The utility of parathyroid autofluorescence as an adjunct in thyroid and parathyroid surgery 2023.

Thyroid and parathyroid surgery requires careful dissection around the vascular pedicle of the parathyroid glands to avoid excessive manipulation of the tissues. If the blood supply to the parathyroid glands is disrupted, or the glands are inadvertently removed, temporary and/or permanent hypocalcemia can occur, requiring post-operative exogenous calcium and vitamin D analogues to maintain stable levels. This can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients, particularly if it results in permanent hypocalcemia. For over a decade, parathyroid tissue has been noted to have unique intrinsic properties known as "fluorophores," which fluoresce when excited by an external light source. As a result, parathyroid autofluorescence has emerged as an intra-operative technique to help with identification of parathyroid glands and to supplement direct visualization during thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. Due to the growing body of literature surrounding Near Infrared Autofluorescence (NIRAF), we sought to review the value of using autofluorescence technology for parathyroid detection during thyroid and parathyroid surgery. A literature review of parathyroid autofluorescence was performed using PubMED. Based on the reviewed literature and expert surgeons' opinions who have used this technology, recommendations were made. We discuss the current available technologies (image vs. probe approach) as well as their limitations. We also capture the opinions and recommendations of international high-volume endocrine surgeons and whether this technology is of value as an intraoperative adjunct. The utility and value of this technology seems promising and needs to be further defined in different scenarios involving surgeon experience and different patient populations and conditions.

Selective use of tube cholecystostomy with interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis.

HYPOTHESIS: Tube cholecystostomy followed by interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a sale and efficacious treatment option in critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study within a 4 1/2%-year period. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Of 324 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 65 (20%) had acute cholecystitis; 15 of these 65 patients (mean age, 75 years) underwent tube cholecystostomy. INTERVENTION: Thirteen patients at high risk for general anesthesia because of underlying medical conditions underwent percutaneous tube cholecystostomy with local anesthesia. Laparoscopic tube cholecystostomy was performed on 2 patients during attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of severe inflammation. Interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted after an average of 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Technical details and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Prompt clinical response was observed in 13 (87%) of the patients after tube cholecystostomy. Twelve patients (80%) underwent interval cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted in 11 patients and was successful in 10 (91%), with 1 conversion to open cholecystectomy. One patient had interval open cholecystectomy during definitive operation for esophageal cancer and another had emergency open cholecystectomy due to tube dislodgment. Two patients (13%) had complications related to tube cholecystostomy and 2 patients died from sepsis before interval operation. One patient died from sepsis after combined esophagectomy and cholecystectomy. Postoperative minor complications developed in 2 patients. At a mean follow-up of 16.7 months (range, 0.5-53 months), all patients were free of biliary symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Tube cholecystostomy allowed for resolution of sepsis and delay of definitive surgery in selected patients. Interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy was safely performed once sepsis and acute infection had resolved in this patient group at high risk for general anesthesia and conversion to open cholecystectomy. Just as catheter drainage of acute infection with interval appendectomy is accepted in patients with periappendiceal abscess, tube cholecystostomy with interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy should have a role in the management of selected patients with acute cholecystitis.

A young female patient with an androgen-secreting tumor: a rare malignant disease.

A 23-year-old female patient presented with hirsutism and fatigue nine months after delivery. Endocrine assessment showed high testesterone, DHEA-S and androstenedione levels. Abdominal computed tomography and ultrasonography revealed the presence of a large tumor in the right renal region. Right adrenalectomy was performed resulting in a diagnosis of a functional adrenal tumor. Pathological examination showed a steroidogenically active tumor. Adjuvant chemotheraphy was administered postoperatively. At three months following surgery all endocrinological tests normalized, but liver metastases were detected by abdominal CT. Eight months after the operation the patient died of hepatic and renal failure. Androgen-secreting adrenal tumors are seen very rarely, yet the prognosis is poor due to their agressive nature.