Neck Ultrasound Examination Research Articles

MIBI scintigraphy of parathyroid adenomas: correlation with biochemical and histological markers

ABSTRACTPurpose: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that MIBI-positive and MIBI-negative adenomas of parathyroid glands (APGs) have distinct biochemical and histological markers that could help differentiate MIBI-positive from MIBI-negative APGs. Patients and methods: 40 patients with 41 APGs were included in the study. Patients were enrolled in the study after MIBI scintigraphy examinations had been carried out. Biochemical analyses included serum levels of calcium (Ca), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D3). All patients had neck ultrasound and MIBI examinations. After surgical resection the APGs were examined histologically. Results: In each of 39 patients one APG could be confirmed by histology, and in one patient, two contralateral APGs were identified. MIBI studies were positive in 73 % and negative in 27 % of the APGs. False-positive cases were not observed. MIBI-negative APGs were only present in patients with iPTH values below 150 pg/ml. In 82 % of MIBI negative studies oxyphilic cells were absent, and this cell type was present in only 18 % of MIBI negative cases (p < 0.001). Regarding cysts within the APGs, no differences were demonstrated between MIBI positive or negative studies (p = 0.32). Fat cells were seen in none of the MIBI -negative studies and in only 3 % of MIBI positive studies (p = 0.08). Conclusions: For APGs, MIBI positivity correlates with serum iPTH concentration. The absence of oxyphilic cells with large numbers of mitochondria in APGs contributes to MIBI negativity, probably because of the reduced binding sites for the radiotracer.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges of De Quervain Thyroiditis in Sub-Saharan Africa: Illustration with Two New Cases in Dakar

Introduction: De Quervain’s subacute thyroiditis is an inflammatory granulomatosis with clinical presentation some time atypical leading eventually to misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment. In our area, physician should be aware of this possible etiology in presence of recent and acute features of thyrotoxicosis with or without painful firm goiter. We illustrate this fact with two new observations from Sub-Saharan Africa. Observations: Our first patient is a 70-year-old Guinean woman presenting a painful nodular and hard goiter at palpation. Her history was recent in a context of deterioration of the general state with a sub clinical thyrotoxicosis syndrome. The diagnosis of probable malignant thyroid tumor was evoked initially and a thyroidectomy considered. She presented an important biological inflammatory syndrome and biological peripheral hyperthyroidism. Neck ultrasound examination showed heterogeneous patchy decreased echogenicity. The diagnosis of subacute De Quervain’s thyroiditis was set up. A corticosteroid therapy at a rate of 20 mg/day of prednisone was begun with a fast degression of dose. After 3 weeks of treatment, we noticed total clinical recovery normalization of biological parameters. The second observation was about a 52-year-old Senegalese women living in Bamako. She presented cervical pains evolving for 2 months in a context of flu-like syndrome associated with thyrotoxicosis and marked biological inflammatory syndrome. The thyroid ultrasound showed global heterogeneity with characteristic aspect of “geography map” leading to the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis. A combination therapy with low dose of prednisone, ß-blockers and tranquillizers. We noticed fast disappearance of clinical and biological signs. At 5 mg per day of prednisone, there were moderate signs of relapse with rapid favorable evolution after few days under increased dose of prednisone up to 10 mg/day. Conclusion: De Quervain’s thyroiditis can appear under misleading features opening out to make wandering diagnosis. A good clinical evaluation coupled with hormonal and ultrasound thyroid examination may help for right management. The use of low dose of corticosteroid had enabled us to obtain a fast control of main clinical and biological abnormalities.

Economic impact of and satisfaction with a high resolution thyroid nodule clinic at the endocrinology department

Background and objectiveNo conclusive data exist on the value of a high resolution thyroid nodule clinic for management of nodular thyroid disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic impact of and user satisfaction with a high resolution thyroid nodule clinic (HRTNC) in coordination with primary care. Patients and methodA prospective, observational, descriptive study was conducted to analyze data from 3726 patients (mean age 61±12 years; 85% women) evaluated at an HRTNC during 2014 and 2015. Demographic data (sex and age), number of ultrasound examinations and fine needle aspiration cytologies (FNAC), referral center and consultation type were assessed. ResultsIn 2014 and 2015, 3726 neck ultrasound examinations and 926 FNACs (3.8% rated as non-diagnostic) were performed. Among the 1227 patients evaluated for the first time, 21.5% did not require a second endocrine appointment, which resulted in mean estimated savings of 14,354.55 euros. Of all patients, 41.1% were referred from primary care, 33.4% from endocrinology, and 26.5% from other specialties. As compared to 2013, the number of thyroid ultrasound examinations requested decreased by 65.3% and 59.7% in 2014 and 2015 respectively, with mean estimated savings of 137,563.92 euros. Mean user satisfaction assessed was 4.0 points (95% confidence interval, 3.7–4.3) on a 5-point scale. ConclusionsHRTNCs at endocrinology departments, coordinated with primary care, are a viable, cost-effective alternative with a positive user perception.

