Concurrent papillary thyroid cancer and parathyroid adenoma as a rare condition: A case report

Although the pathological relationship between parathyroid and thyroid diseases is common, an association between parathyroid adenoma and thyroid cancer is rare. Concomitant thyroid cancer in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) has been reported at varying frequencies. WE present here a 23-year-old man who had papillary thyroid carcinoma in the right thyroid lobe and a parathyroid adenoma in the left thyroid lobe, which were confirmed surgically. Copyright © 2012 Via Medica

Association of serum uric acid with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the independent correlation between serum uric acid and low-grade inflammation (measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hs-CRP) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 378 healthy Iranian postmenopausal women were randomly selected in a population-based study. Circulating hs-CRP levels were measured by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and an enzymatic calorimetric method was used to measure serum levels of uric acid. Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple linear regression and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between uric acid and hs-CRP levels. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was seen between serum levels of uric acid and log-transformed circulating hs-CRP (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age and cardiovascular risk factors (according to NCEP ATP III criteria), circulating hs-CRP levels were significantly associated with serum uric acid levels (β = 0.20, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age and cardiovascular risk factors, hs-CRP levels ≥3 mg/l were significantly associated with higher uric acid levels (odds ratio =1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.96). CONCLUSION: Higher serum uric acid levels were positively and independently associated with circulating hs-CRP in healthy postmenopausal women. KEYWORDS: C-reactive protein; Uric acid; inflammation; postmenopaus

An acceptance model for the adoption of smart glasses technology by healthcare professionals

In the recent years, there has been an increase in the interest from different industries in the adoption of smart wearable devices in the light of their inevitable ubiquity. One type of these devices is the Augmented Reality Smart Glasses (ARSGs), which can have great effect in different areas through providing timely information to users. One of the industries that can significantly reap the benefits of this technology is healthcare. However, as healthcare is a very multi-dimensional industry, there is a need for a multifaceted look into the adoption and acceptance of smart glasses by health professionals. This study tends to examine the acceptance of smart glasses by healthcare professionals based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as there is an imperative for empirical studies on user perceptions, attitudes, and intentions. For this purpose, five external factors are extracted from the literature and field study, being integration with information systems, external effects, hands-free feature, technological compatibility, and documentation. The model is examined by using PLS-SEM methodology. This study found documentation to have the strongest impact on intention due to the substitution of paperwork by mobile devices and facilitation of continuous documentation

Patients' Online Perception and Ratings of Neurotologists.

ObjectivesTo assess and characterize patients' online ratings and comments of neurotologists and determine factors that correlate with higher ratings.MethodsAll the American Neurotology Society members were queried on Healthgrades, Vitals, RateMDs, Yelp, and Google from March to June 2018. All ratings were normalized for comparison on a five-point Likert scale. All comments were categorized based on context and for positive/negative aspect.ResultsOf the 560 American Neurotology Society members, 465 (83%) were rated on at least one online platform. Of those rated, 420 (90%) were on Healthgrades, 392 (84%) on Vitals, 283 (61%) on RateMDs, 232 (50%) on Google, and 56 (12%) on Yelp. Across all platforms, the average overall rating was 4.06 ± 0.68 (range: 1.00-5.00). There were significant positive correlations between overall rating and specific ratings (p &lt; 0.01) on individual topics. Moreover, categorizing 5,317 narrative comments elicited the majority to be related to perceived physician bedside manner and clinical outcome. Although the number of positive comments outnumbered the negative ones, only the negative comments correlated (negatively) with the overall score (p &lt; 0.01). Attending a top 25- or 50-medical schools or residency programs did not correlate with their rating.ConclusionsOnline ratings and comments for neurotologists are highly dependent on patient perceptions of physician competence, caring bedside manner, and office management. Minimizing the number of negative comments, especially regarding perceived physicians' professionalism and communication, clinical outcome, bedside manners, and office management, leads to higher calculated overall scores and online perception

Patients' Online Perception and Ratings of Neurotologists.

ObjectivesTo assess and characterize patients' online ratings and comments of neurotologists and determine factors that correlate with higher ratings.MethodsAll the American Neurotology Society members were queried on Healthgrades, Vitals, RateMDs, Yelp, and Google from March to June 2018. All ratings were normalized for comparison on a five-point Likert scale. All comments were categorized based on context and for positive/negative aspect.ResultsOf the 560 American Neurotology Society members, 465 (83%) were rated on at least one online platform. Of those rated, 420 (90%) were on Healthgrades, 392 (84%) on Vitals, 283 (61%) on RateMDs, 232 (50%) on Google, and 56 (12%) on Yelp. Across all platforms, the average overall rating was 4.06 ± 0.68 (range: 1.00-5.00). There were significant positive correlations between overall rating and specific ratings (p &lt; 0.01) on individual topics. Moreover, categorizing 5,317 narrative comments elicited the majority to be related to perceived physician bedside manner and clinical outcome. Although the number of positive comments outnumbered the negative ones, only the negative comments correlated (negatively) with the overall score (p &lt; 0.01). Attending a top 25- or 50-medical schools or residency programs did not correlate with their rating.ConclusionsOnline ratings and comments for neurotologists are highly dependent on patient perceptions of physician competence, caring bedside manner, and office management. Minimizing the number of negative comments, especially regarding perceived physicians' professionalism and communication, clinical outcome, bedside manners, and office management, leads to higher calculated overall scores and online perception

Wrong-Site Surgery in California, 2007-2014

Objective The implementation of a universal surgical safety protocol in 2004 was intended to minimize the prevalence of wrong-site surgery (WSS). However, complete elimination of WSS in the operating room continues to be a challenge. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and etiology of WSS in the state of California. Study Design A retrospective study of all WSS reports investigated by the California Department of Public Health between 2007 and 2014. Methods Prevalence of overall and specialty-specific WSS, causative factors, and recommendations on further improvement are discussed. Results A total of 95 cases resulted in incident reports to the California Department of Public Health and were included in our study. The most common errors were operating on the wrong side of the patient's body (n = 60, 62%), performing the wrong procedure (n = 21, 21%), operating on the wrong body part (n = 12, 12%), and operating on the wrong patient (n = 2, 2%). WSS was most prevalent in orthopedic surgery (n = 33, 35%), followed by general surgery (n = 26, 27%) and neurosurgery (n = 16, 17%). All 3 otolaryngology WSS cases in California are associated with the ear. Conclusion WSS continues to surface despite national efforts to decrease its prevalence. Future research could establish best practices to avoid these "never events" in otolaryngology and other surgical specialties