Chapter 22: Thyroid Flashcards
Embryology: thyroid
Forms from the 1st and 2nd pharyngeal arches (not from pouches)
Released from the hypothalamaus; acts on the anterior pituitary gland and causes release of TSH
Thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRF)
Released from the anterior pituitary gland; acts on the thyroid gland to release T3 and T4 (through a mechanism that involves increased cAMP)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
What controls the release of TRF and TSH?
TRF and TSH release are controlled by T3 and T4 through a negative feedback loop
1st branch off the external carotid artery
Superior thyroid artery
Off thyrocervical trunk; supplies both the inferior and superior parathyroids
Inferior thyroid artery
Where do you ligate the inferior thyroid artery?
Ligate close to thyroid to avoid injury to parathyroid glands with thyroidectomy.
Occurs in 1%
- Arises form the innominate or aorta and goes to the isthmus
Ima artery
Drain into internal jugular veins
Superior and middle thyroid veins
Where do superior and middle thyroid veins drain?
Internal jugular vein
Where does the inferior thyroid vein drain?
Innominate vein
Nerve:
- Motor to cricothyroid muscle
- Runs lateral to thyroid lobes
- Tracks close to superior thyroid artery but is variable
- Injury results in loss of projection and easy voice fatiguability (opera singers)
Superior laryngeal nerve
Nerve:
- Motor to all of larynx except cricothyroid muscle
- Runs posterior to thyroid lobes in the tracheoesophageal groove
- Can track with inferior thyroid artery but variable.
Recurrent laryngeal nerve
Where does recurrent laryngeal nerve run?
Posterior to thyroid lobes in the tracheoesophageal groove
Path of right vs left recurrent laryngeal nerve
Left RLN: loops around aorta
Right RLN: loops around innominate artery
What can happen with injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
Injury results in hoarseness; bilateral injury can obstruct airway -> need emergency tracheostomy
What can happen with injury to the superior laryngeal nerve?
Injury results in loss of projection and easy voice fatiguability (opera singers)
Nerve:
- Occurs in 2%
- More common on the right
Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve
Nerve: risk of injury is higher for this nerve during thyroid surgery
Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve
Posterior medial suspensory ligament close to recurrent laryngeal nerves; need careful dissection.
Ligament of Berry.
Stores T3 and T4 in colloid
Thyroglobulin
Ratio of plasma T4:T3
15: 1.
- T3 is the more active form (is tyrosine + iodine)
Tyrosine + iodine
T3
How is most T3 produced?
Most T3 is produced in the periphery from T4 to T3 conversion by deiodinases
Link iodine and tyrosine together
Peroxidases
Separate iodine from tyrosine
Deiodinases
Thyroid hormone transport; binds the majority of T3 and T4 in circulation
Thyroxine-binding globulin
Most sensitive indicator of gland function
TSH
Most lateral, posterior extension of thyroid tissue
- Rotate medially to find recurrent laryngeal nerves.
Tubercles of Zuckerkandl
What portion of the thyroid is left behind with subtotal thyroidectomy?
Tubercles of Zuckerkandl secondary to proximity to RLNs.
- Tubercles of Zuckerkandl: most lateral, posterior extension of thyroid tissue.
Produce calcitonin
Parafollicular C cells
Goals of thyroxine treatment
TSH levels should fall 50%
Long term side effect of thyroxine treatment
Osteoporosis
Treatment for post-thyroidectomy stridor
Open neck and remove hematoma emergently -> can result in airway compromise, can also be due to bilateral RLN injury -> would need emergent tracheostomy.
Symtoms: Tachycardia, fever, numbness, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, high-output cardiac failure (MCC death)
Thyroid storm
MCC death in thyroid storm
High output cardiac failure
When is thyroid storm MC post-operatively??
MC after surgery in patient with undiagnosed Grave’s disease
Treatment: thyroid storm
Beta-blockers, PTU, Lugol’s solution (KI), cooling blankets, oxygen, glucose.
- Emergent thyroidectomy rarely indicated.
First line treatment of thyroid storm
Beta-blockers
- Very effective for thyroid storm
- Pt given high doses of iodine (Lugol’s solution, potassium iodide), which inhibits TSH action on thyroid and inhibits organic coupling of iodide, resulting in less T3 and T4 release
Wolff-Chaikoff effect
90% of thyroid nodules are..
Benign and in females
Best initial test for a thyroid nodule
FNA and thyroid function tests
Tx: FNA shows follicular cells
Lobectomy (10% CA risk)
Tx: FNA shows thyroid CA
Thyroidectomy or lobectomy and appropriate treatment
Tx: FNA shows cyst fluid
Drain fluid.
- If it secures or is bloody -> lobectomy
Tx: FNA shows colloid tissue
Most likely colloid goiter; low chance of malignancy (
Tx: FNA shows normal thyroid tissue and TFTs are elevate
Likely solitary toxic nodule.