Association of Xerostomia and Ultrasonographic Features of the Major Salivary Glands After Radioactive Iodine Ablation for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between xerostomia and sonographic features of the major salivary glands after patients undergo radioactive iodine ablation (RIA) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The study included 256 consecutive patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, RIA, and neck ultrasound examinations. Changes in the ultrasound features of the parotid and submandibular glands after RIA were evaluated retrospectively by a single radiologist, on the basis of direct comparison of sonograms obtained before and after RIA. Clinical data, including the presence of xerostomia, were investigated retrospectively by the same radiologist via a review of the electronic medical records. For 111 of the 256 patients (43.4%), ultrasound examination revealed changes in the major salivary glands after RIA. The presence of xerostomia was undetermined in 85 of the 256 patients. Among the remaining 171 patients, the frequency of xerostomia was 36.8% (63/171). When patients with xerostomia were compared with those without xerostomia, no statistically significant differences in patient sex and age, the dose of RIA received, or the number of RIA sessions were noted (p > 0.05). Considering the changes in the ultrasound features of the major salivary glands after RIA, no statistically significant association was found between xerostomia and the number of involved major salivary glands or the presence of an involved submandibular gland (p > 0.05). In this study, ultrasound was unhelpful for evaluating xerostomia after RIA in patients with PTC.

Recurrence rate in regional lymph nodes in 737 patients with follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasms.

BackgroundPreoperative ultrasound (US) evaluation of central and lateral neck compartments is recommended for all patients undergoing a thyroidectomy for malignant or suspicious for malignancy cytologic or molecular findings. Our aim was to find out how frequent was recurrence in regional lymph nodes in patients with follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasm and usefulness of preoperative neck US investigation in patients with neoplasm.Patients and methodsAltogether 737 patients were surgically treated because of follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasms from 1995 to 2014 at our cancer comprehensive center, among them 207 patients (163 females, 44 males; mean age 52 years) had thyroid carcinoma.ResultsCarcinoma was diagnosed in follicular and Hürthle cell neoplasm in 143/428 and 64/309 of cases, respectively. A recurrence in regional lymph nodes occurred in 12/207 patients (6%) during a median follow-up of 55 months. Among patients with carcinoma a recurrence in regional lymph nodes was diagnosed in follicular and Hürthle cell neoplasms in 2% and 14%, respectively (p = 0.002). Recurrence in regional lymph nodes was diagnosed in 3/428 of all patients with follicular neoplasm and 9/309 of all patients with Hürthle cell neoplasm.ConclusionsRecurrence in lymph nodes was diagnosed in 0.7% of patients with a preoperative diagnosis of follicular neoplasm and 3% of patients with a Hürthle cell neoplasm. A recurrence in regional lymph nodes is rare in patients with carcinoma and preoperative diagnosis of follicular neoplasm. Preoperative neck ultrasound examination in patients with a follicular neoplasm is probably not useful, but in patients with Hurtle cell neoplasm it may be useful.

Impacto económico y satisfacción de la implantación de una consulta de alta resolución de patología nodular tiroidea en Endocrinología

Background and objectiveNo conclusive data exist on the value of a high resolution thyroid nodule clinic for management of nodular thyroid disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic impact of and user satisfaction with a high resolution thyroid nodule clinic (HRTNC) in coordination with primary care. Patients and methodA prospective, observational, descriptive study was conducted to analyze data from 3,726 patients (mean age 61±12 years; 85% women) evaluated at an HRTNC during 2014 and 2015. Demographic data (sex and age), number of ultrasound examinations and fine needle aspiration cytologies (FNAC), referral center and consultation type were assessed. ResultsIn 2014 and 2015, 3,726 neck ultrasound examinations and 926 FNACs (3.8% rated as non-diagnostic) were performed. Among the 1,227 patients evaluated for the first time, 21.5% did not require a second endocrine appointment, which resulted in mean estimated savings of 14,354.55 euros. Of all patients, 41.1% were referred from primary care, 33.4% from endocrinology, and 26.5% from other specialties. As compared to 2013, the number of thyroid ultrasound examinations requested decreased by 65.3% and 59.7% in 2014 and 2015 respectively, with mean estimated savings of 137,563.92 euros. Mean user satisfaction assessed was 4.0 points (95% confidence interval, 3.7-4.3) on a 5-point scale. ConclusionsHRTNCs at endocrinology departments, coordinated with primary care, are a viable, cost-effective alternative with a positive user perception.

