The article reviewed the update to thyroidology from January 20ll,introducing the recent progress in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules,thyroid cancers,and Graves ophthalmopathy.Meanwhile several guidelines related to thyroid diseases published during this period were also evaluated.

Objective To observe the clinical effect of lithium carbonate on hyperthyroidism.Methods Forty-seven cases of hyperthyroidism with abnormal hepatic function and/or leucopenia were recruited from January 2010 to January 2012.Thyroid function,adverse reactions,and clinical outcome of patients treated with lithium carbonate were observed and recorded before and after treatment.Results Thyroid function,liver function,and leucopenia in all patients were improved markedly after treatment.Among the treated patients,9 cases resulted in complete remission and had the drug discontinued,11 cases received radioactive iodine therapy afterwards,6 cases underwent surgical treatment,16 cases continued to use the same drug,and 5 cases were lost during follow-up.No obvious adverse reaction appeared during the treatment.Conclusions Lithium carbonate can be effectively used in patients with hyperthyroidism complicated by leukopenia or liver damage.It is also indicated during preparation for radioactive iodine or surgical treatment in patients with thyrotoxicosis.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of hypogonadism in male type 2 diabetic patients.Methods A total of 213 male patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled and divided into low testosterone group (n=75) and normal testosterone group (n=138). Blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, serum insulin and sex hormones including total testosterone (TT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), progesterone, prolactin, estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were measured in all patients.The correlations between the metabolic index and sex hormone levels were analyzed.Results Compared with normal testosterone group, body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin (FINS), and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were significantly increased in low testosterone group(all P<0.05)while LH, FSH, and SHBG levels were significantly decreased(all P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that TT was negatively correlated with FINS and HOMA-IR(r=-0.142,-0.154, both P<0.05)while positively correlated with LH and FSH (r=0.157, 0.138, both P<0.05).TT level in patients with metabolic syndrome(MS) was significantly decreased (P<0.05).A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that BMI, MS, HOMA-IR, and LH were significant independent risk factors for hypogonadism.Conclusions Hypogonadism often occurs in male patients with type 2 diabetes,especially in patients with MS.BMI, HOMA-IR, LH, and MS are risk factors for hypogonadism in male type 2 diabetic patients.

Active surveillance ( AS ) is now regarded as an alternative strategy of treatment for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma ( PTMC) . Most cases of newly diagnosed thyroid cancer are small indolent microcarcinoma and could be good candidates for AS instead of immediate surgery. Many considerations must be taken into account for establishing selection criteria suitable for AS of PTMC, including the characteristics of the tumor, the patient, and the medical team. If possible, AS of PTMC should be a part of a prospective clinical trial to ensure long-term safety and to identify clinical and ( or) molecular markers of the progression of PTMC. In this review, we discuss lessons regarding surgical interventions for PTMC, and then describe the concept, application, caveats, unanswered questions, and future perspectives of AS for PTMC. For appropriately selected patients with PTMC, AS can be a good alternative to immediate surgery.

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) in treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). A total of 12 PHPT patients with parathyroid adenoma were treated with MWA in Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from May 2019 to February 2021. The patients were followed up once every 3 months for 3-12 months. Levels of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and phosphorus were detected before and 20 min, 4h and 1day after ablation, and during follow-up period. The volume and volume reduction rate of parathyroid lesion were compared before the treatment and at the end of follow-up. The technical and clinical success of MWA were assessed as well. At the end of follow-up, median serum PTH [66.60 (42.21,80.03) ng/L vs.169.90 (89.01,396.50) ng/L] and calcium [2.39 (2.32,2.49) mmol/L vs. 2.75 (2.57,2.96) mmol/L] levels in 12 patients decreased significantly (all P<0.05). A complete response in terms of PTH and calcium levels was achieved in 6 of the 12 patients, while 4 of the patients had slightly elevated PTH levels just above the upper limit of normal reference range, and 2 of the patients remained abnormal PTH and calcium levels. The clinical cure rate was 50%. The volumes of all lesion after ablation were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), with the technical success rate reaching 92.3%. No serious complications were observed. Ultrasound-guided MWA, thus, is safe and effective in the treatment of PHPT.

Objective:To compare the short-term efficacy and the safety of microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (BTNs).Methods:This prospective randomized controlled trial, performed from December 2019 to September 2021, included 36 patients with solid or predominantly solid BTNs who met the eligibility criteria and provided written informed consent at the Nanjing sub-center (Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine). Patients were assigned to either the MWA group or the RFA group (18 patients in each group) at a ratio of 1∶1 using a block randomization design and allocation concealment using sealed envelope randomization. The independent-sample t-test and χ2 test were used to compare the volume reduction rates (VRRs), effective rates (VRRs≥50%), cosmetic scores, and complication rates at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment between the two groups. Results:The clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients were comparable. After ablation, the nodule volume was significantly reduced in both groups. At 1, 3, and 6 months, there was no significant difference in the volume between the two groups (all P>0.05). At 3 months, the RFA group had a larger VRRs than that in the MWA group (62.08%±12.46% vs. 46.90%±23.16%, t=-2.45, P=0.021). However, at 1 and 6 months, no statistical significance was observed (both P>0.05). No significant difference was observed in the effective rates at the last follow-up (14/18 vs. 18/18, P=0.104). However, the RFA group had a lower cosmetic score than that in the MWA group (1.78±0.43 vs. 2.17±0.51, t=-2.47, P=0.019). There was no statistically significant difference in the complication rates between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Both MWA and RFA were effective and safe treatments for BTNs, with no significant differences in short-term efficacy and safety. In addition, the RFA group showed slightly more favorable outcomes than the MWA group in terms of cosmetic improvement.