Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.
COMPLETED
118 participants
OBSERVATIONAL
2016-11-01
2018-08-31
Brief Summary
Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.
Detailed Description
Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.
During the examination, patients were lying supine with their head in mild extension, in the same manner that is practiced during a thyroidectomy. The assessment and collection of data was performed by the senior author (OR) who routinely performs both this preoperative examination and thyroid surgeries in the medical center. The precise location of the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid isthmus was determined using ultrasound. The main parameters were the distances between the thyroid isthmus superior border and the second neck crease, and the distance between the cricoid cartilage superior border and the second neck crease. These were measured with a ruler with ultrasound imaging guidance (Figure 1).
Several neck creases can be observed in normal adults. The first upper crease runs horizontally roughly along the thyroid notch and hyoid bone. A second lower neck crease runs parallel to it approximately at the height of the cricoid and this is the crease the measurements in our study relate to. Occasionally there is a third prominent skin crease around 2-3 finger breadths above the clavicle. Other less prominent horizontal neck creases can be present.
Demographic variables, such as age, sex, BMI, and height, were collected from medical records and used for result stratification either as continuous variables or divided into sub-groups according to accepted divisions.
Sample size calculation The hypothesis was that the second neck crease is superficial to the thyroid gland isthmus superior border (0 cm horizontal distance). A vertical distance of 0.5 cm and more was considered significant difference in the location.
Statistical analysis Distance between the thyroid isthmus or the cricoid cartilage and the second neck crease were described by means, standard deviation, and range. Age, sex, BMI, and height were analyzed as quantitative variables with the measures mentioned above. The continuous variants were also grouped for a clearer presentation of the results. The BMI variant was categorized into accepted ranges: underweight (below 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5 to 25 kg/m2), overweight (25 to 30 kg/m2), and obese (over 30 kg/m2). BMI sub-groups and sex variables were described by frequencies and percentages.
The distances were compared among sub-groups using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Independent sample t-test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test. The choice between those tests was according to the number of sub-groups, the group's sample size, and the distribution of the data in each sub-group.
A correlation between age, BMI, height, and the distance was tested by Pearson's correlation coefficient test or Spearman's correlation coefficient test. The choice between those tests was according to the sample size and the score's distribution. If the variable was defined as ordinal sub-groups, Spearman's correlation coefficient test was used.
Conditions
See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.
Study Design
Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.
CASE_ONLY
RETROSPECTIVE
Interventions
Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.
Ultrasound of the Neck
Anatomical measurements were performed on participants during an ultrasound exam
Eligibility Criteria
Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.
Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
18 Years
120 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.
Western Galilee Hospital-Nahariya
OTHER_GOV
Responsible Party
Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.
Ronen Ohad
Director Head and Neck Unit
References
Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.
Fancy T, Gallagher D 3rd, Hornig JD. Surgical anatomy of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2010 Apr;43(2):221-7, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2010.01.001.
Brunaud L, Zarnegar R, Wada N, Ituarte P, Clark OH, Duh QY. Incision length for standard thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy: when is it minimally invasive? Arch Surg. 2003 Oct;138(10):1140-3. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.138.10.1140.
Choi Y, Lee JH, Kim YH, Lee YS, Chang HS, Park CS, Roh MR. Impact of postthyroidectomy scar on the quality of life of thyroid cancer patients. Ann Dermatol. 2014 Dec;26(6):693-9. doi: 10.5021/ad.2014.26.6.693. Epub 2014 Nov 26.
Other Identifiers
Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.
NHR-014417
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id