- Tx: if asymptomatic can just monitor; PTU and I(131) if symptomatic.
FNA: % determinate vs % indeterminate
- Determinant in 80% -> follow appropriate treatments.
- Indeterminate in 20% -> get radionuclide study
If FNA is indeterminate?
Get radionuclide study.
Will show..
- Hot nodule vs Cold nodule
Tx: hot nodule on radionuclide study
If asymptomatic can monitor. PTU and I(131) is symptomatic.
Tx: cold nodule on radionuclide study
Lobectomy (more likely malignant than hot nodule)
Any abnormal thyroid enlargement
Goiter
Most identifiable cause of goiter
Iodine deficiency
- Tx: iodine replacement
Diffuse thyroid enlargement without evidence of functional abnormalities
Nontoxic colloid goiter
When would you operate on goiter?
Unusual to have to operate unless goiter is causing airway compression or there is a suspicious nodule.
- Tx: subtotal or total thyroidectomy for symptoms or if suspicious nodule; subtotal has decreased risk of RLN injury.
Goiter:
- Usually secondary (vessels originate from superior and inferior thyroid arteries)
- Primary substernal goiter - rare (vessels originate from innominate artery)
Substernal goiter
Most likely from acquired disease with inferior extensions of a normally placed gland (e.g. substernal goiter)
Mediastinal thyroid tissue
- Occurs in 10%
Extends form the isthmus toward the thymus
Pyramidal lobe
Thyroid tissue that persists in foramen cecum at the base of the tongue.
- S/S: dysphagia, dyspnea, dysphonia
- 2% malignancy risk
- Is the only thyroid tissue in 70% of patients who have it
Lingual thyroid
Tx: lingual thyroid
Thyroxine suppression, abolish with I(131)
- Resection if worried about CA or if it does not shrink after medical therapy.
- Classically moves upward with swallowing
- Susceptible to infection and may be premalignant
Thyroglossal duct cyst
Tx: resection -> need to take mid portion or all of hyoid bone alone with the thyroglossal duct cyst (Sistrunk procedure)
Treatment of thyroglossal duct cysts
Sistrunk procedure:
- Resection -> take mid portion or all of hyoid bone along with the thyroglossal duct cyst.
Indications for propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole
Young patients.
Small goiters.
Mild T3 and T4 elevation.
- Safe in pregnancy
- Inhibits peroxidases and prevents iodine-tyrosine coupling
- Side effects: aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis (rare)
PTU (thioamides)
- Inhibits peroxidases and prevents iodine-tyrosine coupling
- Side effects: cretinism in newborns (crosses placenta), aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis (rare)
Methimazole
- Good for patients who are poor surgical risks or unresponsive to PTU
- Do not use in children or during pregnancy -> can traverse placenta
Radioactive iodine (I-131)
- Good for cold nodules, toxic adenomas or multi nodular goiters not responsive to medical therapy, pregnant patients not controlled with PTU, compressive symptoms
Thyroidectomy
Best time to operate on thyroid during pregnancy.
2nd trimester: decreased risk of teratogenic events and premature labor.
Operation can leave the patient euthyroid
Subtotal thyroidectomy
Symptoms: women, exophthalmos, pretrial edema, atrial fibrillation, heat intolerance, thirst, increased appetite, weight loss, sweating, palpitations
Graves’ disease
MCC hyperthyroidism (80%)
Graves’ disease
What is the cause of Grave’s disease?
Caused by IgG antibodies to TSH receptor (long-acting thyroid stimulates [LATS], thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin [TSI])
Decreased TSH.
Increased T3 and T4.
LATS level.
Diffuse increase in 123-i uptake (thyroid scan).
Graves’ disease
Tx: Graves’ disease
Thioamides (50% recurrence)
131-i (5% recurrence)
Thyroidectomy if medical therapy fails.
Graves’ disease: pre-op preparation
PTU until euthyroid. B-blocker. Lugol’s solution for 14 days to decrease friability and vascularity (start only after euthyroid).
Graves’ disease: operation
Bilateral subtotal (5% recurrence) or total thyroidectomy (need lifetime thyroxine replacement)
Graves’ disease: indications for surgery
Noncompliant patient, reucrrence after medical therapy, children, pregnant women not controlled with PTU, or concomitant suspicious thyroid nodule
- Women, age > 50 years, usually nontoxic 1st
- Symptoms: tachycardia, weight loss, insomnia, airway compromise, symptoms can be precipitated by contrast dyes
- Caused by hyperplasia secondary to chronic low-grade TSH stimulation
Toxic multinodular goiter
Tx: toxic multinodular goiter
Most consider surgery (subtotal or total thyroidectomy) the preferred initial treatment for toxic multi nodular goiter, but a trial of i-131 should be considered, especially in the elderly and frail.
- If compression of a suspicious nodule is present, need to go with surgery
- Women, younger, usually > 3cm to be symptomatic, function autonomously.
