Surgical Treatment of Graves' Disease: Comparison between Total Thyroidectomy and Subtotal Thyroidectomy

PURPOSE: Subtotal thyroidectomy has been the standard operation for Graves' disease in achieving a favorable outcome in recovery of euthyroid state. However, the postoperative outcomes following subtotal thyroidectomy differ by surgeon and postoperative thyroid dysfunctions develop as time passes. Here, we have studied the validity of total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease patients, with a comparison to subtotal thyroidectomy. METHODS: A total of 299 patients with Graves' disease underwent thyroid operation consecutively in Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea from December 1995 to December 2005. Among them, 241 cases had subtotal thyroidectomy and 43 had total thyroidectomy. The subtotal thyroidectomy cases were divided into 3 groups according to estimated remnant thyroid; or =6 g. Also, according to postoperative thyroid function, the patients were divided into euthyroid, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism groups. The postoperative changes of thyroid function, postoperative complications and hospital days were analyzed. RESULTS: In subtotal thyroidectomy, postoperative thyroid function showed euthyroid in 25 (10.4%), hypothyroidism 206 (85.5%) and hyperthyroidism 10 (4.1%). However, total thyroidectomy showed no persistent hyperthyroidism or recurrence. The postoperative thyroid function state changed in 24 patients out of 148 who had more than 2 years postoperative follow-up. Hyper-functional changes developed with higher rates (Hypo-6 vs. hyper-18). The postoperative complication rate was higher in subtotal thyroidectomy including bleeding, hoarseness and hypocalcemia. CONCLUSION: In our study, the patients showing normal thyroid function after subtotal thyroidectomy were very limited and thyroid dysfunction developed continuously with time lapse, especially towards hyperthyroid state. Therefore, we suggest that total thyroidectomy should be considered as a treatment option in Graves' disease.

Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy without an Intraoperative i-PTH Test for Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the outcomes of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy without an intraoperative i-PTH test for the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 179 patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism and who underwent parathyroidectomy at ASAN Medical Center between February 1996 and September 2007. Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy without an intraoperative i-PTH test was performed in 75 patients under the guidance of a preoperative localization study that suggested the presence of single gland disease. Bilateral exploration was performed in 70 patients and unilateral exploration was performed in 34 patients. RESULTS: The success rate of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy without an intraoperative i-PTH test was 98.7%. Postoperative persistent hyperparathyroidism developed in only 1 patient among the 75 patients. The frequency of postoperatively confirmed single gland disease and multigland disease was 92.8% (166 patients) and 7.2% (13 patients), respectively. However, for most of the patients with multiglandular disease (11/13 cases, 84.5%), the possibility of multiglandular disease could be predicted by a preoperative localization study and these patients were excluded from the candidates for performing minimally invasive parathyroidectomy without an intraoperative i-PTH test. For cases that the preoperative localization study suggested single lesion, the frequency of multiglandular disease in those patients who underwent bilateral exploration was relatively low (2.7%, 1/38 cases). CONCLUSION: Selected patients with primary hyperparathyroidism can be successfully managed with minimally invasive parathyroidectomy and without an intraoperative i-PTH test when the preoperative localization study suggests the presence of single gland disease. However, careful evaluation of the preoperative localization study is mandatory to minimize the failure rate of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy without an intraoperative i-PTH test.

Comparison of Operative Methods for Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism

PURPOSE: Tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT) occurs in less than 8% of the patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism after successful kidney transplantation. Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is commonly due to parathyroid hyperplasia, but about 2.6% of the THPT cases may be due to single or double adenomas. We investigate the usefulness of limited resection of single or two-gland parathyroid by comparing the blood calcium and PTH levels with respect to operative strategy. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 13 cases of tertiary hyperparathyroidism that were diagnosed and operated on at Asan Medical Center from May 1996 to April 2005. The patients were grouped according to the operative strategy: 3 and 1/2-parathyroidectomy (n=5), 3-parathyroidectomy (n=6), and 2-parathyroidectomy (n=2), and then we compared the mean blood PTH, calcium and creatinine levels. One patient in the 3-parathyroidectomy group underwent hemodialysis due to kidney transplant rejection, and this data was excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: The mean blood calcium and PTH levels of the 2-parathyroidectomy group were higher than that of the other two groups. There were no cases of transient hypocalcemia in the 3 groups (<7.5 mg/dl), and there were no cases of hypercalcemia at one year postoperative in the 3 & 1/2-parathyroidectomy and 2-parathyroidectomy groups. The blood calcium and blood PTH levels were less than 9.1 mg/dl and more than 100 pg/ml, respectively, in the one 3-parathyroidectomy patient who underwent hemodialysis due to kidney transplant rejection. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary conclusions, based on our small groups and the short follow-up period, are that the blood calcium and PTH levels will be higher in the limited resection group if kidney transplant rejection occurs, and tumor recurrence will be also more often found in the limited resection group. Therefore, our recommendation is that 3 and 1/2-parathyroidectomy and 2-parathyroidectomy are preferable operative strategies for tertiary hyperparathyroidism.

Experience with a Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy: Results of 41 Cases / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: A retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is theoretically the ideal procedure for an adrenalectomy. However, it is not popular due to its technical difficulty. Herein, we report our experience with retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies and describe the difficulties encountered during the operations. METHODS: From November 1996 to October 1999, a total of 41 retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies were performed. Forty (40) patients had a unilateral adrenal tumor (size: 1?? cm): 21 aldosteronomas, 12 Cushing adenomas, 3 neurogenic tumors, 2 nonfunctioning adenomas, 1 vascular cyst, and 1 angiomyolipoma of the kidney. One (1) had bilateral hyperplasia. The operations were carried out in prone position in all cases with 3 trochars. RESULTS: Thirty five (35) operations were completed endoscopically. Five were converted to open procedures, and one was converted to a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach. The causes of conversion were 1 severe subcutaneous emphysema, 2 technical difficulties, 1 bleeding, 1 partial nephrectomy, and 1 missing tumor. The average operating time for the complete endoscopic adrenalectomies was 183 minutes in the first 14 cases and 142 minutes in the next 21 cases. There was no operative morbidity or mortality. The average hospital stay was 4.3 days in the first 14 cases and 2.8 days in the next 21 cases. CONCLUSION: A retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is a less invasive procedure than any other adrenalectomy procedure, and its only disadvantage is technical difficulty. However, the technical difficulty can be overcome with increasing experience.

Experience with a Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy: Results of 41 Cases / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: A retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is theoretically the ideal procedure for an adrenalectomy. However, it is not popular due to its technical difficulty. Herein, we report our experience with retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies and describe the difficulties encountered during the operations. METHODS: From November 1996 to October 1999, a total of 41 retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies were performed. Forty (40) patients had a unilateral adrenal tumor (size: 1?? cm): 21 aldosteronomas, 12 Cushing adenomas, 3 neurogenic tumors, 2 nonfunctioning adenomas, 1 vascular cyst, and 1 angiomyolipoma of the kidney. One (1) had bilateral hyperplasia. The operations were carried out in prone position in all cases with 3 trochars. RESULTS: Thirty five (35) operations were completed endoscopically. Five were converted to open procedures, and one was converted to a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach. The causes of conversion were 1 severe subcutaneous emphysema, 2 technical difficulties, 1 bleeding, 1 partial nephrectomy, and 1 missing tumor. The average operating time for the complete endoscopic adrenalectomies was 183 minutes in the first 14 cases and 142 minutes in the next 21 cases. There was no operative morbidity or mortality. The average hospital stay was 4.3 days in the first 14 cases and 2.8 days in the next 21 cases. CONCLUSION: A retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is a less invasive procedure than any other adrenalectomy procedure, and its only disadvantage is technical difficulty. However, the technical difficulty can be overcome with increasing experience.

