A novel guided approach to radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules: the Toronto Sunnybrook experience.

Introduction: Thyroid nodules are extremely common being detected by ultrasonography in up to 67% of the population, with current surgical tenet maintaining that lobectomy is required for large symptomatic benign nodules or autonomously functionally nodules resulting in a risk of hypothyroidism or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury even in high volume centres. The introduction of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has allowed thermal ablation of both benign and autonomously functioning thyroid nodules with minimal morbidity. The moving shot technique is the most well-established technique in performing RFA of thyroid nodules, and has proven to be safe, efficacious, accurate and successful amongst experienced clinicians. The purpose of this article to propose the use of a novel guide when performing RFA of thyroid nodules in clinical practice utilizing the moving shot technique. Methods: The technique proposed of RFA involves the use of a 10MHz linear ultrasound probe attached to an 18G guide which provides robust in line visualisation of a 7cm or 10cm radiofrequency probe tip (STARmed, Seoul, Korea) utilizing the trans isthmic moving shot technique. A geometric analysis of the guide has been illustrated diagrammatically. Results: The use of an 18G radiofrequency probe guide (CIVCO Infiniti Plus™ Needle Guide) maintains in line visualisation of the radiofrequency probe over a cross-sectional area up to 28cm2, facilitating efficient and complete ablation of conceptual subunits during RFA of thyroid nodules. Discussion: Radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules can be performed safely and effectively using the novel radiofrequency probe guide proposed which we believe potentially improves both accuracy and overall efficiency, along with operator confidence in maintaining visualisation of the probe tip, and hence we believe provides a valuable addition to the armamentarium of clinicians wishing to embark on performing RFA of thyroid nodules.

A multi-institutional feasibility lead-in trial of lymphatic mapping with SPECT-CT for evaluating contralateral disease in lateralized oropharynx cancer using 99m-technetium sulfur colloid.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic mapping with SPECT-CT has been demonstrated to accurately define lymphatic drainage patterns in oropharyngeal cancer but there has yet to be a study demonstrating its feasibility across multiple institutions. METHODS: Twelve adult patients with lateralized oropharyngeal carcinoma (T1-T3) who were planned for definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy without contralateral nodal disease underwent injection of 99-m technetium sulfur colloid followed by static planar lymphoscintigraphy to verify tracer migration, and SPECT-CT acquired at 30 ± 15 min (optional) and 3 h (±1 h) (mandatory time-point). RESULTS: All 12 patients completed the study with 7/12 patients having the injections performed under local anesthetic and 5 patients requiring general anesthetic. There were no tracer migration failures and there were no serious adverse events or complications encountered. Four out of 12 patients (33%) showed contralateral drainage patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatic mapping with SPECT-CT of lateralized oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma can be performed safely across multiple institutions.

SDH deficiency is very common in carotid body paragangliomas: Genetic counseling and testing should be offered to all patients.

BACKGROUND: Collectively, germline pathogenic variants in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) genes are the most common cause of hereditary paragangliomas. Loss of immunohistochemical expression of SDHB protein (termed SDH deficiency) occurs whenever there is biallelic inactivation of any SDH gene. We sought to estimate the prevalence of SDH deficiency in patients with carotid body paragangliomas. METHODS: We identified all carotid body paragangliomas that had undergone surgical excision at our institution over the last 30 years. If SDHB immunohistochemistry was not performed at the time of excision, it was performed on archived material. RESULTS: There were 64 carotid body paragangliomas identified in the 62 patients. Two-thirds of the patients were female, and 43 (67%) were SDH-deficient. CONCLUSION: Up to two-thirds of all carotid body paragangliomas are associated with SDH deficiency. Therefore, genetic testing and counseling should be offered to all patients with carotid body paragangliomas, regardless of age or family history.

Australasian Sleep Association position statement on consensus and evidence based treatment for primary snoring.

Primary snoring impacts a significant portion of the adult population and has the potential to significantly impair quality of life. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide evidence-based recommendations to assist Australasian practitioners in the management of adult patients who present with primary snoring without significant obstructive sleep apnoea. The Timetable, Methodology and Standards by which this Position Statement has been established is outlined in the Appendix S1. The main recommendations are: Weight loss, and reduced alcohol consumption should be recommended, where appropriate If clinical judgement dictates, benzodiazepine and opioid reduction or avoidance may be advised Positional therapy should be considered in supine dominant snorers In dentate patients, Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) should be recommended as a first line treatment following assessment by both an appropriate Dentist and Sleep physician Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices may be recommended in patients with primary snoring in those already committed to their use or willing to try Surgical treatment of primary snoring by an appropriately credentialled surgeon may be advised and includes nasal (adjunctive), palatal and other interventions This position statement has been designed based on the best available current evidence and our combined expert clinical experience to facilitate the management of patients who present with primary snoring. It provides clinicians with a series of both non-surgical and surgical options with the aim of achieving optimal symptom control and patient outcomes. This is the first such set of recommendations to be established within Australasia and has also been reviewed and endorsed by the Australasian Sleep Association.