Single toxic nodule
Dx and Tx: Single toxic nodule
Dx: thyroid scan (hot nodule) - 20% of hot nodules eventually cause symptoms
Tx: thioamides and 131-i (95% effective). lobectomy if medical treatment ineffective
Rare causes of hyperthyroidism
Trophoblastic tumors, TSH-secreting pituitary tumors.
MCC hypothyroidism in adults
Hashimoto’s disease
- Enlarged gland, painless, chronic thyroiditis
- Women, history of childhood XRT
- Can cause thyrotoxicosis in the acute early stage
Hashimoto’s disease
What causes Hashimotos’ disease?
- Caused by both humeral and cell-mediated autoimmune disease (microsomal and thyroglobulin antibodies)
- Goiter secondary to lack of organification of trapped iodide inside gland
What does pathology show for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
Pathology shows a lymphocytic infiltrate
Tx: Hashimotos’ thryoidits
Thyroxine (first line), partial thyroidectomy if continues to grow despite thyroxine, if nodules appear, or if compression symptoms occur
- Usually secondary to contiguous spread
- Bacterial URI usual precursors (staph/strep)
- Normal thyroid function tests, fever, dysphagia, tenderness
Bacterial thyroiditis (rare)
Tx: bacterial thyroiditis
Antibiotics
- May need lobectomy to r/o CA in pts w/ unilateral swelling and tenderness.
- May need total thyroidectomy for persistent inflammation
- Can be a/w hyperthyroidism initially
- Viral URI precursor, tender thyroid, sore throat, mass, weakness, fatigue, women.
- Elevated ESR.
De Quervain’s thyroiditis
Tx: De Quervain’s thyroiditis
Steroids and ASA
- May need lobectomy to r/o CA in pts w/ unilateral swelling and tenderness.
- May need total thyroidectomy for persistent inflammation
- Woody, fibrous component that can involve adjacent strap muscles and carotid sheath
- Can resemble thyroid CA or lymphoma (need biopsy)
- Disease frequently results in hypothyroidism and compression symptoms
Riedel’s fibrous struma (rare)
What is Riedel’s fibrous struma associated with?
Sclerosing cholangitis.
Fibrotic disease.
Methysergide Tx.
Retroperitoneal fibrosis.
Tx: Riedel’s fibrous struma
Steroids and thyroxine
- May need isthmectomy or tracheostomy for airway symptoms
- If resection needed, watch for RLNs.
Most common endocrine malignancy in the US
Thyroid cancer
% Chance of malignancy with follicular cells on FNA
5-10% chance of malignancy
DDx follicular cells on FNA
Follicular cell adenoma vs follicular hyperplasia vs follicular cell CA
Thyroid CA: characteristics with increased chance of malignancy
Solid, solitary, cold, slow growing, hard, male, age > 50, previous neck XRT, MEN 2a or 2b
DDx: sudden growth of thyroid cancer
Could be hemorrhage into previously undetected nodule or malignancy
Patients can present with voice changes or dysphagia
Think about thyroid cancer
- Colloid, embryonal, fetal -> no increased cancer risk.
- Tx: still need lobectomy to prove it is an adenoma
Follicular adenoma
MC (85%) thyroid cancer
Papillary thyroid carcinoma
- Least aggressive, slow growing, has the best prognosis; women, children
- Older age (>40-50yrs) predicts a worst prognosis.
- Children are more likely to be node positive (80%) than are adults (20%)
Papillary thyroid carcinoma
Risk factors of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Childhood XRT (very increased risk) -> MC tumor following neck XRT
How do you ascertain prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma?
Lymphatic spread 1st but is not prognostic -> prognosis based on local invasion
Papillary thyroid CA: mets?
Rare - lung
Path: papillary thyroid CA
psammoma bodies (calcium) and Orphan Annie nuclei
Tx: papillary thyroid CA
- Minimal/incidental ( 1cm
- Clinically + cervical LN: need ipsilateral MRND
- Extrathyroidal tissue involvement: need ipsilateral MRND
- Mets, residual local disease, +LN, capsular invasion -> 131-i (4-6wks after surgery
- XRT only for unresectable disease not responsive to 131-i
When would you do total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma?
Bilateral lesions, multicentricity, history of XRT, positive margins, tumors > 1cm
Survival rate papillary thyroid CA
95% 5-year survival rate; death secondary to local disease
Dx: enlarged lateral neck lymph node that shows normal-appearing thyroid tissue.
Tx: ?
Dx: Papillary thyroid CA with lymphatic spread (lateral aberrant thyroid tissue)
Tx: total thyroidectomy and MRND; 131-i (4-6weeks after surgery)
- Hematogenous spread (bone most common) -> 50% have metastatic disease at the time of presentation.
- More aggressive than thyroid papillary cell CA; older adults (50-60s), women
Follicular thyroid carcinoma