[The thyroid cancer in children and adolescents: about 22 cases]. / Le cancer de la thyroïde chez l'enfant et l'adolescent: à propos de 22 cas.

Our study of the most representative case series of children and teenagers with thyroid cancer in Morocco (22 cases) aimed to highlight the characteristics of this cancer among children and teenagers and to compare results with those in the international literature. We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, hospitalized in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Hospital in Casablanca, Morocco, over the period January 1995-March 2015. We collected data about 22 cases that met our inclusion criteria. The average age of our patients was 14 years, sex-ratio was 3.4, most of our patients presented with thyroid nodule associated, in 22.7% of cases, with cervical lymphadenopathy and in 9.1% of cases with signs of compression. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy followed by lymph node dissection in 31.82% of cases. The diagnosis of thyroid cancer was based on anatomo-pathological examination of the surgical specimen which confirmed the diagnosis of papillary carcinoma in 95.4% of cases and of vesicular carcinoma in 4.5% of cases. 100% of cases received I-131 RAI treatment followed by thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Close supervision and regular monitoring enabled the detection of nodal metastasis in 3 patients and of distance metastases in 4 patients. Differentiated thyroid cancer among children and teenagers is rare but aggressive, its treatment is based on surgery associated with iratherapy enabling excellent prognosis.

The Role of Surgery in the Treatment of Cervical Lymph Node Tuberculosis.

Cervical lymph node tuberculosis is a public health problem in Morocco and the rest of the world. Its paucibacillary nature makes diagnosis and treatment difficult. This is a descriptive-analytical retrospective study presenting 104 cases of patients with manifestations of cervical lymph node tuberculosis confirmed by pathological examination (100%), associated in some cases with positive bacteriology (40.6%), treated and followed up in the otolaryngology (ENT) department of the Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital (HUICK) over a period of 5 years and 9 months (from January 01, 2017, to September 30, 2022). In our study, 14 patients (i.e., 13.5%) had a history of tuberculosis (all locations); only four (i.e., 3.8%) of them had confirmed cervical lymph node tuberculosis, of which three were still under treatment: two of them presented for treatment failure (i.e., 1.9%) and one patient for a paradoxical reaction (i.e., 1%). Three pulmonary locations (i.e., 2.9%) and one mediastinal location (i.e., 1%) were found. Surgery associated with histological study was the key to the diagnosis of tuberculosis in our study. Its procedures were: excisional biopsy for 26 patients (i.e., 25%), adenectomy for 54 patients (i.e., 51.9%), lymph node dissection for 15 patients (i.e., 14.4%), and lymphadenectomy for nine patients (i.e., 8.7%). In some cases, drainage (+/- curettage) was recommended in addition to the surgical procedure in 14 patients (i.e., 13.5%). All our patients benefited from post-surgical anti-bacillary treatment. Lymphorrhea was the only operative complication and it affected two patients (i.e., 1.9%). Meanwhile, the relapse rate was 10.6% (i.e., 11 patients), the treatment failure rate was 3.8% (i.e., four patients), and the paradoxical reaction affected 2.9% (i.e., three patients). The latter had all benefited from a simple biopsy. This indicates that a more extensive surgical procedure gives better results with a better healing rate. In conclusion, anti-bacillary treatment remains the reference treatment for lymph node tuberculosis. However, surgery holds great promise as the first-line treatment in case of fistula or abscess or in the event of failure or if complications occur.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules (THYCOVID): a retrospective, international, multicentre, cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Since its outbreak in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has diverted resources from non-urgent and elective procedures, leading to diagnosis and treatment delays, with an increased number of neoplasms at advanced stages worldwide. The aims of this study were to quantify the reduction in surgical activity for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to evaluate whether delays in surgery led to an increased occurrence of aggressive tumours. METHODS: In this retrospective, international, cross-sectional study, centres were invited to participate in June 22, 2022; each centre joining the study was asked to provide data from medical records on all surgical thyroidectomies consecutively performed from Jan 1, 2019, to Dec 31, 2021. Patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules were divided into three groups according to when they underwent surgery: from Jan 1, 2019, to Feb 29, 2020 (global prepandemic phase), from March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021 (pandemic escalation phase), and from June 1 to Dec 31, 2021 (pandemic decrease phase). The main outcomes were, for each phase, the number of surgeries for indeterminate thyroid nodules, and in patients with a postoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancers, the occurrence of tumours larger than 10 mm, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases, vascular invasion, distant metastases, and tumours at high risk of structural disease recurrence. Univariate analysis was used to compare the probability of aggressive thyroid features between the first and third study phases. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05178186. FINDINGS: Data from 157 centres (n=49 countries) on 87 467 patients who underwent surgery for benign and malignant thyroid disease were collected, of whom 22 974 patients (18 052 [78·6%] female patients and 4922 [21·4%] male patients) received surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules. We observed a significant reduction in surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the pandemic escalation phase (median monthly surgeries per centre, 1·4 [IQR 0·6-3·4]) compared with the prepandemic phase (2·0 [0·9-3·7]; p<0·0001) and pandemic decrease phase (2·3 [1·0-5·0]; p<0·0001). Compared with the prepandemic phase, in the pandemic decrease phase we observed an increased occurrence of thyroid tumours larger than 10 mm (2554 [69·0%] of 3704 vs 1515 [71·5%] of 2119; OR 1·1 [95% CI 1·0-1·3]; p=0·042), lymph node metastases (343 [9·3%] vs 264 [12·5%]; OR 1·4 [1·2-1·7]; p=0·0001), and tumours at high risk of structural disease recurrence (203 [5·7%] of 3584 vs 155 [7·7%] of 2006; OR 1·4 [1·1-1·7]; p=0·0039). INTERPRETATION: Our study suggests that the reduction in surgical activity for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the COVID-19 pandemic period could have led to an increased occurrence of aggressive thyroid tumours. However, other compelling hypotheses, including increased selection of patients with aggressive malignancies during this period, should be considered. We suggest that surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules should no longer be postponed even in future instances of pandemic escalation. FUNDING: None.

