Prognostic value of preoperative thyroid autoantibodies for post-thyroidectomy patient pathology: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of preoperative thyroid autoantibodies with reference to the post-thyroidectomy patient pathology. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Two tertiary care academic hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of (n = 473) subjects who underwent thyroidectomy from 2009 to 2019 were included. Preoperative serum thyroid autoantibodies (anti-thyroglobulin [anti-Tg] and anti-thyroperoxidase [anti-TPO]) were measured, and the potential predictors of postoperative pathological diagnosis (age, gender, and thyroid autoantibodies) were assessed using multivariable regression models. RESULTS: Patients with positive thyroid autoantibodies were more likely to have malignant disease than benign disease; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.6 (1.3-2.7, p = 0.002) for anti-Tg, and AOR = 1.6 (1.1-2.5, p = 0.027) for anti-TPO. A subset analysis of the same predictors performed on patients with cancer (malignant vs. microcarcinoma) showed that patients with ages ≥40 were more likely to develop microcarcinoma as opposed to malignant disease; AOR = 1.8 (1.1-3.1, p = 0.03) for anti-TPO, and AOR = 1.7 (1.0-2.9, p = 0.04) for anti-Tg. CONCLUSION: Preoperative thyroid autoantibodies could be used clinically to predict the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules, thus helping guide treatment decisions in patients with thyroid nodules and speeding up the decision to undergo surgical intervention.

Safety and cost-effectiveness of outpatient thyroidectomy: A retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the safety and cost-effectiveness of outpatient thyroidectomy and provide a systematic postoperative protocol for safe discharge. METHODS: In this retrospective review, the medical records of all patients who underwent total, hemi, or completion thyroidectomy from July 2017 to April 2019 at 2 tertiary care hospitals were reviewed. Multivariable analysis was performed on the potential predictors of postoperative complications. Healthcare costs were calculated by the type of admission based on the average costs at the 2 centers. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two patients were enrolled in this study. The majority of cases were in the outpatient group (n=76, 62.3%). Total thyroidectomy was the most prevalent type of surgery (n=90, 73.7%). There were a total of 20 complications in 18 patients (inpatient=9 versus [vs.] outpatient=9). No cases of cervical hematoma or bilateral vocal cord paralysis were encountered. No significant difference was found between the type of admission (outpatient vs. inpatient) and postsurgical complications (p=0.24). The multivariable regression model retained significance for male gender and American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification III as potential predictors of postoperative complications. Healthcare costs would be reduced by at least 15.5% with the implementation of outpatient surgery. CONCLUSION: Outpatient thyroidectomy is as safe as inpatient thyroidectomy given the proper selection of cases. We project cost containment of over $711 thousand per 1,000 cases for outpatient thyroid surgeries.

The value of repeating fine-needle aspiration for thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is an invaluable technique used in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the concordance of results for consecutive FNA readings. DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive. SETTINGS: Two tertiary care centers. METHODS: Demographics were collected along with every FNA result and final pathology results for all patients (aged 9-90 years old) who underwent thyroid surgery from 2010 to 2017. The Bethesda system was used for cytology. Agreement levels were calculated and compared with final pathology. SAMPLE SIZE: Of 1237 initially included, 1134 had at least one FNA performed with results available for review. RESULTS: For the 1134 patients, demographic and clinical data were collection and a comparison was made between the three FNA results; the highest agreement was between FNA 2 and 3 (53.6%); however, the kappa value was consistently low for all comparisons, indicating a poor level of agreement overall. Also, the risk of malignancy was higher in this study than in the 2017 Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology in FNA cytology categories I and II. CONCLUSION: Repeating FNA biopsies yield different results every time; hence, there is a low level of agreement. The clinical decision should therefore include other important risk factors. Prospective studies could help shed more light on this topic. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Optimal levothyroxine dose in post-total thyroidectomy patients: a prediction model for initial dose titration.

