Chapter 22- Thyroid+ Flashcards
What embryologic structures are the thyroid derived from?
- 1st and 2nd pharyngeal pouches
- Tissue from foramen cecum at base of tongue
- Migrates inferior through thyroglossal duct
- 4th pouch contributes c-cells
Where is thyrotropin-releasing factor released from? What does it act on?
Hypothalamus -> anterior pituitary gland - release of TSH.
Where is TSH released from? What are its effects?
Anterior pituitary gland; acts on thyroid to release T3 and T4
How are TRH and TSH release regulated?
By T3 and T4 via negative feedback loop
Where does the superior thyroid artery originate?
1st branch of external carotid artery
What is the origin of the inferior thyroid artery?
Thyrocervical trunk; supplies inferior AND superior parathyroids
Where should the inferior thyroid artery be ligated during thyroidectomy?
Close to thyroid to avoid injury to parathyroid glands and nerves
What is the Ima artery?
Occurs in 1%, arises from innominate/brachiocephalic or aorta and goes to the isthmus
Where do the superior and middle thyroid veins drain?
Internal jugular
Where does the inferior thyroid vein drain?
Innominate (brachiocephalic) vein and
How common are nonrecurrent laryngeal nerves?
2-3%, more common on right. Comes right off vagus.
Where does the superior laryngeal nerve run? What does it supply?
Runs laterally to thyroid lobes, close to superior thyroid artery; motor to cricothyroid.
What does loss of superior laryngeal nerve cause?
Loss of projection and easy voice fatigability (opera singers).
Where do the recurrent laryngeal nerves run? What do they innervate?
- Runs posterior to thyroid lobes in the tracheoesophageal groove
- Usually posterior to inferior thyroid artery
- L. loops around aorta.
- R. loops around right sublclavian.
- Provides motor to all of the larynx except cricothyroid (ext br of superior laryngeal n).
What does injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve cause?
Hoarseness; bilateral injury can obstruct airway needing airway control, laryngoscopy, possibly emergent trach.
Scenario will be a purposefully sacrificed nerve 2/2 invasion, and a nonvisualized contralateral nerve.
What is and where is the ligament of Berry?
Posterior medial thyroid suspensory ligament close to RLNs; use careful dissection around this area.
There are often small branches from the inferior thyroid, so if bleeding occurs, hold pressure and identify the nerve before ligating/cauterizing.
What is the function of thyroglobulin?
Precursor to production of and storage of T3/T4 in colloid.
What is the plasma T4:T3 ratio?
15:1
Is T3 or T4 more biologically active?
T3; most produced in periphery by T4 to T3 conversion by peroxidases
What enzyme links/separates tyrosine and iodine?
Peroxidase (drug target)
What is the most sensitive lab indicator of thyroid gland function?
TSH. This is the first lab test for thyroid nodule workup. US and FNA are the other two required tests.
What does thyroid-binding globulin do?
Thyroid hormone transport; T3/T4 also binds albumin
Can be followed postop thyroidectomy after PTC.
Where are the Tubercles of Zuckerkandl?
Most lateral, posterior extension of thyroid tissue; rotate medially to find RLNs; left behind in subtotal thyroidectomies (not done often, only for benign dz)
What do parafollicular C cells produce?
- Calcitonin
- counteracts PTH
- lowers Ca by inhibiting osteoclasts
- increased in MTC
What is the resin T3 uptake measure?
- Measures free T3 by having it bind resin
- Increased uptake = hyperthyroidism or low TBG
- Decreased uptake = hypothyroidism or high TBG
What should TSH levels do with thyroxine treatment?
Fall to 50%
What is a long-term side effect of thyroxine?
Osteoporosis
What is the treatment for post-thyroidectomy stridor and neck swelling?
- Impending airway compromise
- Suspect hematoma
- Emergent bedside decompression
- Re-open neck down past strap muscles
- Secure airway w/ ETT
- OR for wound exploration
- Hx: M w/ Grave’s and previous neck surgery
Symptoms of thyroid storm?
- Ramped up metabolism: Tachycardia, fever
- Numbness, irritability
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- High output cardiac failure
Thyroid storm can be precipitated by what?
Post-op in undiagnosed Grave’s disease, anxiety, excessive palpation of the gland, adrenergic stimulants.
Make sure a Grave’s thyroidectomy is euthyroid pre-op.
Treatment for thyroid storm?
- Beta-blockers
- PTU (propylthiouracil) - blocks T4-to-T3 conversion
- (Methimazole is less hepatotoxic and preferred in non-life-threatening situations, but cannot be administered as regularly; PTU also better in pregnancy)
- Lugol’s solution (KI) - Wolff-Chaikoff effect dec synthesis
- cooling blankets, oxygen, glucose, fluid
What is the Wolff-Chaikoff effect?