Caution in Transnasal Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube: Middle Ear Penetration of Catheter Tip in a Cadaveric Model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the degree to which transnasal eustachian tube (ET) dilation balloon catheters are able to be passed through the ET in a cadaver model. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A cadaveric study of 8 cadaver heads (16 ears), which underwent transnasal ET insertion with a 3 × 20-mm balloon catheter with transtympanic endoscopic visualization and grading. RESULTS: Catheter tip incursion into the protympanum or mesotympanum occurred in all ears. Radiological validation was obtained with correlation to published ET length data. CONCLUSION: Middle ear incursion of balloon catheter tips can be demonstrated in a cadaver model and highlights the ongoing need for both caution in novel surgical techniques and evolution in device design.

Hypocalcaemia in pharyngolaryngectomy: Preservation or autotransplantation of parathyroid glands.

OBJECTIVE: To describe transient and permanent hypocalcaemia following partial and total pharyngolaryngectomy with parathyroid gland preservation or autotransplantation. METHODS: Thirty patients underwent partial or total pharyngolaryngectomy by a single surgeon during the period 2009-2020. Intraoperative parathyroid gland preservation or autotransplantation (where the gland appeared devascularized) was routinely performed. Calcium levels performed on day 1, 3 months, and at 12 months postoperatively were collected. Rates of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 13% of patients had transient hypocalcaemia, and 10% permanent hypocalcaemia. Rates of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia in total pharyngolaryngectomy were 14% and 14%, respectively. Partial pharyngectomy hypocalcaemia rates were 13% for transient and 0% for permanent. The majority of patients underwent salvage surgery for oncological resection, often following radiotherapy (63%). Ipsilateral hemithyroidectomy was preferred to total (57% vs 7%), with high rates of concurrent neck dissection (67%) and reconstruction (87%). CONCLUSION: This data supports preservation or autotransplantation of parathyroid glands as a means of reducing permanent postoperative hypocalcaemia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series, retrospective.

Low morbidity high anterior neck approach for removal of a deep intraglossal foreign body: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: In the era of both new bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulator and long-standing experience with Sistrunk's procedures, it is notable that the literature scarcely describes high anterior neck approaches, tending to focus on transoral removal of intra-glossal foreign bodies. Herein we describe a case of a low morbidity anterior approach for access to an intra-glossal foreign body and discuss the implications. CASE PRESENTATION: A morbidly obese 73 year old lady presented acutely after inadvertent ingestion of a sewing needle. Initial assessment demonstrated an intraglossal foreign body which subsequently migrated into the deep substance of the tongue. Endoscopic retrieval was attempted but was unsuccessful. A midline transcervical anterior neck incision was made, exposure and midline separation of mylohyoid, and midline dissection of geniohyoid muscles was performed to expose genioglossi muscles and the foreign body removed. The patient recovered well without complication. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: This approach carries low morbidity compared to transoral approaches despite traditional dogma mandating avoidance of open neck approaches. Such approaches have recently been developed for implantation of bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulators. CONCLUSION: Otolaryngologists should consider midline transcervical approach to retrieve deep intra-glossal foreign bodies, particularly in scenarios where other options may not provide adequate access or may enhance intra-oral morbidity.

Minimally invasive thyroid nodulectomy reduces post-operative hypothyroidism when compared with thyroid lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: It has been a long-standing surgical tenet that the minimum surgical procedure for a single thyroid nodule is lobectomy. Such an approach, however, has been associated with a significant incidence of post-operative hypothyroidism with patients becoming medication dependent for life. Thermal sealing devices have enabled local nodule excision to be undertaken safely with preservation of more residual thyroid mass. The aim of this study was to determine if this approach was associated with a reduction in post-operative hypothyroidism. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study comprising 351 patients treated between January 2010 and December 2012. Patients were assessed at 6-8-week review. Subclinical hypothyroidism was defined as a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) >4.5 mIU/L, with clinical hypothyroidism defined as both an elevated TSH and presence of clinical symptoms requiring thyroxine replacement. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety patients underwent open thyroid lobectomy, 86 a minimally invasive thyroid lobectomy and 75 a minimally invasive nodulectomy. There was no difference in post-operative hypothyroidism after lobectomy whether by the open (22.1%) or minimally invasive (22.1%) technique. However, after minimally invasive nodulectomy, post-operative hypothyroidism was less than one quarter (5.3%) of that following lobectomy overall (22.1%, P < 0.01). There were no differences in post-operative complications between any of the groups. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive local nodule excision can be performed safely, with the potential for significantly reducing the rate of post-operative hypothyroidism. As such, the procedure should be considered for appropriately selected patients.

Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in a specialized thyroid surgery unit: would routine intraoperative neuromonitoring alter outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy following total thyroidectomy is a rare complication, however, poses significant morbidity to the patient when it does occur. The purpose of this paper was to determine the incidence of bilateral RLN palsy in a specialized thyroid unit and determine whether the routine use of intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) would alter the outcome. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of prospectively gathered data. A total of 7406 patients underwent total thyroidectomy at the University of Sydney Endocrine Surgical Unit between January 1990 and February 2014. IONM was utilized on a selective basis and we sought to assess whether IONM would have altered outcome in those patients who developed bilateral RLN palsy. RESULTS: Of the 7406 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, seven patients (0.09%) developed bilateral RLN palsy during the study period. There was one permanent RLN palsy (0.01%) and routine IONM may have prevented one death and altered the outcome in two of the seven patients. CONCLUSION: Bilateral RLN palsy is a rare entity occurring in one out of 1000 cases in a specialized thyroid unit. IONM may facilitate the decision to pursue delayed surgery where the signal is lost on the first surgical side and has the potential to avoid bilateral RLN palsy following total thyroidectomy.

Risk of malignancy for each Bethesda class in pediatric thyroid nodules.

PURPOSE: The Bethesda classification for cytology is used to classify thyroid nodules into one of six categories, and for each category there is an implied cancer risk and also recommendation for management. Despite lack of data in children, the American thyroid association promotes the use of the same management guidelines as in adults. Our aim was to study the risk of malignancy for each Bethesda class in children with thyroid nodules. METHODOLOGY: We included all patients ≤18years of age that had underwent a thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) at one of two centers between January 1998 and July 2013. FNA results were reclassified according to the Bethesda criteria. Histological, repeat cytological, radiological and clinical follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients (66 nodules) underwent FNB. Mean age was 13.6 years. Numbers of nodules reported as BI-BVI were 7, 38, 11, 4, 3 and 3, respectively. Follow-up was achieved for 55 (83%) nodules. Twelve (18%) nodules were malignant by histology and revealed papillary (n=7), follicular (n=3) or insular thyroid cancer (n=2), The proportion of nodules with malignancy for BI-BVI was: 0%, 0%, 18%, 100%, 100% and 100%. CONCLUSION: The rate of malignancy in thyroid nodules in children seems to be higher than reported in adults. The Bethesda criteria seem to accurately identify benign nodules, but other categories have a very high rate of malignancy and BIII nodules pose a particular challenge.

Retention of topographical anatomical knowledge following surgeon-facilitated whole-body dissection.

BACKGROUND: Topographical anatomy has been taught to medical students by cadaver-based dissection for centuries. However, there is a void in the literature assessing the long-term retention of anatomical knowledge by medical students following teaching by whole-body dissection. The purpose of this paper was to assess both the acquisition and retention of topographical anatomical knowledge gained by medical students undertaking an elective whole-body dissection course. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of prospectively gathered data. A total of 24 students completed the elective 8-week Anatomy by Whole Body Dissection course at the University of Sydney in 2013. Surgeons and surgical trainees acted as demonstrators and anatomical knowledge was assessed on four occasions: pre, mid, end and 8 months post-course in the form of a 20-question wet specimen tag test. RESULTS: There was strong evidence of a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the students' pre-course scores (median = 8 out of 20, IQR = 6) compared with their end-course scores (median = 19 out of 20, IQR = 2). Similarly, there was a highly significant difference (P < 0.001) between students' pre-course scores and the 8-month follow-up post-course test (median = 18, IQR = 3), with a median difference of 10 points. There was no significant difference (P > 0.2) between the students' end-course assessment results and the 8 months post-course assessment indicating retention of knowledge. CONCLUSION: Surgeon-facilitated anatomical teaching to medical students by whole-body dissection significantly improves topographical anatomical knowledge which is maintained in the long term.

Bethesda III thyroid nodules: the role of ultrasound in clinical decision making.

BACKGROUND: Assessment for thyroid nodules includes ultrasound (US) and cytology according to the Bethesda classification. There is no firm consensus regarding clinical management for nodules classified as Bethesda III. Our aim was investigate the value of US to predict malignancy in these nodules. METHODS: Patients with Bethesda III nodules who underwent thyroid surgery from July 2011 to July 2013 were included. Inclusion criteria mandated that US were available for review by two observers blinded to each other's results and histological outcome. The nodules were scrutinized with six US criteria: hypoechoic attenuation (HA), irregular margins (IM), taller than wide, microcalcifications (MC), loss of halo, and increased central vascularity. Disagreements between observers were solved by consensus. RESULTS: There were 141 patients (121 women) with a mean age of 55 years. Mean nodule size was 25 mm. The malignancy rate was 13 %. Interobserver ratios were moderate to very strong for all six predictors (kappa = 0.60-0.94). However, only HA, IM, and MC were predictors of malignancy by univariate analysis (all p < 0.002). Logistic regression revealed an odds ratio of malignancy versus no malignancy for HA 4.8, IM 3.3, and MC 4.0 (all p < 0.05). The positive and negative predictive value for malignancy when having one or more of these three criteria was 22 % and 98 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: HA, IM, and MC were predictors of malignancy in Bethesda III nodules. In addition, the negative predictive value for any of these three criteria was high; a nodule that lacks all of these three criteria is thus unlikely to be malignant.