The role of otolaryngologist - head and neck surgeon's in the treatment of thyroid cancer.

Thyroid gland is an integral part of the neck region. In the topographic anatomy of the head and neck the gland is located in the middle triangle of the neck. Therefore, it is an organ which is also subject for diagnostic and treatment by otorhinolaryngologists - head and neck surgeons. Material and methods The study group consists of 50 patients aged from 22 to 76 years (mean 48). All patients were treated for suspected thyroid tumor. The ratio of women to men was 35:15. In all patients the same panel of diagnostic tests was used including: endocrinologic consultation, ENT examination with stroboscopic examination with assessment of vocal cord mobility, neck ultrasound examination to assess the thyroid gland and lymph nodes. Results In 50 patients following surgical methods were used: total resection of the thyroid - 28 patients (56%), resection of one lobe of the thyroid - 17 (34%), open biopsy - 6 (12%) patients. In 5 cases tracheotomy was performed. In the case of malignancy (excluding unresctable lesions - 6 patients) selective lymph node dissection of the neck was performed (field III, IV, VI) - 11 patients (22%). Discussion Results of surgical treatment (relative to the percentage damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve) achieved by head and neck surgeons are at levels comparable or higher compared to the results achieved by general surgeons - 1.3% for primary benign lesions (Enomoto et al.).

How to Assess the Clinical Relevance of Novel RET Missense Variants in the Absence of Functional Studies?

Introduction and Background: Familial medullary thyroid cancer (FMTC) is caused by gain of function mutations in the proto-oncogene RET (rearranged during transfection). Missense mutations within exon 14 including p.Val804Met are known to cause FMTC and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2a/b. The clinical significance of other novel missense variants within this hotspot region of exon 14 is not delineated. Case Description: A three-generation pedigree of FMTC is presented with the co-occurrence of two missense variants within exon 14 of the RET gene, the known variant p.Val804Met and the novel variant p.Val826Met. The female index patient developed medullary thyroid cancer at the age of 42 years and was heterozygous for both missense variants. Her younger sister was also tested to be compound heterozygous for both mutations, and five further relatives were heterozygous for only one of both sequence variants. Prophylactic thyroidectomy was recommended for the two carriers of the RET mutation p.Val804Met, revealing a C-cell hyperplasia for one of them at the age of 19 years. Medical surveillance of 6 heterozygous carriers including repeated neck ultrasound examination as well as basal and calcium (pentagastrin)-stimulated calcitonin levels were recommended. Conclusion: Our data emphasize the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to assess the functional and clinical significance of novel RET variants. In the absence of functional studies, the plausibility of the pathologic significance of a detected endocrine genetic variant can be estimated by in silico methods such as computational analysis of protein structure and biophysical differences or comparative database search for evolutionary conservation.

The presentation of lymph nodes in Hashimoto's thyroiditis on ultrasound.

Comprehensive neck ultrasound (US) examination has become an essential component of preoperative workup for patients with thyroid cancer. Regional cervical lymph nodes may be involved in cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). This study seeks to examine the sonographic pattern of lymph nodes in patients with HT. This is a retrospective study looking at patients with confirmed diagnoses of HT on final surgical pathology who underwent preoperative comprehensive neck US. We compared preoperative ultrasound for patients with HT to euthyroid patients with goiter. Data collected included number, size and ultrasonographic features of cervical lymph nodes. We included a total of 417 patients: 202 patients with HT in the study group, and 215 patients with goiter and euthyroid status in the control group. Patients with HT had a higher number of total cervical lymph nodes than the control group (2.00±2.35 vs. 0.76±1.36 mm; P<0.0001), most notably in cervical levels III and IV (P<0.05 for both). HT seems to be associated with an ultrasonographic pattern of increased number of enlarged cervical lymph nodes, particularly in levels III, and IV.

