LAUREN KRUMEICH, MD

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This study looked at how funding from the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons helps young researchers improve their academic work. It found that those who received the awards were more successful, with a median research productivity score (h-index) of 20 compared to 15 for non-recipients, and they almost doubled their chances of getting more funding from the National Institutes of Health (21% vs. 12%). This matters because the research funded by these awards has already led to over $13.7 million in additional grants, showing that the investment in these early-career researchers pays off significantly. Who this helps: Patients benefit from the advancements in endocrine surgery research and treatment.

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This study looked at how patients with thyroid cancer get surgery from high-volume surgeons, who typically offer better care. Out of 3,839 patients, only 17 were treated by these high-volume surgeons, while the majority (95.2%) were treated by lower-volume surgeons. Patients who traveled farther to see high-volume surgeons or had specific Medicare plans were more likely to receive care from them, highlighting that access to the best surgical care is still unequal based on location and insurance. Who this helps: Patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer seeking the best possible surgical outcomes.

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Researchers studied 241 patients who had thyroid or parathyroid surgery and compared outcomes based on whether they'd previously had different types of stomach surgery—particularly whether their intestines had been rerouted to bypass the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). They found that patients with prior intestinal bypass surgery developed dangerously low calcium levels after their neck surgery at much higher rates than patients who had sleeve gastrectomy (a different weight-loss procedure that doesn't reroute the intestines). The risk was especially severe in patients with nonbariatric bypass surgery—those who had the intestinal rerouting for reasons other than weight loss—where 81% experienced low calcium levels shortly after surgery and 71% had persistent problems months later. Low calcium caused longer hospital stays and more readmissions. This matters because doctors now know they need to screen and monitor calcium levels more carefully before and after

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Researchers studied 323 "hot" thyroid nodules (nodules that absorb iodine) across five hospitals to see how often they're actually cancer. They found that 3.4% were malignant, with solitary hot nodules being much more likely to be cancer (7.3%) than hot nodules in patients with multiple nodule growths (1.0%). The cancerous hot nodules looked different on ultrasound than benign ones—they were more likely to be solid and appear bright—and the cancers found were aggressive types with features suggesting they spread more easily. This matters because doctors often want to treat hot nodules with heat ablation (a less invasive procedure than surgery), but the findings show these nodules should be biopsied first to rule out cancer, especially when patients have a single hot nodule rather than multiple ones.

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This study looked at how treatments for low-risk thyroid cancer have changed over the past 20 years. Researchers found that instead of major surgeries, like removing the entire thyroid, patients are now more often receiving only partial surgery or simply monitored without immediate treatment. They also discussed new techniques like ablative therapy, which can serve as a middle ground between just observing the cancer and doing surgery. Who this helps: This benefits patients with low-risk thyroid cancer and their doctors by providing more treatment options.

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This study looked at how many patients had adrenal surgery done as outpatient procedures from 2016 to 2020. Researchers found that the percentage of these surgeries performed on an outpatient basis increased from 44.1% in 2016 to 59.2% in 2020, with similar costs and readmission rates regardless of whether patients stayed overnight or were discharged the same day. This is important because it shows that more patients can go home the same day without compromising their safety or increasing costs. Who this helps: This helps patients who may prefer to recover at home rather than in a hospital.

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Researchers studied whether a simple blood test during parathyroid surgery—measuring how much a hormone called PTH drops during the operation—could predict whether the surgery would successfully cure a specific type of parathyroid disease and avoid a dangerous drop in calcium levels afterward. They tested this prediction method in over 1,000 patients from multiple hospitals and confirmed that a 50-65% drop in PTH during surgery reliably indicates the operation will work and help doctors avoid dangerously low calcium levels after surgery. This matters because doctors can now use this quick, real-time measurement during surgery to know whether they've removed the right amount of diseased tissue, without having to wait for results afterward.

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This study looked at how well surgeries for thyroid cancer are being performed and aimed to improve the quality of care for patients. Researchers identified 10 key areas to focus on, such as ensuring pre-surgery tests are done and following up with patients after surgery. They found that 34.3% of patients didn't have the necessary pre-surgery tests, and 19.2% of patients didn't have a follow-up plan after surgery, indicating clear areas for improvement. Who this helps: This benefits patients with thyroid cancer by ensuring they receive better surgical care and follow-up.

