Study of clinical profile of solitary thyroid nodule and its management

Abstract

Thyroid disorders are the most common endocrine disorder seen in clinical practice and solitary thyroid nodule is one of the common presentations of thyroid disease. This study aimed at profiling cases of thyroid nodule with respect to incidence of solitary nodule, age, gender, benign and malignant proportions and to set a clinically applicable approach in evaluation and management. This prospective study followed 30 cases of thyroid nodule over 2 years. It showed that almost 20 percent of all thyroid nodules were solitary with a female predilection. Peak incidence was noted in third and fourth decade. Major clinical presentation was local swelling affecting right more than left lobe. Diagnosis was with fine needle aspiration examination with the commonest histopathology being colloid goitre followed by follicular adenoma. Most common treatment done was hemithyroidectomy. Incidence of malignancy was 10 percent.