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Objective. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a potentially life-threatening complication of Graves’ disease (GD). The present study compared the long-term efficacy of antithyroid drugs (ATD), radioactive iodine (RAI), and surgery in GD/TPP. Methods. Sixteen patients with GD/TPP were followed over a 14-year period. ATD was generally prescribed upfront for 12–18 months before RAI or surgery was considered. Outcomes such as thyrotoxic or TPP relapses were compared between the three modalities. Results. Eight (50.0%) patients had ATD alone, 4 (25.0%) had RAI, and 4 (25.0%) had surgery as primary treatment. Despite being able to withdraw ATD in all 8 patients for 37.5 (22–247) months, all subsequently developed thyrotoxic relapses and 4 (50.0%) had ≥1 TPP relapses. Of the four patients who had RAI, two (50%) developed thyrotoxic relapse after 12 and 29 months, respectively, and two (50.0%) became hypothyroid. The median required RAI dose to render hypothyroidism was 550 (350–700) MBq. Of the 4 patients who underwent surgery, none developed relapses but all became hypothyroid. Conclusion. To minimize future relapses, more definitive primary treatment such as RAI or surgery is preferred over ATD alone. If RAI is chosen over surgery, a higher dose (>550 MBq) is recommended.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important for differentiated thyroid cancer survivors, but data for Asian survivors is lacking. This study aimed to have an overview of, and identify any disease-or treatment-related factors associated with, HRQoL in Asian differentiated thyroid cancer survivors. Patients and Methods: Thyroid cancer survivors were recruited from the thyroid clinics at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong from February 2016 to December 2016. All adult differentiated thyroid cancer patients with stable disease more than or equal to 1 year received a survey on HRQoL using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Thyroid cancer specific quality of life (THYCA-QoL) questionnaire. Clinical information was collected retrospectively from the computerized clinical management system. To identify factors associated with poor HRQoL, univariable and stepwise multivariable regression analysis were performed. Results: A total of 613 survivors completed the questionnaires (response rate: 82.1%; female: 80.1%; median survivorship: 7.4 years (range: 1.0-48.2 years)). The QLQ-C30 summary score mean was 84.4 (standard deviation (SD): 12.7) while the THYCA-QoL summary score mean was 39.9 (SD: 9.7). The 2 highest symptom subscales were fatigue (mean: 26.4, SD: 20.6) and insomnia (mean: 26.2, SD: 27.6). Factors associated with worse HRQoL included serum thyrotropin (TSH) greater than 1.0 mIU/L, unemployment, and concomitant psychiatric disorders. Concomitant psychiatric illness (n = 40/613, 6.5%) also showed significant association with most of the symptom and functional subscales. Conclusions: Fatigue and insomnia were the 2 most common symptoms experienced by our differentiated thyroid cancer survivors. Long-term survivorship care with monitoring serum TSH level, supporting return-to-work and screening for concomitant psychiatric disorders should be offered.

Introduction: Patients with hoarseness of voice, previous neck operation, or suspicion of malignancy are at high risk of having pre-thyroidectomy vocal cord (VCP) palsy. Therefore, vocal cord (VC) functions should be evaluated before surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of hoarseness, a voice-related questionnaire (Voice Handicap Index [VHI]-30), and transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasound (TLUSG) in diagnosing VCP, as well as the role of TLUSG in the evaluation of high-risk patients. Methods: A total of 1000 patients undergoing thyroidectomy or other endocrine-related neck procedures were prospectively included. Symptoms of hoarseness, the VHI-30 score, and TLUSG were evaluated. Validation laryngoscopies were performed by a separate endoscopist after performing TLUSG. All the assessments were performed one to seven days before surgery. The findings of hoarseness, the VHI-30 score, and TLUSG were correlated with laryngoscopic findings to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy. Results: Of 1000 patients, nine preoperative VCP were diagnosed with laryngoscopy. Sensitivity in detecting VCP by hoarseness, the VHI-30 score, and TLUSG were 33.3%, 62.5%, and 88.9%, respectively. A total of 342 patients were considered as high risk, and eight preoperative VCP were confirmed with laryngoscopy. Despite it not being possible to visualize the VCs in 26 (7.7%) patients, TLUSG had a higher accuracy in detecting VCP than the VHI-30 did (96.8% vs. 74.2%; p < 0.001). If patients had been selected who were unassessable or who had had VCP on assessment for confirmatory laryngoscopy, TLUSG saved more patients from laryngoscopic examinations than the VHI-30 did (87.7% vs. 71.3%; p < 0.001). A history of neck operation and suspicion of malignancy did not affect the assessment by TLUSG ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: TLUSG is a feasible, non-invasive, and sensitive tool in detecting VCP in high-risk patients. It has safely precluded 87.7% high-risk patients from laryngoscopy. TLUSG should be incorporated as a part of the ultrasound examination of the thyroid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Because the fluorescent light intensity on an indocyanine green fluorescence angiography reflects the blood perfusion within a focused area, the fluorescent light intensity in the remaining in situ parathyroid glands may predict postoperative hypocalcemia risk after total thyroidectomy. Methods. Seventy patients underwent intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography after total thyroidectomy. Any parathyroid glands with a vascular pedicle was left in situ while any parathyroid glands without pedicle or inadvertently removed was autotransplanted. After total thyroidectomy, an intravenous 2.5 mg indocyanine green fluorescence angiography was given and realtime fluorescent images of the thyroid bed were recorded using the SPY imaging system (Novadaq, Ontario, Canada). The fluorescent light intensity of each indocyanine green fluorescence angiography as well as the average and greatest fluorescent light intensity in each patient were calculated. Postoperative hypocalcemia was defined as adjusted calcium <2.00 mmol/L within 24 hours. Results. The fluorescent light intensity between discolored and normal-looking indocyanine green fluorescence angiographies was similar (P = .479). No patients with a greatest fluorescent light intensity >150% developed postoperative hypocalcemia while 9 (81.8%) patients with a greatest fluorescent light intensity ≤150% did. Similarly, no patients with an average fluorescent light intensity >109% developed PH while 9 (30%) with an average fluorescent light intensity ≤109% did. The greatest fluorescent light intensity was more predictive than day-0 postoperative hypocalcemia (P = .027) and % PTH drop day-0 to 1 (P < .001). Conclusion. Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography is a promising operative adjunct in determining residual parathyroid glands function and predicting postoperative hypocalcemia risk after total thyroidectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although routine laryngeal examination (RLE) after thyroidectomy may cost more than selective laryngeal examination (SLE), it permits earlier detection and treatment of vocal cord palsy (VCP) and so may be cost-saving in the longer term. We compared the 2-year cost-effectiveness between RLE and SLE with RLE performed at 2 weeks (SLE-2w), 1 month (SLE-1m), and 3 months (SLE-3m) after thyroidectomy in the institution's perspective. Methods. Our case definition was a hypothetical 50-year-old woman who underwent an elective total thyroidectomy for a benign multinodular goiter. A decision-analytic model was constructed to compare the estimated cost-effectiveness between RLE, SLE-2w, SLE-1m, and SLE-3m after a 2-year period. Outcome probabilities, utilities, and costs were estimated from the literature. The threshold for cost-effectiveness was set at US$50,000/quality-adjusted life-year. Sensitivity and threshold analyses were used to examine model uncertainty. Results. RLE was not cost-effective because its incremental cost-effectiveness ratio to SLE-2w, SLE-1m, and SLE-3m were US$302,755, US$227,883 and US$247,105, respectively. RLE was only cost-effective when the temporary VCP rate increased >42.7 % or when the cost of RLE equaled zero. Similarly, SLE-2w was only costeffective to SLE-3m when dysphonia for temporary VCP at 3 months increased >39.13 %, dysphonia for permanent VCP at 3 months increased >50.29 %, or dysphonia without VCP at 3 months increased >42.69 %. However, none of these scenarios appeared clinically likely. Conclusions. In the institution's perspective, RLE was not cost-effective against the other three SLE strategies. Regarding to the optimal timing of SLE, SLE-3m appears to be a reasonable and acceptable strategy because of its relative low overall cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies have evaluated the effect of thyroidectomy on the course of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) but it is unclear how GO as an indication might affect surgical outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the impact of this indication on surgical outcomes in Graves' disease (GD). Methods: From 1995 to 2008, 329 patients with GD underwent thyroidectomy. Patients were stratified into two groups, namely, those with GO as indication (GO) and those with non-GO indication (non-GO). Outcomes were compared between the groups and outcomes with significance were further analyzed by multivariate analyses to determine independent factors. Results: The GO group was significantly older ( P < 0.001), had more males ( P < 0.001), and fewer relapses ( P < 0.001) than the non-GO group. It also had a higher proportion of total/near-total thyroidectomy ( P < 0.001), despite a shorter operating time ( P = 0.024) and less blood loss ( P = 0.010). When only total/near-total thyroidectomy was considered, the GO group had significantly more permanent hypoparathyroidism than the non-GO group (9.2 vs. 1.6%, P = 0.038), but the rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism was similar in the two groups when only those with parathyroid autotransplantation were considered. Other complications were similar between the two groups. By multivariate analysis, GO as indication was an independent risk factor for temporary (OR 1.97, P = 0.033) and permanent hypoparathyroidism (OR 4.76, P = 0.007). Conclusion: GO as a surgical indication (i.e., unstable or active GO requiring ophthalmic treatment or follow-up) was associated with increased risk of temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism after bilateral thyroidectomy. Routine parathyroid autotransplantation may reduce the risk of permanent hypoparathyroidism in this select patient group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is one of the most controversial surgical subjects in recent times. To date, there is little evidence to support the practice of pCND in patients with DTC undergoing total thyroidectomy. Although the recently revised American Thyroid Association (ATA) guideline has clarified many inconsistencies regarding pCND and has recommended pCND in "high-risk" patients, many issues and controversies surrounding the subject of pCND in DTC remain. The recent literature has revealed an insignificant trend toward lower recurrence rate in patients with DTC who undergo total thyroidectomy and pCND than those who undergo total thyroidectomy alone. However, this was subjected to biases, and there are concerns whether pCND should be performed by all surgeons who manage DTC because of increased surgical morbodity. Performing a unilateral pCND may be better than a bilateral pCND given its lower surgical morbidity. Further studies in this controversial subject are much needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful thermal ablation using radiofrequency has been reported in various tumors including liver or kidney tumors. Nonsurgical minimally invasive ablative therapy such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been reported to be a safe and efficient treatment option in managing symptomatic cold thyroid nodules or hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules. Pressure and cosmetic symptoms have been shown to be significantly improved both in the short and long terms after RFA. For hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules, RFA is indicated for whom surgery or radioiodine are not indicated or ineffective or for those who refuse surgery or radio-iodine. Improvement of thyroid function with decreased need for antithyroid medications has been reported. Complication rate is relatively low. By reviewing the current literature, we reported its efficacy and complications and compared the efficacy of RFA relative to other ablative options such as ethanol ablation and laser ablation.