Voice and Videostroboscopic Analysis after Neurorrhaphy of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injured during Thyroidectomy / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve is one of the major complications of thyroidectomy. One of the treatment options, which has met with some criticism, may be the repair of the injured nerve. This study was designed to investigate the efficiency of the neurorrhaphy of the injured recurrent laryngeal nerve with voice and videostroboscopic analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the injured recurrent laryngeal nerve, ansa hypoglossi-recurrent laryngeal nerve anastomosis has been performed in 6 patients, and direct end to end anastomosis has been performed in 4 patients. Postoperative parameters of perceptual analysis, acoustic analysis, aerodynamic study, and videostroboscopy after 6 months were compared with those of 11 patients whose recurrent laryngeal nerves were resected and left without neurorrhaphy. RESULTS: Perceptual breathy vocal quality and the aerodynamic parameters were better in anastomosed group, but there were no differences in the acoustic parameters. Medialization of vocal cord and the glottic closure was better in anastomosed group. No patient of the anastomosed group experienced dyspnea due to synkinesis. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicates that the neurorrhaphy of injured recurrent laryngeal nerve is effective in improving the glottic closure, but unsatisfactory in achieving symmetric glottic tension and mucosa wave during phonation.

The Value of Central Neck Exploration in Reoperation for Recurrent Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

PURPOSE: Central neck recurrence in papillary thyroid cancer patients is critical because it is closely related to mortality. We examined value of the central neck exploration in reoperation for recurrent papillary cancer. METHODS: 70 recurrent papillary cancer patients who underwent reoperation from Jan 1996 to July 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 3 groups: lateral neck recurrence group (group L, 31 cases), lateral neck and central neck combined recurrence group (group LC, 19 cases), and central neck recurrence group (guoup C, 20 cases). In the 19 cases of group LC, bilateral paratracheal exploration was performed in 10 cases and unilateral paratracheal exploration was completed in 9 cases. Among these, 5 paratracheal areas were negative according to preoperative study and were explored blindly. The remission (serum thyroglobulin

Clinical Features of Well Differentiated Thyroid Carcinomas in Pregnant Women / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: In differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC), it has been reported that pregnancy may accelerate the course of the disease. But recent evidences suggested that the prognosis of DTC during pregnancy was similar to that of DTC in non-pregnant women of the same age. Also the optimal timing for the treatment is still controversial. We evaluated the clinical features of DTC in pregnant women. METHOD: We reviewed the histories of patients in whom the DTC was diagnosed before or during the pregnancy between 1994 and 1999. DTC were diagnosed by fine needle aspiration and the patients were treated by thyroid surgery. RESULTS: Six women who had a mean age of 30 years (27-34 years) were identified. The mean follow-up duration was 41 months (13-70 months). All patients had noticed a lump in their necks. In three patients, the nodules increased in size during pregnancy. A fine needle aspiration revealed a suspected malignancy in five patients and a postoperative biopsy confirmed the malignancy in one patient who had a preoperative cytologic diagnosis of nodular hyperplasia. All tumors were well differentiated and ranged in size from 1 to 6.5 cm. Radioactive iodine ablation and thyroid hormone suppression treatment were administered in five patients except in one case of papillary microcarcinoma. One patient had residual tumors in the right cervical lymph nodes and both lungs. She underwent repeated surgery and radioactive iodine therapy. CONCLUSION: This reports suggest that the DTC which is associated with pregnancy may have a similar prognosis to that of non-pregnant women and that the treatment of DTC in pregnant women may be safely delayed until after delivery in most patients. The treatment should not be delayed for more than a year.

