Thomas S. Reeve

Incidence and importance of the tubercle of Zuckerkandl in thyroid surgery

OBJECTIVE To define the incidence of a distinct tubercle of Zuckerkandl (TZ) and confirm its anatomical relationships with the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the superior parathyroid gland. DESIGN Two prospective series. SETTING University teaching hospital, Australia. SUBJECTS 200 patients who required thyroidectomy. INTERVENTIONS Anatomical and clinical observations in two series of patients (n = 100 in each). The first defined the incidence of a TZ and preoperative symptoms; the second delineated the relationship of the TZ to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the superior parathyroid gland. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Anatomical relationships. RESULTS A TZ was identified in 63% of patients and was > 1 cm in 45%. In 93% of patients with an enlarged TZ, the recurrent laryngeal nerve lay medial to it and the nerve was found lateral to the TZ in 7% of cases. The superior parathyroid gland was usually cranial to the TZ and posterior to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The size and position of the TZ did not correlate clearly with symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The TZ is a distinct feature of the thyroid gland that can be recognised during most thyroidectomies. The size and the position of the TZ have no constant relationship to preoperative symptoms. An understanding of the consistent anatomical relationship between the TZ and recurrent laryngeal nerve and superior parathyroid gland is crucial for safe thyroidectomy.

Thyroglobulin may be undetectable in the serum of patients with metastatic disease secondary to differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma

To assess the value of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels in the follow‐up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma after ablative therapy simultaneous Tg estimations and radioiodine (131I) scans were performed on patients during an 18‐month follow‐up period. In this study, 287 scans were performed on 200 patients who were not receiving Thyroxine (T4) replacement at the time, i.e., off T4. Wherever possible, Tg was also estimated while the patient was receiving T4. All sera were screened for Tg autoantibodies which were detected on 67 occasions in 44 patients (22%). Of the 220 sera without Tg autoantibodies (156 patients), 17 were accompanied by scan evidence of functioning thyroid tissue, although Tg was undetectable (<5 μg/I) either on or off T4. Serum Tg was only detectable off T4 in a further five patients (six scans) who simultaneously had scan evidence of functioning thyroid tissue. In seven patients the finding of detectable Tg preceded scan evidence of recurrence. Thus, serum Tg is useful in the follow‐up of differentiated thyroid cancer after ablative therapy. However, some patients with recurrence or metastasis will be missed if Tg alone is relied on, particularly if thyroxine treatment is continued.

The Calciferol Requirements of Patients with Surgical Hypoparathyroidism

Abstract Thirty patients with surgical hypoparathyroidism are presented. All received vitamin D therapy in the form of calciferol. Biochemical control, as defined by arbitrary criteria, was achieve...

Pancreatitis following parathyroid surgery.

While pancreatitis may provide the clue to the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism preoperatively, the occurrence of pancreatitis following parathyroidectomy is not generally recognized. In this study preoperative and postoperative serum amylase estimations, together with a clinical assessment, were performed on 86 patients undergoing neck exploration for hyperparathyroidism. It was found that postoperative hyperamylasaemia occurred in 35% of the total group, while clinically significant pancreatitis was found in 9% of cases. Pancreatitis was significantly more common when thyroidectomy was performed at the time of parathyroidectomy, occurring in 23% of this group of patients, and may be due to the blunted C-cell response of calcitonin secretion to the induced hypercalcaemia associated with operative manipulation. Careful attention should be paid to postoperative abdominal symptoms, for they may indicate pancreatitis.

What rate of infusion of intravenous nutrition solution is required to stimulate uptake of amino acids by peripheral tissues in depleted patients

We examined the effect of varying the quantities (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 gN.kg-1.[day]-1) of nitrogen input on N balance, 3-methylhistidine (3MH) excretion, plasma amino acid concentration and the net flux of amino acids across the leg in depleted patients requiring parenteral nutrition. The calorie-to-nitrogen ratio was 140 to 1 (kcal:1 gN) and consequently the patients received varying amounts of calories (8, 14, 28, 42, and 56 kcal.kg-1.[day]-10. There was negative nitrogen balance and net loss of amino acids from the limb during fasting. An infusion of 0.2 gN.kg-1.[day]-1 of IVN reversed the net catabolic process and resulted in equilibrium of peripheral total amino acid flux and of tyrosine flux without a decrease in 3MH excretion. Net uptake of total amino acids and tyrosine in peripheral tissues was achieved with 0.4 gN.kg-1.[day]-1 and 56 kcal.kg-1.[day]-1. This was associated with a fivefold increase in 3MH excretion (p less than 0.01), indicating that net anabolism occurred with increased protein turnover. Fifty per cent of the amino acids taken up by peripheral tissues during infusions of 0.4 gN.kg-1.[day]-1 was due to the uptake of glutamate (Glu) and 20% was due to the uptake of branched chain amino acids (BCAA). Plasma Glu concentration, [Glu], did not increase with increasing IVN infusion, but BCAA concentrations did. Although the mean plasma [Glu] did not change with IVN infusion, there was an independent effect of plasma [Glu] (p less than 0.0001) and of N input (p less than 0.0001) on Glu flux, indicating that even at high infusion rates the maximal capacity of peripheral tissues to take up Glu had not been reached.

