What is the significance of a hot thyroid nodule incidentally discovered on positron emission tomography (PET)? Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) whole-body PET scan is commonly used in the evaluation and surveillance of patients with various types of cancer. A focal area of increased FDG uptake within the thyroid is incidentally noted in up to 4% of PET …
What are the complications of thyroidectomy? Thyroidectomy is a safe procedure that is typically performed either as an outpatient procedure or, more commonly, with a single overnight stay. The incidence rates of specific complications after thyroidectomy include: 1 Cervical hematoma: 1% 2 Permanent/severe hoarseness (i.e., recurrent laryngeal nerve injury): 1% 3 Mild/temporary hoarseness: 10% 4 Temporary hypocalcemia: 10% to …
What is the effect of thyroidectomy on graves ophthalmopathy compared with other treatment modalities? Ophthalmopathy occurs in about one third of patients with Graves’ disease, with 5% having moderate-to-severe eye disease. For those without ocular involvement or with only mild Graves’ eye disease, the outcome of the eye disease is felt to be equivalent among …
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How should patients with hyperthyroidism be prepared for surgery? It is important to render patients euthyroid prior to surgery for hyperthyroidism to avoid perioperative thyroid storm. Antithyroid medications administered for 4 weeks prior to surgery are usually adequate. Because recovery of TSH may lag behind thyroid hormone levels, serum thyroxine (T 4 ) and triiodothyronine (T 3 ) levels …
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Indications for thyroidectomy in hyperthyroidism In the United States, thyroidectomy is not commonly performed for hyperthyroidism unless it is secondary to a single hyperfunctioning adenoma or because of a toxic multinodular goiter associated with compressive symptoms or containing a suspicious nodule. Despite the excellent success, low recurrence rate, safety, and more rapid return to a …
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How many times should a thyroid cyst be aspirated if it reaccumulates fluid? Purely cystic nodules are most often benign, and FNA is not indicated for diagnosis. Aspiration may be performed if a cyst is large and symptomatic. If aspirated, the cyst fluid should be sent for cytology. Recurrence of thyroid cysts occurs in > …
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When is surgery indicated for recurrent thyroid cancer? Suspected recurrent disease in the neck should be evaluated by using FNA. Confirmed nodal recurrence should be treated with a formal dissection of the involved neck compartment. A recurrence in a neck compartment that has already been subjected to formal neck dissection can be challenging because of …
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