A comparative study of postoperative hypocalcaemia following total thyroidectomy in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and multinodular goitre in a rural tertiary care hospital

Background: Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hypothyroidism and hypocalcaemia have long been recognized as the three main sequalae of thyroidectomy. Persistent hypocalcaemia may cause intracranial lesions and cardiac arrhythmias. As the definitive diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was not always possible with clinical and cytological parameters when antibody testing was not done, surgery was planned with the diagnosis of multinodular goitre. This study was conducted to find out the incidence of post-operative hypocalcaemia following total thyroidectomy by skilled surgeons in patients with multinodular goitre and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study to compare the incidence of hypocalcaemia in patients with biopsy-proven Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and multinodular goitre. After obtaining approval from the institutional review board and ethics committee, data was collected serially, from the surgical records of 123 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy in this tertiary care centre, during the past two years.Results: The incidence of post-operative hypocalcaemia (71.1%) in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was significantly higher than in patients with multinodular goitre (56.4%). Of the 45 patients who had a biopsy report of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, 8 (17.8 %) developed permanent hypocalcaemia while only 8 (10.3%) of the 78 patients with histopathological diagnosis of multinodular goitre developed persistent hypocalcaemia needing supplementation following total thyroidectomy in this rural tertiary care hospital.Conclusions: The significant risk of post-operative hypocalcaemia should be kept in mind before opting for total thyroidectomy for benign lesions of the thyroid and pre-operative antibody studies must be done to diagnose Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

A study of correlation of pre-operative fine needle aspiration cytology and ultrasonography with post-operative histopathology in thyroid swellings

Background:Diseases of the thyroid gland can be due to inflammatory and neoplastic causes. Many diagnostic tests like ultrasound, thyroid nuclear scan and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) are available for their evaluation. Histopathologically, they can be adenomas, colloid nodules, cysts, infectious nodules, lymphocytic or granulomatous nodules, congenital abnormalities or hyperplasia, or various types of malignancy. It is therefore crucial to have a clear diagnostic approach to ensure patients are managed appropriately and are not over or under-treated. Present study was done to evaluate FNAC and ultrasonography (USG) as a diagnostic method in thyroid swellings and to plan surgery accordingly.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted among 60 adult patients undergoing thyroid surgery at Victoria and Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital. They were investigated with FNAC and USG of thyroid, and were subjected to surgery and subsequent histopathological examination. The histopathological examination reports were correlated with the findings of FNAC and USG in order to evaluate their findings by statistical methods.Results:The sensitivity and specificity of FNAC was 87.5% and 98% respectively. All malignant lesions on FNAC were confirmed by histopathology indicating its excellence. Therefore FNAC helps in planning the correct management and avoids second surgery. And the sensitivity and specificity of USG was 75% and 86% respectively. Therefore combination of both FNAC and ultrasonography will improve the diagnostic accuracy to higher level and helps in better management. Conclusions:FNAC has high sensitivity and specificity, so it is closest to ideal test. However, a combination of both FNAC and ultrasound will give desirable results and so that we can avoid mismanagement.

Resultados a corto plazo del tratamiento con 131I en el bocio multinodular: valor adicional de la estimulación previa con rhTSH / Short-term results of treatment with 131I in multinodular goiter: additional value of previus stimulation with Recombinant human thyrotropin

OBJETIVO: El yodo radiactivo (131I) es una opción terapeútica segura y eficaz cuando se utiliza solo o con la estimulación previa de TSH recombinante humana (rhTSH) en el tratamiento del bocio multinodular (BMN). En espera de ensayos clínicos que determinen la dosis óptima, demuestren seguridad y confirmen la eficacia, diferentes protocolos se utilizan para aplicar la dosis de 131I. Analizamos la respuesta al tratamiento con una dosis calculada por protocolo mixto (dosis fijas y cálculo por porcentaje de captación) en pacientes con BMN toxico y no toxico en nuestro hospital, en el periodo 2010-2013. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo en pacientes con BMN no quirúrgico (BMNNQ) que requerían reducción del volumen glandular y/o tratamiento del hipertiroidismo. Se evaluaron 134 pacientes, 14 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión (13mujeres) de edad media 71.08 años. Un grupo con BMN toxico, otro grupo con BMN no toxico, un tercer grupo con BMN no toxico estimulado con 0,1 mg de rhTSH previo a la dosis. Se evaluó, función tiroidea, captación tiroidea de 99ᵐTc, volumen tiroideo y síntomas compresivos. Se siguió a los pacientes durante 12 meses. RESULTADOS: Se aplicaron dosis entre 15 y 30 mCi de 131I. Remitió el hipertiroidismo en 6 de 7 pacientes. Hubo una reducción del volumen glandular (p<0.01).Los pacientes con estímulo de 0,1 mg rhTSH, aumentaron el porcentaje de captación de 99ᵐTc a las 24 h en un 32.43±10.61 permitiendo aplicar menor dosis de 131I. La tasa de aparición de hipotiroidismo fue de 7.41 por cada 100 pacientes.mes, mayor en pacientes con BMN toxico tratados con dosis bajas (p-=0.03). Hubo una mejoría subjetiva de la clínica compresiva en todos los pacientes. No hubo eventos adversos. CONCLUSIONES: Una dosis de 131I calculada por protocolo mixto es efectiva y segura para la reducción del volumen glandular y control del hipertiroidismo asociado. La estimulación con rhTSH logra el mismo efecto con una menor dosis administrada.

OBJECTIVE: Radioactive iodine (131I) is a safe and effective therapeutic option when used alone or with prior stimulation of recombinant human Thyrotropin (rhTSH) in the treatment of multinodular goiter (MNG). In absence of clinical trials that determine the optimal dose, demonstrate safety and confirm efficacy, different protocols are used to apply the dose of 131I. We analyze the response to treatment with a dose calculated by mixed protocol (fixed doses and calculation by percentage of uptake) in patients with toxic and non-toxic MNG in our hospital, in the period 2010-2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study in patients with non-surgical MNG that required glandular volume reduction and / or treatment of hyperthyroidism. 134 patients were evaluated, 14 met the inclusion criteria (13 women) of average age 71.08 years. One group with toxic MNG, another group with non-toxic MNG and a third with non-toxic multinodular goiter stimulated with 0.1 mg of rhTSH prior to the dose. Patients were followed for 12 months. Upon following, we assessed Thyroid function, 99ᵐTc thyroid uptake, thyroid volume and compressive symptoms. RESULTS: Doses between 15 and 30 mCi of 131I were applied. We observed hyperthyroidism remission in 6 of 7 patients. There was a reduction in glandular volume (p <0.01) considering all patients. Patients with a stimulus of 0.1 mg rhTSH, increased the percentage of uptake of 99ᵐTc at 24 h by 32.43 ± 10.61, allowing a lower dose of 131I to be applied. The rate of onset of hypothyroidism was 7.41 per 100 patients-month, and was higher in patients with toxic MNG treated with low doses (p = 0.03). There was a subjective improvement of the compression clinic in all patients. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A dose of 131I calculated by a mixed protocol is effective and safe for achieving glandular volume reduction and associated hyperthyroidism control. Stimulation with rhTSH produces the same effect with a lower administered dose.

Accuracy of FNAC for Diagnosis of Malignancy in Long Standing Multinodular Goiter and Histopathological Correlation

FNAC is widely accepted as the most accurate, sensitive,specific and cost affective diagnostic procedure in theassessment of thyroid nodules and helps to select people preoperative for surgery. The purpose of this study was toevaluate the accuracy of FNAC for diagnosis of malignancy inlong standing multinodular goiter and histopathological corelation. I evaluated the cytological and histological results of105 patients, who were underwent pre-operative FNAC andsubsequent surgery followed by post-operative histopathology.The cytological diagnosis was classified as- benign, suspiciousand malignant. The definitive cytological study showed benignlesion 92, suspicious 2 and malignant 11 among 105 patients.Post-operative histopathology study showed malignant lesion 9and 96 were benign, among the malignant lesion- 4 werefollicular variant of p. carcinoma and 4 were direct papillarycarcinoma. Benign lesions were distributed as 94 multinodulargoiter and 2 follicular adenoma. In FNAC- eleven patients werefound to be malignant but on post-operative histopathologyexamination confirmed 8 of them as malignant and 3 of themwere benign, 2 follicular adenoma and 1 multinodular goiter. 94patients were found to be benign in FNAC but post-operativehistopathology examination confirmed 93 as multinodular goiterand 1 papillary carcinoma. So total number of malignancyfound in post-operative histology is (8+1)= 9. Rest of them 96were benign. So there is discrepancy between 2 cases. So mystudy revealed a cytological and histological discrepancy in 2patient out of 105 patients due to either diagnostic or samplingerror.

