ObjectiveTo summarize the experiences and lessons of diagnosis and treatment of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) with lymph node and lung metastases.MethodThe clinicopathologic data of a case of FTC with metastases of cervical, mediastinum, axillary lymph nodes, and bilateral lungs were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe case was a 39 years old male patient, who was diagnosed with the right FTC with multiple metastases. The total thyroidectomy+lymph node dissection in bilateral central and bilateral neck regions+lymph node dissection in the left axillary was intended to perform in the Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery of the West China Hospital. During the operation, the upper mediastinal lymph node fusion was found, and the tumor was tightly adhered with the recurrent laryngeal nerve, the signal was lost after the adhesion separation. In the right central area, the enlarged lymph nodes penetrated down into the upper mediastinum. More enlarged lymph nodes extended upward into the subclavian area in the left armpit. Considering a longer operation time and about 2 000 mL bleeding amount, the mediastinal and left neck operation was decided to perform in the second stage after consulting with the thoracic surgeon. At more than 6 months after the operation, the patient underwent the mediastinal lymph node dissection+superior vena cava (SVC) restoration+metastatic tumor resection+SVC shunt operation in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the West China Hospital. The operation was successful, without hypocalcemia, dyspnea, and other complications. At 8 months after the operation, the third operation was performed in the Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery of the West China Hospital, that was, total residual thyroidectomy+left central and left cervical lymph node dissection+left axillary lymph node dissection (level Ⅱ–Ⅲ). The postoperative pronounce didn’t change, without hypocalcemia and other complications. Three times of iodine ablation therapy were performed in the West China Hospital. The occupy didn’t be found by the neck ultrasound and the pulmonary metastasis was stable by the CT during the regular follow-up.ConclusionsAccording to this case, neck surgery with SVC syndrome, SVC syndrome should be treated preferentially. For patient with complicated condition, unconventional approaches could be selected according to actual condition of patient, and staging surgery might be a good choice.
Objective To evaluate whether the classification of parathyroid can be used to evaluate how difficult it is that the parathyroid glands get preserved in situ during thyroid surgery. Methods Clinical date were retrospectively collected from the patients with thyroid nodules, who had undergone the initial thyroidectomy in the Department of Thyroid Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 2014 and June 2016. The number of parathyroid glands was counted according to the classification of parathyroid. It got comparative analysis that the rates of parathyroid glands in situ among the different types. Results A total of 996 patients were included in the study, and 3 269 pieces of parathyroid glands were identified. The mean number of parathyroid identification was 3.3 pieces. These parathyroid glands consisted of 77.5% (2 532/3 269) type A and 22.5% (737/3 269) type B. The rate of parathyroid glands in situ was 77.1% (1 951/2 532) in type A, and 80.7% (595/737) in type B, the difference was significant (P=0.03). And the rate of parathyroid glands in situ in type A1 was significantly higher than that in type A2 (80.5%vs 21.4%,P<0.001). The parathyroid of type A3 couldn’t get preserved in situ. The rate of superior parathyroid glands in situ in type B1 was higher than that in type A1 (97.5%vs 93.7,P<0.01). But the rate of inferior parathyroid glands in type B1 was closed to that in type A1 (62.2%vs 65.7%,P=0.23), and both the rates were significant less than that in type B2 (86.0%) and in type B3 (90.2%),PA1vs B2=0.001,PA1vs B3<0.001,PB1vs B2=0.004,PB1vs B3=0.001. Conclusion The classification of parathyroid can be used to evaluate effectively how difficult it is that the parathyroid glands get preserved in situ during thyroid surgery.