The Value of FDG-PET in Reoperation of the Recurrent Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Elevated Thyroglobulin Levels and Negative I131 WBS

PURPOSE: We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and useful ness of FDG-PET to determine the proper extent of surgery in recurrent papillary thyroid cancer patients with elevated thyroglobulin levels and negative I131 WBS. METHODS: FDG-PET was performed in 16 recurrent papillary thyroid cancer patients with elevated thyroglobulin levels and negative I131 WBS. In 9 patients, FDG-PET was performed to localize the recurrent lesions. In 7 patients, the recurrent lesions were initially diagnosed by physical examination or other image studies and the FDG-PET was subsequently performed to detect additional recurrent lesions. All suspected lesions detected by FDG-PET and other studies were explored. RESULTS: Among the 9 patients in whom FDG-PET was performed to localize the recurrent lesions, the recurrent lesions were detected only by FDG-PET in 4 patients. Among the 7 patients in whom FDG-PET was performed additionally to detect additional recurrent lesions, another recurrent cervical regions were detected by FDG-PET in 2 patients. However, the same lesions were able to be identified by ultrasonography. A total of 26 cervical regions were explored in 16 patients. There were 4 FDG-PET false positive regions and 2 FDG-PET false negative regions. Unnecessary surgery was performed in 4 cervical regions in 4 patients. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET was very useful in detecting small early recurrent lesions but was unable to contribute to the detection of additional recurrent cervical regions in the pa-tients in which the recurrent lesion had already been by physical examination or other studies. Other image studies are necessary to supplement the FDG-PET in false positive or false negative cases.

The Role of Preoperative and Postoperative Thyroglobulin Measurements in The Detection of Well Differentiated Thyroid Carcinomas Recurrence / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: Thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement is primarily used to monitor patients with well differentiated thyroid carcinomas (WDTC) for tumor recurrence. We evaluated the correlations between fold responses of thyroglobulin levels and TNM stages (and MACIS scores) at recurrent group. Also correlations between preoperative Tg levels and Tg (on or off replacement) levels at the time of recurrence were evaluated. Postoperative Tg levels between recurrent and non-recurrent groups were analyzed for the use of assessing risk of recurrence. METHODS: One hundred twenty five cases of WDTC who had total thyroidectomy and (131)I remnant thyroid ablation were finally included in this study. After optimal TSH stimulations (>30 microIU/mL), (131)I whole body scan (WBS) was performed. We interpreted as a recurrence only when abnormal findings on the (131)I WBS were detected. Preoperative, immediate postoperative and follow-up Tg tlevels were regularly measured. RESULTS: Difference of preoperative Tg levels between recurrent and non-recurrent groups was not significant (27.5+/-4.2 ng/mL vs. 16.0+/-10.9 ng/mL). Also differences of immediate postoperative Tg (on or off replacement) levels between two groups was not significant (2.4+/-3.8 ng/mL vs. 3.6+/-3.l ng/mL, 33.4+/-4.8 ng/ml vs. 24.5+/-4.8 ng/mL, respectively). Tg levels on replacement at 24 months after surgery between recurrent and non-recurrent groups were significantly different (2.2+/-4.8 ng/mL, 15.9+/-6.5 ng/mL, p<0.001) and also Tg levels off replacement between recurrent and non-recurrent groups were significantly different (4.0+/-6.6ng/mL vs. 49.4+/-9.3 ng/mL, p<0.001). Fold responses between recurrent and non-recurrent groups were significantly different (2.0+/-3.1 ng/mL, 5.0+/-4.1 ng/mL, p=0.009). Fold responses between recurrent and non- recurrent groups were significantly different according to TNM stages (p=0.002) but not different according to MACIS scores. Preoperative Tg levels were correlated Tg (on or off replacement) levels at the time of recurrence (p=0.02, r=0.4: p<0.001, r=0.6, respectively). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of Tg levels over 2 ng/mL on replacement were 95%, 73%, 84% but those of Tg levels over 7 ng/mL off replacement were 83%, 70%, 77%. CONCLUSION: Fold responses may predict prognosis of WDTC. Small postoperative increase in serum Tg levels may indicate a large increase of tumor mass in cases of normal or low preoperative Tg levels. Tg levels over 2 ng/mL on replacement or 7 ng/mL off replacement during follow-up may suggest the recurrence of WDTC.

