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Biomedical subjects

S E Kountakis

Publications and source records attributed to S E Kountakis.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Superior mediastinal dissection in the treatment of Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid.

BACKGROUND: Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid frequently metastasizes to regional lymph nodes. Delayed lymph node dissection may become necessary, adding little risk to patient survivability; however, metastatic disease to the superior mediastinum that cannot be promptly detected, represents a survival threat that deserves special attention. The purpose of this study is to review our experience in managing Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid and make recommendations for appropriate treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 371 thyroid neoplasms seen between 1987 and 1994 yielded six patients with Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland. These include three cases treated with thyroidectomy and transcervical superior mediastinal dissection (SMD) as initial treatment and three cases treated with thyroidectomy alone. RESULTS: Of the three patients treated with SMD as part of their initial treatment, one had occult micrometastases to the superior mediastinum. All three patients remain alive and disease free at least 3 years later, whereas all three patients treated with thyroidectomy alone developed superior mediastinal metastases and died of their disease. CONCLUSION: We propose that at the time of initial surgery, a transcervical SMD may prevent spread to the superior mediastinum and therefore, improve survivability.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors associated with hearing loss in neonates.

PURPOSE: To identify the risk factors associated with hearing loss in our neonatal patient population and compare them to the ones listed by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 50 consecutive infants with hearing impairment by auditory brainstem response (ABR) audiometry were reviewed retrospectively and were compared with the records of 50 randomly selected newborns that had normal hearing. RESULTS: In our review, only five of 18 variables were found to be associated with hearing impairment. These are: hyperbilirubinemia, craniofacial anomalies (CFA), length of stay in the intensive care unit, respiratory distress syndrome, and retrolental fibroplasia. The last three variables are not listed in the high-risk register published by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide for additional risk factors that may be used in infant-hearing screening programs.

Audiometry, Evoked Response↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Parathyroid adenomas: is bilateral neck exploration necessary?

PURPOSE: The traditional surgical treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism is bilateral neck exploration with identification of all parathyroid glands. Multiple investigators who recommend initial unilateral neck exploration based on more advanced localization studies have recently challenged this approach. We reviewed our experience with primary hyperparathyroidism to determine if localization study-aided unilateral neck exploration is sufficient for a cure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients underwent surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism. Forty-four patients were treated with localization study-aided unilateral neck exploration, and 24 patients were treated with bilateral neck exploration without preoperative localization studies. The most successful preoperative localization study was the technetium 99m sestamibi (T99mS) scan which correctly identified the location of adenomas in all cases in which it was used (n = 15). All patients were treated with unilateral neck exploration and were cured. This success was matched only by surgical exploration (n = 24). CONCLUSION: Unilateral neck exploration based on the results of a T99mS scan can be used as an initial approach for primary hyperparathyroidism if the scan identifies a solitary lesion. The second gland on the same side of the lesion should be biopsied, and if it is normal, the opposite side of the neck may be left undisturbed. If the second gland is not normal, or if the T99mS scan shows multiple lesions, bilateral neck exploration should be performed.

Adenoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recurrent atypical fibroxanthoma of the cheek.

We report a case of recurrent atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) of the preauricular area that recurred after Mohs micrographic surgery. AFX is a benign cutaneous fibrohistiocytic tumor that is most commonly found in elderly patients. Although these tumors are benign, they may mimic spindle cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma on histologic examination. AFX tumors rarely recur or metastasize. Wide excision is recommended for the achievement of the best results.

Aged↗