Exploring near-infrared autofluorescence properties in parathyroid tissue: an analysis of fresh and paraffin-embedded thyroidectomy specimens.

Significance: Near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) utilizes the natural autofluorescence of parathyroid glands (PGs) to improve their identification during thyroid surgeries, reducing the risk of inadvertent removal and subsequent complications such as hypoparathyroidism. This study evaluates NIRAF's effectiveness in real-world surgical settings, highlighting its potential to enhance surgical outcomes and patient safety. Aim: We evaluate the effectiveness of NIRAF in detecting PGs during thyroidectomy and central neck dissection and investigate autofluorescence characteristics in both fresh and paraffin-embedded tissues. Approach: We included 101 patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer who underwent surgeries in 2022 and 2023. We assessed NIRAF's ability to locate PGs, confirmed via parathyroid hormone assays, and involved both junior and senior surgeons. We measured the accuracy, speed, and agreement levels of each method and analyzed autofluorescence persistence and variation over 10 years, alongside the expression of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and vitamin D. Results: NIRAF demonstrated a sensitivity of 89.5% and a negative predictive value of 89.1%. However, its specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were 61.2% and 62.3%, respectively, which are considered lower. The kappa statistic indicated moderate to substantial agreement (kappa = 0.478; P < 0.001 ). Senior surgeons achieved high specificity (86.2%) and PPV (85.3%), with substantial agreement (kappa = 0.847; P < 0.001 ). In contrast, junior surgeons displayed the lowest kappa statistic among the groups, indicating minimal agreement (kappa = 0.381; P < 0.001 ). Common errors in NIRAF included interference from brown fat and eschar. In addition, paraffin-embedded samples retained stable autofluorescence over 10 years, showing no significant correlation with CaSR and vitamin D levels. Conclusions: NIRAF is useful for PG identification in thyroid and neck surgeries, enhancing efficiency and reducing inadvertent PG removals. The stability of autofluorescence in paraffin samples suggests its long-term viability, with false positives providing insights for further improvements in NIRAF technology.

Optimizing robotic thyroid surgery: lessons learned from an retrospective analysis of 104 cases.

Background: Robotic assistance in thyroidectomy is a developing field that promises enhanced surgical precision and improved patient outcomes. This study investigates the impact of the da Vinci Surgical System on operative efficiency, learning curve, and postoperative outcomes in thyroid surgery. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 104 patients who underwent robotic thyroidectomy between March 2018 and January 2022. We evaluated the learning curve using the Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) analysis and analyzed operative times, complication rates, and postoperative recovery metrics. Results: The cohort had a mean age of 36 years, predominantly female (68.3%). The average body mass index (BMI) was within the normal range. A significant reduction in operative times was observed as the series progressed, with no permanent hypoparathyroidism or recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries reported. The learning curve plateaued after the 37th case. Postoperative recovery was consistent, with no significant difference in hospital stay duration. Complications were minimal, with a noted decrease in transient vocal cord palsy as experience with the robotic system increased. Conclusion: Robotic thyroidectomy using the da Vinci system has demonstrated a significant improvement in operative efficiency without compromising safety. The learning curve is steep but manageable, and once overcome, it leads to improved surgical outcomes and high patient satisfaction. Further research with larger datasets and longer follow-up is necessary to establish the long-term benefits of robotic thyroidectomy.

Intraoperative AI-assisted early prediction of parathyroid and ischemia alert in endoscopic thyroid surgery.

BACKGROUND: The preservation of parathyroid glands is crucial in endoscopic thyroid surgery to prevent hypocalcemia and related complications. However, current methods for identifying and protecting these glands have limitations. We propose a novel technique that has the potential to improve the safety and efficacy of endoscopic thyroid surgery. PURPOSE: Our study aims to develop a deep learning model called PTAIR 2.0 (Parathyroid gland Artificial Intelligence Recognition) to enhance parathyroid gland recognition during endoscopic thyroidectomy. We compare its performance against traditional surgeon-based identification methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parathyroid tissues were annotated in 32 428 images extracted from 838 endoscopic thyroidectomy videos, forming the internal training cohort. An external validation cohort comprised 54 full-length videos. Six candidate algorithms were evaluated to select the optimal one. We assessed the model's performance in terms of initial recognition time, identification duration, and recognition rate and compared it with the performance of surgeons. RESULTS: Utilizing the YOLOX algorithm, we developed PTAIR 2.0, which demonstrated superior performance with an AP50 score of 92.1%. The YOLOX algorithm achieved a frame rate of 25.14 Hz, meeting real-time requirements. In the internal training cohort, PTAIR 2.0 achieved AP50 values of 94.1%, 98.9%, and 92.1% for parathyroid gland early prediction, identification, and ischemia alert, respectively. Additionally, in the external validation cohort, PTAIR outperformed both junior and senior surgeons in identifying and tracking parathyroid glands (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The AI-driven PTAIR 2.0 model significantly outperforms both senior and junior surgeons in parathyroid gland identification and ischemia alert during endoscopic thyroid surgery, offering potential for enhanced surgical precision and patient outcomes.