Experience with a Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy: Results of 41 cases

PURPOSE: A retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is theoretically the ideal procedure for an adrenalectomy. However, it is not popular due to its technical difficulty. Herein, we report our experience with retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies and describe the difficulties encountered during the operations. METHODS: From November 1996 to October 1999, a total of 41 retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies were performed. Forty (40) patients had a unilateral adrenal tumor (size: 1-6 cm): 21 aldosteronomas, 12 Cushing adenomas, 3 neurogenic tumors, 2 nonfunctioning adenomas, 1 vascular cyst, and 1 angiomyolipoma of the kidney. One (1) had bilateral hyperplasia. The operations were carried out in prone position in all cases with 3 trochars. RESULTS: Thirty five (35) operations were completed endoscopically. Five were converted to open procedures, and one was converted to a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach. The causes of conversion were 1 severe subcutaneous emphysema, 2 technical difficulties, 1 bleeding, 1 partial nephrectomy, and 1 missing tumor. The average operating time for the complete endoscopic adrenalectomies was 183 minutes in the first 14 cases and 142 minutes in the next 21 cases. There was no operative morbidity or mortality. The average hospital stay was 4.3 days in the first 14 cases and 2.8 days in the next 21cases. CONCLUSION: A retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is a less invasive procedure than any other adrenalectomy procedure, and its only disadvantage is technical difficulty. However, the technical difficulty can be overcome with increasing experience.

Clinical Significance of Human Sodium Iodide Symporter mRNA Expressions in Primary and Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: The iodide transport into thyroid cells is an essential step in the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones. The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) which is responsible for iodide transport was cloned recently and identified as a plasma membrane glycoprotein. Recent report suggested the absence of human NIS (hNIS) mRNA expression of papillary carcinoma in thyroid indicates absence of response on radioiodine therapy for distant metastasis. To understand the change of hNIS expression at the stage of metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinomas, we evaluated the expression levels of hNIS mRNA in primary and lymph node metastatic papillary carcinoma tissues. METHODS: Seven pairs of primary and lymph node metastatic tissues were included in this study. The level of hNIS mRNA in lymph node metastatic tissues and primary tissues were evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The level of GAPDH mRNA was used as internal control. RESULTS: Two among 6 lymph node metastatic tissues did not show hNIS mRNA even with significant hNIS expressions in papillary carcinoma tissues in thyroid. The levels of hNIS expression of remaining 4 lymph node metastatic tissues were lower than those of corresponding primary tissues. Interestingly, one case showed no hNIS expression in primary tissue, but significant hNIS expression in lymph node metastatic tissue. There was no correlation in hNIS mRNA expression between primary and lymph node metastatic tissues. CONCLUSION: No correlation was found in hNIS mRNA expression between primary and lymph node metastatic tissues, suggesting the measurements of hNIS mRNA level in primary tissues may not predict therapeutic response to radioactive iodine.