Treatment of Graves' Disease Associated With Severe Neutropenia.

Severe neutropenia in newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism is a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma since antithyroid drugs (ATDs) cannot be started if the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is <1 x 109/L. We report the case of a patient followed for hyperthyroidism associated with severe neutropenia treated with dexamethasone and ATD. The patient was 51 years old and was hospitalized for hyperthyroidism with a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level <0.005 (0.4-4) mUI/L, T4 at 415 (9.3-17.1) ng/L and T3 at 148 (2-4.4) pg/mL on Graves' disease (GD) confirmed by the TSH receptor antibodies at 38 IU/mL and scintigraphy, associated with neutropenia, with ANC at 0.4 x 109/L. He was put on prednisolone 60 mg/day and propranolol 60 mg/day for three weeks without improvement. Faced with the association of hyperthyroidism and severe neutropenia, we could not start the ATD for fear of agranulocytosis; we put the patient on propranolol 60 mg and dexamethasone 6 mg with progressive degression resulting in a spectacular increase of ANC from 0.4 x 109/L to 7.1 x 109/L, which allowed us to start the ATD (carbimazole) at a dose of 30 mg, and then 50 mg, with monitoring of ANC and transaminases every 48 hours. Euthyroidism was achieved after 15 days. A curative treatment with radioactive iodine ablation was administered. Our patient did not respond to prednisolone but responded dramatically to dexamethasone; this leads us to consider using dexamethasone for the rapid preparation for radical treatment of patients with GD.

Burkitt's lymphoma of medial part of clavicle: Case report of unusual localization.

INTRODUCTION: Burkitt lymphoma is a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in which cancer starts in immune cells called B-cells. Recognized as a fast-growing human tumor, it is considered as a medical emergency requiring immediate diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. However, intensive chemotherapy can achieve long-term survival in more than half the people with Burkitt lymphoma. CASE REPORT: We report a case of Burkitt's lymphoma of medial part of clavicle was diagnosed in a 60 years year-old man and review the literature concerning the clinical features, radiological appearance, histopathological findings and treatment options. DISCUSSION: Clinical course of Burkitt lymphoma is aggressive and rapid, commonly occurs in children and young adults with frequent involvement of Bone Marrow, associated with impaired immunity and is rapidly fatal if left untreated, early diagnosis can be life saving for Burkitt lymphoma. As per the literature available this is the second case of Burkitt's lymphoma presenting primarily in medial part of clavicle.

Internal jugular vein cavernous hemangioma occurring as lateral neck mass: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Cavernous hemangioma is a venous malformation that occurs throughout the entire body but is rarely localized in internal jugular vein, to the best of our knowledge our case is the first case reported in the literature. CASE REPORT: We report a case of internal jugular vein cavernous hemangioma in a 62-year-old woman and review the literature concerning the clinical features, radiological appearance, histopathological findings and treatment options. DISCUSSION: Internal jugular vein cavernous hemangioma, is a very rare tumor composed of large dilated blood vessels and containing large blood-filled spaces. It can occur as lateral neck mass, in our case neither the scanner nor the ultrasound made the diagnosis. Given the rarity of the condition, therapeutic strategies remain unclear. However, according to the published literature, complete resection is considered the most successful and effective treatment.

