Head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors typically arising from nonsecretory head and neck parasympathetic ganglia. Historically thought of as aggressive tumors that warranted equally aggressive surgical intervention, evidence has emerged demonstrating that the vast majority of HNPGLs are slow growing and indolent. It is also now recognized that a large proportion of HNPGLs are hereditary with succinate dehydrogenase gene mutations typically implicated.These recent advances have led to significant changes in the way in which clinicians investigate and treat HNPGLs with most now opting for more conservative treatment strategies. However, a proportion of patients present with more aggressive disease and still require nonconservative treatment strategies. Recent studies have sought to determine in which groups of patients the morbidity associated with treatment is justified. We summarize the recent advances in the understanding and management of these tumors and we provide our recommendations regarding the management of HNPGLs.

ObjectiveIn mid-2017, the Victorian Government funded a free time-limited human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination catch-up programme for gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (MSM) aged up to 26 years through sexual health clinics or other immunisation centres. We aimed to examine the uptake of the HPV vaccine among young MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC).MethodsMSM aged ≤26 attending MSHC between 27 April 2017 and 31 December 2017 were included in the analysis. HPV vaccine uptake was calculated based on the first consultation of each patient during the period. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the association between vaccine uptake and patient factors.ResultsThere were 2108 MSM aged ≤26 who attended MSHC over the study period, with 7.6% (n=161) reporting previous HPV vaccination. Of the 1947 eligible men, 1134 (58.2%, 95% CI 56.0% to 60.4%) were offered the vaccine by the clinicians, and 830 men received it on the day. The vaccine coverage among all eligible MSM was 42.6% (95% CI 40.4% to 44.9%; 830 of 1947) and among MSM who were offered the vaccine by the clinicians was 73.2% (95% CI 70.5% to 75.8%; 830 of 1134). Men with a history of genital warts (adjusted OR (aOR)=3.11, 95%CI 1.39 to 6.99) and those who had >4male partners in the last 12 months (aOR=1.38, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.85) were more likely to receive the HPV vaccine on the day. 304 men declined the vaccine; most men did not specify the reason (31.3%, n=95), while 27.3% (n=83) needed time to think.ConclusionAlthough vaccine uptake was 73.2% among those offered, the actual coverage of those eligible remained unsatisfactory (42.6%) in a sexual health clinic. This highlights a clinic-based targeted MSM programme may not reach sufficiently high vaccine coverage to provide MSM with the same vaccine benefits as heterosexuals.

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Purpose The Oncotype DX© 21-gene Recurrence Score (RS) estimates the risk of distant disease recurrence in early-stage estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative (ER+/HER2− ) breast cancer. Using RS to estimate risk of locoregional recurrence (LRR) is less conclusive. We aimed to perform network meta-analysis (NMA) evaluating the RS in estimating LRR in ER+/HER2− breast cancer. Methods A NMA was performed according to PRISMA-NMA guidelines. Analysis was performed using R packages and Shiny. Results 16 studies with 21,037 patients were included (mean age: 55.1 years (range: 22–96)). The mean RS was 17.1 and mean follow-up was 66.4 months. Using traditional RS cut-offs, 49.7% of patients had RS < 18 (3944/7935), 33.8% had RS 18–30 (2680/7935), and 16.5% had RS > 30 (1311/7935). Patients with RS 18–30 (risk ratio (RR): 1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32–2.37) and RS > 30 (RR: 3.45, 95% CI: 2.63–4.53) were significantly more likely to experience LRR than those with RS < 18. Using TAILORx cut-offs, 16.2% of patients had RS < 11 (1974/12,208), 65.8% had RS 11–25 (8036/12,208), and 18.0% with RS > 30 (2198/12,208). LRR rates were similar for patients with RS 11–25 (RR: 1.120, 95% CI: 0.520–2.410); however, those with RS > 25 had an increased risk of LRR (RR: 2.490, 95% CI: 0.680–9.390) compared to those with RS < 11. There was a stepwise increase in LRR rates when applying traditional and TAILORx cut-offs (both P < 0.050). Conclusion RS testing accurately estimates LRR risk for patients being treated for early-stage ER+/HER2− breast cancer. Future prospective, randomized studies may validate the predictive value of RS in estimating LRR.

