Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma Presenting with Sternal Invasion: Complex Resection and Reconstruction in the COVID-19 Era

Review Data

Q: Is the topic relevant to the journal area of interest? Is it contemporary and interesting for

researchers?

A: Excellent

Abstract & Keywords

Q: Are all required components included in the abstract? Are the keywords appropriately chosen?

A: Very good

Goal

Q: Is the goal explicitly stated in the Introduction? Is its formulation clear and unambiguous?

A: Good

Structure

Q: Is the paper's structure coherent? Is it in coherence with the goal of the paper?

A: Good

Tools and Methods

Q: Are methods the author uses adequate and well used?

A: Very good

Discussion & Conclusion

Q: Is it related to the results presented before? Do you consider them as coherent?

A: Good

Comments:

The Discussion section talks about the extra layer of risk and complexity added to the case with the patient being presented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resection was completed with preservation of both recurrent laryngeal nerves, the two superior parathyroid glands, trachea, oesophagus, and both innominate vein and left subclavian vein. Finally, the study concludes that total thyroidectomy with sternal resection can be performed safely with low morbidity with reconstruction of the sternal defect performed with biological mesh and pedicled muscle flap to reduce infection risk.

Literature

Q: Does the author utilize relevant literature?

A: Good

Author's knowledge

Q: What is the level of the author’s knowledge? Does the author utilize all recent contributions relevant to the topic?

A: Very good

Length

Q: Is the length of the paper adequate to the significance of the topic? Do you suggest shortening the paper without losing its value?

A: Good

Figures & Tables

Q: Does the author use them suitably? Are legend and notations clear?

A: Very good

Writing style

Q: Is it clear and understandable?

A: Good

Further comments on the paper

Comments: This report presents the case of a 48-year-old man who was found to have a well-differentiated papillary thyroid cancer with direct invasion of the sternum. Well differentiated thyroid cancers (WDTC) are one of the most common endocrine tumors. This case illustrates the challenges involved in resection of WDTC with localized bony invasion. The majority of patients with WDTC present with early, localized disease and these patients have an excellent prognosis but approximately 5-15% will present with locally advanced disease.

Q: Would you recommend this manuscript for further publication?

A: Yes - Suitable to be published

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Science Repository Team