FDG-PET as a Predictor of Recurrence with 131I Scan Negative Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: An Evaluation Compared with Pathologic Findings / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: FDG-PET has been suggested to have a supplementary role in localizing recurred sites of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. This study was performed to show whether FDG-PET is feasible as an alternative diagnostic modality for patients with I-131 scan negative thyroid carcinoma by verification of post-surgical pathology findings. METHODS: Eighteen patients of papillary thyroid carcinoma (M:F=4:14, age 41+/-16 year) who had total thyroidectomy and I-131 ablation therapy were included. All patients showed negative I-131 scan on therapeutic dose but they were suspected as disease recurrence because of elevated serum Tg or anti-Tg Ab during follow-up periods. FDG-PET was performed, and then cervical lymph node dissection on either side or both sides of the neck was done according to FDG-PET results. RESULTS: A total of 77 cervical lymph node groups were dissected in 18 patients; internal jugular chain 49, spinal accessory 9, jugulodigastric 5, anterior jugular 4, paratracheal 3, supraclavicular 2, and others 5. Forty eight lymph node groups revealed metastatic papillary carcinoma on pathology and their largest diameter ranged from 0.4 to 7.0cm (1.2+/-0.7cm). All patients had at least one malignant lymph node group. FDG-PET detected 37 among 48 malignant lymph nodes (sensitivity 77%), and their count ratio ranged 1.7-31.1 (6.1+/-6.3). Among the 30 malignant lymph nodes less than 1cm, FDG-PET detected 20 lymph nodes. Of the 29 lymph node groups without malignant cells, FDG-PET was also negative in 24 groups (specificity S3%). Positive predictive value of FDG-PET on I-131 scan negative differentiated thyroid carcinoma was 88%; negative predictive value was 69%. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET has been confirmed as a valuable diagnostic modality to detect cervical lymph nodes of differentiated thyroid carcinoma who are suspicious for recurrence but with negative I-131 scan, by pathologic findings.

The Reconstruction of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve after the Combined Resection of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve and the Papillary Thyroid Cancer

BACKGROUND: The function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve might be normal even though there is some extent of cancer invasion. The recurrent laryngeal nerves are usually saved when the preoperative vocal function is normal. However, it is difficult to save a nerve with a minimal amount of remnant cancer tissue when the cancer invasion is deep and broad. In a such instance, combined resection of the recurrent nerve and reconstruction of the recurrent nerve could be considered if the postoperative recovery of the vocal function is acceptable. METHODS: We tried reconstruction of the recurrent laryngeal nerve with the ansa hypoglossi-recurrent nerve (n=6) and with direct end-to-end anastomosis (n=4). The postoperative vocal function of these patients were compared to that of 11 patients whose recurrent nerves were resected and left without reconstruction. RESULTS: The maximal comfortable phonation time of the reconstruction group was significantly longer (mean 11.4+/-3.8 sec) than that of the no reconstruction group (mean 6.9+/-3.2 sec). There was, however, no significant difference between the ansa hypoglossi-recurrent nerve anastomosis group (mean 11.5+/-4.5 sec) and the direct end-to-end anastomosis group (mean 11.3+/-3.0 sec). Median fixation of the vocal cord and no or minimal glottic gap were observed in the reconstructed group. On the other hand, in the no reconstruction group paramedian fixation of the vocal cord and a wider glottic gap were observed. CONCLUSIONS: We feel that the recovery of the vocal function after the reconstruction of the recurrent nerve is acceptable and is enough to try a combined resection of a recurrent nerve severely invaded by papillary thyroid cancer even though the pre operative vocal function is normal.

Parathyroid Glands Location, vascular supply and preservation during a total thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: It is well known that the inferior parathyroids are more difficult to preserved than the superior parathyroid glands because the inferior parathyroid glands have more anatomical variations. METHODS: The authors analysed the gross surgical findings of a total of 411 inferior parathyroid glands in 314 total thyroidectomy cases. The inferior parathyroid glands were grouped according to patterns based on their location and arterial blood supply. RESULTS: Type 1 (location: posterior surface of the lower thyroid pole; artery: inferior branch of the inferior thyroid artery): incidence 51% and presevation rate 62%. Type 2 (location: thyrothymic ligament or in the thymus; artery: inferior branch of the inferior thyroid artery): incidence 27% and preservation rate 86%. Type 3 (location: apart from the lower thyroid pole; artery: inferior branch of the inferior thyroid artery): incidence 6.1% and preservation rate 92%. Type 4 (location: anteriorly on the lower thyroid pole; artery: inferior branch of the inferior thyroid artery): incidence 4.1% and preservation rate 33%. Type 5 (location: lower thyroid pole; artery: comes out from the thyroid gland): incidence 4.1% and preservation rate 0%. Type 6 (location: lower thyroid pole; artery: branch of the superior thyroid artery): incidence 3.6% and preservation rate 80%. Type 7 (location: lower thyroid pole; artery: embedded in the thyroid gland): incidence 2.9% and preservation rate 36%. Type 8 (location: more superior than usual; artery: superior branch of the inferior thyroid artery): incidence 0.7% and preservation rate 67%. Type 9 (location: lower thyroid pole; artery: thyroid ima artery): incidence 0.5% and preservation rate 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The most identified inferior parathyroids belonged to the usual types, and their pre-servation rate were relatively high. However there were some unusual types though their incidence was low. Thus, accurate anatomical knowledge of variations in the location and the blood supply of the inferior parathyroids is needed to enhance the preservation rate.

