Abstract

RINCON, Yorgi  and  GRUPO DE TRABAJO UNIDAD DE ENDOCRINOLOGIA (ENDO-MER) et al. Terapéutica en bocio multinodular (bmn): Protocolo del servicio de endocrinología del Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitario de los Andes. Rev. Venez. Endocrinol. Metab. [online]. 2013, vol.11, n.1, pp.18-25. ISSN 1690-3110.

Benign nodular thyroid disease constitutes a heterogeneous thyroid disorder, which is highly prevalent in iodine-deficient areas. In countries with these characteristics, the prevalence of this entity is 30% of the population between 18 and 65, being more common in females. Clinical features in a patient with multinodular goiter (MNG) can be attributed to thyroid enlargement and the presence of thyrotoxicosis in the case of toxic MNG (TMNG). Clinical evaluation of the size, morphology and function of the thyroid gland has a low sensitivity, so this should be supplemented with laboratory parameters such as thyroid profile, ultrasound examination that provides information on size, number of nodules, and other characteristics to decide the possibility of aspiration of thyroid nodules suspicious of malignancy. In the absence of clinical, ultrasound and cytological malignancy, selecting the best treatment option depends on several factors including size and location of the goiter, the presence and severity of compressive symptoms and thyroid function; therefore MNG treatment remains controversial today. In asymptomatic patients with a small goiter and negative cytology, a follow-up observation is recommended. Likewise, there are other treatment options such as radioactive iodine and surgical resection of the gland, with different modalities. The present review summarize the generalities on MNG, its diagnostic approach and the various treatment options.

Keywords : Goiter; Thyroid nodules; Diagnosis; Radioactive iodine therapy.

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