Thyroid Nodule

A thyroid nodule is a solid or fluid-filled lump that grows within your thyroid gland which is located in the neck region underneath the the Adams apple.  The nodule enlarges the thyroid gland, or otherwise known as a goiter, to a point where the swelling can range from under one millimeter all the way up to a few inches.  Symptoms for having thyroid nodules are swelling in the esophagus region, swelling in the larynx, and the nodule can be seen or felt. Treatment for thyroid nodules begins by examining the patient with an ultrasound, much like how a doctor will look at a pregnant woman's unborn child.  In most cases the patient and their doctor will wait and watch the nodule and decide if any further procedure is needed.  In some extreme cases a patient may receive radioactive iodine or surgery. Although they may seem threatening, nodules are very common in most people.


 http://www.thyroid.com/ThyroidNodules

Spanish Translation

Un nódulo de tiroides es un tumor sólido o lleno de líquido que crece dentro de la glándula tiroides que se encuentra en la región del cuello por debajo del la manzana de Adams. El nódulo agranda la glándula tiroides, o si no conocido como un bocio, a un punto donde la inflamación puede variar desde un milímetro hasta unos poquitos. Los síntomas para tener nódulos tiroideos son hinchazón en la región del esófago, hinchazón de la laringe, y el nódulo puede ser visto o sentido. Tratamiento para los nódulos de la tiroides empieza por examinar al paciente con un ultrasonido, al igual que cómo un médico se verá en el feto de una mujer embarazada. En la mayoría de los casos el paciente y su médico esperar y ver el nódulo y decidir si es necesario cualquier otro procedimiento. En algunos casos extremos, un paciente puede recibir yodo radiactivo o cirugía. Aunque puedan parecer amenazantes, los nódulos son muy comunes en la mayoría de las personas.

According to recent ATA (American Thyroid Association) guidelines: Solid nodules that are hypoechoic on ultrasound and greater than 1cm, the recommendation is for Ultrasound guided Fine Needle Aspiration to look at cytology. Mixed cystic–solid nodules and predominantly cystic  with greater than 50% cystic component are generally evaluated by FNA directed biopsy of the solid component (especially the vascular component.) Cyst drainage may also be performed, especially in symptomatic patients.US guidance for FNA is recommended for those nodules that are nonpalpable, predominantly cystic, or located posteriorly in the thyroid lobe.Purely cystic nodules FNA is n ot indicated unless used as a therapeutic modality. Various sonographic characteristics of a thyroid nodule have been associated with a higher likelihood of malignancy . These include nodule hypoechogenicity compared to the normal thyroid parenchyma, increased intranodular vascularity, irregular infiltrative margins, the presence of microcalcifications, an absent halo, and a shape taller than the width measured in the transverse dimension. With the exception of suspicious cervical lymphadenopathy, which is a specific but insensitive finding, no single sonographic feature or combinations of features is adequately sensitive or specific to identify all malignant nodules.