PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Ian J Witterick

Publications and source records attributed to Ian J Witterick.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Three-week thyroxine withdrawal: a thyroid-specific quality of life study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of a 3-week T4 withdrawal test on the quality of life (QOL) of patients undergoing investigation for residual/recurrent well-differentiated thyroid cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective survey study. METHODS: 181 patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer were surveyed using a thyroid-specific QOL-thyroid survey at three times throughout the study: prior to T4 withdrawal, after the 3-week withdrawal period, and 4 weeks after resuming T3/T4 combination therapy. RESULTS: A very small, though statistically significant, reduction was observed in the four domains of QOL defined by the QOL-thyroid survey from baseline values to 3 weeks after T4 withdrawal. The maximal difference was 2.04 (fatigue), out of a possible 10 point score, in the physical well-being category. CONCLUSIONS: The thyroid-specific QOL questionnaire demonstrates a statistically significant though very small and probably not clinically significant reduction in the QOL of thyroid cancer patients undergoing an induced 3-week hypothyroid state. Three-week T4 withdrawal is a simple, cost-effective, and readily available test.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Quality of life in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The extent of thyroidectomy in the management of low-risk, well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) has been debated extensively. Our objective was to determine if hemithyroidectomy has a less detrimental effect on quality of life (QOL) than total thyroidectomy. DESIGN: Prospective, nonblinded, nonrandomized, cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care academic otolaryngology-head and neck surgery practice. METHODS: Using both disease-specific and global QOL instruments, patients treated with either hemi- or total thyroidectomy were prospectively followed. QOL was assessed preoperatively and for 12 months postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on the two QOL instruments throughout a 12-month postoperative period. RESULTS: Patients with cancer experienced a greater drop in QOL during the first 6 months following surgery when compared with patients with benign disease (p < .03). Additionally, patients treated with total thyroidectomy did not have a significantly different QOL than patients treated with hemithyroidectomy (p > .2). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that QOL is not significantly impacted by the extent of surgery and that QOL should not be a factor in the decision-making process for the treatment of low-risk WDTC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Image-guided sinus surgery.

Image-guided sinus surgery is a relatively new technology used to track the position of endoscopic instruments placed within the nose or sinus cavities. The different types of image-guided technologies are reviewed. A review of our experience with 55 patients in whom this technology was used over a 10-month period is presented. Our interpretation of the usefulness and limitations of this technology is described.

Endoscopy↗
PubMed2004

Thyroid colloid nodules diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration: efficacy of suppression.

BACKGROUND: This study reviewed the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and the efficacy of thyroid suppression for colloid nodules in our population to determine the utility of these two modalities on the decision to operate. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective chart review of patients with colloid nodules diagnosed by FNAB from January 1993 to July 1995 was conducted. A 52-patient cohort underwent surgical management, and their needle aspirate cytologies and final pathologies were reviewed. RESULTS: A 7.7% false-negative rate in the detection of thyroid malignancy by FNAB was obtained. This is in keeping with data reported in the literature. Virtually no efficacy of hormonal suppression in our population was found. CONCLUSION: When the literature is reviewed and compared with the results of this study, the use of FNAB as a decision tool to operate is valid. The decision to operate based on the outcome of hormonal suppression, however, is not valid based on our results.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed2003

Predictive value of serum thyroglobulin after surgery for thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between stimulated serum thyroglobulin levels (taken 3 months after total thyroidectomy) and tumor stage and recurrence in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review in a tertiary care institution. METHODS: Two hundred thirteen consecutive patients with well differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated between 1983 and 1998 were identified. Data were collected on clinicopathological variables, stimulated serum thyroglobulin levels obtained 3 months after total thyroidectomy prior to 131I therapy and recurrence. RESULTS: A high postoperative thyroglobulin level was significantly associated with advanced-stage disease at presentation (P =.005, Kruskall-Wallis) but not with any of the other clinicopathological variables. Patients with a thyroglobulin level greater than 20 pmol/L had a significantly increased risk of disease recurrence on univariate analysis (n = 213 [P =.0001, log rank test]), and in the Cox proportional-hazards model, both advanced tumor stage (P =.001, relative hazard, 3.4 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4-4.9]) and a thyroglobulin level greater than 20 pmol/L (P =.001, relative hazard, 5.1 [95% CI: 2.0-13.1]) were significant predictors of recurrence. No other variables significantly altered the hazards model. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced tumor stage at diagnosis and a stimulated thyroglobulin level greater than 20 pmol/L taken 3 months after total thyroidectomy were independent predictors of disease recurrence. Patients with a thyroglobulin level greater than 20 pmol/L are at increased risk of recurrence and may be candidates for more intensive follow-up or additional treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Clinical course of thyroid carcinoma after neck dissection.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to compare the rate and site of recurrences in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma who underwent a central compartment dissection, a posterolateral neck dissection, or a combination of both procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: The charts of 522 consecutive patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma were reviewed, and 74 patients who had undergone a neck dissection were identified. The rates of recurrence in three sites were noted: the central compartment nodes (levels VI, superior mediastinum), posterolateral compartment neck nodes (levels II-V), and distant sites. These rates were compared in patients who underwent a central compartment dissection (level VI, superior mediastinum) and in patients who underwent a posterolateral neck dissection (levels II-V). RESULTS: Six patients underwent only a central compartment dissection, 47 patients had only a posterolateral neck dissection, and 21 patients had both a central compartment and a posterolateral neck dissection. In these three groups there were zero, two, and two central compartment node recurrences; two, nine, and seven posterolateral neck recurrences; and zero, two, and three distant recurrences, respectively. There were no significant differences in the rate of recurrence in any of the three sites examined between any of the three treatment groups (Fisher's Exact test, all P values >.20). CONCLUSION: In patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, dissection of only the central or posterolateral compartments of the neck with clinical or radiographic evidence of disease is advocated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Hürthle cell tumors: using molecular techniques to define a novel classification system.