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Researchers studied trends in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), a condition where the body produces too much parathyroid hormone, affecting calcium levels. They examined over 1,000 patients who had surgery to remove the parathyroid glands between 2002 and 2019 and found that patients were showing milder symptoms and lower hormone and calcium levels. Despite these milder cases, the surgery successfully cured 93.7% of patients, indicating that even those with less severe disease can benefit from surgical intervention. Who this helps: This helps patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and their doctors by expanding treatment options.

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This study looked at the use and costs of same-day surgery versus overnight stays for total thyroid removal between 2013 and 2019. Researchers found that 19.4% of patients had surgery and went home the same day, a trend that increased from 14.8% to 20.8% during the study. The same-day surgery was cheaper, saving about $974 on average compared to overnight stays, and it was more common in specialized hospitals. Who this helps: Patients who undergo thyroid surgery can benefit from same-day discharge, potentially saving money and experiencing more convenience.

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Researchers looked at how often medullary thyroid cancer comes back and how different surgical approaches affect treatment outcomes. They found that adjusting surgery on lymph nodes in the neck can improve results, helping to better manage the cancer. This is important because it can lead to more effective treatment plans for patients. Who this helps: Patients with medullary thyroid cancer.

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This study examined how changes in parathyroid hormone levels during surgery can predict outcomes for patients with a specific type of hyperparathyroidism, where hormone levels are normal but too high for the amount of calcium in the blood. It found that patients with this condition had lower hormone declines during surgery compared to those with classic hyperparathyroidism. Specifically, those with a decline of 70% or more were more likely to experience low calcium levels after surgery (10.4% vs. 3.3%). Who this helps: This research benefits patients with normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism and their doctors by guiding decisions during surgery.

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This study looked at how referring older adults with well-differentiated thyroid cancer to better-performing hospitals affects surgery outcomes. It found that patients who were treated at higher-quality hospitals had a lower chance of serious complications after surgery, from 25.6% to 16.2%, and the costs of care were only slightly lower, from $12,883 to $12,679. This is important because it shows that choosing the right hospital can lead to better health results for patients without significantly increasing costs. Who this helps: Patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

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Researchers studied a type of thyroid tumor called noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) to better understand its diagnosis and treatment. They found that NIFTP rarely led to cancer recurrence after surgery, but the way it was diagnosed often varied, leading to uncertainty in treatment decisions. This highlights the need for clearer guidelines for managing these borderline tumors, which can help doctors take more consistent and effective actions for their patients.

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This study looked at the impact of surgery to remove adrenal tumors in patients with lung cancer that has spread to the adrenal glands. Researchers followed 122 patients and found that those who had this surgery lived an average of 47 months after the procedure. Factors that were linked to better survival included having the lung tumor removed first and the metastases being on the same side as the primary lung cancer. Who this helps: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer that has only spread to the adrenal glands.

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This study looked at liver transplant patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to see how the presence of a procedure called TIPS, which helps with high blood pressure in the liver, affected their cancer visibility and survival rates. Among 640 patients, those with TIPS were more likely to have hidden cancer not detected before surgery (80% vs. 43%). The presence of TIPS didn’t lower survival rates, but it indicated a greater risk of having cancer that exceeded acceptable limits for transplant eligibility. Who this helps: This information is valuable for doctors assessing liver transplant candidates, particularly those with TIPS, to ensure they monitor for hidden tumors.

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This study presents a rare case of a 54-year-old woman who experienced a blockage in her intestines 11 years after a procedure called uterine artery embolization, which was used to treat her uterine fibroids. The obstruction was caused by a fibroid that had moved from her uterus and created a connection between her uterus and intestines, leading to a serious impaction. The patient underwent successful surgery to remove the blockage and the uterus, highlighting the importance of monitoring for delayed complications from this treatment. Who this helps: This information helps doctors who treat patients with uterine fibroids and those considering uterine artery embolization.

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This research looked at how certain substances called catecholamines in the blood relate to weight and blood sugar control in patients with pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas, which are types of tumors. The study involved 360 patients and found that higher levels of norepinephrine and normetanephrine were linked to lower body weight and higher blood sugar levels (HbA1c), meaning that as these substances increased, blood sugar control worsened. After surgery, patients showed a drop in normetanephrine levels, which was associated with better blood sugar control, even if their weight went up. Who this helps: This information is useful for doctors treating patients with these tumors, as it provides insight into managing their weight and blood sugar.