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GRP 22, Sec A, Thyroid Nodule
GRP 22, Sec A, Thyroid Nodule
GRP 22, Sec A, Thyroid Nodule
Presentation Topic:
Causes:
► Thyroid nodules are caused by an overgrowth
of cells in the thyroid gland. These growths
can be: Not cancer (benign), thyroid cancer
(malignant), or very rarely, other cancers or
infections.
Symptoms:
► Thyroid nodules usually do not cause symptoms. For this reason, they’re often
found by a healthcare provider during a routine neck examination or an
imaging test done for another reasons like; CAD, cervical spine pain, trauma etc.
► When thyroid nodules do produce symptoms, the most common are a lump in
the neck and a sense of mass while swallowing (and possibly difficulty
swallowing). In addition, larger nodules may cause difficulty breathing,
hoarseness, and neck pain.
► Rarely, the tissue in a thyroid nodule makes too much of the thyroid hormones
triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which can lead to symptoms of
hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). These include:
Anxiety, Irritability or moodiness, Nervousness, hyperactivity, Sweating or
sensitivity to high temperatures, Rapid heart rate, Hand trembling (shaking), Hair
loss, Frequent bowel movements or diarrhea, Weight loss, Missed or light
Case summary:
Neck masses can be mistaken with thyroid nodules. The most important
neck masses that can be mistaken with thyroid nodules include:
► Thyroglossal duct cyst
► Parathyroid cancer
► Parathyroid cyst and
► Branchial cleft cyst.
Treatment:
► Thyroid nodules are very common with 50% of people over fifty years
having thyroid nodules on ultrasound.
► Thyroid nodules under 1 cm in size do not need to be investigated
with thyroid scans, ultrasounds, blood tests, or fine needle aspiration
biopsy (FNAB).
► While there is good evidence that the accuracy of this technique is
improved when the FNAB is coupled with ultrasound.
► I must say it is important to follow up on a benign hot nodule to
prevent malignancies.
Conclusion:
► http://www.sgsnuclearmedicine.com.au/images/
case_studies/10_Young_women_thyroid_nodule.pdf
► https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid-nodules