Background Parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are often measured after thyroid surgery and are used to detect patients at risk for postoperative hypoparathyroidism. However, there is a lack of consensus in the literature about how to define the recovery of parathyroid gland function and when to classify hypoparathyroidism as permanent. The goals of this study were to determine the incidence of low postoperative PTH in total thyroidectomy patients and to monitor their time course to recovery of parathyroid gland function. Methods We identified 1054 consecutive patients who underwent a total or completion thyroidectomy from 1/2006 to 12/2013. Low PTH was defined as a PTH measurement <10 pg/mL immediately after surgery. Patients were considered to be permanently hypoparathyroid if they had not recovered within 1 year. Recovery of parathyroid gland function was defined as PTH ≥10 pg/mL and no need for therapeutic calcium or activated vitamin D (calcitriol) supplementation to prevent hypocalcemic symptoms. Results Of 1054 total thyroidectomy patients, 189 (18%) had a postoperative PTH <10 pg/mL. Of those 189 patients, 132 (70%) showed resolution within 2 months of surgery. Notably, 9 (5%) resolved between 6–12 months. At 1 year, 20 (1.9%) were considered to have permanent hypoparathyroidism. Surprisingly, 50% of those patients had recovery of PTH levels yet still required supplementation to avoid symptoms. Conclusions Most patients with a low postoperative PTH recover function quickly, but it can take up to 1 year for full resolution. Hypoparathyroidism needs to be defined not only by PTH levels, but also by medication requirements.

It was the purpose of the study to obtain viewpoints on the genetics of febrile convulsions and their relationship to epilepsy by EEG long term follow up. 89 children with febrile convulsions could be followed up to the age of 11 to 13 years (in total 1046 EEG records). The study was concentrated on genetically determined EEG patterns: bilaterally synchronous spikes and waves, photosensitivity and 4-7 cps rhythms. The statistical evaluation was based on standards derived from known strict age dependence of the different patterns. Theta rhythms were found in 54%, spikes and waves of the resting record in 49% and photosensitivity in 42%. In total, genetically determined EEG patterns were found in 81% of the cases which were sufficiently investigated according to given standards. Spikes and waves are strongly age dependent with a maximum at the age of 5-6 years and appear very inconstantly. Theta rhythms and spikes and waves are closely correlated. Spikes and waves are a heterogeneous phenomenon. The type described here must be interpreted as a facultative symptom of the same functional anomaly which forms the basis of 4-7 cps rhythms. The possible pathophysiological basis of the pattern is discussed.--Photosensitivity is interpreted as the symptom of a genetically independent pathogenetic mechanism, which can lead to additive effects by interaction with other genetic abnormalities as well as exogenous factors.--The pathogenesis of febrile convulsions is multifactorial in the strict sense. While the exogenous pathogenetic factors are rather uniform, the genetic predisposition apparently is not. It is based on different genetic anomalies. Each of them is polygenically determined. In the individual case one or different factors can be involved. The genetic predisposition to febrile convulsions is definitely not only polygenic, but of heterogeneous nature. Finally the genetic relationship between febrile convulsions and epilepsy is discussed.

Audience: This is a practice oral boards case which may be given to emergency medicine (EM) residents at all levels of training and recent EM graduates.Introduction/Background: Thyroid storm is an acute, life-threatening endocrine emergency. It occurs when there is excess circulating thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. It may be precipitated by infection, surgery, pregnancy, trauma, thyroid medication changes, or iodinated contrast exposure. This condition must be quickly identified and treated by EM physicians in order to prevent morbidity and mortality. IThe mortality rate is between 10 and 30% 1 Understanding and treating thyroid storm is included in the 2019 Model of Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine. 2 Educational Objectives: At the end of this practice oral boards case, the learner will: 1) assess a patient with altered mental status in an oral boards format; 2) review appropriate laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging; 3) identify signs and symptoms of thyroid storm and 4) review appropriate pharmacologic therapies with the proper sequence and timing.

Abdominal pain is a common presenting complaint in the emergency department, and utilization of diagnostic imaging is often a key tool in determining its etiology. Plain radiography has limited utility in this population. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice for undifferentiated abdominal pain. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful in specific scenarios, primarily in pediatrics and pregnancy, and offer the benefit of eliminating ionizing radiation risk of CT. Guidance for imaging selection is determined by location of pain, special patient considerations, and specific suspected etiologies. Expert guidance is offered by the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria ® which outlines imaging options based on location of pain.

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