Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches to Thyroid Nodules in Turkey

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the approaches to thyroid nodules adopted by various specialists and centers in Turkey. Material and Methods: The questionnaire designed by Ralf Paschke for International Thyroid Congress (2010) was provided to 400 (264 general surgeons, 58 endocrine surgeons, and 78 endocrinologists) physicians from Turkey. Education and research hospitals (n=110), state hospitals (n=84), university hospitals (n=122), and private hospitals (n=84) were included. An index case was provided and questions regarding diagnostic and therapeutic/follow-up strategies were asked. Results: The index case was a 35-year-old man presented with swallowing discomfort. His thyroid-stimulating hormone level was 0.5 mIU/L. Thyroid ultrasonography (US) revealed a 13 mm right nodule (RN) and an 18 mm left nodule (LN). The most frequently queried information by physicians about the case was the result of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) (38.5%) and scintigraphy+FNAB (25.5%). Routine calcitonin measurement was advised by 33.5% of specialists. US and scintigraphy were detailed as; showed intranodular flow, microcalcification in the solid, and normoactive RN and solid hypoechoic, and hypoactive for the LN. FNAB was recommended by 68.5% of specialists for both nodules. Surgery without FNAB was recommended by 9% (n=36) of specialists, mainly by general surgeons (n=32). Specialists from private hospitals recommended surgical management for benign nodules, more frequently than state and university hospitals (p<0.01). Conclusion: Not only invasive and noninvasive diagnostic tests but also the treatment and follow-up strategies varied among general surgeons, endocrine surgeons, and endocrinologists in Turkey. The surgical approach for benign nodules was more frequently preferred in private hospitals

Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor and phenytoin on healing of abdominal wall fascia and colonic anastomoses

WOS: 000238370600005PubMed: 16845856The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and phenytoin on wound healing in rats compromised by methylprednisone. This study was conducted in four groups consisting of 20 male Wistar rats. Rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 had a daily injection of methylprednisolone 5 mg/kg/day for 15 days. Laparotomy and sigmoid transsection were performed on day 15. In the postoperative period, rats in group 1 received no medication, group 2 received methylprednisolone 5 mg/kg/day intramuscularly, group 3 received bFGF 5 mu g/kg on days 1-3 subcutaneously, and group 4 received phenytoin 40 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally. bFGF and phenytoin had a positive effect on tensile strength, hydroxyproline content, and wound healing parameters in abdominal wall fascia. In colonic anastomosis, phenytoin corrected all parameters, but bFGF had no effect

Giant juvenile fibroadenoma of the breast: a clinical case.

Juvenile giant fibroadenoma is a benign breast tumor and rare variant of the fibroadenomas. Clinical presentation is usually a painless, solitary and unilateral breast mass. It accounts for 0.5%-2% of all fibroadenomas and exact etiology is not known; however, hormonal influences are thought to be contributing factors. We present a case of a 20 cm diameter giant juvenile fibroadenoma of the breast in a 14-year-old girl. The patient was suffering from a painless, progressively enlarging mass for 1 year. Ultrasound revealed fibroadenoma and total surgical excision was performed. The patient is doing well in ten months of follow up

Does ultrasonographic volume of the thyroid gland correlate with difficult intubation? An observational study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Preoperative ultrasonographic evaluation of the thyroid gland done by surgeons could let us foresee airway management challenges. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the effects of thyroid-related parameters assessed preoperatively by surgeons via ultrasonography and chest X-ray on intubation conditions. METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing thyroid surgery were enrolled. Thyromental distance, Mallampati score, neck circumference and range of neck movement were evaluated before the operation. Thyroid volume, signs of invasion or compression and tracheal deviation on chest X-ray were also noted. The intubation conditions were assessed with Cormack and Lehane score and the intubation difficulty scale. Statistical analyses were done with SPSS 15.0 software. RESULTS: The mean thyroid volume of the patients was 26.38 &#177; 14 mL. The median intubation difficulty scale was 1 (0-2). Thyromental distance (p = 0.011; r = 0.36; 95% CI 0.582-0.088), Mallampati score (p = 0.041; r = 0.29; 95% CI 0.013-0.526), compression or invasion signs (p = 0.041; r = 0.28; 95% CI 0.006-0.521) and tracheal deviation on chest X-ray (p = 0.041; r = 0.52; 95% CI 0.268-0.702) were correlated with intubation difficulty scale. Also patients were classified into two groups related to their intubation difficulty scale (Group I, n = 19: intubation difficulty scale = 0; Group II, n = 31: 1 < intubation difficulty scale &#8804; 5) and difficult intubation predictors and thyroid-related parameters were compared. Only Mallampati score was significantly different between groups (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: The thyroid volume is not associated with difficult intubation. However clinical assessment parameters may predict difficult intubation

Does ultrasonographic volume of the thyroid gland correlate with difficult intubation? An observational study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Preoperative ultrasonographic evaluation of the thyroid gland done by surgeons could let us foresee airway management challenges. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the effects of thyroid-related parameters assessed preoperatively by surgeons via ultrasonography and chest X-ray on intubation conditions. METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing thyroid surgery were enrolled. Thyromental distance, Mallampati score, neck circumference and range of neck movement were evaluated before the operation. Thyroid volume, signs of invasion or compression and tracheal deviation on chest X-ray were also noted. The intubation conditions were assessed with Cormack and Lehane score and the intubation difficulty scale. Statistical analyses were done with SPSS 15.0 software. RESULTS: The mean thyroid volume of the patients was 26.38 ± 14 mL. The median intubation difficulty scale was 1 (0-2). Thyromental distance (p = 0.011; r = 0.36; 95% CI 0.582-0.088), Mallampati score (p = 0.041; r = 0.29; 95% CI 0.013-0.526), compression or invasion signs (p = 0.041; r = 0.28; 95% CI 0.006-0.521) and tracheal deviation on chest X-ray (p = 0.041; r = 0.52; 95% CI 0.268-0.702) were correlated with intubation difficulty scale. Also patients were classified into two groups related to their intubation difficulty scale (Group I, n = 19: intubation difficulty scale = 0; Group II, n = 31: 1 < intubation difficulty scale ≤ 5) and difficult intubation predictors and thyroid-related parameters were compared. Only Mallampati score was significantly different between groups (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: The thyroid volume is not associated with difficult intubation. However clinical assessment parameters may predict difficult intubation

Giant juvenile fibroadenoma of the breast: a clinical case

Juvenile giant fibroadenoma is a benign breast tumor and rare variant of the fibroadenomas. Clinical presentation is usually a painless, solitary and unilateral breast mass. It accounts for 0.5\%-2\% of all fibroadenomas and exact etiology is not known; however, hormonal influences are thought to be contributing factors. We present a case of a 20 cm diameter giant juvenile fibroadenoma of the breast in a 14-year-old girl. The patient was suffering from a painless, progressively enlarging mass for 1 year. Ultrasound revealed fibroadenoma and total surgical excision was performed. The patient is doing well in ten months of follow up