Post-thyroidectomy thyrotoxicosis.
94 patients with postoperative recurrent hyperthyroidism were evaluated for duration of remission, goitre size, and response to radio-iodine (131I). 6 patients required 131I therapy within twelve months of operation--5 had large remnants because of inadequate surgery. 57% of patients relapsed within 5 years, but 16% relapsed after 20 years and 8% after more than 30 years. Estimated goitre weights ranged from 4 g to 65 g, and goitre size was unrelated to the duration of remission. All patients were treated with 131I. 23% of the patients became hypothyroid in the first postoperative year and 10% in the second year. The results indicate that postoperative thyrotoxicosis can recur decades after operation. Operation seems to sensitise the thyroid to the early effects of radiation by 131I.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000453:epidemiology; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D013997:Time Factors
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes