Manejo del absceso de la glándula tiroides / Management of thyroid gland abscess

Introducción: La enfermedad supurativa de la glándula tiroides-absceso de tiroides o tiroiditis supurativa aguda- supone una infrecuente situación clínica. Presentamos nuestra experiencia en los casos asistidos durante 41 años. Materiales y métodos: Estudio longitudinal retrospectivo anotando características epidemiológicas, conducta diagnóstico-terapéutica y resultado clínico, detectando 14 casos -9 varones y 5 mujeres, entre 19 y 68 años, con una media de edad de 40,6 ± 15,4 años- con 22 episodios. En 2 pacientes la condición se había reproducido hasta en 4 ocasiones. Resultados: Supusieron el 0,29% de todos los abscesos cervicales atendidos. La punción-aspiración fue efectuada en 13 de ellos para su tratamiento e identificación del agente causal. Los agentes más habitualmente implicados fueron Mycobacterium tuberculosis y Staphylococcus aureus. Se realizó un estudio de imagen mediante ecografía en 9 casos y de tomografía computarizada en 7. En 10 pacientes el tratamiento definitivo fue quirúrgico, efectuándose drenaje del absceso en 7 de ellos, tiroidectomía total en 4 y hemitiroidectomía en 2. Otros tratamientos admitidos fueron la antibioterapia sistémica o mediante irrigación intralesional y la esclerosis. Aunque en un caso la fase aguda comenzó con hipertiroidismo y tirotoxicosis, a los 6 meses del alta existió hipotiroidismo definitivo en 5 casos. Las opciones terapéuticas adoptadas consiguieron la curación en el 100% de los casos. Conclusión: La supuración de la glándula tiroidea es una circunstancia extremadamente rara en el contexto de la enfermedad cervical, variando las opciones terapéuticas desde alternativas conservadoras al drenaje con tiroidectomía según los hallazgos microbiológicos y radiológicos

Background: Thyroid abscess or acute suppurative thyroiditis is an unusual clinical condition. We present our experience with cases attended over 41 years. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was performed on these patients reviewing their epidemiological characteristics and the diagnostic and therapeutic manoeuvres chosen for them all, as well as their clinical outcome. A group of 9 males and 5 females was studied, with ages ranging from 19 to 68 (mean of 40.6±15.4). These patients suffered 22 acute episodes, and 2 patients each had 4 episodes. Results: Suppurative thyroiditis comprised 0.29% of the neck abscesses. Fine needle aspiration was performed in 13 cases to evacuate the collection and isolate the aetiological agent. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus were the most frequently identified. Nine patients underwent ultrasound and 7 computed tomography imaging studies. Surgery was the option for 10 patients, including drainage for 7, thyroidectomy for 4 and hemithyroidectomy for the remaining 2. Systemic or intralesional antibiotics and sclerosis of the gland were also carried out. Although one case presented with hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis in the acute phase, definitive hypothyroidism was observed in 5 patients at 6 months following discharge. The rate of success was 100%. Conclusion: Thyroid gland suppuration is a very infrequent circumstance in neck pathology, and the options for its treatment are varied, from conservative to invasive techniques according to the microbial and radiologic findings

Management of thyroid gland abscess. / Manejo del absceso de la glándula tiroides.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid abscess or acute suppurative thyroiditis is an unusual clinical condition. We present our experience with cases attended over 41 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on these patients reviewing their epidemiological characteristics and the diagnostic and therapeutic manoeuvres chosen for them all, as well as their clinical outcome. A group of 9 males and 5 females was studied, with ages ranging from 19 to 68 (mean of 40.6±15.4). These patients suffered 22 acute episodes, and 2 patients each had 4 episodes. RESULTS: Suppurative thyroiditis comprised 0.29% of the neck abscesses. Fine needle aspiration was performed in 13 cases to evacuate the collection and isolate the aetiological agent. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus were the most frequently identified. Nine patients underwent ultrasound and 7 computed tomography imaging studies. Surgery was the option for 10 patients, including drainage for 7, thyroidectomy for 4 and hemithyroidectomy for the remaining 2. Systemic or intralesional antibiotics and sclerosis of the gland were also carried out. Although one case presented with hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis in the acute phase, definitive hypothyroidism was observed in 5 patients at 6 months following discharge. The rate of success was 100%. CONCLUSION: Thyroid gland suppuration is a very infrequent circumstance in neck pathology, and the options for its treatment are varied, from conservative to invasive techniques according to the microbial and radiologic findings.