Efficacy of anlotinib combined with radioiodine to treat scalp metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is one of the well-differentiated thyroid tumors. Cutaneous metastasis from differentiated thyroid cancers occurs in < 1% of primary thyroid carcinomas but produces the worst survival prognosis. The multi-targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitor anlotinib has been approved to treat refractory advanced non-small-cell lung cancer as well as advanced soft-tissue and clear cell sarcomas in China. CASE SUMMARY: In a patient with scalp metastasis caused by PTC, thyroid and skull metastasis tumor sizes were significantly reduced after a trial of neoadjuvant anlotinib therapy for 3 cycles. Anlotinib maintenance medication after thyroidectomy further reduced the metastatic skull tumor size thereby preventing the requirement for craniotomy. CONCLUSION: The outcome of the present trial confirmed the potential of anlotinib therapy to treat scalp metastasis induced by PTC and point the way for the treatment of similar diseases in the future.

Development of Artificial Intelligence for Parathyroid Recognition During Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) model to identify parathyroid glands during endoscopic approaches and compare it with senior and junior surgeons' visual estimation. METHODS: A total of 1,700 images of parathyroid glands from 166 endoscopic thyroidectomy videos were labeled. Data from 20 additional full-length videos were used as an independent external cohort. The YOLO V3, Faster R-CNN, and Cascade algorithms were used for deep learning, and the optimal algorithm was selected for independent external cohort analysis. Finally, the identification rate, initial recognition time, and tracking periods of PTAIR (Artificial Intelligence model for Parathyroid gland Recognition), junior surgeons, and senior surgeons were compared. RESULTS: The Faster R-CNN algorithm showed the best balance after optimizing the hyperparameters of each algorithm and was updated as PTAIR. The precision, recall rate, and F1 score of the PTAIR were 88.7%, 92.3%, and 90.5%, respectively. In the independent external cohort, the parathyroid identification rates of PTAIR, senior surgeons, and junior surgeons were 96.9%, 87.5%, and 71.9%, respectively. In addition, PTAIR recognized parathyroid glands 3.83 s ahead of the senior surgeons (p = 0.008), with a tracking period 62.82 s longer than the senior surgeons (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: PTAIR can achieve earlier identification and full-time tracing under a particular training strategy. The identification rate of PTAIR is higher than that of junior surgeons and similar to that of senior surgeons. Such systems may have utility in improving surgical outcomes and also in accelerating the education of junior surgeons. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 132:2516-2523, 2022.

Prophylactic bilateral central neck dissection should be evaluated based on prospective randomized study of 581 PTC patients.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic central lymph node dissection (PCND) was a basic consensus for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in China. However, unilateral or bilateral central lymph node dissection (CND) was still controversial. This study aimed at investigating the safety and long-term benefit for the patients undergone with bilateral central lymph node dissection (BCCD). METHODS: 581 patients were enrolled and divided randomly into the test and control groups according to range of CND. 285 patients were prospectively assigned to undergo thyroid lobectomy plus BCND in the test group, other 296 patients were assigned to undergo thyroid lobectomy plus ipsilateral central lymph node dissection (ICND) in the control group. RESULTS: We found that the numbers of total LN and pN1a in the test group were more than that of the control group (p = 0.002,0.004), but there was no difference in the number of metastasized lymph nodes (p = 0.857) and tumor recurrence (p = 0.308). Additionally, in the aspect of postoperative complication (1 day after surgery), the serum levels of parathyroid hormone in the BCND group were lower than that in the ICND group (P = 0.010), and the numbers of transient laryngeal nerve palsy were more than that(p = 0.033). Meanwhile, we further found that pathological tumor size larger than 1 cm and tumor side lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors for contralateral central lymph node metastasis(p = 0.002,0.001). CONCLUSION: BCND may be an alternative for patients with tumor sizes larger than 1 cm, but it would significantly increase the rate of transient vocal cord palsy, parathyroid auto transplantation and decreased PTH, but the risk of permanent complications was similar to the ICND group.

An improved method of searching inferior parathyroid gland for the patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma based on a retrospective study.