Clinical characteristics of 23 cases in two months old of neonatal lingual thyroglossal duct cysts

Objective To analyse the clinical characteristics of infants in two months old of lingual thyroglossal duct cysts (LTGDC) and raise the levels of diagnosis and treatment. Methods A comparative analysis was made between the clinical data of 23 cases in two months old of LTGDC and those of 20 cases in one to seven years old of cervical thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDC) (control group). Results The clinical manifestation appeared obviously differences between LTGDC and TGDC. The main performance of LTGDC was laryngeal stridor, and 74% of them went to emergency department because of dyspnea. They would be misdiagnosed as congenital laryngomalacia or laryngomalacia with pneumonia. The lesion located in the posterosuperior of lingual bone and behind the root of tongue, which was easy to lead to throat obstruction because it extruded laryngeal cavity. Electronic laryngoscopy was the first choice, it helped to identify laryngomalacia, epiglottis cyst and hemangioma. Laryngeal CT or MRI was very important to diagnose LTGDC which was quasi-circular low density shadow with clear boundary, or not extruded to laryngeal cavity, or show lesion range and surrounding structures avoiding misdiagnosis. As treatment depended surgery which was self-retaining laryngoscope, it was minimally invasive and without scar. Cervical anterior mass in the midline was the first symptoms in all 20 cases of TGDC. The neck ultrasound examination was the first selection, and the lesion showed fluid dark space with clear boundary, it should take the neck percutaneous surgical operation. Conclusion The clinical manifestation of infants in two months old of LTGDC appears obviously different from TGDC. LTGDC is a common cause of laryngeal stridor with breathing difficulties. It will be misdiagnosed as congenital laryngomalacia and lead to asphyxia or death easily. Key words: Lingual thyroglossal duct cyst; Dyspnea; Infants

Prophylactic thyroidectomy for asymptomatic 3-year-old boy with positive multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A mutation (codon 634)

The multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) syndrome, comprising medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is most frequently caused by codon 634 activating mutations of the RET (rearranged during transfection) proto-oncogene on chromosome 10. For this codon-mutation carriers, earlier thyroidectomy (before the age of 5 years) would be advantageous in limiting the potential for the development of MTC as well as parathyroid adenomas. This is a case report of 3-year-old boy from the MEN 2A family (the boy's father and grandmother and paternal aunt) in which cysteine substitutes for phenylalanine at codon 634 in exon 11 of the RET proto-oncogene, who underwent thyroidectomy solely on the basis of genetic information. A boy had no thyromegaly, thyroidal irregularities or lymphadenopathy and no abnormality on the neck ultrasound examination. The pathology finding of thyroid gland was negative for MTC. Two years after total thyroidectomy, 5-year-old boy is healthy with permanent thyroxine replacement. His serum calcitonin level is < 2 pg/ml (normal < 13 pg/ml), has normal serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels and negative urinary catecholamines. Long-term follow-up of this patient is required to determine whether very early thyroidectomy improves the long-term outcome of PHPT. Children with familial antecedents of MEN 2A should be genetically studied for the purpose of determining the risk of MTC and assessing the possibilities of making prophylactic thyroidectomy before the age of 5 years.

Head and Neck Ultrasound by an Otolaryngologist - The Experience with 4273 Cases Over 8 Years

Head and Neck Ultrasound by an Otolaryngologist - The Experience with 4273 Cases Over 8 Years Background: Head and neck ultrasound examination has frequently been performed by otolaryngologists in recent years. This article aims to report the experience of an otolaryngologist who has worked on head and neck ultrasound for the past 8 years. Materials: An ultrasound with a 7-14 MHz linear transducer was operated to perform head and neck ultrasound examinations. The gray-scale technique with the scan set for the thyroid gland was first used to evaluate the morphology of the structures in the entire neck, and the Doppler mode was used if necessary. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) with a free-hand technique under ultrasound guidance was performed if indicated. Results: Between October 2003 and May 2011, 4273 patients received an ultrasound examination: 1927 (45%) examinations were for the thyroid gland, 1658 (39%) for a non-thyroid or salivarygland neck mass, 388 (9%) for the major salivary gland and 300 (7%) for other indications. Of these patients, 2048 (48%) received FNA for cytology. In the first 5 years, there were only 1361 (31%) patients, in contrast with the 2912 (68%) patients during the last 3 years. Comparing the indications between the first 5 years and the last 3 years, the thyroid gland (47%) was the most common in the last 3 years, and the non-thyroid or salivary gland neck mass (44%) was the most common indication in the first 5 years (p<0.001). Conclusion: Otolaryngologists are performing more head and neck ultrasound examinations, with more familiarity with the ultrasound equipment and interpretation.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of thyroglossal duct cyst: Diagnostic pitfalls and a study of 14 cases