Hipo. Actitud en otorrinolaringología en pacientes que consultan. Aproximación diagnóstica y terapéutica / Hiccups. Attitude in otorhinolaryngology towards consulting patients. A diagnostic and therapeutic approach

Introducción. Las crisis de hipo suelen ser autolimitadas y benignas, pero los episodios prolongados alteran la calidad de vida y requieren asistencia, ya que existen causas identificables que el otorrinolaringólogo debe conocer para su diagnóstico y tratamiento. Su manifestación última es un ruido glótico espasmódico con alteraciones cervicales características. Pacientes y métodos. Desde 1979 se revisaron todos los casos que consultaron por hipo persistente o recidivante, anotando cronobiología, patología concomitante, resultados de las exploraciones, tratamiento y respuestas al mismo. Resultados. Se asistieron 37 pacientes con una edad media de 45,5±13,5 años, de los cuales 30 eran varones; 23 pacientes (el 62%) presentaron hipo persistente. En 24 casos (el 65%) se evidenció una causa potencialmente asociable: enfermedades del esófago en 14 —la mayoría reflujo gastroesofágico— y en 8 se apreció o descubrió patología oncológica concomitante. Solo 3 casos fueron intervenidos como resultado de los hallazgos efectuados. Los protocolos de tratamiento incluyeron metoclopramida en 18 sujetos, clorpromazina en 17 y baclofeno en 13, pero también carbamazepina o haloperidol. Se empleó neuroestimulación del nervio frénico en 6 pacientes. El hipo desapareció en 32 casos. De los 22 sujetos en los que se pudo efectuar seguimiento, se constató recidiva en 5 —precisando por ello nuevas terapias— y 11 fallecieron. Conclusiones. El hipo crónico implica un reto multidisciplinar con potencial afectación en cabeza y cuello, una sistemática diagnóstica de descarte, frecuente patología de base esofágica y una incidencia de neoplasia maligna alta. Los agentes procinéticos y neurolépticos con efecto antidopaminérgico y anticolinérgico suponen la base del tratamiento (AU)

Introduction. Hiccup crises are generally benign and self-limiting, but longer episodes affect quality of life and must be treated. There are recognisable causes that otorhinolaryngologists must know and be aware for diagnosis and therapeutic alternatives. The main expression is a spasmodic glottic noise with characteristic neck alterations. Patients and methods. This was a retrospective study from 1979 with patients suffering persistent or recurrent hiccups. Chronobiology, comorbidity, findings from explorations, therapies and outcomes were noted. Thirty-seven patients were studied (mean age, 45.5±13.5 years; 30 males), with persistent hiccups in 23 (62%). Results. A potential associated aetiology was observed in 24 cases (65%): oesophageal disorders —mainly gastroesophageal reflux— were detected in 14 cases and concomitant oncological disease was found in 8. Only 3 cases were admitted for surgery due to these findings. Therapeutic strategies with metoclopramide were used in 18 subjects, chlorpromazine in 17 and baclofen in 13, while carbamazepine or haloperidol were used in a minority. Phrenic nerve stimulation was employed in 6 patients. Hiccups disappeared in 32 cases. Out of 22 cases for which follow-up was possible, the hiccups recurred in 5 subjects (the subjects requiring new therapies) and 11 patients died. Conclusions. Chronic hiccup represents a multidisciplinary challenge that includes potential head and neck affection, a diagnostic schedule for ruling out causes, frequent base oesophageal alterations and high incidence of malignant neoplasm. Prokinetic and neuroleptic agents with antidopaminergic and anticholinergic effects are the pillars of its treatment (AU)

Hiccups. Attitude in Otorhinolaryngology Towards Consulting Patients. A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach. / Hipo. Actitud en otorrinolaringología en pacientes que consultan. Aproximación diagnóstica y terapéutica.

INTRODUCTION: Hiccup crises are generally benign and self-limiting, but longer episodes affect quality of life and must be treated. There are recognisable causes that otorhinolaryngologists must know and be aware for diagnosis and therapeutic alternatives. The main expression is a spasmodic glottic noise with characteristic neck alterations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study from 1979 with patients suffering persistent or recurrent hiccups. Chronobiology, comorbidity, findings from explorations, therapies and outcomes were noted. Thirty-seven patients were studied (mean age, 45.5±13.5 years; 30 males), with persistent hiccups in 23 (62%). RESULTS: A potential associated aetiology was observed in 24 cases (65%): oesophageal disorders -mainly gastroesophageal reflux- were detected in 14 cases and concomitant oncological disease was found in 8. Only 3 cases were admitted for surgery due to these findings. Therapeutic strategies with metoclopramide were used in 18 subjects, chlorpromazine in 17 and baclofen in 13, while carbamazepine or haloperidol were used in a minority. Phrenic nerve stimulation was employed in 6 patients. Hiccups disappeared in 32 cases. Out of 22 cases for which follow-up was possible, the hiccups recurred in 5 subjects (the subjects requiring new therapies) and 11 patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic hiccup represents a multidisciplinary challenge that includes potential head and neck affection, a diagnostic schedule for ruling out causes, frequent base oesophageal alterations and high incidence of malignant neoplasm. Prokinetic and neuroleptic agents with antidopaminergic and anticholinergic effects are the pillars of its treatment.

