de hipocalcemia severa postiroidectomía total. Material y métodos: se incluyeron pacientes en los que se realizó tiroidectomía total primaria, analizando factores de riesgo asociados al desarrollo de hipocalcemia severa (signos y síntomas que requirieron internación y tratamiento con calcio intravenoso o persistencia de signosintomatología luego de 48 horas de haber recibido tratamiento inicial vía oral). Se analizaron variables demográficas, clínico-quirúrgicas e histopatológicas. Resultados: se realizaron un total de 1665 tiroidectomías entre 2007 y 2018 y, de estas, 918 fueron tiroidectomías totales primarias. Un total de 203 (22%) pacientes desarrollaron hipocalcemia. De ellos, 183 (20%) presentaron hipocalcemia leve y 20 (2%) hipocalcemia severa. En el análisis univariado, la edad, la intervención por cirujano especialista en cabeza y cuello, el peso de la glándula tiroides mayor de 30 gramos, la resección paratiroidea y la patología maligna se vieron asociados al desarrollo de hipocalcemia severa. En el análisis multivariado, los últimos tres fueron factores de riesgo asociados a esta complicación, con significancia estadística. Conclusiones: en nuestra serie, los factores de riesgo asociados al desarrollo de hipocalcemia severa postiroidectomía total fueron la resección, advertida o inadvertida de las glándulas paratiroides, el peso de la glándula tiroides mayor de 30 gramos y la patología maligna. Por lo tanto, en estos pacientes debemos prestar especial atención al desarrollo de dicha complicación en el posoperatorio.

Background: Hypocalcemia is the most common complication after a total thyroidectomy. It may occur as biochemical hypocalcemia, or with mild or severe symptoms. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors associated with the development of severe hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. Material and methods: Patients undergoing primary total thyroidectomy were included. The risk factors for the development of severe hypocalcemia (signs and symptoms requiring hospitalization and treatment with intravenous calcium or persistence of signs and symptoms after 48 hours of initial oral treatment) were analyzed. The evaluation included analysis of the demographic, clinical, surgical and histopathological variables. Results: Of 1665 thyroid resections performed between 2007 and 2018, 918 corresponded to primary total thyroidectomies; 203 (22%) of these patients developed hypocalcemia. Mild hypocalcemia occurred in 183 (20%) cases and sever hypocalcemia in 20 (2%) patients, The univariate analysis showed that a procedure performed by head and neck surgeons, thyroid gland weight > 30 g, resection of the parathyroid glands and thyroid cancer were associated with the development of severe hypocalcemia. On multivariate analysis, the last three variables were risk factors significantly associated with this complication. Conclusions: In our series, noticed or inadvertent resection of the parathyroid glands with subsequent reimplantation, high weight of the thyroid gland and malignancy were identified as risk factors for the development of severe hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. Therefore, we should pay special attention to the development of such complication in the postoperative period.

Role of Intact Parathormone Levels as Early Predictor of Asymptomatic Hypocalcaemia after Total Thyroidectomy.

Asymptomatic hypocalcemia is one of the complications of total thyroidectomy. The symptoms of low calcium levels are sometimes evident only after about 48-72 hours after surgery. Serum calcium levels are not reliable in identifying these patients, because a large number of them are only those with transient hypocalcemia. This study was carried out to evaluate the role of intact parathormone levels in predicting asymptomatic hypocalcemia.METHODSThis cohort study was carried out among 43 patients, who underwent total or completion thyroidectomy. The serum ionized calcium & creatinine levels were measured preoperatively, to rule out pre-operative hypoparathyroidism. Following surgery (one-hour post operatively), the patients’ serum PTH levels and serum ionized calcium levels were measured. Simultaneously, hypocalcemia was clinically evaluated.RESULTSOut of 43 patients, 30 patients had low hypocalcemia (<1.1 mmol/l) one hour postoperatively. The incidence of initial asymptomatic hypocalcaemia post-surgery was 70.5%. All patients with low iPTH, except one, also had hypocalcaemia initially. The patient with normal calcium subsequently had hypocalcaemia at 6 hours.CONCLUSIONSWith the prediction of asymptomatic hypocalcemia in the early post-operative period, it is possible to start timely treatment and thereby prevent the complications of hypocalcemia.