Lesion Localization in Patients with Hyperparathyroidism Using Double-phase Tc-99m MIBI Parathyroid Scintigraphy / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of double-phase Tc-99m MIBI parathyroidism scintigraphy with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with hyperparathyroidism. We also evaluated the relationship between Tc-99m MIBI uptake and oxyphil cell contents in parathyroid glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 28 parathyroid glands of 10 patients who underwent Tc-99m MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy and parathyroidectomy for clinically suspected hyperparathyroidism. Early and delayed pinhole images were obtained at 15 minutes and 2 hours after injection of Tc-99m MIBI, and SPECT images were followed. The weight and oxyphil cell contents of parathyroid of tissue were obtained from pathologic specimen, and the scintigraphic findings were compared with histopathology. RESULTS: In surgical histopathology, 6 parathyroid adenomas and 9 parathyroid hyperplasias were confirmed. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of early and delayed images were 46.7% (7/15), 76.9% (10/13), 70% (7/10) and 667% (10/15), 92.3% (12/13), 90.9% (10/11), respectively. SPECT image detected an additional small hyperplasia. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of combined interpretation of early and delayed images with SPECT were 733% f11/15), 100% (13/13), 100% (11/11). The sensitivity was 100% (6/6) for aenoma, whereas that was 555% (5/9) for hyperplasia. Both adenomas and hyperplasias showed significantly increased oxyphil cell contents compared with normal parathyroid glands (p<0.0001), but the oxyphil cell content and weight were not significantly different between adenomas and hyperplasias. CONCLUSION: Double-phase Tc-99m MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy with SPECT is useful for lesion localization m patients with hyperparathyroidism. Although both adenoma and hyperplasia have increased oxyphil cell content, the sensitivity is high in adenoma, but low in hyperplasia.

Central Neck Lymph Node Metastasis from Papillary Thyroid Cancers

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of papillary thyroid cancer is not only controversial with regard to the surgery of the thyroid gland itself but also with regard to the management of regional lymph nodes. The presence of regional lymph node metastasis is not related to the prognosis, but affects the local recurrence rate, and a reoperation in the central neck is technically more difficult than a primary procedure. The central neck lymph node dissection is mandatory during the primary operation in order to reduce lymph node recurrence in the central neck and to avoid reoperation, but there is question about the necessity of lymph node dissection contralateral to the primary tumor when it is confined to one lobe only. METHODS: Thus, we analyzed the central neck lymph node metastasis of 80 patients with papillary thyroid cancer who underwent a total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection. RESULTS: For the 53 patients with the primary tumor confined to one lobe and with a clear opposite lobe, the rate of contralateral paratracheal lymph node metastasis was 26%, and for the 19 patients with a microcarcinoma in opposite lobe, the rate of contralateral paratracheal lymph node metastasis was 63%. However, it was difficult to identify the microcarcinoma in the opposite lobe based on the gross finding during the operation. As a result, the overall probability of contralateral lymph node metastasis was 36% when the primary tumor was grossly confined to on lobe. The mass size did not correlated with the rate of contralateral lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The bilateral node dissection appears to have been appropriate in every case of advanced papillary thyroid cancer as far as the complication rates could be maintained acceptably low.

Clinical analysis of distal bile duct cancer

No abstract available.