Objective: Many surgeons knew the importance of parathyroid gland (PG) in the thyroid surgery, but it was even more difficult to be protected. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the improved method of searching inferior parathyroid gland (IPG). Methods: 213 patients were enrolled and divided into test and control groups according to different methods of searching IPG in the surgery. Consequently, we compared the surgical outcome parameters between the two groups, including the operative time, numbers of PG identifying (PG protection in situ, PG auto-transplantation, and PG accidental removal), numbers of the total lymph node (LN) and metastatic LN, parathyroid hormone (PTH), transient hypoparathyroidism, transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and postoperative bleeding. Results: We identified 194 (194/196, 98.98%) and 215 (215/230, 93.48%) PGs in the test group and control group, respectively, and there was a significant difference (P = 0.005), and this result was due to IPG identification differences (96/98, 97.96% vs. 100/115, 86.96%, P = 0.004). Meanwhile, there was a lower ratio of IPG auto-transplantation in the test group compared with that in the control group (46.94% vs. 64.35%, P = 0.013). Serum PTH one day after the operation was 3.65 ± 1.86 vs. 2.96 ± 1.64 (P = 0.043) but with no difference at 6 months. There were no differences in metastatic LN and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy between two groups. Conclusion: The improved method of searching IPG was simple, efficient, and safe, which was easy to be implemented for searching IPG and protecting it well.

A simple, efficient, and safe way of finding recurrent laryngeal nerve beneficial for PTC patients.

BACKGROUND: More surgeons have known the importance of parathyroid grand and recurrent laryngeal nerve protection in the surgery, but there is still plenty of scope to improve the surgical techniques. This study aims at investigating whether the improved method of finding recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can protect parathyroid grand and RLN. METHODS: One hundred fifty-eight patients were enrolled and divided randomly into the test and control group according to different methods of finding RLN in the surgery. In the experimental group the author could quickly find the laryngeal recurrent nerve in the lower part of the neck and separate along the surface of the recurrent laryngeal nerve to the point where the recurrent laryngeal nerve gets into the larynx close to the thyroid gland named lateral approach, while in the control group the author severed the middle and lower thyroid vein and raised the lower thyroid pole to look for the RLN near the trachea by the blunt separation. RESULTS: The author identified 152 and 159 parathyroid glands in the test and control group, respectively and there were a lower ratio of auto-transplantation and less operative time in the test group compared with that in the control group. The author also found that the parathyroid hormone level (1 day and 2 months) in the test group was higher than that in the control group. There were no differences in metastatic LN and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The improved method of finding RLN is a simple, efficient and safe way, and easy to implement.

Feasibility and safety of needle-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy with lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma: a preliminary experience.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thyroidectomy is popular among patients with cosmetic requirements. However, when lateral neck dissection (LND) is required, endoscopic surgery may be challenging. Therefore, we introduced needle-assisted endoscopic technique to achieve endoscopic LND procedure and evaluated its safety and feasibility in the present study. METHODS: Medical records of 37 patients who underwent needle-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy with LND were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All of 37 patients had excellent cosmetic outcomes. The mean operative time was 338.2 ± 58.74 minutes. Mean number of lymph nodes retrieved in the lateral was 33.5 ± 11.69 and 15.9 ± 7.51 in the central neck. The rates of transient and permanent hypocalcemia were 32.4% and 2.7% and the rates of transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy were 8.1% and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Needle-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy with lateral neck dissection shows potential feasibility but further study is needed to better characterize its safety and applicability.

Preoperative injection of carbon nanoparticles is beneficial to the patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma: From a prospective study of 102 cases.

BACKGROUND: More surgeons had noticed the importance of carbon nanoparticles (CNs) in protection of parathyroid grand in the surgery of thyroidectomy and central lymph lode dissection, but paid less attention to the injection time. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether preoperative injection of CNs can improve the dissection of lymph nodes (LNs) and protect parathyroid grand (PG) for the patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (TC). METHODS: A total of 102 consecutive patients were enrolled into this study from August 2016 to June 2017. All the patients were divided randomly into preoperative group and intraoperative group by the injecting time of the CNs. We compared the patients who had CNs injected into thyroid gland 1 month before surgery with a control group of patients who had CNs injected during the operation. The primary endpoints were operative time, numbers of total LN and metastatic LN, ratio of PG auto-transplantation, parathyroid hormone (PTH) level, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: We identify 206 PGs and 162 PGs in the preoperative and intraoperative group, respectively, (P = .000) and there was low ratio of auto-transplantation in the preoperative group compared with the intraoperative group (39.3% vs 50.62%, P = .003). We also found that the PTH level in the preoperative group was higher than that of preoperative group (2.60 ±â€Š1.00 vs 2.19 ±â€Š0.72, P = .021), and the operation time in the preoperative group was less than the intraoperative group (60.17 ±â€Š6.28 vs 80.94 ±â€Š7.12, P = .000). Meanwhile pathological results revealed 3 PGs of accidental removal occurred in the preoperative group, whereas 9 PGs of accidental removal occurred in the intraoperative group (P = .039). Also there was no difference in the numbers of total and metastatic LN in the 2 groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Preoperative injection of CNs was safe, and can help protect PG and reduce the difficulty of operation.