BACKGROUND: Since ret/PTC gene rearrangements are specific to papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the diagnosis of Hürthle cell PTC (HCPTC) has recently been expanded to include a subset of Hürthle cell tumors (HCTs) that may lack both papillary architecture and/or classic nuclear features but that harbor a ret/PTC gene rearrangement. We hypothesize that such HCPTCs behave in a fashion analogous to other papillary carcinomas, while Hürthle cell carcinomas (HCCs) behave similarly to follicular carcinomas. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: At the conclusion of this article, participants should be able to discuss HCTs and to identify HCPTCS using molecular techniques. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was carried out on 56 patients with HCTs. All pathological specimens were analyzed for ret/PTC gene rearrangements. Hürthle cell adenoma (HCA) was defined as an HCT that did not exhibit capsular and/or vascular invasion and that lacked a ret/PTC gene rearrangement when evaluated by immunohistochemical and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. An HCC was defined as an HCT with capsular and/or vascular invasion that lacked a ret/PTC gene rearrangement, and an HCPTC was defined as any HCT that harbored a ret/PTC gene rearrangement. RESULTS: The subclassification of the 56 HCTs was as follows: 21 HCAs, 15 HCCs, and 20 HCPTCs. No patients with HCA or HCC were ret/PTC positive. Five of the 6 patients with definite lymph node metastasis were in the HCPTC group, demonstrating that molecular analysis helps to explain biological behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Hürthle cell neoplasms can now be classified using histopathological as well as molecular criteria. It appears that the new subclassification of malignant HCTs into follicular (HCC) and papillary (HCPTC) variants identifies 2 distinct biological groups.

Adenoma, Oxyphilic↗
PubMed2002

Underexpression of p27/Kip in thyroid papillary microcarcinomas with gross metastatic disease.

OBJECTIVE: Papillary microcarcinomas (PMCs) of the thyroid (measuring less than 1 cm in maximum dimension) are extremely common incidental histologic findings, and most of these tumors are not considered clinically significant. However, rare PMCs behave aggressively and metastasize early, giving rise to clinically significant metastatic disease. We hypothesized that p27 and MIB-1/Ki-67 immunoreactivity would allow us to identify this small subgroup of PMCs that have the potential to behave aggressively. METHODS: We reviewed the histopathology reports of 2000 patients who underwent thyroid surgery at our institution between 1995 and 1999 and identified 22 patients who presented with gross regional metastases from a primary PMC. The primary and metastatic tumors were stained for ret, p53, p27, and MIB-1 using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique. A control group of 33 nonmetastasizing PMCs was also analyzed. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity for ret, p53, and MIB-1 showed no difference between metastasizing and nonmetastasizing PMCs. In most tumors, ret was present, while p53 immunoreactivity was absent in all tumors. MIB-1 staining was present in a small number of cells in both groups of tumors. Immunoreactivity for p27 was quantitated by the intensity of expression as well as the distribution of positive cells within each tumor. All tumors showed lower p27 expression than normal thyroid tissue. However, metastasizing PMCs demonstrated a significantly lower expression of p27 than nonmetastasizing PMCs (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that p27 immunohistochemical analysis may be a valuable diagnostic tool in predicting aggressive potential in PMCs.

Antigens, Nuclear↗
PubMed2002

Thyroid calcification and its association with thyroid carcinoma.

