title: Pre-surgical road map for thyroid cancer and large goiters: Practical benefits of detailed radiological evaluation by surgeon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pre-surgical radiological evaluation of neck is often mandatory for surgical planning in high risk thyroid cancer and large goiters. Frequently, surgeons are overdependent on radiologist's report. In this context, we analysed the practical benefits of surgeon's independent radiological evaluation in our institutional experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study was conducted in Endocrine Surgery department of a teaching hospital in South India. Cases operated between January 2011 and June 2012 (18 months) were included. Films of cross-sectional imaging were read in detail by primary and assistant surgeons in correlation with stepwise operative planning and documented. Cases with additional radiological signs on surgeon's evaluation, which were missing in radiologist's report are discussed in detail.
  
  
  RESULTS
  F: M ratio is 67:24. Mean age was 45.3 ± 9.8 years (37 - 76). Forty-seven cases of thyroid cancer and 44 cases of large goiters were analysed. Surgeon read additional signs such as obliterated fat plane between goiter and subcutaneous plane; level I lymph nodes; bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, internal jugular vein thrombus, and pharyngeal invasion helped in pre-operatively planned modification of operative steps for optimal R0 resection and total thyroidectomy. A mean of 1.42 ± 0.83 (1 - 6), additional signs were detected on surgeon's radiological evaluation compared to radiologist's report in 41.7% of cases. These findings modified the pre-operative plan, facilitating better surgical outcome in 28.6% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In high-risk thyroid cancer and large goiters, detailed radiological evaluation by surgeon facilitates optimal surgical resection and superior outcome compared to radiologist report-guided surgery.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Endocrine Surgeon, Endocare Hospital, Vijayawada; Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Surgery, Ex-Associate Professor of Endocrine Surgery, Mamata Medical College, Khammam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ramakanth Bhargav
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Panchangam
authors.forename: Satyam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guntupalli
authors.forename: Thotakura
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seetharamaiah
authors.forename: Uday Shamrao
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Kumbhar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D066231:Surgeons; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*