A Novel Technology for Localization of Parathyroid Adenoma: Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Combined With Rapid Parathyroid Hormone Detection and Nano-Carbon Technology.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the clinic feasibility of rapid parathyroid hormone (PTH) detection and nano-carbon technology in preoperative diagnosis and localization of parathyroid adenoma. METHODS: With the guidance of ultrasound, the operator performed the parathyroid puncture and tested the PTH value by using a PTH test kit, and then injected nano-carbon into parathyroid adenoma as a marker to observe whether the parathyroid adenoma was stained black during the final operation. Meanwhile, a part of excised specimen was made into homogenate and detected rapidly again by using the PTH test kit. The remaining was confirmed by intraoperative frozen pathological examination. RESULT: The sensitivity (12/12) of preoperative diagnosis was significantly higher than that of ultrasound (6/12), magnetic resonance imaging (7/12), and MIBI (9/12). During the operation, we found that the inner part of the parathyroid adenoma was stained black, and the PTH value of the specimen homogenate confirmed as parathyroid adenoma was more than 3000 pg/mL. CONCLUSION: This novel technology, as a very positive method for localization of parathyroid adenoma, plays an important role in guaranteeing the surgical reliability of parathyroid adenoma with help of nano-carbon technology.

Standardization of simple auxiliary method beneficial to total endoscopic thyroidectomy on patients with PTC, based on retrospective study of 356 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Total endoscopic thyroidectomy (TET) is paid increasing attention to by patients, especially those with thyroid carcinoma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinic feasibility of standardization of simple auxiliary method (SOSAM) involved in operating bed adjustment, location of skin traction points and thyroid retractor points for the TET via bilateral breast approach. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 356 patients with thyroid carcinoma, who had undergone the TET. Patients were divided into Group A (with the SOSAM) and Group B (without the SOSAM). This study compares the surgical outcome parameters between the two groups, including the total operative time, hemorrhage volume during operation, postoperative hospitalization days, numbers of dissecting and metastatic lymph nodes, and postoperative complication. RESULT: The total operative time, hemorrhage volume and postoperative hospitalization days in Group A were significantly lower than those in Group B (P < 0.05). Nevertheless no statistically significant differences were found in both groups in terms of other observation indexes (P > 0.05), including numbers of dissecting and metastatic lymph nodes, and postoperative complication. Meanwhile, there were no patients with incision and surgical site infection, air embolism, and flap injury occurred in both groups. CONCLUSION: The clinical application of the SOSAM can effectively decrease the total operative time and hemorrhage during operation. Moreover, it can be used in a wider range of popularization to improve the operative effect for total endoscopic thyroidectomy.

Modified Tumescent Solution for Creating Working Space During Endoscopic Thyroidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of gas-liquid mixing tumescent solution for creating a working space (WS) in endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 186 patients with thyroid tumor who had undergone ET via chest and breast approach. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive traditional tumescent solution as group A and modified tumescent solution (gas-liquid mixing tumescent solution) as group B. This study compares the following surgical outcome parameters between the 2 groups, including changes of blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation before and after creating a WS, time for creating a WS, operative time, hemorrhage volume for creating a WS, overall hemorrhage volume, overall postoperative drainage volume, postoperative pain score, postoperative hospitalization, number of retrieved lymph nodes, total serum calcium, serum parathyroid hormone, and cases of transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. RESULTS: No postoperative bleeding, permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, incision and surgical site infection, air embolism, flap injury occurred in both groups. The mean time for creating a WS and the whole operation in group B was significantly shorter than that in group A ( P < .05). There were no statistically significant differences in both groups in terms of other observation index ( P > .05). CONCLUSION: The clinical application of gas-liquid mixing tumescent solution can effectively reduce the time for creating a WS and whole operative time, and worthy of being widely used in ET as a safe and effective technique.

[Clinical utility of needlescopic in hemithyroidectomy and central neck dissection through bilateral breast approach].

