title: Thyroid masses: approach to diagnosis and management in childhood and adolescence.
abstract: The approach to the evaluation of a neck mass requires careful history and physical examination to determine if the mass is thyroidal or non-thyroidal. Thyromegaly can be classified as diffuse or nodular, painless or painful, or associated with a solitary or multiple nodules. While the most common cause of diffuse enlargement is chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, the presence of nodularity should prompt consideration of cancer. Results of a radionuclide scan, ultrasonogram, and/or a fine-needle aspiration of a cystic nodule should help guide the physician to those patients in need of an open thyroid biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical Center, CS Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Hopwood
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kelch
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D006042:Goiter / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D013955:Thyroglossal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013966:Thyroiditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013968:Thyroiditis, Subacute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy