TY - JOUR
T1 - Ultrasonography for the endocrine surgeon
T2 - A valuable clinical tool that enhances diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes
AU - Milas, Mira
AU - Stephen, Antonia
AU - Berber, Eren
AU - Wagner, Kristin
AU - Miskulin, Judiann
AU - Siperstein, Allan
AU - McHenry, Christopher R.
AU - Snyder, Samuel K.
AU - Harness, Jay K.
AU - Angelos, Pete
PY - 2005/12
Y1 - 2005/12
N2 - Background. Surgeon-performed ultrasonography (U/S) has revolutionized many subspecialties by broadening the diagnostic and interventional scope of practice. We report our experience on the impact of surgeon-performed U/S in an endocrine surgery practice. Methods. Prospectively maintained records of patients from November 1999 to November 2004 were reviewed to establish patterns and outcomes of U/S practice. Surgeon-performed neck U/S was done routinely at the initial clinic visit and incorporated into resident/fellow education. Results. A total of 5703 U/S were performed on endocrine patients with thyroid 42%, parathyroid 57%, and adrenal 1% disorders. Diagnostic fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) was achieved with low sampling errors (<7%). When U/S identified thyroid nodules coexisting with hyperparathyroidism, preoperative FNA correctly established benign thyroid diagnosis and minimized need for thyroidectomy. U/S successfully imaged abnormal parathyroid glands when 99Tc-sestamibi scans were negative. U/S data significantly changed treatment plans in nearly two thirds of thyroid cancer patients. Surgical residents readily mastered essential U/S skills. Conclusions. Surgeon-performed U/S is a highly specific tool for identification of endocrine disease in the neck. It is learned readily and performed accurately, and functions as an informative extension of physical examination. Because it substantially benefits patient care and impacts surgical decision making, neck U/S is recommended highly as a valuable adjunct to endocrine surgical practice.
AB - Background. Surgeon-performed ultrasonography (U/S) has revolutionized many subspecialties by broadening the diagnostic and interventional scope of practice. We report our experience on the impact of surgeon-performed U/S in an endocrine surgery practice. Methods. Prospectively maintained records of patients from November 1999 to November 2004 were reviewed to establish patterns and outcomes of U/S practice. Surgeon-performed neck U/S was done routinely at the initial clinic visit and incorporated into resident/fellow education. Results. A total of 5703 U/S were performed on endocrine patients with thyroid 42%, parathyroid 57%, and adrenal 1% disorders. Diagnostic fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) was achieved with low sampling errors (<7%). When U/S identified thyroid nodules coexisting with hyperparathyroidism, preoperative FNA correctly established benign thyroid diagnosis and minimized need for thyroidectomy. U/S successfully imaged abnormal parathyroid glands when 99Tc-sestamibi scans were negative. U/S data significantly changed treatment plans in nearly two thirds of thyroid cancer patients. Surgical residents readily mastered essential U/S skills. Conclusions. Surgeon-performed U/S is a highly specific tool for identification of endocrine disease in the neck. It is learned readily and performed accurately, and functions as an informative extension of physical examination. Because it substantially benefits patient care and impacts surgical decision making, neck U/S is recommended highly as a valuable adjunct to endocrine surgical practice.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=29144503710&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=29144503710&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.surg.2005.08.032
DO - 10.1016/j.surg.2005.08.032
M3 - Article
C2 - 16360408
AN - SCOPUS:29144503710
SN - 0039-6060
VL - 138
SP - 1193
EP - 1201
JO - Surgery
JF - Surgery
IS - 6
ER -