Routine Parathyroid Autotransplantation during Total Thyroidectomy: the Influence of Technique

OBJECTIVE To find out whether injecting a suspension of finely minced parathyroid tissue into the muscle bed had any adverse outcomes as it is simpler and potentially safer than implanting parathyroid tissue into muscle pockets. DESIGN Prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial. SETTING University hospital, Australia. PATIENTS 50 patients who were to have total thyroidectomy and routine parathyroid autotransplantation. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomised to either the injection technique or the implantation technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinical assessment; corrected serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone concentrations (PTH) measured immediately before, and at 1 day, 2 weeks, and 3 months after operation. RESULTS Calcium was reduced significantly in both groups immediately after thyroidectomy. Although mean PTH concentrations decreased immediately after thyroidectomy and parathyroid autotransplantation in both groups, these changes were significant only in the implantation group. By 2 weeks and again by 3 months, calcium and intact parathyroid hormone concentrations had returned to baseline in both groups. At 3 months, 2 patients in each group still required some form of calcium supplement. At 6 months, no patients in the injection group required supplement. CONCLUSIONS Injection of a suspension of parathyroid tissue is a simple, safe, and rapid technique for parathyroid autotransplantation during total thyroidectomy and is not associated with any more adverse outcome than is the standard technique.

Influence of the menstrual cycle on the concentrations of estrogen and progesterone receptors in primary breast cancer biopsies.

SummaryThere is controversy in the literature regarding the effects of endogenous hormones on estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) in young women with breast cancer.We studied 117 young women with primary breast cancer and assessed their breast biopsies for ER and PR. The women had a record of their last menstrual period prior to breast biopsy. The menstrual cycle was divided into four phases — early proliferative (days 1–7), late proliferative (days 8–15), early secretory (days 16–22), and late secretory (days 23–30). There were lower levels of both ER and PR in biopsies excised during the early secretory phase than in other phases of the cycle; early proliferative phase receptor positive medians of ER = 77 fmol/mg protein and PR = 467 fmol/mg protein fell to ER = 28 fmol/mg and PR = 128 fmol/mg protein in the early secretory phase.

Changing pattern of adrenalectomy at a tertiary referral centre 1970−2000

Background:  In 1987, a report from this unit described the changing indications for open adrenalectomy over a 15‐year period. The indications for adrenalectomy had switched from it being the principal therapeutic procedure used in advanced breast cancer in the early 1970s, to being predominately performed for Cushings disease or incidental, asymptomatic, adrenal masses by the early 1980s. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in the presentation and management of adrenal disease in the last 15 years and to compare these findings with our previously published results.

The spectrum of emergency admissions for thyroidectomy

Emergency physicians frequently encounter patients with thyroid disease. However, it is unusual for these thyroid disorders to create acute, life-threatening situations. Critical airway compression attributable to benign or malignant thyroid enlargement may occur suddenly. Similarly, venous obstruction from thyroid tumors or severe physiological compromise from thyrotoxicosis may require urgent treatment. We reviewed a group of patients who were evaluated by emergency physicians for acute thyroid pathology and subsequently admitted for urgent thyroidectomy. Over a 7-year period, 13 patients had acute airway compressive symptoms, and 1 had acute venous compressive symptoms. Six patients had thyrotoxicosis with physiological compromise. Common airway management techniques were successfully used. Nineteen patients underwent thyroidectomy. One patient suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest before thyroidectomy could be performed. Surgical morbidity may be increased for patients undergoing thyroidectomy for urgent indications.

The localization of parathyroid tissue by ultrasound scanning prior to surgery in patients with hyperparathyroidism

Ultrasonic localization of parathyroid tissue has been attempted in 24 patients with hyperparathyroidism prior to surgical exploration of the neck. All 24 patients had biochemically proven hyperparathyroidism. Standard contact diagnostic ultrasound equipment fitted with a 5 MHz transducer was used, and transverse and longitudinal scans of the region of the thyroid gland were performed at 5 mm intervals. The normal anatomical structures identified were the lobes of the thyroid gland, trachea, common carotid arteries, and jugular veins. The longus colli muscle on each side was used as a major landmark. These structures define the site where most parathyroid glands are found in the neck. In 18 of the 24 patients the suspected parathyroid tumor was visualized preoperatively and confirmed at operation. The abnormal glands ranged in size from 5 to 12 mm in transverse diameter. In 3 patients false-positive diagnoses were made by ultrasound; at operation the abnormalities proved to be thyroid nodules protruding from the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. Ultrasonography is of little value in the presence of multinodular goiter. Three adenomas and 3 hyperplastic parathyroid glands greater than 5 mm in diameter were not identified. Localization of enlarged parathyroid glands by echography may be difficult when normal anatomical landmarks are altered by the presence of multinodular goiter or because of previous surgery. The sensitivity of this technique for identifying in the neck parathyroid glands larger than 5 mm in diameter was found to be 79.3% with 11.5% false-positive and 8.6% falsenegative results.Ultrasonic localization of parathyroid tissue has been attempted in 24 patients with hyperparathyroidism prior to surgical exploration of the neck. All 24 patients had biochemically proven hyperparathyroidism. Standard contact diagnostic ultrasound equipment fitted with a 5 MHz transducer was used, and transverse and longitudinal scans of the region of the thyroid gland were performed at 5 mm intervals. The normal anatomical structures identified were the lobes of the thyroid gland, trachea, common carotid arteries, and jugular veins. The longus colli muscle on each side was used as a major landmark. These structures define the site where most parathyroid glands are found in the neck. In 18 of the 24 patients the suspected parathyroid tumor was visualized preoperatively and confirmed at operation. The abnormal glands ranged in size from 5 to 12 mm in transverse diameter. In 3 patients false-positive diagnoses were made by ultrasound; at operation the abnormalities proved to be thyroid nodules protruding from the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. Ultrasonography is of little value in the presence of multinodular goiter. Three adenomas and 3 hyperplastic parathyroid glands greater than 5 mm in diameter were not identified. Localization of enlarged parathyroid glands by echography may be difficult when normal anatomical landmarks are altered by the presence of multinodular goiter or because of previous surgery. The sensitivity of this technique for identifying in the neck parathyroid glands larger than 5 mm in diameter was found to be 79.3% with 11.5% false-positive and 8.6% falsenegative results.