How effective are lead-rubber aprons in protecting radiosensitive organs from secondary ionizing radiation?

IntroductionThe purpose of this experiment was to explore the direction of scattered secondary ionizing radiation to a patient. A left lateral radiographic examination of the elbow was deemed appropriate due to its close proximity to radiosensitive organs and record dose limiting opportunities upon wearing a lead-rubber apron.MethodsAn anthropomorphic phantom and lead-rubber apron (Pb 0.35 mm) was used with a 15 cc ionization chamber (model 10,100 AT TRIAD) to measure scattered radiation to radiosensitive organs. Dose readings were recorded before and after in order to quantify dose reduction. Pearson's correlation, linear regression, t-test and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistics were used to affirm how likely dose limitation was attributed to chance (p < 0.05).ResultsThe lead-rubber apron offered dose reduction to most radiosensitive organs. Notably, ionizing radiation was significantly reduced to the left breast 0.0083 μGy (98%), right breast 0.0000 μGy (99.9%) and spleen 0.0262 μGy (99.9%). No empirical benefit was recorded for testes and ovaries. Interestingly, the thyroid recorded an increase in dose (0.1733 μGy; p = 0.01). This was later mitigated using a thyroid collar but identifies increased stochastic risks if lead-aprons are worn alone. Scattered radiation was also reduced to both eyes, which were not directly covered.ConclusionLead-rubber aprons are generally utilized to limit ionizing radiation, yet this article offers insight whereby increases to ionizing radiation to the thyroid are plausible when wearing a lead-rubber apron alone. Whilst these findings cannot be generalized to other radiographic examinations it provides insight into a potential increase risk of scatter to a radiosensitive organ.Implications for practiceThis paper has implications because it identifies that lead-rubber has an impact on scattered ionizing radiation to radiosensitive organs for a lateral elbow examination. Further, it identifies the potential for ionizing radiation to be increased to the thyroid upon wearing a lead-rubber apron alone.     

The prognostic value of lymph node ratio in Medullary thyroid carcinoma: A multi-center study

IntroductionThe lymph node ratio (LNR), which represents the proportion of metastatic lymph nodes resected, has been found to be a prognostic variable in several cancers, but data for Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are sparse. The aim of this study was to determine the value of the LNR in predicting outcome in patients with MTC.Materials and methodsA retrospective multicenter study design of 107 patients with MTC who underwent total thyroidectomy with neck dissection between 1984 and 2016. The association of LNR with patient and tumor characteristics and prognostic factors was evaluated.ResultsStudy population consisted of 53.3% female, mean age at diagnosis was 50.3 ± 18.4 years; 16.8% had inherited MTC. LNR was positively correlated with tumor size (p = 0.018) and inversely correlated with age at diagnosis (p = 0.024). A higher LNR was associated with extrathyroidal extension (p < 0.001), multifocality (p = 0.001), bilateral tumor (p = 0.002), distant metastases (p < 0.001), and tumor recurrence (OR = 14.7, p < 0.001). LNR was also correlated to postoperative calcitonin levels (p < 0.001) and carcinoembryonic antigen (p = 0.011). LNR >0.1 was associated with shorter disease-specific survival in patients at risk: tumor larger than 20 mm at diagnosis (p = 0.013), sporadic MTC (p = 0.01), and age above 40 years at diagnosis (p = 0.004). Cox multivariate survival analysis revealed LNR as the only significant independent factor for disease free survival (p = 0.005).ConclusionsThis study showed that LNR correlates well with patient and tumor characteristics and prognostic variables. We suggest that LNR should be considered an important parameter for predicting outcome in MTC.     

Thoracic splenosis: Case report of a symptomatic case

Thoracic splenosis is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue in the left thoracic cavity as a result of a splenic injury. This rare pathology is usually asymptomatic and may be discovered on incidental imaging, but the diagnosis often requires invasive procedures such as surgery in order to eliminate a neoplasic origin. We report a rare symptomatic case of a 39-year-old man presenting with chest pain and multiple nodules revealed on a computed tomography scan. The patient underwent a surgical exploration and the pathological studies concluded to a thoracic splenosis. Indeed, the previous medical history of the patient revealed a left thoraco-abdominal traumatism during childhood. The aim of this paper is to emphasize that the diagnosis can now be performed using only imaging techniques such as technetium-99 sulfur colloid or labelled heat-denatured red blood cell scintigraphy to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures including thoracotomy.     

手术治疗结节性甲状腺肿合并甲状腺癌的临床效果

目的:分析手术治疗结节性甲状腺肿合并甲状腺癌的临床效果。方法:从2017年3月~2019年3月期间到我院接受治疗的结节性甲状腺肿合并甲状腺癌患者中选出60例完成此次研究,60例患者全部接受手术治疗,经1年的随访后对比两组患者接受治疗前后的生活质量变化情况及治疗效果。结果:接受治疗后患者的心理、身体、物质生活、社会关系等多项生活质量指标均优于治疗前,治疗前后的数据对比存在明显差异(P<0.05)。所有患者接受治疗后均为表现出较为明显的不良反应,其治疗存在较高安全性,总治疗有效率为87.50%(55/60)。结论:帮助结节性甲状腺肿合并甲状腺癌患者选择合理的手术方式,能够提高临床治疗效果,减少并发症。     

