The surgical approach to retrosternal goiters: The role of computerized tomography

OBJECTIVE: To assess preoperative CT scans of patients with a retrosternal goiter, with an objective of identifying features that are likely to predict the need for sternotomy at operation. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective review of clinical notes and CT scans of patients who underwent thyroidectomy for retrosternal goiter at a large district general hospital in the United Kingdom between 1998 and 2002. RESULTS: Extension of the goiter to the level of the aortic arch, particularly when combined with tracheal involvement or major vessel displacement, increases the likelihood of requiring median sternotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Most retrosternal goiters can be approached through a cervical incision alone. However, extension of the goiter to the level of the aortic arch does appear to increase the likelihood of requiring sternotomy. SIGNIFICANCE: In such cases in which sternotomy is anticipated, the availability of cardiothoracic services would be helpful to avoid patient morbidity.     

Granulocyte migration in uncomplicated intestinal anastomosis in man

We have investigated the presence, duration, and clinical significance of granulocyte accumulation, using indium-111 granulocyte scanning, in patients following uncomplicated intestinal anastomosis. Eight patients underwent intestinal resection and anastomosis (right hemicolectomy, 5; sigmoid colectomy, 2; ileal resection, 1) for carcinoma, angiodysplasia, or perforation. All patients had an uneventful postoperative course, with no evidence of any leakage or infection. Indium-111 granulocyte scan and abdominal ultrasound were performed 7–20 days (12±4.7 X±sd) following surgery. Indium-111 granulocyte scan showed the presence of labeled granulocytes at the site of anastomosis in all patients. In three of eight, cells subsequently passed into the lumen of the bowel. In contrast, granulocytes were not visualized along the abdominal incision. Thus, in contrast to skin wounds, granulocytes continue migrating into the intestinal wall in areas of anastomosis for at least up to 20 days following surgical trauma. They may play a significant role both in healing the anastomosis and in preventing systemic bacterial infection. Moreover, indium-111 granulocyte scans following intestinal surgery should be interpreted with care, and the presence of labeled granulocytes around anastomoses does not necessarily indicate abscess formation.     

The radiological features of primary small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare neoplasm. The incidence was 2% in our series. A primary lung tumor must be excluded before the diagnosis can be made. Two cases of primary small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus are presented. The radiological features of this tumor are nonspecific. Its unusual histological appearance is described. One patient had received radiotherapy for breast carcinoma 21 years earlier and the possible relationship of this type of cancer to radiotherapy has not been previously described in the literature. Each patient had a short-term response to therapy.     

DIFFICULTIES AND DILEMMAS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CONGENITAL ANOMALIES IN TWIN PREGNANCY

Both the incidence of twin pregnancy and the demand for prenatal diagnosis are increasing. Unfortunately, biochemical screening and ultrasound scanning are less reliable for prenatal diagnosis in twin pregnancies than in singletons. Amniocentesis and chorionic villous biopsy are usually diagnostic in singleton pregnancies but may be marred by sampling errors in twin gestations. Where a congenital anomaly has been diagnosed in a twin pregnancy, difficult decisions may have to be made, especially if one twin is unaffected. In these cases, special skills are required to ensure that adequate information, psychological support and optimal medical care are provided.     

Relation of deranged neonatal cerebral oxidative metabolism with neurodevelopmental outcome and head circumference at 4 years

Cerebral oxidative metabolism was studied using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy during the first week of life and neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at 4 years in 62 infants who had clinical and/or biochemical evidence consistent with birth asphyxia (critically impaired intrapartum gas exchange). Twenty-one died and the neurodevelopmental status of the 41 who survived was assessed by a range of tests at age 4 years. The minimum recorded values for the cerebral phosphocreatine:inorganic phosphate concentration ratio (an index of oxidative metabolism) were related to outcome. The results showed significant relations between the extent of derangement of neonatal oxidative metabolism and a range of adverse outcomes, including death, and at 4 years reduced head growth and the presence and severity of neuromotor impairments, overall neurodevelopmental impairments, and cognitive functioning. Strong correlations between the extent of derangement of neonatal oxidative metabolism and outcome at 1 and 4 years were also shown. We conclude that the severities of adverse outcomes at 1 and 4 years of age were closely related to the extent of cerebral energy derangement in the first week of life, and we also conclude that primary intrapartum hypoxic-ischaemic cerebral injury was generally responsible for the events that led to death, microcephaly, and impaired