Argon-helium cryoablation treatment of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the thyroid:A case report and literature review

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma is an extremely rare malignant thyroid tumor.Thyroid sarcoma differs from common malignant thyroid tumors,such as thyroid follicular cell carcinoma.It is usually highly malignant,progresses rapidly,and is prone to remote metastasis.Currently,there is no standard protocol for the treatment of thyroid sarcomas,and most treatment effects are unsatisfactory.Argon-helium cryoablation is an important method of local treatment that is widely used in patients with unresectable advanced tumors.However,owing to the low incidence of thyroid sarcomas,there are no relevant literature reports on the treatment of thyroid sarcomas using cryoablation in China.This study reports the case of a patient with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the thyroid gland who was treated with argon-helium cryoablation,and the immediate outcome was good.Based on a review of relevant literature,we discussed the effectiveness and safety of argon-helium cryoablation treatment,to provide clinical guidance and references for the treatment of patients with thyroid sarcoma.

Extrathyroidal Implantation of Thyroid Hyperplastic/neoplastic Cells after Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery

Objective To report a case of the implantation of thyroid hyperplastic or neoplastic tissue after endoscopic thyroidectomy and discuss this complication in aspects of prevalence, pathogenesis, protection, and therapies. Methods A systematic search of literature from the PubMed database was conducted for identifying eligible studies on implantation of thyroid hyperplastic or neoplastic cells after endoscopic thyroid surgery. Results Overall, 5 reported cases on patients suffering from endoscopic thyroid surgery with implantation of thyroid hyperplastic or neoplastic cells were included in the systematic review. Conclusions Unskilled surgeons, rough intraoperative surgical treatment, scarification or rupture of tumor, contamination of instruments, chimney effect, aerosolization of tumor cells may be associated with the implantation after endoscopic thyroidectomy. To minimize the risk of such complication, we should be more meticulous and strict the endoscopic surgery indications.

Successful fiberoptic orotracheal intubation by lifting large thyroid mass and tongue protrusion in left lateral position:a case report

Introduction:Awake fiberoptic bronchoscopy has long been considered the criterion standard for the management of difficult airways because of large thyroid malignancies.After an unsuccessful attempt to intubate with a fiberoptic bronchoscope in the supine position,the decision to switch to the left lateral position was made.We present this case to propose the utilization of the lateral position for awake intubation.Case presentation:We report a rare case of a patient with a large papillary carcinoma of the thyroid planned for surgical excision.The patient presented to our hospital with complaints of difficulty breathing while lying down in the supine position and oozing blood from the necrotic tissue.The breathing difficulties subsided in the lateral position.Conclusion:We demonstrated how the left lateral position with an adjunct maneuver facilitates intubation in large thyroid malignancies.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of endocrine disease

The hormonal interactions among the systems throughout the body are not fully understood; many vague clinical symptoms may in fact be manifestations of underlying endocrine diseases. The aim of the following review is to discuss gastrointestinal manifestations of surgically correctable endocrine diseases, focusing on abnormalities of thyroid function, cancer and finally autoimmune diseases. We also review manifestations of pancreatic endocrine tumors, and multiple endocrine neoplasia.

Levels of chemical element contents in thyroid as potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis (a preliminary study)

Aim:Thyroid cancer is an internationally important health problem.The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether significantchanges in the thyroid tissue levels of Al,B,Ba,Br,Ca,Cl,Cu,Fe,I,K,Li,Mg,Mn,Na,P,S,Si,Sr,V,and Zn exist in the malignantly transformed thyroid.Methods:Thyroid tissue levels of twenty chemical elements were prospectively evaluated in 41 patients with thyroid malignant tumors and 105 healthy inhabitants.Measurements were performed using a combination of non-destructive and destructive methods:instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry,respectively.Tissue samples were divided into two portions.One was used for morphological study while the other was intended for trace element analysis.Results:It was found that contents of Al,B,Br,Ca,Cl,Cu,K,Mg,Mn,Na,P,S,and Si were significantly higher(approximately 3.2,4.6,9.3,1.8,2.3,3.6,1.6,1.6,1.6,1.2,2.5,1.1,and 2.8 times,respectively)while content of I lower(nearly 26 times)in cancerous tissues than in normal tissues.Conclusion:There are considerable changes in chemical element contents in the malignantly transformed tissue of thyroid.