Papillary carcinoma in a thyroglossal cyst: a rare case report and review of literature

Thyroglossal cysts are the most common thyroid anomaly with a majority of it being diagnosed at fourth decade of life. Authors report a case of 32-year-old lady with a globular swelling of 3×2 cm moving with deglutition with no cervical lymph nodes and a normal thyroid function test. Intra operatively a distinct lesion of 3×2 cm was found superior to the thyroid gland with firm nodules in the right lobe of the thyroid. Patient underwent total thyroidectomy with central compartment neck dissection and Sistrunk’s operation followed by a negative radio iodine scan and thyroid hormone suppression. This was considered based on intraoperative nodularity of the thyroid gland.

Correlation of pre-operative vitamin D3 levels with post-operative hypocalcemia in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy

Background: Total thyroidectomy (TT) is a commonly performed procedure for various  thyroid disorders, with parathyroid insufficiency manifesting as hypocalcaemia being a well-known complication. Albeit, vitamin D is well implicated in calcium homeostasis, the association between hypovitaminosis D and postoperative hypocalcaemia is yet to be concluded. The aim of our study is to evaluate the correlation of preoperative serum vitamin D3 levels  with occurrence of post-operative hypocalcemia in patients undergoing TT.Methods: A prospective  study  was conducted on 50 patients  undergoing TT for benign thyroid diseases from November 2016 to May 2018. Pre-operative vitamin D3 levels were estimated. Serum calcium levels was measured pre‑ and post‑operatively at 24hours, 1st week and 4th week. Serum calcium level ≤8.5 mg/dl was considered as biochemical hypocalcemia. A data of demographic, clinical, biochemical and intraoperative findings were documented and analysed.Results: Statically 14 (28%) patients developed symptomatic hypocalcemia. Out of these, 11 (78.5%) patients had preoperative vitamin D levels of <30 ng/dl (p=0.034). 24 hours postoperative serum calcium level was significantly  lesser in patients with  lower preoperative vitamin D levels (p=0.015), suggesting that postoperative  hypocalcemia (24 hr) is statistically related to pre-operative vitamin D3 levels.Conclusions: It could be concluded from our study that preoperative serum vitamin D3 levels can predict post-operative occurrence of symptomatic and/or biochemical hypocalcemia. Thus, it could be hypothesized that supplementing vitamin D preoperatively could curb the incidence of hypocalcaemia following TT. However, further relevant trials are needed to attest to this.

A seven year experience in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for benign diseases in a single unit of tertiary care centre: a retrospective case study

Background: Thyroidectomy is a common surgical procedure performed worldwide by surgeons with varied training. It is the experience and the skills by which a surgeon performs, the indication of surgery and the extent of surgery which determines the outcome and the complication rates.Method: This study is a retrospective study performed from January 2012 to December 2018 when a total of 170 patients underwent total thyroidectomy via kocher’s incision for benign diseases with clinically in hypothyroid state at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi in a single unit of a tertiary care hospital.Results: The male: female ratio was 1:7.09 with average age of patients being 40years. The overall complication rate was 18.82% (32 patients). Postoperative transient hypocalcaemia being the most common complication. There was no case of permanent hypocalcaemia. There was no injury to any nerve (recurrent or superior laryngeal). Transient recurrent laryngeal paresis was noted in 4(2.35%) which resolved with conservative management. Complications like wound infection, sympathetic chain injury were not noted. The characteristic feature of this study was five cases of giant secondary retrosternal goitre which had average weight of greater than 500 grams which were operated using kocher’s incision. The average weight of other 165 patients was 70grams +/- 12 grams. There were no major post-operative complications except for post-operative recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis and seroma formation which was evacuated after 3 weeks of surgery.Conclusion: Hence, from this it is concluded that it is the surgical experience and skills of the surgeon which make total thyroidectomy a safe procedure providing permanent cure with a low post-operative morbidity risk even with large sized retrosternal thyroid glands which can be operated via neck incision.

