incidence of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer

Hypocalcaemia is one of the more acute complications of total thyroidectomy and occurs after parathyroid injury during surgery. The aim of this study is to assess the incidence rate and risk factors of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia in patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy, due to malignant thyroid diseases and to determine the value of parathyroid gland autotranplantation in thyroid cancer surgeries. Sixty-five patients, diagnosed with thyroid malignancy, who were treated by total thyroidectomy with or without radical neck dissection between 2002 and 2006, were studied retrospectively. Of patients 60% were female [mean age 39.59 +/- 10.24 years] and 40% were male [mean age 42.11 +/- 11.93 years]. Complications of total thyroidectomy, permanent and transient hypocalcaemia in particular, were studied. In eleven patients, parathyroids were transplanted within fibers of sternocleidomastoid and deltoid muscles. Transient hypocalcaemia occurred in 18 patients and was treated by intravenous and oral calcium supplements. None of patients progressed to permanent hypocalcaemia. Temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis occurred in 2% of patients but there was no case of paralysis. There was a significant difference in hypocalcaemia occurrence between patients, who had just total thyroidectomy and those who underwent thyroidectomyt with neck dissection [p=0.01]. Hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy is a serious and dangerous complication, requiring prompt diagnosis and proper treatment. Parathyroid gland transplantation for an injured or incidentally removed parathyroid, between fibers of sternocleidomastoid or deltoid muscles, can prevent the occurrence of permanent hypocalcaemia

Giant thymolipoma mimicking cardiomegaly

A 28-year-old man presented with a chest radiograph strongly suggestive for cardiomegaly. Although he did not consent any hemodynamic studies, cardiomegaly was ruled out on the basis of the clinical course. Computed tomography showed the existence of a large mass in both sides of the heart and in both lower hemitho-races. The tumor was resected by anterior mediastinotomy; it was weighted 2100 g and measured almost 35X25X6cm. Histopa-thologic examination revealed thymolipoma

Organizing lobar penumonia: report of a case

Organizing Lobar Pneumonia is a rare form of Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia. Herein, we report a rare case of organizing pneumonia involving lung, mediastinum and esophagus. A 16-year-old girl was referred to our center with clinical signs and symptoms of dysphagia and weight loss. The main abnormal radiologic and endoscopic findings were stricture of the lower third of esophagus and calcified lobar pneumonia of the lung. Pathologic examination of biopsies taken from esophageal stricture and resected lung revealed fibrosis and organizing lobar pneumonia. This combination, to our knowledge, has not been reported previously

Sclerosing hemangioma of the lung: Report of a case

Sclerosing hemangioma of the lung is extremely rare. Herein, a case of sclerosing hemangioma of the lung in a 44-year-old woman is reported. On admission, the patient complained of pain in the left lower neck and upper chest. Chest x-ray revealed a mass in lingular lobe of the left lung. The patient underwent surgery and a mass was removed through left posterolateral thoracotomy. Pathologic findings confirmed sclerosing hemangioma. Sclerosing hemangioma of the lung should be considered in asymptomatic patients or those with symptoms in chest or lower neck