Objectives: To review the cytohistological features of 14 cases of thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC), to ascertain the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis and treatment, and to discuss the diagnostic pitfalls. Materials and Methods: FNAC of 14 patients of TDC diagnosed clinically and by ultrasound examination of neck was studied. Cytology features were correlated with histopathologic features. Results: Cytology smears showed most commonly few macrophages (n = 7), followed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (n = 4). One case showed few small sheets and many dispersed follicular cells showing features suspicious of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Histopathology showed pseudostratified columnar and cuboidal epithelium (n = 6) in maximum cases and confirmed PTC in one case. Conclusion: Imaging techniques or FNAC alone is not adequate for pre-treatment assessment of all TDC cases. All TDC patients must be subjected to image-guided FNAC for early and accurate diagnosis of TDC carcinoma for timely clinical intervention.

Bilateral persistent hypoglossal arteries: MRI findings

Persistence of foetal anastomoses between carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries is well recognised, but their bilateral presence is rare. We report a case of bilateral persistent hypoglossal arteries. Absence of bilateral vertebral arteries was incidentally noted on neck ultrasound examination. Subsequent MRI confirmed this and revealed persistent hypoglossal arteries that arose bilaterally from the cervical internal carotid artery, entered the cranium through the hypoglossal canal and joined the lower portion of the basilar artery.

Algorithm for safe and effective reoperative thyroid bed surgery for recurrent/persistent papillary thyroid carcinoma

The aim of this study was to review our experience with reoperative thyroid bed surgery (RTBS) for recurrent/persistent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and present an algorithm for safe and effective RTBS. This is a retrospective study. Records of 33 consecutive patients who underwent RTBS for recurrent/persistent PTC in a previously operated thyroid bed, and were operated upon by the senior author (R.P.T.) July 2001 to January 2006 were reviewed. Reports of the pre- and post-RTBS serum thyroglobulin (TG) levels, the high-resolution thyroid bed ultrasound examination, pre-RTBS FNA cytopathology, as well as the post-RTBS final histopathology were reviewed. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring was used for all patients. Reports of the intra-RTBS condition of the RLN and any reported surgical complications were reviewed. In addition, reports of the pre- and post-RTBS fiberoptic laryngoscopy as well as pre- and post-RTBS serum calcium levels were reviewed. In our study, 33 consecutive patients underwent RTBS for recurrent/persistent PTC with or without lateral neck dissection. In 30 patients, recurrent/persistent PTC was suspected because of rising serum TG levels, interpreted in conjunction with serum anti-TG-antibody titers by the endocrinology service at our institution. Three patients had serum anti-TG antibodies and their disease was detected and FNA confirmed by a regularly scheduled surveillance ultrasound examination. All patients underwent pre-RTBS high-resolution thyroid bed ultrasound examination and FNA for all suspicious masses. All patients had FNA-confirmed PTC in the thyroid bed. All patients had detailed diagrams localizing areas of FNA-confirmed PTC in the thyroid bed provided to the surgeon. In all study patients, post-RTBS histopathologic findings confirmed sites of recurrent/persistent PTC determined by pre-RTBS US guided FNA. All RLNs (53/53) that were at risk were successfully identified. In 3 patients, the RLN was electively resected because of the envelopment by a large paratracheal mass or tumor densely adherent to the RLN insertion point at the cricothyroid region. There was no incidence of unexpected RLN injury, permanent hypocalcemia, or any other surgery-related complication. Post-RTBS serum TG levels were significantly decreased or undetectable in most patients (2 patients had concurrent lung metastases), when compared with pre-RTBS levels. No patient exhibited thyroid bed recurrent/persistent PTC in the post-RTBS period based on semiannual high resolution neck ultrasound examination with a median follow-up of 2 years. Safe and effective RTBS is based on a multidisciplinary approach that enables the identification and localization of recurrent/persistent PTC. The surgical algorithm for RTBS described, provides a pathway that all endocrine-head and neck surgeons can comfortably utilize to treat this complex and challenging patient population.