PURPOSE: As the lack of consensus in the initial levothyroxine (LT4) dose titration following total thyroidectomy exists, the aim of this study was to identify and quantify predictive factors for LT4 dose replacement. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively gathered data of 234 patients who underwent total-thyroidectomy at two institutions between November 9, 2009 and January 1, 2016 was conducted. Outcome variable was the clinically observed optimal LT4 dose. Linear and polynomial regression methods were used for prediction. Continuous variables were tested for mean differences using Student's t-test and association using Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: We identified Body Surface Area (BSA) as the most significant predictor. We propose a model that titrates LT4 dose based on BSA (1.4 µg /kg/day for BSA > 1.79 m2 vs. 1.7 µg /kg/day for BSA ≤ 1.79 m2; P = 0.00). Men required higher doses than women and no differences were noted based on DM status or pathological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis shows BSA as an independent predictor of LT4 dose post total thyroidectomy. Despite the possibility of generating different equations for predicting LT4 post total-thyroidectomy, finding a practical and clinically relevant prediction model is yet of limited efficiency.

Early prediction of oral calcium and vitamin D requirements in post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia.

OBJECTIVE: To optimize and individualize post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia management. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter prospective cohort study. SETTING: Two tertiary care hospitals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: parathyroid hormone (PTH) was measured preoperatively, then at 1 and 6 hours after surgery. The required doses of calcium and vitamin D were defined as those maintaining the patients asymptomatic and their cCa ≥ 2 mmol/L. They were used as an endpoint in a generalized linear mixed effect model (GLIMMEX) aiming to identify the best predictors of these optimal required doses. Models were evaluated by goodness of fit and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-eight patients were analyzed; 85.1% were female, 49.3% had BMI > 30, and 64% had vitamin D deficiency. Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia was found in 25.6%, of whom 18 (41.9%) were symptomatic and received intravenous calcium. First hour percentage of drop in PTH correlated positively with the severity of hypocalcemia (P < .0001). The GLIMMIX prediction model for oral calcium requirement was based on first-hour percentage change from preoperative PTH level, preoperative actual PTH, BMI, and thyroid function. The same predictors were identified for vitamin D, except that thyroid function was replaced with vitamin D status. These factors were used to build predictive equations for calcium and vitamin D doses. CONCLUSION: Our findings help to optimize management of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia by assisting in the early identification of those who are not at risk of hypocalcaemia and by guiding early effective management of those at risk. This may reduce complications and medical cost.

Factors predicting post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism recovery.

BACKGROUND: Hypoparathyroidism is the most common complication after thyroidectomy and the main reason for frequent outpatient visits; however, there is a poor understanding of its outcomes and no clear follow-up strategies are available. We aimed to predict post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism outcomes and identify relevant factors. METHODS: A multicenter, standardized prospective study was conducted. The parathyroid hormone level (PTH) was measured preoperatively and at the first hour after surgery, then at each outpatient follow-up visit after 1 week, 3 weeks, and 1 month, and then every 2 months, until it either reached normal values or up to 6 months. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to determine the factors that affect PTH recovery. A Weibull distribution model was used to predict time to recovery. Both models were evaluated by goodness of fit. RESULTS: A total of 186 patients were enrolled in the study; 53 (28.5 %) developed hypoparathyroidism, 47 of them (88.6 %) females. Their mean age was 41.2 years, and 11.4 % were diabetic. Of these women, 33 (62.3 %) recovered within 1 month, 10 (18.9 %) recovered after 1 month but within 6 months, 7 (13.2 %) did not recover within 6 months, and 3 (5.6 %) missed follow-up. Factors that are found to affect and predict the speed of recovery were the preoperative PTH level, perioperative percent drop in PTH level, diabetes mellitus, and gender. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides potentially useful information for early prediction of PTH recovery, and it highlights the factors that affect the course of hypoparathyroidism recovery, which in turn should be reflected in better patient management, improved patient satisfaction, and overall cost-effectiveness.

