Surgical treatment of substernal goiter: An analysis of 59 patients

PURPOSE: Substernal goiter is defined as a thyroid mass of which more than 50% is located below the thoracic inlet. In this article we report the diagnosis, symptoms, thyroid function, treatment, and postoperative complications of 59 patients with substernal goiter. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2005, 59 patients underwent surgery for substernal goiter at our institution. The indications for surgery were multinodular goiter in 46 cases, follicular adenoma in two cases, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis in one case. Ten patients were operated on for recurrent thyroid disease. RESULTS: The leading preoperative symptoms were dyspnea (49.2%), dysphagia (13.6%), hyperhidrosis (10.2%), and cardiac dysfunction (6.8%). All but two thyroid glands could be removed through a Kocher transverse collar incision. The most common postoperative complications were persistent (5.1%) or temporary (3.4%) paresis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, transient hypocalcemia (3.4%), and hematoma (3.4%). A tracheotomy was required in one patient with bilateral vocal cord paresis (1.7%). CONCLUSIONS: (1) We conclude that a subtotal thyroidectomy is also the treatment of choice for asymptomatic benign substernal goiter. (2) Transverse collar incision should be the standard approach for most patients. (3) The visual identification of at least two parathyroid glands is essential to prevent permanent postoperative hypoparathyroidism.     

Substernal goiter. Analysis of 80 patients from Massachusetts General Hospital

Eighty patients at the Massachusetts General Hospital underwent resection of substernal goiter in the years 1976 to 1982. Mean age of the 50 women and 30 men was 56 years, and 10 (19 percent) had undergone prior thyroid surgery. The most common symptoms were cervical mass (69 percent), dysphagia (33 percent), and dyspnea (28 percent); 13 percent were asymptomatic. On examination, cervical mass was present in most (90 percent) but not all patients, 51 percent were obese, and more than one third had tracheal deviation. Fifty-one of 52 patients tested were euthyroid and one was mildly hypothyroid. Chest radiographs showed tracheal deviation in 79 percent and soft tissue mass in 56 percent. Seventy-eight patients underwent resection through a cervical collar incision only; one had cervical incision plus upper partial sternotomy; and one required cervical incision plus full median sternotomy. Pathologic examination revealed multinodular goiter in 41 (51 percent), follicular adenoma in 35 (44 percent), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 4 (5 percent). Mean goiter weight was 104 g, and the mean greatest dimension was 9 cm. Occult papillary carcinoma was found in two patients. There were no deaths or major complications. Analysis of our data indicate the following: (1) Substernal goiter may exist in the absence of symptoms or signs. (2) Extensive radiologic evaluation and thyroid function testing are rarely required. (3) With rare exceptions, substernal goiter represents an extension of a cervical growth through the thoracic inlet and can be approached through a cervical collar incision. (4) Histologically, these are multinodular goiters or follicular adenomas, although Hashimoto's thyroiditis may occur. (5) Given the small but present risks of acute stridor or occult malignancy and the negligible surgical risk, operation should be recommended. (6) Patients should be followed since, with or without levothyroxine, goiters may recur.     

Coexisting Hashimoto's thyroiditis with differentiated thyroid cancer and benign thyroid diseases: indications for thyroidectomy

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a medical disease that affects about 5% of the population. In cases of goitre, hashitoxicosis or associated differentiated thyroid cancer, surgical treatment is recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the indications for thyroidectomy in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the frequency of coexistence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and differentiated thyroid cancer, and the impact of Hashimoto's thyroiditis on the management of differentiated thyroid cancer. From January 1998 to May 2002, 344 patients underwent thyroidectomy in our department. Among 44 patients with HT, the authors carried out a retrospective comparative study of 33 patients with a cytological diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancer (group A) and 11 patients with non-neoplastic conditions (group B). Surgical indications based on cytological findings and management characteristics were considered. The frequency of the association of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and differentiated thyroid cancer was 23.8% as compared to a 6.7% frequency of coexisting Hashimoto's thyroiditis and benign thyroid diseases (P = 0.000). The sensitivity of cytology in the diagnosis of papillary carcinoma in Hashimoto's thyroiditis was 92%. Cytological diagnosis of hyperplastic follicular and hyperplastic Hürthle cell nodules in Hashimoto's thyroiditis was impossible in some cases. Intraoperatively distinguishing between chronic lymph-node reactivity and tumour involvement was difficult, but the morbidity rate was not increased very much by Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In conclusion, an adequate follow up of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis may permit an early diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancer and its appropriate management.     