Factores relacionados al dolor postamigdalectomía en adultos / Factors related to post-tonsillectomy pain in adults

Objetivo: Valoración de factores relativos a la anatomía faríngea y a la técnica quirúrgica como posible causa de dolor postamigdalectomía. Material y métodos: Estudio longitudinal prospectivo sobre 42 pacientes amigdalectomizados mediante disección con bisturí frío y monopolar, cuantificando los tiempos quirúrgicos y de empleo de electrobisturí, tamaño amigdalar, el dolor postoperatorio mediante escala analógica visual (EAV) y test de 40 ítems (QoR-40) y sus secuelas en la tolerancia oral, pérdida de peso y la estancia hospitalaria. Las correlaciones entre variables cuantitativas se establecieron mediante coeficientes de regresión lineal. Resultados: La amigdalectomía duró 22,66 ± 7,07 minutos, retirando amígdalas con un volumen medio de 6.046,07 ± 3.866,20 mm3 y empleando electrocauterio 66,14 ± 37,77 segundos para aplicar 1.984,24± 1.133,32 julios por paciente. El Mallampatti más frecuente se estadió en los estadios 2 y 3, y el tamaño amigdalar fue mayoritariamente entre 2-3. La EAV se elevó y el índice QoR-40 descendió a las 24 horas y a los 7 días de forma estadísticamente no significativa. La cantidad de julios administrados fue la variable que mejor se correlacionó con el malestar medido en las escalas, los requerimientos de analgesia y corticoides, la pérdida de peso y la estancia hospitalaria. El dolor fue más acusado entre sujetos en los que existió manipulación quirúrgica de tejido periamigdalino. Conclusiones: La mejoría en el empleo de las técnicas de electrodisección con aplicaciones más limitadas y focalizadas de energía y la preservación de la mucosa periamigdalar son factores que podrían aliviar el nivel de dolor postamigdalectomía (AU)

Objective: Assessment of factors related to pharyngeal anatomy and surgical technique as possible causes of post-tonsillectomy pain. Materials and methods: This was a prospective observational study that included 42 patients undergoing tonsillectomy with cold and monopolar electric device dissection. We recorded duration of the entire operation, duration of electrocautery use, tonsil size and postoperative pain and discomfort assessed using a visual analogue scale (VS) and a 40-item questionnaire (QoR-40, Quality of Recovery), along with sequelae on returning to normal diet, weight loss and hospital stay. Correlations among quantitative variables were obtained by mean of lineal regression coefficients. Results: Duration of surgery was 22.66 ± 7.07 minutes, removing tonsils with a volume of 6046.07 ± 3866.20 mm3 and an electrocautery use time of 66.14 ± 37.77 seconds, applying 1984.24 ± 1133.32 joules per patient. The most frequently observed Mallampati classification and tonsil size scores were stages II and III. The VS score increased and QoR-40 decreased at 24 hours and 7 days, but differences were statistically non-significant. Joule amount used for electrocautery was the parameter that correlated the best with discomfort status as measured via assessment scores, analgesic and corticosteroid requirements, weight loss and hospital stay. Pain was higher in subjects submitted to peritonsillar surgical aggression. Conclusions: Improved use of electrodissection techniques, limiting and focusing the application of its energy, and preservation of peritonsillar mucosa are factors that may lower post-tonsillectomy pain levels (AU)

Factors related to post-tonsillectomy pain in adults.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of factors related to pharyngeal anatomy and surgical technique as possible causes of post-tonsillectomy pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational study that included 42 patients undergoing tonsillectomy with cold and monopolar electric device dissection. We recorded duration of the entire operation, duration of electrocautery use, tonsil size and postoperative pain and discomfort assessed using a visual analogue scale (VS) and a 40-item questionnaire (QoR-40, Quality of Recovery), along with sequelae on returning to normal diet, weight loss and hospital stay. Correlations among quantitative variables were obtained by mean of lineal regression coefficients. RESULTS: Duration of surgery was 22.66 ± 7.07 minutes, removing tonsils with a volume of 6046.07 ± 3866.20 mm(3) and an electrocautery use time of 66.14 ± 37.77 seconds, applying 1984.24 ± 1133.32 joules per patient. The most frequently observed Mallampati classification and tonsil size scores were stages II and III. The VS score increased and QoR-40 decreased at 24 hours and 7 days, but differences were statistically non-significant. Joule amount used for electrocautery was the parameter that correlated the best with discomfort status as measured via assessment scores, analgesic and corticosteroid requirements, weight loss and hospital stay. Pain was higher in subjects submitted to peritonsillar surgical aggression. CONCLUSIONS: Improved use of electrodissection techniques, limiting and focusing the application of its energy, and preservation of peritonsillar mucosa are factors that may lower post-tonsillectomy pain levels.