AIM: Calcification within the thyroid gland may occur in both benign and malignant thyroid disease, and its detection on ultrasonography is frequently dismissed by many clinicians as an incidental finding of little significance. As a tertiary referral center, most of our thyroid patients will have had thyroid ultrasonography before being referred to us, and in our experience, the incidence of malignancy in a thyroid nodule containing calcification seems to be higher than that in the average thyroid nodule. To assess this risk, we conducted this retrospective review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our analysis included 462 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid surgery at our institution between 1995 and 1999. We reviewed all the patients' charts for data regarding clinical findings, preoperative diagnostic investigations, and histopathologic diagnosis. Of the 462 patients, 361 (78.1%) had thyroid ultrasonography before surgery, and 49 (13.6%) of these ultrasounds showed intrathyroidal calcification. RESULTS: Of the 49 patients whose ultrasounds showed intrathyroidal calcification, 29 (59.2%) were found on histopathologic examination to have thyroid carcinoma. Twelve of the remaining 20 patients had multinodular goiters. Of the 29 patients with malignancy, seven (24.1%) had preoperative fine-needle aspirates that were reported as benign. After excluding patients who were initially seen with multinodular disease, in the subset of 37 patients who presented with a solitary thyroid lesion with calcification, 28 (75.7%) were found to have carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: When calcification is noted within a solitary thyroid nodule, the risk of malignancy is very high. Surgery should be recommended regardless of the result of fine-needle aspiration cytologic findings.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed2002

Correlation of biochemical parameters with single parathyroid adenoma weight and volume.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of the biochemical parameters serum phosphate, serum calcium, and serum parathyroid hormone levels with respect to parathyroid adenoma weight and volume in primary hyperparathyroidism. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of 63 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism from 1992 to 1998. METHODS: Single parathyroid adenomas were identified from surgical pathology reports. Preoperative calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone levels were collected from charts. The volume of the adenoma was calculated using a mathematical equation for the volume of an ellipsoid object. The data were analyzed using a multiple analysis of variance, and a correlation coefficient was calculated. The level of significance was set at p < or = .05. RESULTS: With respect to adenoma volume, there was a significant correlation with serum calcium and parathormone levels (p = .0001 and p = .0001, respectively). There was no significant correlation between serum phosphate and adenoma volume. With respect to adenoma weight, there was a significant correlation with serum calcium and parathormone levels (p = .0001 and p = .0001, respectively). There was no significant correlation between serum phosphate and adenoma weight. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum calcium and parathormone levels may be able to predict adenoma weight and volume in primary hyperparathyroidism for a single adenoma.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2002

Control of bleeding in endoscopic sinus surgery: use of a novel gelatin-based hemostatic agent.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether FloSeal Matrix Hemostatic Sealant is a safe and effective means of controlling bleeding post-endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and to assess postoperative healing. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: University of Toronto. METHODS: Eighteen patients with FloSeal placed on a total of 30 operative sites post-ESS. Time to cessation of bleeding was assessed intraoperatively. Patients had the operative sites assessed at 30 days postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effectiveness of FloSeal in controlling bleeding and aiding in healing of the operative site. RESULTS: FloSeal adequately controls postoperative bleeding in patients post-ESS. Healing was also not adversely affected. CONCLUSIONS: FloSeal is a safe and effective treatment for controlling blood loss after EES. It may also provide support to the middle meatus as well as improve healing of the operative site compared with the use of traditional nasal packing. However, randomized clinical trials are needed to further evaluate this.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Parotid gland tumours in 255 consecutive patients: Mount Sinai Hospital's quality assurance review.

Parotid neoplasms represent a diverse group of tumours found in the head and neck. Complications following parotidectomy, including Frey's syndrome, facial nerve paralysis, sialoceles, and parotid fistulae, have been well documented. A retrospective review of 255 patients treated surgically for parotid masses over an 8-year period at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto was reviewed as part of a quality assurance program. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for fine-needle aspiration cytology were analyzed. The incidence of benign and malignant lesions is presented. The complications following parotidectomy are reviewed and in our series are consistent with the figures published in the literature.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Acute bacterial sinusitis in adults: management in the primary care setting.

Sinus disease is inherently associated with viral upper respiratory tract infections and occurs in 90% of individuals with the common cold. Acute bacterial sinusitis occurs in 0.5 to 2% of these individuals. Although the diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis is usually based on physical findings, no one sign or symptom is either sensitive or specific for sinusitis. The predictive power can be significantly improved when all signs and symptoms are combined into a clinical impression. Imaging studies have not been shown to be cost effective in the initial assessment and treatment of patients in the primary care setting. Simple plain films may be indicated to resolve the diagnosis in patients with an equivocal history or to follow patients admitted to hospital with severe sinus disease. The initial management of acute sinusitis should be directed toward the relief of symptoms with a 7-day course of decongestants and mucoevacuents. For patients who fail to improve with symptomatic treatment, a 10-day course of amoxicillin is recommended. Second line antibiotics should be initiated if improvement is not seen within 72 to 96 hours.

Adult↗