桥本病及其共存病的诊断和处理

目的 探讨桥本病及与其共存病的诊断和外科处理原则。方法 回顾性分析５４例桥本病患者的临床资料。结果 甲组２５例经临床检查、小针穿刺细胞学检查及免疫抗体测定拟诊桥本病,采用药物诊断性治疗,２４例治愈,１例后发现共存癌中转手术;乙组２９例因非典型表现误诊为外科病施行甲状腺切除术,术后均经病理切片明确诊断,并发现１４例与甲状腺其它良、恶性疾病共存（甲亢３例,甲状腺癌４例,恶性淋巴瘤２例,甲状腺腺瘤５例）     

Surgical Indications for Goiter with Background Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Institutional Experience

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is usually treated conservatively with thyroxine. Its incidence is higher in Iodine sufficient areas and may require surgery for associated nodularity or complications. A retrospective study on surgically treated HT cases was conducted in a teritiary care teaching hospital in an Iodine sufficient area of Southern India. 34 cases of goiter with associated HT, who underwent thyroidectomy between 2007 and 2010 were analysed for indications of surgery. Minimum follow-up period was 6 months. F:M ratio was 31:3 with mean age of 41.3 years. Goiter was diffuse in 41% and nodular in 59%. 16 (47%) of patients were hypothyroid. Autoimmune association was found in 35%. Commonest surgery done was hemithyroidectomy in 12 (35%) followed by subtotal thyroidectomy in 10 cases. Most frequent indication for surgery was nodular goiter in 12 (35%) followed by associated malignancy, persistent goiter, pressure symptoms and painful thyroiditis. Histopathology showed diffuse HT alone in 12 (35%) and rest of the cases had HT as a component synchronous with other pathologies. Associated pathologies were benign multinodular goiter (6), colloid nodule (6), papillary cancer (5), follicular adenoma (4), cyst (1). Surgery for HT is primarily indicated for associated pathologies like dominant nodule, suspicious or proven malignancy, persistent goiter, painful thyroiditis, pressure symptoms and rarely for HT perse. Rate of surgery for HT associated goiter appears to be higher in Iodine sufficient areas, the cause of which needs to be studied further.     

Incidental thyroid carcinoma in patients with Graves' disease

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of incidental thyroid carcinoma in patients with Graves' disease is uncertain. METHODS: The prevalence of incidental thyroid carcinoma was determined in patients with Graves' disease who underwent surgery from 1990 to 2007 and was compared with patients with nontoxic nodular goiter or toxic multinodular goiter who underwent surgery during the same time period. RESULTS: Of the 93 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for Graves' disease, 2 patients (2.2%) had an incidental papillary carcinoma: .4 and .5 cm in size. Neither patient developed recurrent disease after 3 and 13 years of follow-up evaluation. The prevalence of incidental thyroid cancer was 3.6% and 6.2% in patients with nontoxic nodular goiter and toxic multinodular goiter, respectively (P = not significant). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of incidental thyroid carcinoma in patients with Graves' disease is comparable with patients with nontoxic or toxic goiter. Incidental thyroid carcinomas in patients with Graves' disease were papillary microcarcinomas of no clinical consequence.     

Total thyroidectomy: the procedure of choice for toxic goitre

OBJECTIVE: Over the years, subtotal thyroidectomy has been the mainstay of treatment for toxic goitre; however, total thyroidectomy is increasingly being considered as the procedure of choice. This study aimed to review our experience with total thyroidectomy in toxic goitre and evaluate the outcome of this procedure. METHODS: A total of 67 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with toxic goitres and had total thyroidectomy from January 2003 to February 2005 were included in this prospective open study. The preoperative diagnosis in all patients was benign goitre. The surgical outcomes were reviewed with regard to mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: A standardized operative technique was adopted and practiced among all surgeons in our department. Of the 67 patients with toxic goitre, 36 (53.7%) patients had toxic multinodular goitre (Plummer's disease) and 31 (46.3%) patients had diffuse goitre (Graves' disease). Although there were no documented injuries to the recurrent laryngeal nerves, one patient had temporary hoarseness of voice. In our series of total thyroidectomy, 18 patients (26.8%) developed transient hypocalcaemia but only one patient (1.5%) had persistent hypocalcaemia. Four (5.9%) patients had occult papillary thyroid cancer and one patient (1.5%) had Hashimoto's thyroiditis discovered on histological examination. There were no other postoperative complications except for wound infection in one patient (1.5%). CONCLUSION: Total thyroidectomy should be considered as the procedure of choice for toxic goitres. It is paramount that sufficient attention be paid to the preservation of the laryngeal nerves and the parathyroid glands.     