Transformación anaplásica tardía de bocio multinodular / Late anaplastic transformation Of multinodular goitre

Introducción: el Cáncer tiroideo se caracteriza por su baja incidencia, comportamiento maligno infrecuente y baja mortalidad. La mayoría de ellos procede de bocios multinodulares de larga duración por lo que es muy importante tener en cuenta factores que constituyen riesgos potenciales como: tiempo de establecimiento de la enfermedad, tamaño, así como las características particulares personales y la evolución de la entidad en cada caso. Si tenemos en cuenta el gran avance tecnológico que constituye la Biopsia Aspirativa con Aguja Fina (BAAF), que nos permite no solamente evitar su transformación neoplásica maligna, sino que también podemos prolongar la vida con la calidad que humanamente se requiere que es en definitiva la meta principal de la Salud Pública Cubana. Objetivo: destacar la importancia del adecuado seguimiento evolutivo del Bocio multinodular como elemento significativo en la prevención de su transformación maligna. Presentación del caso: Paciente femenina de 80 años de edad con aumento de volumen de la región anterior del cuello y antecedentes patológicos personales de Bocio Multinodular (BMN) con tratamiento inconstante e irregular de años de evolución, quien no solamente pudo haber mejorado la calidad de su vida sino que no la hubiera truncado, considerando las condiciones atenuantes en la forma de presentación que tuvo su caso. Al examen físico: Aumento de la región anterior del cuello, palpándose masa de superficie irregular, consistencia firme, dolorosa, de aproximadamente 6x5 cm que había aumentado considerablemente en los últimos meses sin fecha precisada. La paciente fue ingresada por el gran agobio respiratorio y la toma del estado general, pudiéndose realizar únicamente la Biopsia Aspirativa con Aguja Fina (BAAF). Desde su ingreso presenta evolución tórpida con incremento del compromiso respiratorio requiriendo la práctica de la traqueotomía que sólo ayuda como medida de soporte al estadio terminal de esta enfermedad neoplásica maligna. (Carcinoma Anaplásico del Tiroides). A pesar de ello la paciente fallece y los familiares autorizan la necropsia. Conclusiones: los BMN deben tener seguimiento evolutivo que permita precisar una tiroidectomía a tiempo como prevención en enfermedades benignas del Tiroides, por los cambios malignos que pueden producirse cuando la glándula es irradiada. La tiroidectomía a tiempo permite evitar no solamente la transformación maligna que puede producirse, sino también previene las metástasis que ocurren en los Carcinoma Anaplásicos.

Introduction: the thyroid carcinoma is characterized by low incidence, low malignant behaviour as well as low mortality. The most of they are developed from multinodular goitres of long duration so is important to be into account the risk factors such as: time of the establishment of the disease, size and the particular and personal characterists and the evolution of the each case. If we take into account the great technological advance of the BAAF from its performance in the past century to be united to the National Health System of our country ,we have to say that the multinodular goitres in any group of age are easily manageable and accessible which may us to avoid the malignant transformation besides we can do that the life continues with the quality humanely requested . Finally, this is the first goal of the Cuban Public Health. Objective: to highlight the importance of an appropriate follow-up of multinodular goitre as a significant element in the prevention of its multinodular malignant transformation. Case presentation: an 80 year- old, female patient presents an increase of the volumen of the anterior section of the neck, with pathologic antecedents of a multinodular goitre which the evolution has been characterized by an irregular and non systematic treatment along of years .She could have better quality of life as well as to avoid to death taking into account the wild conditions of that disease was presented herself. Physical examination: It has been observed an increase of the anterior area of the neck. On palpation ,it was felt a mass of irregular surface , painful and of a hard consistency with 6x5cms. approximately that had increased notably in the course of the last months . On the admission, the patient presented a serious respiratory process and poor general status so we only achieved a Fine Needle Aspirative Biopsy (FAAB).She continuos with reapiratory compromised so a surgical racheotomy was ejecuted that only help her as a way of supporting in the patient terminal stage in this malignant disease (Anaplastic Carcinoma of Thyroid). Despite the recommended procedure the patient died. The family accepted the autopsy. Conclusions: the multinodular goitres have to exam periodically in order to just may to do the tiroidectomy as the preventive measure in benign diseases of thyroid and avoid the malignant changes that could occurred when the gland is irradiated.The tiroidectomy ejecuted at just time avoid the malignant transformation as well as the metastasis in Anaplastic Carcinoma Thyroid.

Larygospasm secondary to a multinodular goitre

Laryngospasm is a serious event that can result in partial or complete upper airway obstruction. It is a common complication during recovery phase of anaesthesia, resulting from acute irritation of the vocal folds. We report a rare case of laryngospasm secondary to a multinodular goitre that settled after treatment. We postulate that the enlarged thyroid gland can lead to direct irritation of the laryngeal nerve as possible cause of repeated episodes of laryngospasm in this patient. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a multinodular goitre as the underlying cause of laryngospasm.