What does diffuse thyroid disease mean?
By definition, a ‘diffuse, toxic” Goiter refers to a diffusely hyperplastic thyroid gland that is excessively overproducing the thyroid hormones.
What causes diffuse thyroid disease?
Diffuse toxic goiter is an autoimmune condition characterized by a diffusely hyperplastic thyroid gland with excessive overproduction of thyroid hormone. Graves disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, is characterized by the stigmata of diffuse toxic goiter, oculopathy, and pretibial myxedema/acropachy.
What is diffuse enlargement of the thyroid?
A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid, the H-shaped gland that wraps around the front of your windpipe, just below your Adam’s apple. A goiter can be smooth and uniformly enlarged, called diffuse goiter, or it can be caused by one or more nodules within the gland, called nodular goiter.
What are the symptoms of Struma diffusa?
Struma diffusa (diffuse goiter – enlargement of the entire thyroid gland) The most common complaints are: An enlargement of the thyroid gland by more than 10%, regardless of function. Thyroid volume in adult females can be up to 18 ml, and in adult males, up to 25 ml.
Is there a relationship between Struma nodosa and thyroid carcinoma?
The disputable issue of the pathogenetic relation between struma nodosa and thyroid gland carcinoma is discussed. A total of 234 patients with definitive diagnosis thyroid carcinoma, operated in the clinic of endocrine surgery–Higher Medical Institute, Sofia, are retrospectively analyzed.
How are nodules in Struma nodosa treated?
With struma nodosa, there are nodular changes in the thyroid gland. The nodules can be classified as follows: Adenomas are benign nodules that are quite small, with normal function. Because they seldom cause complaints, these adenomas often go undetected. Therapy: iodine inhibits cell proliferation. Levothyroxine (T4) inhibits cell enlargement.