Incidental papillary thyroid microcarcinomas in thyroidectomy specimens: A single-center experience from Turkey

Background: Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTM) is a relatively common entity in the general population. PTM is often asymptomatic and is detected incidentally during the histopathological examination of thyroidectomy specimens from operations because of benign thyroid disease. Aims: The aims of the study are to determine the incidence of incidental papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (IPTMs) in our center, to examine the clinicopathologic characteristics of these tumors, and to present our experiences. Materials and Methods: This study includes 827 patients who underwent thyroidectomy operation in our center between January 2013 and June 2017 and were examined histopathologically in the Pathology Clinic. Patients' demographic characteristics, preoperative diagnoses, operative procedure, histopathological findings, and postoperative prognostic indexes are presented. Results and Conclusion: Of the 827 patients, 138 (16.6%) were diagnosed with a malignancy. Of these, 124 were papillary carcinoma, 5 were follicular carcinoma, 4 were lymphoma, 2 were medullary carcinoma, 2 were anaplastic carcinoma, and 1 was poorly differentiated carcinoma. The IPTM incidence rate was 8.01%; the multifocality and bilaterality rates were 23.3% and 13.3%, respectively. In 98.3% of IPTM cases, total thyroidectomies were performed, and in 1.7% of cases, subtotal thyroidectomy was performed followed by complementary thyroidectomy. No relapse or metastasis was detected in any of these cases. A careful histopathological examination of the thyroidectomy specimen is essential because IPTM is frequently skipped in fine needle aspiration cytology. We consider it best to perform total thyroidectomies because bilaterality and multifocality rates are high in IPTM. Long-term life expectancy in these tumors is quite good.

Traqueomalacia, complicación de la exéresis de un bocio difuso endotorácico bilateral / Tracheomalacia: a complication after removal of bilateral endothoracic diffuse goiter

Introducción: En cirugía de la glándula tiroides la mortalidad es nula en algunas series por lo que la morbilidad es la mayor preocupación del cirujano. Objetivo: Presentar la evolución clínica de una paciente con tiroidectomía total por bocio endotorácico bilateral. Caso clínico: Paciente que se le realizó tiroidectomía total por bocio endotorácico bilateral, técnicamente difícil, biopsia por congelación negativa de malignidad, bocio coloide. Nervios recurrentes visualizados. Debido al tamaño de la glándula y lo complejo que resultó la extracción se decidió trasladar a la paciente a la sala de recuperación intubada y ventilada para proceder a la recuperación de la ventilación espontánea y la extubación en un período más prolongado. Fue extubada una primera vez que fue fallida. Fue reintubada y ocurrió en una segunda ocasión después de ser reintervenida por un posible hematoma de la herida. En la TAC preoperatoria se observó una glándula tiroides grande con prolongación endotorácia bilateral y estenosis alta de la tráquea. Conclusión: Las complicaciones de obstrucción de la vía aérea después de una tiroidectomía no son frecuentes. Generalmente, después de una tiroidectomía total o parcial se trata de recuperar al paciente en el quirófano para después de la extubación realizar una laringoscopia que descarte la parálisis de las cuerdas vocales. La traqueomalacia como complicación después de una tiroidectomía no es frecuente, por lo que se alerta que de no haber diagnosticado y tratado rápidamente la paciente podría tener un desenlace fatal(AU)