Objective To investigate clinical features of accidental parathyroid adenoma (APTA) and to explore diagnosis and treatment strategies of APTA. Methods From February 2009 to December 2016, the patients who would receive the thyroid surgery and were accidentally found the parathyroid adenoma by preoperative examination in the Department of Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University were enrolled in the research. The clinical characteristics, surgical procedure, results of postoperative follow-up were analyzed retrospectively, and which were compared between the patients with APTA and the other patients diagnosed as primary parathyroid adenoma or received thyroid surgery (1 : 4 chosen randomly) in the same period. Results From February 2009 to December 2016, the patients who treated with thyroid surgery and were diagnosed as the primary parathyroid adenoma in our center were 5 881 and 251 respectively. Twenty-six patients with APTA were found in this research. The incidence rate of APTA was 0.44% (26/5 881), accounted for 10.4% (26/251) of the primary parathyroid adenoma. The positive rates of the ultrasound and the parathyroid scintigraphy were 69.2% (18/26) and 72.7% (8/11), respectively. The abnormal rate of the bone mineral density examination was 85.7% (6/7). The preoperative PTH was (38.17±40.69) pmol/L (3.40–181.20 pmol/L), and the serum calcium was (2.73±0.27) mmol/L (2.22–3.23 mmol/L). The number of detected parathyroid adenoma was 29, which were 55.2% (16/29) in the right-lower, 6.9% (2/29) in the right-upper, 27.6% (8/29) in the left-lower, and 10.3% (3/29) in the left-upper location. The rate of single parathyroid adenoma was 88.5% (23/26) and the maximum diameter of parathyroid adenoma was (21.72±9.65) mm. There was 13 cases (44.8%) of the A1 type and 16 cases (55.2%) of the B1 type in these 29 parathyroid adenomas. The rates of the recurrence, postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism, and permanent hypoparathyroidism were 7.7% (2/26), 30.8% (8/26), and 3.8% (1/26), respectively. Additionally, the preoperative PTH and serum calcium levels of the patients with APTA were significantly lower as compared with the primary parathyroid adenoma (P<0.001,P<0.001), which were significantly higher as compared with those of the patients received thyroid surgery without APTA in the same period (P=0.001, P<0.001). Conclusions APTA is a specific type of asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism. Examinations for PTH and serum calcium levels before thyroid surgery are important for finding APTA. For the patients with APTA, it is safe and effective to carry out exploratory parathyroidectomy with thyroid surgery at the same time.
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors of accidental parathyroidectomy following thyroid surgery.MethodsData of patients who accepted at least total thyroidectomy in the Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid and Parathyroid Diseases between January 2013 and June 2016 was collected retrospectively. According to the appearance or non-appearance of parathyroid gland in the specimens after pathologic examination, the patients were divided into accidental parathyroidectomy group and non-accidental parathyroidectomy group. Clinical data was collected for comparison between the two groups. The risk factors of accidental parathyroidectomy were indentified with univariate analysis and multivariate analysis.ResultsA total of 983 patients, 50 patients in the accidental parathyroidectomy group and 933 patients in the non-accidental parathyroidectomy group, were included in the study. Incidence of temporary hypoparathyroidism was 66.0% (33/50) in the accidental parathyroidectomy group and 36.2% (338/933) in the non-accidental parathyroidectomy group, there was significant difference between the two groups (χ2=19.903, P<0.05). Incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism was 2.0% (1/50) in the accidental parathyroidectomy group and 0.4% (4/933) in the non-accidental parathyroidectomy group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (χ2=2.315, P=0.128). Univariate analysis showed that bilateral central lymph nodes dissection (P=0.004) and the number of identified parathyroid glands ≤2 (P=0.002) were risk factors of accidental parathyroidectomy. Multivariate analysis showed that bilateral central lymph nodes dissection [OR=2.553, 95% CI was (1.236, 5.277), P=0.011] and the number of identified parathyroid glands ≤2 [OR=2.819, 95% CI was (1.423, 5.581), P=0.003] were independent risk factors of accidental parathyroidectomy.ConclusionsAfter careful consideration of the possible risks and benefits, bilateral central lymph nodes dissection should be performed rationally. Thyroid surgeons should improve the ability of identification of parathyroid gland to reduce the incidence of accidental parathyroidectomy.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application value of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging technology for determining the blood supply of parathyroid in thyroid surgery.MethodsThe patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral central lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) from June 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018 were prospectively enrolled and then divided into a study group and control group randomly. The study group used the ICG fluorescence imaging technology to evaluate the blood supply of the parathyroid glands, while the control group assessed the blood supply by naked eyes, then determined that whether the parathyroid glands were retained in situ or autotransplanted. The incidence of hypoparathyroidism, length of hospital stay, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were compared between the two groups.Results① A total of 60 patients with PTC were included in the study, and 30 patients in each group. There were no significant differences in the baseline informations of the two groups such as the gender, age, comorbidities, and preoperative PTH, Ca2+ levels, etc. (P>0.05). ② The ICG score of type A parathyroid glands (except type A3) was lower than that of type B parathyroid glands (0.99±0.38 versus 1.45±0.58, t=–2.395, P<0.05). ③ The length of postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the study group than in the control group (t=–2.159, P=0.035). ④ The ICG fluorescence imaging could significantly reduce the incidence of temporary hypoparathyroidism (χ2=5.079, P=0.024). The incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism was not statistically different between the two groups (χ2=1.000, P=0.317), and only 1 case appeared in the control group. ⑤ There were no statistically significant differences in the PTH and serum Ca2+ levels at day 1, month 1, month 3, and month 6 after the surgery between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionICG fluorescence imaging technology could be used to determine blood supply of parathyroid in situ in real time during operation. Further studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.
ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive value of pretracheal lymph node (Ⅵc) subdivision for contralateral central lymph node (CLN) metastasis in clinical lymph node negative (cN0) unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). MethodsThe data of patients with cN0 unilateral PTC who initially underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral CLN dissection in the Department of Thyroid Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University from July 2017 to June 2021 were collected retrospectively. The Ⅵc subdivision was divided into right anterior trachea (Ⅵc1) and left anterior trachea (Ⅵc2); If the lymph nodes crossed the middle line of trachea, which would be included in the side of cancer focus. ResultsA total of 175 patients were included in this study, and the incidences of lymph nodes metastasis in the prelaryngeal (Ⅵd), Ⅵc, ipsilateral Ⅵc, contralateral Ⅵc, ipsilateral central, and contralateral central regions were 54 cases (30.9%), 118 cases (67.4%), 85 cases (48.6%), 72 cases (41.1%), 108 cases (61.7%), and 43 cases (24.6%), respectively. The results of the univariate analysis found that the contralateral CLN metastasis was associated with the lymph node metastases of Ⅵd, Ⅵc, contralateral Ⅵc, and ipsilateral central regions; The results of the multivariate analysis found that the lymph node metastases of Ⅵd and contralateral Ⅵc regions increased the probability of contralateral CLN metastasis (OR=4.444, P<0.001; OR=6.655, P=0.001). ConclusionsFrom the results of the study,Ⅵc subdivision is reasonable and effective, and has a certain predictive value for the metastasis of contralateral CLN in cN0 unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma. And bilateral CLN dissection should be recommended in patients with a positive intraoperative frozen section result of contralateral pretracheal lymph node metastasis.
Objective The present study is to compare the quality of life and anxiety of patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma who received different managements to guide clinical therapy and nursing. Methods Thiswas a cohort study. Patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma were divided into observation group (puncture confirmed only) and surgery group (confirmed and surgery) according to their wishes, and patients’ survival quality and state of anxiety were compared by using Short-Form 36 Health Survey Scale (SF-36) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) between the 2 groups during the follow up period. Results There was no significant difference in physical component summary (PCS) score between the 2 groups and different observation time points (P>0.05). The mental component summary (MCS) scores and SF-36 scores of the observation group and the surgery group were different (P<0.05), and the MCS scores and SF-36 scores were different at different time points (P<0.05). The HAMA scores of patients in the observation group and the surgery group were different (P<0.001), and the change of HAMA scores in the observation group and the surgery group were different (P=0.004), but the HAMA scores at different time points were similar (P=0.152). Conclusion Surgery can effectively reduce the anxiety and improve the MCS score and quality of life.
Objective To investigate the efficacy of fine needle aspiration-thyroglobulin (FNA-Tg) with colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (CGICA) on the assessment of lymph node metastasis during surgery in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. Methods Seventy-eight patients with PTC who underwent surgery in the Department of Thyroid Surgery of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from August to December 2019 were selected as the research objects, 289 neck lymph node specimens cleaned during the operation were prepared into eluent after lymph node FNA within 10 minutes in vitro, and then the FNA-Tg level was detected rapidly and quantitatively by CGICA. The specimen of washout fluid was labeled and sent to the laboratory for FNA-Tg detection by Roche electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The lymph nodes in the whole group were divided into central region group and lateral cervical region group according to their location. According to the long diameter of lymph nodes, they were divided into <5 mm group, 5–10 mm group and >10 mm group. With postoperative pathological report as the gold standard, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the whole group of data subjects was drawn, and the area under curve (AUC) was compared to calculate the best cut-off value of FNA-Tg in diagnosing PTC lymph node metastasis. The sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of FNA-Tg CGICA method and Roche method in the whole group and different subgroups were compared. The data of 55 lymph nodes detected by FNA-Tg CGICA method and rapid frozen pathology were collected, and the diagnostic efficacy indexes of CGICA method and rapid frozen pathology in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis were compared. Results The ROC curves AUC of FNA-Tg detected by CGICA method and Roche method was 0.850 and 0.883, respectively, the difference was not statistically significant (Z=1.011, P>0.05). The sensitivity was 77.7% and 79.6% respectively (χ2=0.05, P>0.05), specificity was 84.9% and 93.5% respectively (χ2=7.50, P<0.05). Using McNemar test, there was no significant difference in the diagnostic results between the CGICA method and Roche method of FNA-Tg in the whole group (P>0.05). The diagnostic efficacy of FNA-Tg CGICA method was better in the lateral cervical region group than that in the central region group, and the diagnostic efficacy of the group with the long diameter of lymph nodes >10 mm was better than those of the groups with the long diameter of lymph nodes <5 mm and 5–10 mm. There was no significant difference in diagnostic results between FNA-Tg CGICA method and rapid frozen pathology (P>0.05). Conclusions The FNA-Tg CGICA method has high value in diagnosing PTC cervical lymph node metastasis, and has the characteristics of rapidity and convenience. The diagnostic efficiency is similar to that of Roche method.