Thyroid nodules are an anatomical disorder of the thyroid gland. They are small, and in the majority of cases benign. Because they do not affect the proper function of the thyroid, they are asymptomatic and are not easily detected. They may appear as a palpable mass or exert a pressure in the area. It is rare for nodules to cause pain or difficulty swallowing.
How are thyroid nodules diagnosed?
Nodules are most often detected during a thyroid ultrasound examining the position and morphology of the thyroid. In most cases, additional testing is not required. If the nodule is solitary or larger than 1 cm, the endocrinologist may request a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA).
What is the treatment for thyroid nodules?
If the child is found to have nodules, a complete thyroid function test will need to be performed and hormone replacement medication may be administered. The child should be monitored regularly by an endocrinologist to check for any changes in the morphology or size of the nodules. However, the possibility that the module will change in size is very small. If malignancy is suspected, then the thyroid gland is surgically removed.