1249: Automatic transducer location system for the neck

It is convenient to use bodymark system to label the location and orientation of the transducer during the ultrasound examinations to estimate their images afterward. The aim of this study is to demonstrate a new transducer location system to the neck ultrasound examination. This system uses an electromagnetic tracking device; the three dimensional (3D) position and orientation of a small electromagnetic receiver, attached to the ultrasound transducer, is tracked relative to transmitter placed under the bed. To evaluate the accuracy of the system visually, we compared the transducer position on the new bodymark system with true transducer positions in some neck sections. The new bodymark is shown as 3D graphical model. Variation in the physique of the examinees is calibrated using some reference points to project to the original bodymark. They were in close agreement on both position and orientation visually, and the transducer position indicator in the bodymark display moved smoothly. The virtual transducer location system to the neck was accurate and convenient, which will enable application to the clinical examination in future.

Autoinfarction of the parathyroid gland diagnosed by power Doppler ultrasonography in a patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism

Spontaneous remission due to parathyroid infarction of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) [1,2] is very rare compared to that of primary hyperparathyroidism [3,4]. It is possible that the diagnosis of parathyroid infarction is missed in patients with SHPT because parathyroid infarction often occurs in only one of the enlarged glands. Lately, neck ultrasound examination has become a more beneficial and specific method for the diagnosis of enlarged parathyroid glands, in contrast to classic diagnostic techniques such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and scintigraphy [1,2]. The diagnosis of parathyroid infarction reported in previous studies, however, was often based on CT, MRI and scintigraphy findings and only a few studies have reported such diagnosis by emergency power Doppler ultrasonography of the neck. Here, we present a haemodialysis patient with autoinfarction of the left parathyroid gland diagnosed by emergency power Doppler ultrasonography of the neck. The spontaneous infarction of the parathyroid gland was associated with a small to moderate decrease in serum calcium and parathyroid harmone (PTH) values, but PTH remained markedly elevated. Case report

Is neck ultrasound necessary for early stage oral tongue carcinoma with clinically N0 neck?

To define the necessity of neck ultrasound for investigation of T1 and T2 oral tongue carcinoma with N0 neck. The medical records of all patients with early stage (T1-2 N0) oral tongue cancer treated surgically between January 1985 and December 2000 were reviewed. Patients with 30 neck dissections were identified for analysis. The result of neck ultrasound examination was correlated with the histological examination. The sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of ultrasound examination were found to be 47%, 93% and 70%, respectively. The implication of ultrasound examination with respect to elective neck treatment was discussed in the management of the N0 neck. It is concluded that ultrasound alone is inadequate for making decisions regarding neck management of patients with T1 and T2 N0 carcinoma of the tongue and cannot replace a policy of elective neck dissection.

Thyroid hemiagenesis: prevalence in normal children and effect on thyroid function.

Thyroid hemiagenesis prevalence was studied by neck ultrasound examination in 24,032 unselected 11- to 14-yr-old schoolchildren from southeastern Sicily. Twelve cases of thyroid hemiagenesis were identified, with a prevalence of 0.05%. The female to male ratio was 1:1.4. Thyroid hemiagenesis was always due to the absence (11 cases) or severe hypoplasia (1 case) of the left lobe. The hemiagenetic thyroid volume was within the normal total thyroid volume range normalized to age in 4 of 12 cases, enlarged in 3, and significantly reduced in 5. Thyroid function (thyroid hormones and TSH, both basal and 30 min after administration of 200 micro g TRH, iv) was evaluated in 9 of 12 children and was always within the normal range. However, children with thyroid hemiagenesis had an average serum TSH significantly higher than that of 18 matched controls (2.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.5 mU/liter; P < 0.001). This study confirms that thyroid hemiagenesis is nearly always due to left lobe defect, and that its prevalence is similar to the cumulative prevalence of thyroid agenesis and ectopia. Compensatory hypertrophy of the residual thyroid lobe occurs in most, but not all, cases and is due to thyroid tissue overstimulation by TSH. The high risk of goiter and hypothyroidism suggests systematic follow-up of all identified cases of thyroid hemiagenesis.

Minimally invasive, video-assisted parathyroid surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism.

A new video-assisted surgical procedure for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism combined with intraoperative quick PTH measurement was developed. This procedure was successfully used in 6 patients with a single parathyroid adenoma preoperatively localized by neck ultrasound examination.