Li, Henry Winston Li, Kingbherly Lichauco, Rafael Lim, Imee Loren Lim, Jason Morven Lim, John Harold
65 y/o female Chief Complaint: Anterior Neck Mass
5 years 2 x 2 anterior neck mass Denies any other accompanying symptom 4 years Progressive increase in size of mass Feel the presence of ‘lump in the throat’ Prescribed L thyroxine 100ug/tab 1 tab TID taken for 1 month Easy fatigability, palpitations, weight loss Consulted again serum T3, T4, TSH measured Advised to discontinue medication Consult Persistence of mass
VS: BP 120/80; PR 85/min; RR 28/min Pink palpebral conjunctivae, anicteric sclerae Neck: 8x6 cm firm anterior neck mass with well-defined borders and moves with deglutition, no palpable cervical adenopathies Heart/Chest/Abdomen – unremarkable
Thyroid function test Serum TSH T4 and T3
Patient was given L thyroxine 100 ug/tab TID Possible previous diagnosis: ↑TSH; ↓T3; ↓T4 = Primary Hypothyroidism Thyrotoxicosis Facticia Normal dose: ug/tab OD
Goiter - Any enlargement of the thyroid gland Most nontoxic goiters are thought to result from TSH stimulation secondary to inadequate thyroid hormone synthesis thyroid gland enlarges in order to maintain the patient in a euthyroid state. Etiology of Nontoxic Goiter Endemic: iodine deficiency, dietary goitrogens Medications: iodide, amiodarone, lithium Thyroiditis: subacute, chronic Familial: hormonal dysgenesis from enzyme defects Resistance to thyroid hormone Neoplasm
Endemic goiters are treated by iodine administration. Surgical resection is reserved for goiters that (1) continue to increase despite T 4 suppression, (2) cause obstructive symptoms, (3) have substernal extension, (4) are suspected to be malignant or are proven malignant by FNA biopsy, and (5) are cosmetically unacceptable. Subtotal thyroidectomy is the treatment of choice and patients require lifelong T 4 therapy to prevent recurrence.