THYROID ENLARGEMENT

THYROID ENLARGEMENT: Excerpt from Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs

Ask the Following Questions:

1. Is it focal or diffuse? Focal masses in the thyroid include thyroglossal cyst, toxic adenoma, colloid cyst, Riedel's struma, nontoxic adenoma, and malignancies.
2. Is there movement with protrusion of the tongue? This is a typical finding in cases of thyroglossal cyst.
3. If focal, are there signs of thyrotoxicosis? The presence of thyrotoxicosis and a focal mass suggest toxic adenoma.
4. If diffuse, are there signs of thyrotoxicosis? Diffuse thyroid enlargement with thyrotoxicosis indicates Graves' disease.
5. Is it tender? The presence of a tender enlarged thyroid suggests subacute thyroiditis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP

Routine tests include a CBC, sedimentation rate, urinalysis, thyroid profile with a TSH immunoassay, chemistry panel, chest x-ray, and EKG. Thyroid antibodies may be tested if Hashimoto's thyroiditis is suspected.

The most important study is a thyroid technetium-99m or iodine-123 uptake and scan. If the results of these are abnormal, then an endocrinologist or general surgeon should be consulted to assist in the interpretation. If the scan indicates a cold nodule, ultrasonography may be done to determine whether the nodule is cystic or solid. If it is cystic, generally it can be aspirated and followed. If it is solid, a biopsy or aspiration and biopsy should be undertaken. If there are malignant cells or at least suspicious cells for malignancy, surgery should be done. If the scan reveals a hot nodule and there is clinical and laboratory evidence of thyrotoxicosis, the patient should be treated with radioactive iodine or surgery. If the scan shows diffuse uptake of radioactive materials and there is clinical thyrotoxicosis, the patient also may be treated with radioactive iodine or surgery.

Book Source Details

• Book Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
• Author(s): R. Douglas Collins
• Year of Publication: 2003
• Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

More About This Book: Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs Authors: R. Douglas Collins Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2003 ISBN: 0-7817-3805-9

 » Next page: Chvostek's sign (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

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