Introduction: In surgery of the thyroid gland, mortality is null in some series, so morbidity is the surgeon's greatest concern. Objective: To present the clinical evolution of a patient with total thyroidectomy due to bilateral endothoracic goiter. Clinical case: This patient underwent total thyroidectomy due to bilateral endothoracic goiter, technically difficult, negative freeze biopsy of malignancy, colloid goiter. Visualized recurrent nerves. Due to the size of the gland and how complex the extraction was, it was decided to transfer the patient to the intubated and ventilated recovery room to proceed with the recovery of spontaneous ventilation and extubation in a longer period. She was extubated the first time it failed. She was re-intubated and it occurred on a second occasion after being re-operated due to a possible hematoma of the wound. In the preoperative CT scan, a large thyroid gland with bilateral endothoracic prolongation and high stenosis of the trachea was observed. Conclusion: Complications of airway obstruction after thyroidectomy are not frequent. Generally, after a total or partial thyroidectomy, it is a matter of recovering the patient in the operating room, in order to perform, after extubation, a laryngoscopy to rule out paralysis of the vocal cords. Tracheomalacia as a complication after thyroidectomy is not frequent, so it is warned that failure to diagnose and treat the patient quickly could have a fatal outcome(AU)

Efficacy of Drainless Total Thyroidectomy in Intrathyroidal Lesions of Thyroid

Abstract Introduction There is difference of opinion about the placement of the drain in thyroid surgeries, and, to the best of our knowledge, the efficacy of drainless total thyroidectomy regarding various parameters of thyroid lesions has not been well-established. Objective To report our experience with drainless total thyroidectomy, and to define an appropriate patient population for its performance. Methods This is a retrospective case analysis of the patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for intrathyroidal lesions with or without central neck dissection in a tertiary referral hospital (number = 74). The patients, who had undergone total thyroidectomy without any drain insertion, were analyzed, and the relationships among various parameters of thyroid lesions were noted in relation to seroma and hematoma formation. Results Seroma formation was noted only in 5 out of 74 patents (6.75%). All of the seromas that occurred were observed in patients with thyroid lesions < 4 cm, and 4 out of 5 seromas were observed in patients with a malignant pathology. There was no statistically significant difference in seroma formation between patients younger or older than 50 years of age. The nature of the lesion, whether benign or malignant, did not affect the formation of seroma. Of interest is the fact that none of the 10 patients who had central neck dissection performed as part of their treatment developed seroma. Conclusions Drainless total thyroidectomy is safe across all age groups for patients harboring either benign or malignant thyroid pathologies. However, caution is to be observed in opting for drainless total thyroidectomy in patients with large lesions (> 5 cm)

Preoperatively undiagnosed papillary thyroid carcinoma in patients thyroidectomized for benign multinodular goiter

ABSTRACT Objective Incidental thyroid cancers (ITCs) are often microcarcinomas; among them, the most frequent histotype is the papillary one. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in patients thyroidectomized for benign multinodular goiter. Subject and methods We retrospectively evaluated the histological incidence of PTC in 207 consecutive patients who, in a 1-year period, underwent thyroidectomy for benign multinodular goiter. All patients came from an iodine-deficient area (Orleans, France) with three nuclear power stations located in the neighboring areas of the county town. Results Overall, 25 thyroids (12.1%) harbored 37 PTC, of which 31 were microcarcinomas. In these 25 PTC patients, mean age was 55 ± 10 years (range 30-75), female:male ratio 20:5 (4:1). In 10 patients (40% of 25 and 4.8% of 207), PTCs were bilateral, and in 7 (2 with microPTCs) the thyroid capsule was infiltrated. These 7 patients underwent central and lateral cervical lymph node dissections, which revealed lymph node metastases in one and two cases, respectively. Radioiodine treatment was performed in 7 cases. Neither mortality nor transient and permanent nerve injuries were observed. Four (16%) transient hypocalcaemias occurred as early complications. At last follow-up visit (mean length of follow-up 17.2 ± 3.4 months), all patients were doing well and free of any clinical local recurrence or distant metastases. Conclusion With a 12% risk that multinodular goiter harbors preoperatively unsuspected PTCs, which can have already infiltrated the capsule and that can be accompanied by PTC foci contralaterally, an adequate surgical approach has to be considered.