妊娠期疾病类型与甲状腺功能异常相关性分析

目的研究妊娠期疾病类型与甲状腺功能异常相关性。方法回顾性分析2015年1月-2017年1月期间在天津港口医院治疗的107例孕妇,根据妊娠期是否患病分为A组、B组与对照组。A组为22例确诊为妊娠期糖尿病的患者;B组为36例确诊为妊娠期高血压疾病的患者;对照组为49例妊娠期血糖与血压正常、无其他疾病的孕妇。所有研究对象妊娠期定期抽取静脉血检测甲状腺功能、血压及血糖水平。采用妊娠期高血压疾病诊断标准、妊娠期糖尿病诊断标准以及妊娠期甲状腺疾病诊断标准联合评价。结果此研究发现糖尿病组与对照组在孕中期游离T4值、A组与对照组在孕晚期、B组与对照组在孕中期和孕晚期的促甲状腺激素(TSH)值对比,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);3组孕妇不同妊娠时期临床甲状腺功能亢进、减退的发病情况各组别数据对比,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);A组、B组与对照组在孕中期与孕晚期亚临床甲状腺功能减退发病情况数据对比,A组、B组与对照组在不同妊娠时期低T4血症发病情况数据对比,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);孕早期仅甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)阳性与甲状腺正常数据对比,B组发生率高于对照组、A组发生率低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。结论与正常孕妇相比,妊娠期高血压疾病与妊娠期糖尿病患者在不同妊娠期的游离T4水平更低、TSH水平更高,且随着妊娠期的增长,变化趋势不断增大;妊娠期疾病类型与甲状腺功能异常存在着联系,妊娠期高血压疾病和糖尿病患者甲状腺功能异常发病率明显更高。     

Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Metastasis to the Breast and Axillary Lymph Nodes

Breast metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are extremely rare, and only a few cases have been reported in the literature so far. Here, we report a case of metastatic MTC to the breast and axillary lymph nodes (LN). The case illustrates that (1) metastatic MTC of the breast could be clinically and pathologically misdiagnosed as primary breast cancer, such as invasive lobular carcinoma with axillary LN involvement; (2) unlike other metastatic breast cancer patients, who have very poor prognoses, our patient survived for more than 5 years after the breast and axillary surgery; and (3) metastasis of MTC to the breast is accompanied by axillary LN metastasis, which requires thorough axillary LN dissection, as in most primary breast cancers.     

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery after Preoperative CT-Guided Lipiodol Marking of Small or Impalpable Pulmonary Nodules

Purpose: Small pulmonary lesions that include ground-glass attenuation have been increasingly discovered because of progressive imaging diagnostic technologies. Despite the detection of such small lesions, sometimes it is quite difficult to localize them because of their size or considerable depth from the visceral pleura. In the present study, we examined the usefulness of computed tomography-guided lipiodol marking for thoracoscopic resection of impalpable pulmonary nodules.Methods: Fifty-six patients with an undiagnosed peripheral lesion(s) of the lung who had undergone preoperative computed tomography-guided lipiodol marking followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were studied.Results: All of the nodules were successfully marked by computed tomography-guided lipiodol marking, and all except for one case were localized by means of intraoperative fluoroscopy as clear spots. With regard to complications, pneumothorax occurred in 21 patients (37.5%), and only one patient required transient drainage. Although hemorrhaging in the lung parenchyma and hemosputum occurred in nine patients (16.1%) and one patient (1.8%), respectively, no patients were in serious condition. No intra- or postoperative mortality or morbidity was observed.Conclusion: Preoperative computed tomography-guided lipiodol marking of small or impalpable pulmonary nodules is a safe and useful procedure for thoracoscopic resection of the lung.     

超声造影在甲状腺癌诊断中的应用现状及前景

目的：分析并研究超声造影当前在甲状腺癌中的诊断鉴别情况和应用前景。方法选取该院在2013年5月-2014年5月所收治的148例被确诊为甲状腺癌且具有完全病理资料的患者作为研究对象，对所有患者的声像图资料进行回顾性分析，研究超声造影当前在甲状腺癌中的诊断鉴别情况，并据此展望其应用前景。结果该研究当中甲状腺癌主要以乳头状腺癌和滤泡性癌为主，分别占53.24%和24.58%，超声诊断的正确率和实际情况比较接近，正确率为83.25%。此外，当前超声造影在诊断甲状腺癌的应用当中，具有显著的应用特点，可以服务于临床实践。结论当前，超声造影在甲状腺癌的诊断应用当中具有较高的诊断价值，并且在未来也具有更广阔的应用空间，值得临床推广、发扬使用。     

Gender,race and socioeconomic influence on diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

Thyroid diseases are common, and use of levothyroxine is increasing worldwide. We investigated the influence of gender, race and socioeconomic status on the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders using data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a multicenter cohort study of civil servants (35-74 years of age) from six Brazilian cities. Diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction was by thyrotropin (TSH), and free thyroxine (FT4) if TSH was altered, and the use of specific medications. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed using overt hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism and levothyroxine use as dependent variables and sociodemographic characteristics as independent variables. The frequencies of overt hyper- and hypothyroidism were 0.7 and 7.4%, respectively. Using whites as the reference ethnicity, brown, and black race were protective for overt hypothyroidism (OR=0.76, 95%CI=0.64-0.89, and OR=0.53, 95%CI=0.43-0.67, respectively, and black race was associated with overt hyperthyroidism (OR=1.82, 95%CI=1.06-3.11). Frequency of hypothyroidism treatment was higher in women, browns, highly educated participants and those with high net family incomes. After multivariate adjustment, levothyroxine use was associated with female gender (OR=6.06, 95%CI=3.19-11.49) and high net family income (OR=3.23, 95%CI=1.02-10.23). Frequency of hyperthyroidism treatment was higher in older than in younger individuals. Sociodemographic factors strongly influenced the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders, including the use of levothyroxine.