Background Despite its feasibility, using the da Vinci robot in remote-access thyroidectomy remains controversial. This meta-analysis compared surgical and oncological outcomes between robotic-assisted thyroidectomy (RT) and non-robotic endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET). Methods A systematic review was performed to identify studies comparing outcomes between RT and ET. Outcomes included operating time, drain output, complications, number of central lymph nodes retrieved, and preablation stimulated thyroglobulin level. A random-effects model was used. Results Six studies were eligible. Of the 3510 patients, 2167 (61.7%) underwent RT whereas 1343 (38.3%) underwent ET. Despite a higher drain output (185.8 mLs versus 173.3 mLs, P = 0.019), RT had fewer temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (2.6% versus 3.3%, P = 0.035) and shorter length of hospital stay (3.4 d versus 3.5 d, P = 0.030). In terms of oncological outcomes, despite higher incidence of multicentricity and larger tumors, the number of central lymph nodes retrieved during unilateral central neck dissection in RT was significantly greater than ET (4.5 ± 2.6 and 3.4 ± 2.5, P < 0.001) whereas the preablation stimulated thyroglobulin was comparable (0.8 ng/mL versus 1.1 ng/mL, P = 0.456). However, follow-up data were relatively scarce. Conclusions Adding the robot in remote-access thyroidectomy was associated with a significantly lower risk of temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and shorter length of hospital stay. However, despite achieving a comparable level of surgical completeness for low-risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma between RT and ET, this study highlighted the limitations with the current literature and the need for more prospective studies with adequate follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing elderly population, a rising incidence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), and a rising incidence of benign nodular disease with age are all contributing to a rise in thyroid operations for the elderly. Literature review on the outcome and safety of thyroid surgery in elderly patients has been filled with conflicting results and this subject remains controversial. Although most single-institution studies conducted by high-volume surgeons did not find significant differences of complication rates in elderly when compared with younger cohorts, they often lacked the power necessary to identify subtle differences and suffered from various selection and referral biases. Recent evidence from large population-based studies concluded that thyroid surgery in the elderly was associated with higher complication rates. One of the major contributing factors for the increased complication rate was because most elderly patients suffered from many preexisting comorbidities. Therefore, elderly patients who have abnormal thyroid findings should complete a thorough preoperative workup and better postoperative care after undergoing any thyroid surgery. Furthermore, these high-risk patients would benefit if they could be referred to high-volume, specialized surgical units early. In this systemic review, we aimed to evaluate different issues and controversies in thyroidectomy for elderly patients.

Although the majority of papillary thyroid carcinoma could be successfully managed by complete surgical resection alone or resection followed by radioiodine ablation, a small proportion of patients may develop radioiodine-refractory progressive disease which is not amenable to surgery, local ablative treatment or other treatment modalities. The use of FDG-PET/CT scan for persistent/recurrent disease has improved the accuracy of restaging as well as cancer prognostication. Given that patients with RAI-refractory disease tend to do significantly worse than those with radioiodine-avid or non-progressive disease, an increasing number of phase I and II studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of new molecular targeted drugs such as the tyrosine kinase inhibitors and redifferentiation drugs. The overall response rate of these drugs ranged between 0–53%, depending on whether the patients had been previously treated with these drugs, performance status and extent of disease. However, drug toxicity remains a major concern in administration of target therapies. Nevertheless, there are also ongoing phase III studies evaluating the efficacy of these new drugs. The aim of the review was to summarize and discuss the results of these targeted drugs and redifferentiation agents for patients with progressive, radioiodine-refractory papillary thyroid carcinoma.