A novel technique for the reconstruction of resected sternoclavicular joints: A case report with a review of the literature.

Sternal metastasis in thyroid cancer is an uncommon occurrence with only a handful of cases of chest wall resections being done. Sternal reconstruction for both primary and secondary tumors has been performed using various techniques and materials such as the mesh, methyl acrylate resin, and steel plates; however, this is a case of papillary thyroid cancer involving the sternum in a 50-year-old woman who had resection of the sternum with reconstruction using titanium bars and clips (STRATOS system) fixed to the clavicles with an underlying Proceed mesh. STRATOS system showed good recovery postoperatively. The functional results were excellent with the patient being able to perform all daily activities unassisted after 1 month and almost complete range of motion with acceptable limitations in power of the shoulder muscles after 2 months. We have reviewed all the English language publications of the subject by doing Medline search for the last 25 years and we present here the surgical management of this pathology with our novel approach by using the titanium steel bars to stabilize both medial aspects of the resected clavicles as a promising therapy for manubrial reconstruction and clavicular fixation.

Low-grade malignant myoepithelioma arising in a pleomorphic adenoma: a rare case.

Malignant myoepithelioma is a very rare salivary gland tumor that can arise de novo or within a pre-existing pleomorphic adenoma. We report a case of malignant myoepithelioma most probably arising in a pre-existing pleomorphic adenoma of the left parotid gland. The patient was a 60-year-old man who presented with a multinodular mass lesion over left side of the face and neck. He had undergone removal of a pleomorphic adenoma of the left parotid gland twice (8 and 22 years ago). Histological examination showed locally concentrated highly invasive myoepithelial cells with bland-looking morphology and no evidence of mitosis or necrosis. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the myoepithelial differentiation (S- 100+, SMA+) and a low Ki-67 labeling index (<5%).

Molecular and phenotypic analysis of poorly differentiated sinonasal neoplasms: an integrated approach for early diagnosis and classification.

Primary poorly differentiated (small round and non-small) sinonasal neoplasms comprise histogenetically and biologically diverse entities with overlapping morphologic features. Because of the limited initial biopsy tissue materials, differential diagnostic difficulties may arise and complicate timely management of some cases. We used immunohistochemical and molecular marker analyses in a large cohort of these tumors to optimize their early diagnosis and classification. Fifty-two tumors of the skull base and sinonasal regions and, for comparison, 19 poorly differentiated neoplasms of other head and neck sites were analyzed by a panel of immunohistochemical markers including those of epithelial, mesenchymal, melanocytic, and neuroectodermal origin using tissue microarray. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of messenger RNA for EWS-FLI1 and PAX-FKHR fusion transcripts and the human achaete-scute homolog-1 gene was performed on 24 of the 52 sinonasal tumors and the 19 tumors of other sites for comparison. The immunohistochemical results substantiated the phenotypic assessment and the initial diagnosis in 49 of the 52 tumors. In 4 instances the integrated markers and phenotypic analyses led to reclassification of 3 tumors and confirmed the histogenesis of a mesenchymal tumor with aberrant cytokeratin expression. Molecular analysis of the EWS-FLI1 fusion gene transcript revealed 4 (9.3%) of the 43 tumors to be positive; all were Ewing sarcomas. The human achaete-scute homolog-1 gene transcript was identified in 10 (23.8%) of 42 tumors: 3 of 6 neuroblastomas, all 4 neuroendocrine carcinomas, and 1 each in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and melanoma. The PAX-FKHR fusion transcript was not detected in any tumors. We conclude that (1) an integrated morphologic and biomarker algorithm may better optimize the early diagnosis of poorly differentiated sinonasal and skull-base tumors; (2) molecular analysis may assist in future biological stratification of certain classes of these tumors; and (3) the human achaete-scute homolog-1 gene transcript is a nonspecific marker for the diagnosis of neuroblastoma.