How different should be approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases among countries / regions where iodine deficiency is successfully eliminated through universal salt iodization, and the places that preserved various degrees of iodine deficiency? What diagnostic and therapeutic tactics in relation to thyroid diseases should be changed during the implementation of universal salt iodization program? These and other questions are discussed in the regular column "De Gustibus".

In June 2016, an International Symposium dedicated to the cutting edge research and achievements in Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) diagnosis and treatment was held in London. The symposium was organized by the International Thyroid Eye Disease (ITEDs). It was attended EUGOGO, North American Neuro-Ophthalmological Society (NANOS) and Orbit Society members. The symposium was attended by leading experts in the field of ophthalmology, orbital surgery and endocrinology: Rebecca S. Bahn, Maarten Mourits, Claudio Marcocci, George Kahaly, Mario Salvi, Antony Weetman, Anja Eckstein, Daniel Rootman, Geoffrey Rose, Robert Goldberg and Susanne Pitz, as well as doctors, specializing in the field of endocrinology, ophthalmology, radiology and other specialties. The symposium program was focused on the discussion of TED pathogenesis, classification and new therapeutic and surgical approaches.

TED problems discussed by more than 300 professionals (65% ophthalmologists, 18% ophthalmic surgeons and 17% endocrinologists). North America was represented by 50 delegates. Representation of other continents was not less impressive.

In spite of the works performed against IDD, it still remains severe in Uzbekistan. Progress to lower iodine deficiency was due to the activities to liquidation of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) including supply with iodizing equipment and supplementation with potassium iodate. The law of Republic of Uzbekistan “Prevention of iodine deficiency disorders” was adopted in May 2007. Current publication demonstrates iodine deficiency level, in accordance with WHO recommendations with sentinel method, in Uzbekistan. It has been revealed that according to ioduria normal values (100–300 mcg/l) of it was 5.6% of population in 1998 year. This value increased up to 77% in 2016 year. Consumption of adequately iodized salt (15,0-55 ppm of potassium iodate) has increased from 7.6% in 1998 till 81% in 2016. Endemic goiter prevalence among population of Uzbekistan decreased from 70% in 1998 till 31% in 2016. Thus, there is notable decrease of iodine deficiency disorders prevalence in Uzbekistan, though target indicators has not been reached yet.

Background. The average consumption of iodine by a resident of Russia is 3 times smaller than the established norm. Insufficient iodine intake poses a serious threat to the health of 100 million Russians, including the threat of impaired physical and mental development of 32.8 million children, living in the Russian Federation. The current situation requires a systematic iodine prophylaxis.

Aims: to assess the awareness of Russians about the iodine deficiency diseases, their effects and prevention measures, as well as the formation of citizen’s conscious of the necessity for a balanced use of iodized salt and foods, rich in iodine.

Methods. A survey of Russians of different age categories in the nationwide campaign for prevention of iodine deficiency disorders and the counting of the results.

Results. In the survey participated 34968 Russians. 54.4% of respondents consumed iodized salt. Public awareness of iodine deficiency diseases in average is about 62.6%. 66.4% of Russian respondents supported the law on universal salt iodization at the production facilities in Russia were made by 66.4% of Russians.

Conclusions. Based on the evaluation of the obtained data, even among persons, well-informed on the issue of iodine deficiency disorders, not all understand the importance of using iodized salt and the impact of this factor on the overall incidence. With the aim of preventing the spread of iodine deficiency and reduce the risk of its severe consequences in Russia is necessary to organize a system of mass prevention and improving health literacy of the population on this issue.

Non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve is the rare anatomic feature which is usually detected during operation on the thyroid gland in 0.3–1% cases. Iatrogenic injury could happen due its atypical position. In our article we analyzed literature review, described appearance reasons, relations with vascular malformations and clinical value of non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve. We have described two own cases of the detected non-recurrent laryngeal nerve. 

Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism does not present serious difficulties currently. Distribution of imaging techniques increasing the detection of pituitary adenomas every year. Thyrotropin-producing adenoma is a rare cause of hyperthyroidism. Early detection will alert its errors in treatment strategy, unjustified surgery on the thyroid gland, and will improve the quality of patients life. The article presents two clinical cases of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenomas in patients with different disease duration, and thus the presence of hyperthyroidism complications. Both patients were operated in the Federal Center of Neurosurgery Novosibirsk by transnasal transsphenoidal approach. The resistant euthyroidism was reached postoperatively, but in patients with long-term history of the disease, large size of adenoma in the postoperative period developed secondary adrenal insufficiency and her quality of life is significantly lower, taking into account comorbidities. The period of follow-up consists 3 years and one year respectively.