INTRODUCTIONThe thyroid gland is an endocrine gland situated in the lower part of front and the sides of the neck. Its main function is regulation of the basal metabolic rate, stimulates somatic and psychic growth and plays important role in calcium metabolism. The term thyroid is derived from Greek, which means shield (Thyrosshield, eidos -form).Any enlargement of the thyroid gland is called goiter. A solitary nodule is a goiter which, on clinical examination appears to be a single nodule in one lobe of the thyroid with no palpable abnormality elsewhere in the gland. The incidence of solitary nodule in general population in India is 9%. 2Solitary nodule in thyroid has aroused interest since 1949, when Warren H Cole in his study concluded that incidence of malignancy is higher in solitary nodule when compared with Multi-nodular goiter (MNG).3 Thyroid nodules are very common with estimated prevalence that ranges from 4% by palpation to 67% by ultrasonography. 4 Autopsy studies reveal that 50% of adults had nodules, the majority of which are ABSTRACT Background: Thyroid nodules present as a challenge in their diagnosis, evaluation and management. Often these lumps are large in size and develop at the edge of thyroid gland so that they are felt or seen as a lump in front of the neck. The prevalence of these nodules in a given population depends on number of factors like age, sex, diet, iodine deficiency and even therapeutic and environmental radiation exposure. Prevalence increases with age with spontaneous nodules occurring at a rate of 0-0.8% per year, beginning early in life and extending till the eighth decade. In this study, the basic aim is to depict the various clinical presentations of solitary thyroid nodule and thereby find out the best diagnostic modality so as to plan out the most effective treatment strategy for such lesions. Methods: A hospital based prospective study was done with 100 patients to assess the various clinical presentations of solitary thyroid nodule and thereby find out the best diagnostic modality so as to plan out the most effective treatment strategy for such lesions. Results: Thyroid nodules are common in females of age group 31-40 years. Commonest presenting complaint is swelling in the front of lower neck. Most of the patients presented between 6 months to 3 years of onset of swelling. Conclusions: In present study, the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC was 85.71% and 100% respectively. All malignant lesions on FNAC were confirmed by histopathology indicating its excellence. Therefore, FNAC helps in planning the correct management and avoids second surgery.

Dermoid cyst of spermatic cord is extremely rare pathology. We present the case of 25 year old male who presented with a right groin lump, thought to be a hernia. The swelling was reducible and cough impulse was positive. There was a lump found close to the right groin apart from hernia. After dissection it was seen as protruding out superficial ring and was attached to the spermatic cord. The final histopathological analysis gave the diagnosis of a dermoid cyst.

Tuberculosis of the breast is an extremely rare extra pulmonary presentation of tuberculosis accounting for less than 1% of all diseases of the breast. It usually affects young lactating multiparous women, although it may also be reported in prepubescent males, or in elderly women. This rare condition can pose diagnostic difficulties and can mimic carcinoma breast or abscess. We report a case of a 42-year-old female patient with breast tuberculosis. We have reviewed this case in terms of clinical presentation, investigations, surgical treatment and antituberculous therapy and have shortly described our experience. Ultrasonography of breast, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging of breast supported the diagnosis of tuberculosis of breast. Wide local excision of the breast lump was done, and the excised specimen was sent for histopathological examination which confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis of breast. Antituberculous therapy was started post operatively. Post-operative period was uneventful. No active breast or pulmonary disease was present one year after surgery in chest computerized tomography scan. Possibility of this condition should be kept in mind in cases of breast carcinoma or abscess. Diagnosis is made by assessing a combination of clinical, radiological and pathological features. Treatment is mainly antituberculous therapy. Surgery is rarely required. A regular follow up is recommended to rule out recurrence of tuberculosis.

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Dermoid cyst of spermatic cord is extremely rare pathology. We present the case of 25-year-old male who presented with a right groin lump, thought to be a hernia. The swelling was reducible and cough impulse was positive. There was a lump found close to the right groin apart from hernia. After dissection it was seen as protruding out superficial ring and was attached to the spermatic cord. The final histopathological analysis gave the diagnosis of a dermoid cyst.