Parathyroid cysts are a rare clinical entity that may arise in the neck or mediastinum. They are more common in women and generally present in the fourth and fifth decades of life. Diagnosis of parathyroid cysts is challenging, and despite thorough radiological and cytological investigation, they are often mistaken for thyroid pathology. Definitive diagnosis is often only confirmed following complete surgical resection and histopathological analysis. We present the case of a woman who was referred to our outpatient clinic with a left-sided neck mass and associated compressive symptoms. Initial examination and investigation appeared consistent with a large thyroid nodule. Following surgical resection, the lesion was found to be a parathyroid cyst. Subsequently, we review the available literature on parathyroid cysts with particular emphasis on the diagnostic challenge they pose to clinicians.

Background Axillary lymph node status remains the most powerful prognostic indicator in invasive breast cancer. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive disease and does not spread to axillary lymph nodes. The presence of an invasive component to DCIS mandates nodal evaluation through sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Quantification of the necessity of upfront SLNB for DCIS requires investigation. The aim was to establish the likelihood of having a positive SLNB (SLNB+) for DCIS and to establish parameters predictive of SLNB+. Methods A systematic review was performed as per the PRISMA guidelines. Prospective studies only were included. Characteristics predictive of SLNB+ were expressed as dichotomous variables and pooled as odds ratios (o.r.) and associated 95 per cent confidence intervals (c.i.) using the Mantel–Haenszel method. Results Overall, 16 studies including 4388 patients were included (mean patient age 54.8 (range 24 to 92) years). Of these, 72.5 per cent of patients underwent SLNB (3156 of 4356 patients) and 4.9 per cent had SLNB+ (153 of 3153 patients). The likelihood of having SLNB+ for DCIS was less than 1 per cent (o.r. <0.01, 95 per cent c.i. 0.00 to 0.01; P < 0.001, I 2 = 93 per cent). Palpable DCIS (o.r. 2.01, 95 per cent c.i. 0.64 to 6.24; P = 0.230, I 2 = 0 per cent), tumour necrosis (o.r. 3.84, 95 per cent c.i. 0.85 to 17.44; P = 0.080, I 2 = 83 per cent), and grade 3 DCIS (o.r. 1.34, 95 per cent c.i. 0.80 to 2.23; P = 0.270, I 2 = 0 per cent) all trended towards significance in predicting SLNB+. Conclusion While aggressive clinicopathological parameters may guide SLNB for patients with DCIS, the absolute and relative risk of SLNB+ for DCIS is less than 5 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to establish fully the necessity of SLNB for patients diagnosed with DCIS. Registration number CRD42021284194 ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ )

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Background Hypocalcaemia is a common complication after thyroidectomy. Bariatric surgery is associated with significant changes in calcium metabolism. Some studies have identified bariatric surgery as a risk factor for hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed whether a history of bariatric surgery was associated with an increased risk of hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy. Methods This prospectively registered systematic review (PROSPERO; CRD42021295423) was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Meta-analysis was undertaken using the Mantel–Haenszel method, with outcomes reported as ORs with 95 per cent confidence intervals. Results Twenty studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Five studies incorporating 19 547 patients met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis, of whom 196 (1.0 per cent) had a history of bariatric surgery. Patients with a history of bariatric surgery were more likely to develop hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy (30.6 versus 13.0 per cent; OR 3.90, 95 per cent c.i. 1.50 to 10.12; P = 0.005). Among those with a history of bariatric surgery, patients who underwent a bypass procedure were more likely to develop hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy than those who had a restrictive procedure (38 versus 23 per cent; OR 2.12, 1.14 to 3.97; P = 0.020). Conclusion Patients with a history of bariatric surgery have a significantly greater risk of hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy, with a heightened risk among those who have had a bypass procedure. Surgeons performing thyroid surgery should be aware of the increased risk of hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy among these patients.