Accessory thyroid gland at carotid bifurcation presenting as a carotid body tumor: case report and review of the literature

AbstractPatients with carotid body tumors referred to vascular surgeons usually undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of the workup. We present a case report of a 39-year-old woman with a presumed carotid body tumor, as was expected from clinical and MRI findings. At surgery, the ectopic thyroid tissue was suspected, and resection was performed. Histologic examination showed normal thyroid tissue with no sign of malignancy. Postoperative thyroid analysis showed a normally located, properly functioning thyroid gland. Ectopic thyroid glands are generally found in the midline, as a result of abnormal median migration. Their presence lateral to the midline with a proper functioning thyroid gland in its normal position is extremely rare. Although several submandibular thyroid glands have been reported, a close relation with the carotid arteries was described only once. When MRI scans of a presumed carotid body tumor show tumor characteristics that are not fully specific for a carotid body tumor, the possibility of ectopic thyroid tissue should be entertained, which can be the patient's only properly functioning thyroid tissue. In such cases, additional assessment, including thyroid tests, should be considered before surgery

Nerve-preserving aortoiliac reconstruction surgery: Anatomical study and surgical approach

AbstractObjective: Dysfunctional ejaculation and, to a lesser extent, dysfunctional erection caused by disruption of efferent sympathetic pathways is a common complication after aortoiliac reconstruction surgery. The aim was to give an anatomic motivation for a nerve-preserving approach on the basis of right-sided unilateral disruption of lumbar splanchnic nerves. Methods: Anatomic and microscopic analysis of preaortic and para-aortic retroperitoneal regions in human cadavers was performed. Anatomic analysis was conducted of two aortoiliac reconstruction operations performed on human cadavers; one was performed according to a single-blind procedure, the second with a modified procedure. Results: The lumbar splanchnic nerves supplying the superior hypogastric plexus from the right side were found to be less voluminous than the left-sided ones. The superior hypogastric plexus was found slightly shifted to the left of the midsagittal plane across the abdominal aorta and its bifurcation. Microscopic analysis revealed a thin fascia between the aorta and the subperitoneal tissue compartment. This fascia was used as a plain of dissection to mobilize the preaortic nerve-plexuses without damage from the aortic wall. Analysis of the specimens operated on showed a significant difference in nerve disruption. The standard procedure caused total disruption of the superior hypogastric plexus and extensive disruption of the inferior mesenteric plexus. The modified procedure only caused right-sided unilateral disruption of lumbar splanchnic nerves. Conclusion: The autonomic nerves supplying the bladder neck, the vas deferens, and the prostate are closely related to the abdominal aorta and its bifurcation. Right-sided unilateral disruption of lumbar splanchnic nerves without further damage to nervous structures would ensure at least one functional sympathetic pathway remaining after aortoiliac reconstruction surgery. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:983-9.

E-learning any time any place anywhere on mobile devices

The registered screen resolution of e-learning study moments in MedicalEducation.nl was used in this research to investigate the readiness of students and medical professionals to study e-learning on a mobile device. Between January 2008 and September 2012 the use of e-learning on a mobile device by students has quintupled to 2.29 %, while medical professionals lag behind in this development. If the use of mobile devices for e-learning is better supported, a rapid further increase should be anticipated. Further research on the desire of both students and medical professionals to study e-learning on a mobile device should be conducted