Melatonin is useful alternative for sedation in children undergoing auditory brainstem responses testing.

Auditory brainstem responses testing (ABRs) is frequently required to assess auditory function in children. It is done usually in outpatient fashion and requires deep sleep to avoid artefacts. Sedation method used for the test should allow a deep sleep while avoiding general anaesthesia that requires special monitoring, dedicated staff and operating room availability. For this purpose, several sedation methods have been used, with the risk of respiratory depression and sides effects. We aim to assess the efficacy and the usefulness of melatonin in sedation for children undergoing auditory brainstem responses testing. We calculated success rate of complete bilateral ABR, sleep delay and quality of sleep of 247 children referred for ABR testing. Two hundred six children (83.4%) successfully underwent both ears testing. The delay to sleep was variable with a mean of 32 min. The quality of sleep was described as continuous in 156 infants (75.7%) and discontinuous in 50 infants (24.27%) requiring either simple nursing or a second dose of melatonin 30 min later.Conclusion: Melatonin has the advantages of inducing natural sleep and reducing sleep delay without adverse effects or respiratory depression risk. It is efficient and useful sedation method for ABRs in an outpatient setting. What Is Known? • Auditory brainstem responses test is the most used objective test to assess auditory function in children and requires deep sleep to avoid artefacts. • Melatonin is an endogenous pineal hormone used for sedation in electrophysiological testing and magnetic resonance imaging. What Is New? • 83.4% of children in our study successfully performed a bilateral ABR under melatonin-induced sleep with continuous sleep in 75.7%. • The use of melatonin to induce sleep for ABR tests is useful in an outpatient setting and it is a good alternative to general anaesthesia in Morocco.

Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma, suggestion of therapeutic innovations: A case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare tumor. Compared with others nasopharyngeal tumors, it is characterised by slow evolution but it is locally aggressive and has a high tendency to recurrences. Due to the rarity of cases, no consensus exists about treatment approaches. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: We report the case of a 55-year-old-woman, with a locally advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma. The patient was operated by endoscopic surgery, received radiation and had a good objective response. The follow-up showed no local recurrence after one year. CONCLUSION: The aim of this work is to review the literature concerning this rare malignancy, and discusses treatment approaches in initial situations and during recurrences.We supported the interest of the intraoperative neuronavigation system for surgical safety.

[Differentiated thyroid cancer in children and adolescents: about 22 cases]. / Le cancer différencié de la thyroïde chez l'enfant et l'adolescent: à propos de 22 cas.

This study aimed to highlight the features of thyroid cancer in children and adolescents and to evaluate our results compared to the international literature on the basis of the most representative case series in Morocco: 22 cases. We conducted a retrosective study of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer hospitalized in the otorhinolaryngology and cervicofacial surgery department at the Hôpital 20 Août, Casablanca, Morocco over the period January 1995-March 2015. We collected data on 22 cases that met our inclusion criteria. The average age of our patients was 14 years, with a sex-ratio of 3.4; most of our patients presented with thyroid nodule, associated with cervical lymphadenopathy in 22.7% of cases and with signs of compression in 9.1% of cases. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy, followed by lymph node dissection in 31.82% of cases. The diagnosis of thyroid cancer was based on the anatomo-pathological examination of the surgical specimen, that showed papillary carcinoma in 95.4% of cases and vesicular carcinoma in 4.5% of cases. Radioactive iodine-131 treatment was performed in 100% of cases. Subsequently all patients underwent thyroid hormone therapy. Close and regular monitoring allowed the detection of nodal metastases in 3 patients and of distant metastases in 4 patients. Differentiated thyroid cancer in children and adolescents is rare but aggressive. Treatment is based on surgery associated with iratherapy, with excellent prognosis.

A rare case report of bilateral choanal atresia in an adult.

INTRODUCTION: Adult choanal atresia is a rare congenital malformation of the nasal cavity characterized by the complete obliteration of the posterior choanae, only ninth cases are reported in the literature, we present in our observation the tenth case of adult bilateral choanal atresia. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 18-year-old man presented at our department with complaints of nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, snoring, anosmia, and mouth breathing since childhood. Endoscopic examination and paranasal sinus tomography revealed bilateral choanal atresia. An endoscopic choanoplasty was performed. Follow-up evaluation at postoperative 12th month showed that his symptoms improved significantly and, on endoscopic examination, both choanae remained patent. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Adult bilateral choanal atresia is a rare entity. The revelation in adulthood of congenital bilateral atresia remains exceptional. Nasal endoscopy and preoperative computed tomography scan help in planning surgery. Endoscopic transnasal choanoplasty is the criterion standard treatment. The exact role of the postoperative stent and use of mitomycin C is controversial.

