REVIEWS  MULTINODULAR GOITER 

Minerva Endocrinologica 2010 September;35(3):153-9

Copyright © 2010 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Diagnostic imaging work up in multi-nodular goiter

Luster M. ¹, Verburg F. A. ², Scheidhauer K. ³ ✉

¹ Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany; ² Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; ³ Department of Nuclear Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München,Munich, Germany

Ultrasound, scintigraphy and sonographically guided fine-needle biopsy are the cornerstones in the diagnostic work-up multinodular goitre. Subsequent decisions for adequate treatments should be based on accurate tests to avoid unnecessary intervention. Especially in areas with endemic goitre a preselection of patients for the most effective procedure e.g. surgical or medical treatment is mandatory. Autoimmune hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease), solitary hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules and toxic multinodular goitre (Plummer’s disease) constitute a clear indication for radioiodine treatment in many cases. Recently, there is an emerging role for I-131 in the treatment for so called subclinical hyperthyroidism caused by either of three first entities and for patients with non-toxic goitre, in whom surgery is not an option. These patients with large non toxic goitre encompass a group of patients who are euthyroid but may benefit from diminishment of thyroid volume. We review the spectrum of diagnostic tests and provide some recommendations regarding (nuclear medicine) therapy.