Voice disorders are a serious and common complaint among teachers, yet there are no published studies on these conditions in the context of Al-Ahsa city in the eastern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This study analyzed the vocal complaints of Saudi teachers, investigated their treatment-seeking behaviors, and assessed their knowledge of vocal care. A cross-sectional online survey was randomly distributed to 604 Saudi teachers from December 2021 to March 2022. The data included sociodemographic characteristics, academic statuses, vocal symptoms and their effects, and attitudes toward voice problems. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (v. 23). Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. A chi-square test was conducted to verify the association between the categorical variables. Of the participants, 62.1% were female. 65.4% reported having voice-related problems, with the most frequently reported symptoms being hoarseness (68.35%), throat dryness (60.76%), and sore throat (56.46%). Out of the participants who reported voice problems, 32.15% stated being affected by absenteeism from school. Only a minority of teachers sought medical help (5.1%) or received information about the vocal care (29.5%). The factors that were found to be significantly associated with voice complaints include female gender, positive family history of vocal disorders, speaking in a loud voice, being non-smoker, and having the high number of classes per week (P < 0.05). Voice-related complaints were highly prevalent among Saudi teachers for multiple factors, most of which were manageable. This study strongly recommends the vocal educational programs to be implemented during student teacher training.

Thyroid disorders are one of the most common endocrine disorders. Thyroid disorders are highly prevalent in the Saudi population. There are many approaches to treat thyroid disorders, varying from conservative to surgical, depending on the severity of each condition. There are many indications for surgical management of thyroid diseases, including carcinoma, hyperthyroidism, and local compression symptoms. This is a retrospective study included subjects operated upon for a thyroid disorder over 6 years period in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The clinical manifestations and postoperative characteristics of the patients are given in Table 2. It can be observed that the most dominant clinical presentation was neck mass (76.4%), while the most common indication of surgery was the suspicion of cancer (54.5%). Furthermore, the most common histopathology was papillary thyroid cancer (41.8%), whereas the most common complication after the surgery was hypocalcemia (9.1%). Likewise, total thyroidectomy was the most commonly sought surgical intervention (70.9%). Additionally, Bethesda class III constitutes 35.1%, while Bethesda class II constitutes 29.7%. Suspicion of cancer was the most prominent indication for surgical intervention. The most prevalent postoperative complications were hypocalcemia. Furthermore, papillary thyroid carcinoma was the most common histological findings, which raises several questions since it contrasts with previous studies done in Saudi Arabia. We believe that the number of thyroid procedures in our region is underreported, and more research is needed to validate this.

The goal of this study is to determine how online education affects the vocal health of schoolteachers in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. Teachers' phono trauma is well-known as a serious occupational hazard, and online education was the primary mode of delivering instruction to students during COVID-19. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among teachers in the Eastern Province area of Saudi Arabia. Teachers completed a self-administered questionnaire via an online platform, which included socio-demographic data, academic status, and the Voice Handicap Index-10 questionnaire, which assessed their vocal difficulties. A total of 335 teachers responded to the survey (78.2% females vs. 21.8% males). Nearly half (48.7%) were primary school teachers. 45.7% were currently teaching distance learning. Earphones and microphones (49.3%) were the most commonly used distance learning accessories. Noise in the classroom was a very much disturbing factor in teaching implied by 44.8% of the teachers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the vocal handicap index-10 was significantly higher among females (P = 0.007), primary school teachers (P < 0.001), moreover those currently teaching distance learning (P = 0.001) and those who perceived that there is more work in distance teaching (P < 0.001). Compared to in-person teaching, online teaching may have a positive impact on vocal health among Saudi teachers. Of all the teachers, phono trauma tends to be more among females who were primary school teachers, currently teaching distance learning, and those who perceived distance learning to be laborious.

Traumatic macroglossia is an extremely rare condition characterized by a sudden edematous swelling of the tongue due to trauma. We report a rare case of traumatic macroglossia in a 37-year-old male with known trisomy 21 and epilepsy who presented to the emergency room with a huge protruded tongue due to aggressive behavior and a history of multiple tongue tractions, leading to sudden severe tongue swelling without any respiratory distress symptoms. The examination was unremarkable; fixable nasolaryngoscopy relieved bilateral vocal cord movement, and there was no laryngeal edema. The patient was managed immediately by endotracheal intubation to secure the airway, and corticosteroids were used to diminish and stop the tongue swelling. We describe the clinical management for such patients, highlighting the different causes of traumatic macroglossia. A few cases have been reported in the literature, but this is the first case to report self-induced traumatic macroglossia in a seizure-free patient managed successfully by endotracheal intubation, corticosteroids, a bite block, and warm wet dressing.

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are common developmental anomalies in which the thyroglossal duct is not obliterated. Coexisting papillary thyroid cancer and TGDC are uncommon and should be investigated thoroughly to rule out TGDC carcinoma. We report a rare case of coexisting papillary thyroid cancer and TGDC in a 48-year-old man, who presented with a history of recurrent mild painful midline neck swelling, and ultrasound (US) revealed a TGDC that was subsequently managed conservatively. On follow-up after 1.6 years, a thyroid US and a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy were performed, which showed malignant papillary thyroid carcinoma. Total thyroidectomy, the Sistrunk procedure, and central neck dissection were implemented. After three days, the patient was discharged on 150 mg of levothyroxine. Follow-up was unremarkable with no complications. The authors would like to stress the importance of regular TGDC and thyroid gland follow-ups for early detection and diagnosis of thyroid malignancy via clinical examination and US.

Introduction and importance: Giant cervicomediastinal goiters compressing major vessels have traditionally required median sternotomy with a low cervical collar incision for complete resection. Although sternotomy provides optimal exposure, it is highly invasive and associated with increased postoperative morbidity. We report the successful resection of a giant cervicomediastinal goiter using a combined cervical and thoracoscopic approach, thereby offering a less invasive alternative while achieving favorable outcomes. Case presentation: A 41-year-old Saudi woman presented with anterior neck swelling due to a massive cervicomediastinal goiter compressing the left brachiocephalic vein near its junction with the superior vena cava (SVC). Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated diffuse multinodular thyroid enlargement with retrosternal extension and significant tracheal and vascular compression. The goiter was successfully resected through a low cervical collar incision combined with a thoracoscopic approach, resulting in an uncomplicated recovery and early discharge. Clinical discussion: Median sternotomy provides excellent exposure for such masses but carries higher risks of infection, bleeding, and a prolonged hospital stay. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) combined with thyroidectomy through a low cervical collar incision may allow a safer resection with fewer complications, as supported by previous case reports, comparative studies, and the present case. Conclusion: Combining a low cervical collar incision with a thoracoscopic technique is an efficient, minimally invasive method for resecting large goiters, ensuring optimal access and improved surgical outcomes.