Thyroid Nodules Flashcards
def
solid or fluid-filled lumps which form in the thyroid
what are the main types of thyroid nodules
1 solitary thyroid nodule
2 multinodular goitre
what are the causes of a solitary thyroid nodule
these causes can be classified into benign thyroid nodules and malignant thyroid nodules
benign thyroid nodules: 1 thyroid adenomas (most common) 2 thyroid cysts malignant thyroid nodules: 1 thyroid carcinoma
what is a thyroid adenoma
a benign tumour of the thyroid gland
thyroid adenomas can be toxic which means they are functioning to cause hyperthyroidism
what does it mean when a thyroid adenoma is described as hot or cold
cold means the adenoma is non-functioning
hot means the adenoma is functioning and releasing T3/T4 which results in hyperthyroidism
what is a multinodular goitre
any increase in size of of the thyroid gland is called a goitre
a multinodular goitre is a goitre with many lumps (nodules)
what is a toxic multinodular goitre
an enlarged thyroid with lumps which is functioning and therefore releasing T3/T4 which results in hyperthyroidism
what are the two main thyroid nodule conditions
toxic thyroid adenoma
toxic multinodular goitre
aetiology of toxic thyroid adenoma
mutations affecting the TSH receptor leads to benign monoclonal tumours which grow and produce thyroid hormones independently of TSH
epidemiology of toxic thyroid adenoma
women>men
young adults
risk factors for toxic thyroid adenoma
iodine deficiency
history + examination of toxic thyroid adenoma
palpable thyroid nodule (often over 3cm if hyperthyroid)
younger age
signs + symptoms of hyperthyroidism
investigations
1 bloods
-TFTs (high T3/4, suppressed TSH)
2 imaging
-nodule(s) on USS
what is toxic multinodular goitre
AKA as plummers disease
it contains multiple autonomously functioning nodules which result in hyperthyroidism
aetiology of toxic multinodular goitre
thyroid cell germline mutations which affect the TSH receptor
