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Children are more likely to experience recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury during thyroid surgery. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) may assist in nerve identification and surgical decision making. A literature review of pediatric IONM was performed and used to inform a monitoring technique guide and expert opinion statements. Pediatric IONM is achieved using a variety of methods. When age-appropriate endotracheal tubes with integrated surface electrodes are not available, an alternative method should be used. Patient age and surgeon experience with laryngoscopy influence technique selection; four techniques are described in detail. Surgeons must be familiar with the nuances of monitoring technique and interpretation; opinion statements address optimizing this technology in children. Adult IONM guidelines may offer strategies for surgical decision making in children. In some cases, delay of second-sided surgery may reduce bilateral RLN injury risk., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: The use of ultrasound-guided ablation procedures to treat both benign and malignant thyroid conditions is gaining increasing interest. This document has been developed as an international interdisciplinary evidence-based statement with a primary focus on radiofrequency ablation and is intended to serve as a manual for best practice application of ablation technologies., Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to guide statement development and generation of best practice recommendations. Modified Delphi method was applied to assess whether statements met consensus among the entire author panel., Results: A review of the current state of ultrasound-guided ablation procedures for the treatment of benign and malignant thyroid conditions is presented. Eighteen best practice recommendations in topic areas of preprocedural evaluation, technique, postprocedural management, efficacy, potential complications, and implementation are provided., Conclusions: As ultrasound-guided ablation procedures are increasingly utilized in benign and malignant thyroid disease, evidence-based and thoughtful application of best practices is warranted., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: This article describes the benefits of patient-driven research in the field of head and neck oncology, reviews lessons learned from establishing partnerships with patients and caregivers, and serves as a model for further patient-driven research endeavors., Methods: Head and neck cancer survivors underwent training including that of effective communication and the basics of research methodology. They then drove the agendas for monthly meetings that included a multidisciplinary team of providers, facilitated by a physician champion (S.S.C.)., Results: The advisors reported concrete areas for improvement of the clinical flow, including the formation of a dental oncology clinic and a post-treatment survivorship clinic. They also refined research topics of interest, such as treatment regret. The advisors have also driven efforts to increase public awareness and have participated in cancer symposiums and local presentations., Conclusion: Patient-driven research improves the relevance and implementation of head and neck oncology research and clinical processes., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Many attribute the rise in incidence of thyroid cancer to a deluge of radiologically identified incidental thyroid nodules. The clinical implications are unclear., Methods: A review was performed of all patients who underwent fine-needle aspirations of thyroid nodules by our academic medical center's Endocrinology Division between 2006 and 2010. Medical records were reviewed to identify whether the thyroid nodule was discovered incidentally or by palpation., Results: Of 1153 patients, 37.4% underwent a biopsy because of an incidental thyroid nodule. These patients were significantly more likely to be >45 years old, men, white race, and with a body mass index >30 kg/m 2 . Of the 17.2% of incidentalomas that led to surgery, 8.5% were found to be thyroid cancer., Conclusion: Thyroid nodules discovered incidentally are increasing the diagnosis of subclinical thyroid cancers. Not investigated previously, our study found that the mode of detection was not related to malignancy or surgery., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)