The incidence rate of thyroid microcarcinoma during surgery benign disease

Thyroid microcarcinoma are well-differentiated tumors less than 1 cm in diameter. A retrospective analysis was performed on patients operated of benign thyroid disease at the Center for endocrine surgery, Institute of endocrinology, Clical Center of Serbia in Belgrade, from January 1st to December 31st 2004, in order to establish the incidence of microcarcinoma. Indications for surgery were euthyroid multinodular goiter in 201 patients, thyroiditis in 31, thyroid adenoma in 178, Graves disease in 89 and Plummers disease in 79 patients. The results of this study, demonstrate that in 13.4% of the patients operated for goiter, 6.4% operated for thyroiditis, 5.6% for thyroid adenomas, 9.0% for Graves disease and 7.0% of the patients operated for Plumers disease, the presence of a microcarcinoma was noticed in the definitive histopathologic examination. The results obtained are in line with the current knowledge of high incidence of thyroid microcarcinoma.     

Thyroid disease in children and adolescents

Thyroid diseases in children and adolescents are not common. The present paper describes 73 patients, aged 5 to 18 years, who had thyroid disease which was treated by surgery. Of these, 18 had diffuse simple goiter, 11 had diffuse toxic goiter and 44 had nodular goiter. Of those patients with nodular goiter, 34 had adenomatous goiter, one had lymphocytic thyroiditis, one had lymphosarcoma and eight had cancer. In the patients with nodular goiter under the age of ten years, 40% had cancer, and of those aged 11 to 18 years, 14.7% had cancer. Thyroid nodules were more frequent in girls than in boys, but the incidence of cancer in nodular goiter was higher in boys than in girls.     

415例结节型桥本氏甲状腺炎的诊断和外科治疗的经验和教训

【摘要】 目的 探讨结节型桥本氏甲状腺炎的诊断、手术适应证及术式选择。方法〓资料来源于2005年1月至2014年1月在我院接受诊治的415例桥本氏甲状腺炎的完整病案病例。诊断方法通过检测甲状腺抗体;超声、CT查、同位素扫描;细针或粗针穿刺活检联合检查。所有患者均表现为甲状腺结节而进行手术治疗,根据患者结节的病变范围,主要采取甲状腺全切、患侧腺叶+峡部切除及双侧腺叶次全切除术进行治疗。结果〓415例中:单纯桥本氏甲状腺炎157例,桥本氏甲状腺炎合并毒性甲状腺肿18例,合并结节性甲状腺肿146例,合并甲状腺腺瘤31例,合并甲状腺癌63例。结论〓桥本氏甲状腺炎临床表现缺乏特异性,应采用采取多种检查手段提高诊断的准确性,避免手术不必要手术,但疑有恶变或产生压迫症状者应积极手术。以往诊断出现结节即采取手术的方法不符合当前治疗指南。     

The grooved nucleus. A useful diagnostic criterion of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid

The optically clear nucleus has been recognized widely as an important histological feature of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, and it is now considered by many workers as standing on an equal basis with the papillae for the diagnosis of this tumor. However, clear nuclei are sometimes patchy in distribution or absent in papillary carcinoma, and may be difficult to differentiate from pseudoclear nuclei which may be found in a variety of thyroid lesions. This study was undertaken to determine whether the grooving of the nuclei, a well-recognized electron-microscopic feature, can serve as an additional reliable light microscopic diagnostic criterion of papillary carcinoma. The histological sections of 103 consecutive cases of thyroid carcinoma, (including 89 cases of papillary carcinoma), 100 consecutive noncancer thyroidectomy specimens, and five cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis were reviewed. Grooved nuclei were found in all cases of papillary carcinoma in almost every high-power microscopic field, and in the two cases of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Similar nuclei were found in only a very occasional field in four cases of adenoma, and one case each of multinodular goiter and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. We conclude that the deep grooving of the nuclei is a useful cytological feature for the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.     

CDFI在甲状腺疾病诊断中的临床应用价值探讨

目的探讨CDFI在甲状腺疾病诊断中的临床应用价值。方法笔者所在医院2006年1月～2010年6月应用CDFI检查甲状腺疾病132例,总结分析常见的甲状腺疾病如甲状腺腺瘤、甲状腺囊腺瘤、结节性甲状腺肿、甲状腺癌、甲状腺功能亢进症、亚急性甲状腺炎、桥本甲状腺炎的超声声像图表现及CDFI显示情况。结果 132例中经病理或实验室确诊124例,超声诊断符合率93.9%。甲状腺腺瘤、甲状腺囊腺瘤、结节性甲状腺肿、甲状腺癌、甲状腺功能亢进症、亚急性甲状腺炎、桥本甲状腺炎的超声声像图表现及CDFI显示各具特点。结论 CDFI能清晰显示甲状腺病变的大小、位置、囊实性变等,彩色多普勒超声及CDFI的应用提高了对甲状腺疾病的诊断率。     

