title: Solitary thyroid nodule.
abstract: The pathological conditions responsible for a truly solitary thyroid nodule are discussed and a policy of management is outlined for a patient who presents with a clinically solitary nodule. Sophisticated methods of investigation and treatment, while often helpful, are not essential. Scanning is not a highly accurate diagnostic tool, and the solitary nodule can be treated effectively without frozen section or isotopes. The incidence of unsuspected carcinoma in a solitary nodule in a euthyroid patient is high enough to justify exploration in all cases in which the patient is fit for surgery.
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D001706:Biopsy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes