Goiter

Enlargement of the thyroid gland

Classification on the basis of

• Location (cervical vs. substernal)

• Morphology (diffuse vs. nodular)

• Functional status (hypothyroid, euthyroid, or hyperthy...

Neck swelling, patient or physician noted

Usually asymptomatic

Pain (thyroiditis)

Incidental finding on imaging, especially with substernal goiter

Occasional obstructive symptoms

• Dysphagia...

Hypothyroid—L-thyroxine

Hyperthyroid—iodine-131 (I-131), antithyroid drugs, and surgery all considered reasonable options. The choice of therapy depends on symptoms, size ...

Ultrasound annually for nodular goiter

TSH annually for euthyroid goiters to detect development of hypothyroidism in thyroiditis or hyperthyroidi...

E01.0 Iodine-deficiency related diffuse (endemic) goiter

E04 Other nontoxic goiter

E05.2 Thyrotoxicosis with toxic multinodular goiter

E04.8 Other specified nontoxic goiter

E05.01 Thyrotoxicosi...

Treatment of goiter should be based on the risk of malignancy, the function of the gland, and compressive symptoms. Patient preference should also be taken into account, particularly w...