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??Clinical significance of calcification in Hashimoto's thyroiditis with thyroid cancer LONG Guan-bao, ZHANG Chun-xia, ZHENG Jian-wei, et al. Department of Biliary-pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030,China
Correspondence author: SHEN Ming, E-mail:shen_ming75@yahoo.com.cn
Abstract Objective To investigate the clinical significance of calcification in Hashimoto's thyroiditis with thyroid cancer. Methods The clinical data of 184 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis asscciated with thyroid cancer treated between January 2001 and December 2011 in Department of Biliary-pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (excluding cases with a history of thyroid surgery) were analyzed retrospectively. Results Hashimoto's thyroiditis associated with thyroid cancer was in 43 cases??23.4%??43/184??, with calcification in 26 cases. Among 141 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis associated with benign thyroid diseases, 13 cases had calcifications. The ratio of calcification in Hashimoto's thyroiditis associated with thyroid cancerthe was higher than that in Hashimoto's thyroiditis associated with benign thyroid diseases (P<0.05). There were 22 cases of microcalcifications in 26 cases of malignant calcification while coarse calcifications were 3 cases. The specificity of microcalcifications ratio in Hashimoto's thyroiditis with thyroid cancer was 84.6%??22/26??.The diagnosis rate of Hashimoto's thyroiditis associated with thyroid cancer performed FNAC was 67.6%(25/37). Conclusion Microcalcification has the high specificity for the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis associated with thyroid cancer. Prompted Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients with microcalcifications on ultrasonography should be positive surgical exploration combined with intraoperative rapid pathological examination, which can improve the rate of early diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis associated with thyroid cancer effectively.     

Surgical intervention in chronic (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis.

The incidence of chronic (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis in surgical specimens is relatively high, i.e., 13% in collected studies, for a disease with clinical and laboratory characteristics that are sufficiently specific, that thyroidectomy should rarely be required for diagnosis or treatment. This incidence is presumably related to the difficulty in distinguishing between thyroiditis and a thyroid neoplasm. Experience with 260 thyroidectomies at the North Carolina Memorial Hospital performed between 1875 and 1980 for a dominant thyroid mass was reviewed to determine the reliability of criteria for diagnosis and the indications for surgical treatment. Using the criteria of clinical findings, complemented by laboratory studies, e.g., free thyroxine index, thyroid autoantibodies, TSH level, thyroid scan, in addition to the judicious use of the cutting (core) needle biopsy procedure, the incidence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in this series was 3% and cancer-27%. Four patients had Hashimoto's thyroiditis coincidental to another disease for which thyroidectomy was performed. In seven patients Hashimoto's thyroiditis alone constituted the indications for operation. The indications for operation in these patients were: autonomous function with mild hyperthyroidism (2 patients); associated cold nodule (2 patients); thyromegaly unresponsive to suppressive therapy (2 patients); and rapidly enlarging mass simulating a neoplasm (1 patient). Only one of 71 patients with well differentiated carcinoma had Hashimoto's thyroiditis. One patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis had associated lymphoma. In most patients, Hashimoto's thyroiditis can be identified using appropriate clinical and laboratory criteria without resorting to thyroidectomy to differentiate between thyroiditis and a neoplasm. Operations are indicated in patients with suspected or established chronic thyroiditis for: 1) the presence of a dominant mass with incomplete regression on suppressive therapy. 2) Progression of thyromegaly despite suppressive therapy. 3) Historic or physical findings suggest a malignancy, e.g., irradiation, multiple endocrine adenomatosis (MEA) syndrome, nerve paralysis, pain, tracheal compression, stipple calcification and cervical lymph node enlargement. 4) Indeterminant findings on cutting needle biopsy, e.g., lymphoma versus thyroiditis. Rarely, an operation is required for an oppressive goiter or associated hyperthyroidism.     

Surgically treated Hashimoto's thyroiditis

The primary way to treat Hashimoto's thyroiditis is conservative. However, it has a relatively high occurrence in operated patients, up to 13% in the literature. Indications for surgery are suspicion of malignancy, and/or trachea/esophagus compression. 2818 thyroid operations were performed at our department between 1986 and 1995. 279 patients suffered from thyroid cancer and 2539 had benign disease. Histology revealed Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 118 cases. Coexisting malignant thyroid tumor was found in 14 cases (11.8%): 9 papillary, 2 follicular, 1 anaplastic cancer, and 2 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis occurred in 8 cases, of which 6 remained permanent. This relatively high incidence supports the importance to identify the laryngeal nerve during every operation for Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Four patients had temporary and one had permanent hypoparathyroidism. Coexistence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and thyroid carcinoma, the increased risk for the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and the need for thyroxin supplementation in many cases justify a careful, long-term follow-up of patients with Hashimoto's disease.     

