GOITER

A B B D E F G And K L M N O U R C T Y P X C H W E I

SCA (syn .: Struma) - an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The emergence of the crop is indicative of diseases such as Graves' disease, sporadic nontoxic goiter, endemic goiter, autoimmune thyroiditis, and others.

Accepted provide five degrees of thyroid enlargement: from I degree (iron visually enlarged, palpable only when swallowing its isthmus) to V degree goiter (enlarged thyroid gland is very strong, in some cases, it hangs from the neck of the bag). If the thyroid function is not impaired and it is not tissue sites, the increase in prostate I and II degree, even in non-endemic goiter areas considered to be the norm for this. True goiter, ie, undisputed pathological enlargement of the thyroid gland, is the increase in cancer of III degree, determined visually (the so-called thick neck), and IV -V degree.

Goiter is diffuse, focal and mixed. In diffuse goiter entire breast tissue is affected equally, with nodular goiter changes in thyroid tissue has a focal character. The nodes can be single or multiple, from the surrounding tissue cancer are delimited thin connective tissue capsule. Thyroid enlargement can occur due to the growth of epithelial cells and by increasing the quantity of colloid contained in the follicles gland. In the latter case, nodular goiter is often structure with areas of necrosis, calcification and proliferation of connective tissue. The right lobe of the thyroid gland normally increases more than the left. In the absence of inflammatory changes and malignancy goiter, especially nodular usually Po movable relative to the surrounding tissues.

In endemic goitre (endemic goiter) growth of the thyroid gland is often accompanied by a decrease in its functional activity. The disease is common in certain geographic areas (some parts of the Urals, Siberia, Central Asia, etc..), Characterized by iodine deficiency in the environment (water, soil, food).

Clinical manifestations depend on the crop of the functional state of the thyroid gland, the degree of compression of its increase and its surrounding organs. With a large goiter displacement and compression of the trachea and the recurrent laryngeal nerve is the cause of shortness of breath and hoarseness. In diffuse toxic goiter is characterized by patients' complaints of fatigue, irritability, sweating, palpitations, and other symptoms of hyperthyroidism. In endemic goitre often noted clinical hypothyroidism, ie, low thyroid function, which is caused by degenerative changes in its glandular tissue.

If there is more likely to generate the nodes surgery. If goiter accompanied by iodine deficiency, the therapeutic and preventive measures is the appointment of iodine preparations. In some cases, indicated the use of thyroid drugs (thyroidin) or synthetic analogues of thyroid hormones - Thyreocombum, thyrotomy and others.