Hemithyroidectomy is the preferred initial operative approach for an indeterminate fine needle aspiration biopsy diagnosis.

Background: Fine needle aspiration biopsy represents the critical initial diagnostic test used for evaluation of thyroid nodules. Our objectives were to determine the cytological distribution, the utility of clinicopathologic characteristics for predicting malignancy and the true proportion of cancer among individuals who presented with indeterminate cytology and had undergone thyroid surgery for suspicion of cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1040 consecutive primary thyroid operations carried out over an 8-year period at a tertiary care endocrine referral centre.

Determinants of Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT scan sensitivity in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of patient and adenoma characteristics on (99m)Tc-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) scan performance in individuals diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP).

Methods: Records of patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for PHP over 6 years at a single center were reviewed.

Results: The overall true-positive (TP) rate for (99m)Tc-MIBI scans was 56%.

Intact parathyroid hormone measurement 1 hour after thyroid surgery identifies individuals at high risk for the development of symptomatic hypocalcemia.

Background: There is currently no consensus regarding the utilization of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) for predicting postthyroid surgery hypocalcemia. The objective of this study was to determine a threshold value for the 1-hour postoperative iPTH level that can identify those patients at significantly increased risk for the development of symptomatic hypocalcemia.

Methods: A prospective study of 21 individuals undergoing either total or completion thyroid operations was performed.

The cost-effectiveness of three strategies for the surgical treatment of symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism.

Introduction: Modern surgical approaches to the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism [unilateral neck exploration (UNE) and minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP)] have become commonplace in recent years. However, the cost-effectiveness of these strategies has been questioned since the effectiveness of the gold standard, bilateral neck exploration (BNE), is well established. The objective of our study was to determine the incremental cost effectiveness of UNE and MIP compared with BNE for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT).

Utility of intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement in predicting postparathyroidectomy hypocalcemia.

Objective: To evaluate the role of a standardized intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay in predicting postoperative hypocalcemia following parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Study Design: Prospective series of 66 patients undergoing unilateral or bilateral parathyroidectomy between January 2004 and June 2005.

Setting: Tertiary care centre in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: expression profile of targets for therapy offers new insights for disease treatment.

Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer is an endocrine malignancy. Its rare and rapidly lethal disease course has made it challenging to study. Little is known regarding the expression by anaplastic tumors of molecular targets for new human anticancer agents that have been studied in the preclinical or clinical setting.

Normocalcemic parathyroid carcinoma: an unusual clinical presentation.

Background: Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism and may be associated with significant disease related morbidity and mortality. Preoperative diagnosis remains a challenge, which may jeopardize appropriate and successful patient treatment.

Case Presentation: We report a case of parathyroid carcinoma diagnosed in a 60-year-old woman that presented with a tender nodule located at the left lower thyroid pole and had been present for several years.

Selective unilateral parathyroid exploration: an effective treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Unilateral neck exploration (UNE) is a well-recognized approach in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP). The objective of this study was to review the success of an approach involving UNE guided by preoperative sestamibi (SM) scanning.

Methods: All data were gathered by retrospective chart review.

Detecting and defining hypothyroidism after hemithyroidectomy.

Background: The incidence of hypothyroidism after hemithyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease remains uncertain. This study examines the incidence, natural history, and the factors contributing to hypothyroidism after hemithyroidectomy.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy over 37 months was performed.