Repeated surgeries on the thyroid gland in nodular euthyroid goiter

Medical histories of 214 patients hospitalized with diagnosis "recurrent nodular goiter" were studied retrospectively. Complex clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination was carried out in all the patients. Comparative analysis demonstrated that in the structure of recurrent goiter nodular colloid form dominated (84.1%), only in 42.1% cases repeated surgeries were indicated. Other patients (15.9%) were the ones underwent surgery for other thyroid diseases (hypertrophied form of autoimmune thyroiditis, follicular adenoma, thyroid cysts, thyroid cancer). Inadequate surgery and prophylactic therapy with iodine drugs were the main causes of recurrent goiter. Adequate iodine prophylaxis (potassium iodide 100-200 mg per day), complex examination of patients, correct indications for primary surgery and adequate surgical volume, valuable postoperative therapy (iodine drug, LT-4 if it is necessary) permit to reduce the risk of recurrent nodular (multiple-nodular, diffuse-nodular) goiter. Ways of researches for improvement of diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment results of "recurrence nodular goiter" are projected.     

Operation for hyperthyroidism. Methods and rationale

Five hundred patients with hyperthyroidism underwent operation between 1970 and 1984. Sixty-nine percent had Graves' disease, 19 percent had toxic thyroid adenoma, and 12 percent had multinodular toxic goiter. Good results were achieved in the 275 patients most recently treated. These results may be attributed to the following: good personal contact between the surgeon and the patient at the first meeting, 1 month of preoperative management with carbimazole and propranolol without interruption of work, operation adapted to the type of goiter, and treatment of postoperative tachycardia by propranolol. The mean duration of hospital stay was 5 days. Sequelae were rare. In the patients with Graves' disease, results at 2 years were as follows: 74 percent of operated patients were euthyroid, 23 percent required substitutive treatment, and surgical treatment failed or early relapse occurred in 3 percent. There were no recurrences after operation in patients with solitary or multinodular toxic goiter, but 30 percent of the former and 98 percent of the latter had to be treated with L-thyroxine. Seventy-two percent of the patients who presented with atrial fibrillation had return of normal cardiac rhythm after operation.     

Thyroid cancer with coexistent Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Clinical assessment and management

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common thyroid disorder. Because of the difficulty of diagnosing a coexisting thyroid cancer, its management remains controversial. We reviewed 120 cases of thyroid cancer seen in our institution during an 11-year period (1976 through 1986) and defined the clinical characteristics of patients with both entities. Thirteen patients had concomitant cancer and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Six of the 13 patients had a history of thyroiditis before the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. The remaining seven patients had evidence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis on histologic review of the thyroid specimen. The two most common characteristics prompting surgical intervention were the presence of a nonsuppressing dominant nodule and a cold area on thyroid scan. Twelve patients underwent preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytologic examination, but only in three were the results considered to be indicative of cancer. All 13 patients remained disease free. Despite the apparent indolence of thyroid cancer associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, selective surgical treatment of patients with clinical thyroiditis is indicated.     

Surgical treatment of postoperative recurrences of thyrotoxicosis associated with autoimmune thyroiditis

Of 228 patients operated on for postoperative recurrence of diffuse toxic goiter, in 77 (33.8%) thyrotoxicosis was associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. The method of surgical treatment stipulated preservation of the optimal volume of thyroid gland parenchyma with regard to autoimmune processes, objectivization of a stump size, a number of technical manoeuvres. Analysis of the immediate and long-term results of treatment confirms the expediency to perform reoperations in such patients.     

Differentiated thyroid cancer--peculiar morphological and clinical forms

The most common clinical presentation of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), consisting of papillary and follicular adenocarcinoma (with their histological variants), is the solitary thyroid nodule. A review of the literature is performed in order to describe particular forms of DTC, in terms of incidence, diagnosis and treatment: occult carcinoma, carcinoma on aberrant thyroid tissue, "functional" thyroid carcinoma and familial non-medullary carcinoma. A particular interest is shown to the coexistence of malignancy with benign thyroid diseases, such as goiter, hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, as well as parathyroid adenoma. In conclusion, the authors emphasize that the association of carcinoma with benign thyroid conditions is not rare and it substantiate an aggressive approach in regard to diagnosis and treatment, increasing the indication for surgery and, moreover, for total thyroidectomy.