High doses of iodine (Lugol’s solution), which inhibits TSH action on thyroid and inhibits organic coupling of iodide, resulting in less T3/T4
What is the 1st step in workup of asymptomatic thyroid nodule?
TSH. Ultrasound can also be done in conjunction. FNA if concern.
Treatment when FNA shows follicular neoplasm?
- Bethesda IV - cell crowding and/or microfollicle formation without nuclear features of papillary thyroid cancer
- Diagnostic lobectomy (5-10% malignancy risk) if patient is low risk and lesion is worrisome
- Can also repeat FNA and send for molecular diagnostic testing
- Thyroid scintigraphy is also an option
Treatment when FNA shows thyroid CA?
- preoperative US of the central and lateral neck lymph nodes
- <4cm, no extrathyroid extension, LN mets, or aggressive features - lobectomy
- >4cm, extrathyroid extension, lymph node mets, >45yr, prev radx to head/neck, FHx - total thyroidectomy
- ppx central node dissection
- exam or US LN+ - therapeutic dissection - inspect and biopsy nodes, then if positive, resect that region
- RAI
- check for postop hypocalcemia
- levothyroxine at doses to suppress TSH
- surveillance
Treatment when FNA shows cyst fluid?
- Drain fluid; if it recurs, thyroidectomy or lobectomy
- US monitoring is typically performed every 6 to 18 months
- For patients with mixed cystic-solid nodules without suspicious features on ultrasound, do FNA biopsy if the nodules are ≥2 cm
- If the size of the solid component of a complex cystic nodule is >1.5 cm (>1 cm in the presence of suspicious ultrasound features), and biospy not negative, can do surgical resection
Treatment when FNA shows colloid tissue
- Likely colloid goiter; low chance of malignancy (<1%)
- Mgmt: thyroxine, thyroidectomy or lobectomy if it enlarges
Next step in workup of asymptomatic thyroid nodule if FNA is indeterminant (10-25%)?
Redo FNA. Consider thyroidectomy if imaging is concerning.
Treatment for hot nodule on radionuclide study?
- Solitary toxic nodule
- Can attempt Thyroxine for 6mo
- If size does not go down, do lobectomy
Treatment for cold nodule on radionuclide study?
Biopsy and likely thyroidectomy or lobectomy (more likely malignant than hot nodule)
% of thyroid nodules that are benign?
85%
1 cause of goiter?
Iodine deficiency
Treatment for goiter?
Iodine replacement
Definition of nontoxic goiter?
Diffuse enlargement without evidence of functional abnormality
Treatment of nontoxic goiter?
Suppress with thyroxine; 131I, thioamides, subtotal thyroidectomy or lobectomy on side of goiter if medical treatment ineffective
Where does mediastinal thyroid tissue come from?
Most likely from acquired disease with inferior extensions of a normally placed gland
% with pyramidal lobe?
10%; extends from isthmus toward the thymus
Where is a lingual thyroid found?
Thyroid tissue that persists in the are of the foramen cecum at the base of the tongue
Symptoms of lingual thyroid?
Dysphagia, dyspnea, dysphonia
% malignancy risk with lingual thyroid?
2%
Treatment of lingual thyroid?
Thyroxine suppression; abolish with 131I or resection if enlarged
Lingual thyroid is the only thyroid tissue in what % of patients that have it?
70%
Classic sign of thyroglossal duct cyst?
Moves upward with swallowing
Complications of thyroglossal duct cyst?
Can be premalignant, susceptible to infection
Treatment for thyroglossal duct cyst?
Resection; need to take midportion or all of hyoid bone along with the thyroglossal duct cyst
Use of propylthiouracil and methimazole?
Good for young patients, small goiters, mild T3/T4 elevation.
Can be frustrating to get good levels, so patients often end up with surgery or ablation. This treatment is often not definitive.
Mechanism of action of propylthiouracil?
Inhibits peroxidases and prevents DIT and MIT coupling
Side effects of PTU?
- Aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis
- Inc hepatotoxicity compared to methimazole
- Also is not as rapid and does not last as long - requires strict and frequent dosing
MOA of methimazole?
Inhibits peroxidases and prevents DIT and MIT coupling
Side effects of methimazole?
Cretinism in newborns (crosses the placenta), aplastic anemia or agranulocytosis
When is radioactive iodine used?
In patients who are poor surgical risks or unresponsive to PTU.
Can exacerbate Grave’s, and the post-procedural care is a hassle, so many patients opt for surgery if they are candidates.
Postop with high risk cancer (extrathyroid spread, >4 cm, positive nodes)
When is the best time to perform thyroidectomy in pregnant patients?
2nd trimester; decreased risk of teratogenic events and premature labor
Most common cause of hyperthyroidism?
Graves’ disease (80%)