Abstract Introduction Increases in spontaneous activity in the neurons of the auditory cortex are presumed as the pathophysiology of tinnitus. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the treatment of tinnitus. Methods A total of 62 patients between the ages of 22 and 74 with chronic subjective tinnitus were enrolled in the study. The inclusion criteria were normal findings on an otolaryngologic examination and normal ranges of complete blood count, routine biochemical parameter levels, thyroid function, air-bone gap on pure-tone audiometry, and middle-ear pressure and stapedial reflex on tympanometry. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: 40 patients were placed in the treatment for TMS (tTMS) group, and the rest (22 patients) were placed in the sham TMS group. The frequency and severity of the tinnitus, as well as the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) score of each patient were measured before and one month after the treatment, and the values were statistically evaluated. Results We observed a statistically significant improvement in the tTMS group (p< 0.05 and p< 0.05 respectively) regarding the THI and tinnitus severity scores. The sham TMS group showed no significant improvement in terms of the THI (p> 0.05). However, the tinnitus severity showed a significant increase in this group (p< 0.05). The comparison of differences in the changes in the THI and the tinnitus severity scores showed a significant statistical improvement in the tTMS group compared with the sham TMS group (p< 0.05 and p< 0.05 respectively). Conclusion Transcranial magnetic stimulation was found to be effective in the treatment of tinnitus, and may be adopted as a treatment for tinnitus after further comprehensive studies.

Resumo Introdução: Leiomiossarcoma é um tumor raramente observado na glândula tireoide. O diagnóstico pode ser difícil e o tratamento é controverso. Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi revisar a literatura sobre um tumor raro da glândula tireoide que possui alto índice de mortalidade. Método: Dois casos de leiomiossarcoma da tireoide são apresentados, e os 23 casos anteriores relatados na literatura atual foram revisados. Resultados: Um total de 25 casos de leiomiossarcoma da tireoide foi revisado. A queixa mais comum foi o rápido crescimento de um tumor cervical anterior; 10 dos 25 pacientes apresentavam metástases distantes no momento da admissão. Quinze dos 25 pacientes foram a óbito nos primeiros 12 meses após o diagnóstico. Conclusão: O diagnóstico diferencial de leiomiossarcoma da tireoide é importante e deve ser feito com outras doenças malignas da glândula, especialmente carcinoma anaplásico. O prognóstico é ruim e não há consenso em relação ao tratamento.

Abstract Introduction: Leiomyosarcoma is a tumor which is rarely seen in the thyroid gland. The diagnosis may be difficult and the treatment is controversial. Objective: The objective of the study is to review the literature about a rare malignant disease of the thyroid gland which has high mortality. Methods: Two cases of thyroid leiomyosarcoma are presented and the previous 23 cases in the current literature are reviewed. Results: A total of 25 cases of thyroid leiomyosarcoma are reviewed; the most common complaint was rapidly growing anterior neck mass, and ten of the 25 patients had distant metastasis at the initial admission. Fifteen of the 25 patients died with the disease in the first 12 months after the diagnosis. Conclusion: The differential diagnosis of thyroid leiomyosarcoma is important and should be performed with other malignancies of the gland, especially with anaplastic carcinoma. The prognosis is poor and there is no consensus regarding the treatment.