OBJECTIVE: To study application of needlescopic assisted hemithyroidectomy and central neck dissection using bilateral breast approach. METHODS: Totally 145 cases of papillary thyroid cancer patients received endoscopic hemithyroidectomy in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital were randomized to needle assisted endoscopic group (NE group, n=81) and conventional endoscopic group (CE group, n=64). The average age of the patients was 35.9 years and 11 patients were male.All patients underwent hemithyroidectomy and central neck dissection through bilateral breast approach, the NE group additional used the MiniLap-assisted intraoperation.The operative time, postoperative complications and cosmetic results were analyzed by t-test and χ(2) test. RESULTS: The operation time of thyroid gland in NE and CE Group was (42±7) min and (31±7) min(t=9.082, P=0.000), respectively. The operation time of central neck dissection was (33±6) min and (26±3) min (t=9.050, P=0.000), respectively.There were 4 cases occurs transient recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis in CE group and no case occur in NE group(χ(2)=5.206, P=0.036). There was no significant different in other postoperative complications and cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS: Hemithyroidectomy and central neck dissection using bilateral breast approach and needlescopic assisted technique isa safe and reliable approach, with high cosmetic effect. Application needle assistive devices can shorten the operation time while no significant increase trauma in patients, it will makes endoscopic thyroid surgery easier to promote.

Minilaparoscopy-Assisted Modified Neck Dissection Through Bilateral Breast Approach.

Introduction: Minilaparoscopy-assisted modified neck dissection through bilateral breast approach is a technique for thyroidectomy in patients with thyroid disease. This technique can promote the effect of cosmetology in thyroid surgery and neck dissection. In this video, we present a modified neck dissection and demonstrate important structures in the operation. Materials and Methods: In January 2015, we operated a 28-year-old female patient. The patient underwent fine-needle aspiration cytology and was found to have papillary thyroid carcinoma with lateral lymph node metastasis in the right side of the neck. After CT scanning and ultrasonic inspection preoperatively, the clinical staging was cT1bN1bM0 staging I. According to the Chinese thyroid nodule and thyroid cancer guideline,1 we decided to perform total thyroidectomy and right modified neck dissection through the bilateral areolar approach. The operation room setup and the steps to create the operation space are described in the video Minilaparoscopy-assisted hemithyroidectomy and central neck dissection (level VI) using bilateral breast approach. 2 So the approach started with incision in front of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, then we dissected the carotid triangle, presenting the posterior belly of the digastric muscles, accessory nerve (XI), and hypoglossal nerve (XII). The dissection continued by the intermuscular approach to expose the venous angle and ligature of the right lymphatic duct. While identifying the transverse cervical artery and cervical nerves, we removed the specimen, then completed the modified neck dissection. Finally, we present the recurrent laryngeal nerves, parathyroids, and other important structures mentioned earlier after dissection. Results: The patient operated using this technique was hospitalized for 6 days without any postoperative complication. Minilaparoscopy-assisted modified neck dissection through bilateral breast approach can give more cosmetic results and minimal invasion for young patients with lateral lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: We prefer to operate N1b thyroid cancer without mediastinal lymph node metastasis. This technique can bring better cosmetic results and minimal invasion for young patients. Acknowledgments: This video is funded under the clinical major departments' construction project by the Ministry of Health, the clinical major department's construction project by the Fujian Provincial and Young and middle-aged backbone training project in health system of Fujian province, grant number 2013-ZQN-ZD-13. No competing financial interests exist. Runtime of video: 7 mins 24 secs.

Analysis on the metabolite composition of serum samples from patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma using nuclear magnetic resonance.

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the metabolic differences among the papillary thyroid carcinoma (group T) patients, benign thyroid tumor patients (group B) and healthy controls (group H) by nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrum. METHODS: collect twenty serum specimens each from group T, group B and group H. Collect image archive. Use Topspin software, AMIX software and SIMCA-P+ software to calibrate, integrate with PCA and PLS-DA, research the three groups' serum for endogenous metabolic differences. RESULTS: The data of group T and group H established a discrimination model, and the model is correct (P<0.05). The content of metabolites in the serum of team T increased including valine, leucine, isoleucine, lactic acid, alanine, glutamic acid, lysine, glycine, while the lipids, choline, tyrosine decreased. The data of group B and group H established a discrimination model and the model is correct (P<0.05). The content of metabolites in the serum of team B increased including Trimethyl glycine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, lactic acid, alanine, glutamic acid, while the Lipids and lysine reduced. CONCLUSION: Compared with team H, there is an obvious metabolic difference in team T and team B. It not only involves glucose metabolism but also the metabolism of lipids, amino acids and nucleic acid.