Objective:To explore whether deep learning could apply to recognize the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in videos of endoscopic thyroidectomy (ETE) via breast approach.Methods:Videos of ETE via breast approach in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Feb. 2020 to Aug. 2021 were collected. Videos containing RLN were selected, and the outline of RLN was marked by two thyroid surgeons. Then data were divided into a training set and a test set in a ratio of 5:1 and classified into the high and low difficulty group according to a senior thyroid surgeon’s opinion. Those pictures were input to D-LinkNet model. Precision, sensitivity and mean dice index was calculated.Results:A total of 46 videos including 153, 520 frames of pictures were included in this study. 131,039 frames of 39 videos were in the training set and 22,481 frames of 7 videos were in the test set. When the intersection over union threshold was 0.1, the sensitivity and precision was 92.9%/72.8% and 47.6%/54.9% in high and low recognition group, respectively. When the intersection over union threshold was 0.5, the sensitivity and precision turned to 85.8%/67.2% and 37.6%/43.5% in high and low difficulty group, respectively. Mean Dice index was 0.781 and 0.663 in high and low difficulty group, respectively.Conclusions:RLN recognition based on deep learning is feasible and has potential application value in ETE, which may help surgeons reduce the risk of accidental injury of RLN and improve the safety of thyroidectomy.

Objective:To sum up the experience and improve the capability of clinical diagnosis and treatment of thyroid tuberculosis (TTB) .Methods:In Apr. 2020, the Second Department of General Surgery, Friendship Hospital of Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, treated a patient with a huge thyroid cancer (TC), who had no history of tuberculosis. Thyroid cancer was considered for surgical treatment after the assessment by ultrasound and enhanced CT scan, yet the postoperative pathological diagnosis was thyroid tuberculosis. The clinical and pathological data of 357 cases of TTB reported in domestic literature were retrospectively analyzed by searching the relevant databases.Results:This reported case was diagnosed eventually with TTB by postoperative pathology, cured by operation, local and systemic anti-tuberculosis treatment. Among the 357 cases of TTB, there were 95 males and 262 females and the ratio of male to female was 1.0:2.8. Most patients had neck mass as the first symptom (95.5%, 256/268), and 53 patients (19.8%, 53/268) merged with tuberculosis poisoning symptoms. There were 59 cases (21%, 59/281) complicated with extra-thyroid tuberculosis. Among 51 cases, 37 cases (73%, 37/51) were diagnosed with TTB. Eighty cases (30%, 80/265) were suspected of TC before the operation.25 patients (8.5%, 25/294) received antituberculosis treatment, and 269 patients (91.5%, 269/294) received surgical treatment, among which 100 patients (37%, 100/269) underwent unilateral lobectomy. The caseation type was the most common pathology with 154 cases (57.9%, 154/266). Two patients died of TTB after an operation, and the remaining patients were followed up for 6 months to 33 years without recurrence.Conclusions:TTB often lacks typical clinical manifestations and is easily confused with TC. The diagnosis mainly relies on puncture pathological examination. Good results can be achieved with appropriate treatment based on a definite diagnosis.