Mandibular metastasis revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma: Rare case.

INTRODUCTION: Papillary carcinoma is the most frequent differentiated malignant thyroid neoplasm, Metastasis occurs frequently in regional lymph nodes and mandibular metastasis are very rare and most are secondary to follicular carcinomas due to their blood diffusion, The mandibular metastasis of papillary carcinoma is exceptional. CASE REPORT: We report a rare case of mandibular metastasis revealing papillary thyroid carcinoma in a 52-year-old patient, with a review of the literature on clinical features, radiological aspect, and treatment options. DISCUSSION CONCLUSION: Mandibular metastasis of thyroid cancer are rare and the initial metastases revealing papillary carcinoma are exceptional, few cases are reported in the literature, and due to their rarities and relative lack of data on their management, There is no clearly defined processing algorithm.

Primary and isolated thyroid Hodgkin's lymphoma: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hodgkin's lymphoma rarely involves the thyroid gland. It is typically presented as a fast growing neck mass that is sometimes accompanied by respiratory compression symptoms. CASE REPORT: We report one of the few (the seventeenth) case of primary and isolated Hodgkin's thyroid lymphoma presented by a 65 years old man, consulting for a fast growing neck mass with Hodgkin's symptoms. The patient had total thyroidectomy and short courses of chemotherapy, then total resolution of symptomatology. CONCLUSION: Most thyroid Hodgkin's lymphoma are presented by women, rarely man, isolated and primary. Since 1962, we only found sixteen cases described in the literature. Hodgkin's lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with a thyroid mass for rapid management.

Carcinosarcoma of the maxillary sinus: A rare case report.

INTRODUCTION: Carcinosarcoma is a highly malignant tumor characterized by dual malignant histologic differentiation of epithelial and mesenchymal components. The tumor is extremely rare in the sinonasal tract, with only 13 cases reported since 1957 in the literature. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a 55-year-old man with right-sided face pain revealed a mass in the right maxillary sinus and nasal cavity. A large incisional biopsy from the nasal cavity concluded the diagnosis of carcinosarcoma. The patient was treated with chemoradiation, but no significant effect was obtained. The patient died 4 months after initial examination. DISCUSSION: In our case, the patient consulted late with a large tumor which darkens his prognosis. According to some authors, this histological type of tumors is known by local recurrences and its lethal metastases. Prognosis is related to location, tumor size, the invasion and stage of disease. Wide surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Radiotherapy can be discussed in inoperable cases. CONCLUSION: This is an aggressive tumor, rapidly progressive with a poor prognosis. The management of this rare condition remains undetermined.

[A rare case report of laryngeal leech infestation in a 70-year-old man]. / Cas rare de sangsue laryngée chez un homme de 70 ans.

Foreign bodies in the upper respiratory tract are one of the most difficult otolaryngological emergencies; leeches are a very rare foreign bodies in the world. We report the case of a 70-year-old man with no past medical history presenting with laryngeal dyspnea associated with low abundant paroxysmal hemoptysis. The patient underwent nasofibroscopy showing the presence of a living and mobile organism at the subglottic level evoking a leech. Extraction was carried out under local anesthesia using laryngoscope and Magill forceps. The presence of a leech as a foreign body in the upper respiratory tract should be suspected in patients with a recent history of consumption of non-potable water.

[Vesicular carcinoma in lingual thyroid: a rare case]. / Carcinome vesiculaire sur thyroïde linguale: cas rare.

Lingual thyroid is secondary to the absence of migration of the thyroid diverticulum. The latter develops locally, that is, at the level of the foramen caecum. It may be the only thyroid tissue present, or it may be associated with a normal thyroid. The occurrence of a lingual thyroid carcinoma is rare accounting for about thirty cases described in the literature. This study reports a case of vesicular carcinoma in lingual thyroid.

An unusual cause of severe dyspnea: A laryngeal live leech: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Foreign bodies in the upper airways are one of the most challenging otolaryngology emergencies, leeches present a very rare cause of airway foreign bodies around the world. CASE REPORT: A 6-year-old girl was referred to our otolaryngology department at a tertiary university hospital with a severe dyspnea and hemoptysis. Nasofibroscopy revealed a dark living leech in the supraglottic area which extends to the glottis. The patient was urgently admitted to the operating room, the leech was grasped and removed with a foreign body forceps with a full length of more than 6cm. All symptoms were relieved post operatively and she was discharged one day later. CONCLUSION: Leeches should be suspected as an airway foreign body in patients with a recent history of drinking from stream water. Prevention remains the best treatment for such cases based simply on hygiene measures like not drinking stream water directly and filtering drinking water before it is used.