The Diagnosis and Treatment of Toxic Nodular Goiter

Abstract

Because toxic nodular gaiter occurs frequently in elderly persons who have associated degenerative diseases, it presents unusual problems in diagnosis and treatment. The difficulty in diagnosis may be compounded by the sporadic function of the toxic thyroid nodule with fluctuating clinical and laboratory findings.

The pathogenesis of toxic nodular gaiter is reviewed, as are the clinical picture, laboratory findings, and choice of therapy. In general, surgical resection is the most effective definitive form of therapy, but it carries a significant risk which must be evaluated carefully.