The simple nodular goiter, the etiology of which is multifactorial, encompasses the spectrum from the incidental asymptomatic small solitary nodule to the large intrathoracic goiter, causing pressure symptoms as well as cosmetic complaints. Its management is still the cause of considerable controversy. The mainstay in the diagnostic evaluation is related to functional and morphological characterization with serum TSH and (some kind of) imaging. Because malignancy is just as common in patients with a multinodular goiter as patients with a solitary nodule, we support the increasing use of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (cytology). Most patients need no treatment after malignancy is ruled out. In case of cosmetic or pressure symptoms, the choice in multinodular goiter stands between surgery, which is still the first choice, and radioiodine if uptake is adequate. In addition to surgery, the solitary nodule, whether hot or cold, can be treated with percutaneous ethanol injection therapy. If hot, radioiodine is the therapy of choice. Randomized studies are scarce, and the side effects of nonsurgical therapy are coming into focus. Therefore, the use of the optimum option in the individual patient cannot at present be based on evidence. However, we are of the view that levothyroxine, although widely used, should no longer be recommended routinely for this condition. Within a few years, the introduction of recombinant human TSH and laser therapy may profoundly alter the nonsurgical treatment of simple nodular goiter.

Thyroid nodules are prevalent; when evaluated by ultrasonography (US), 15-25% of solitary thyroid nodules are cystic or predominantly cystic, and most are benign. Simple aspiration is the treatment of choice, but the recurrence rate is 10-80% depending on the number of aspirations and the cyst volume. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on recurrence rate of benign recurrent thyroid cysts in a double-blind randomized study comparing ethanol instillation with instillation of isotonic saline and subsequent complete emptying. Sixty-six consecutive patients with recurrent and benign (based on US-guided biopsy) thyroid cysts (>or=2 ml) were randomly assigned to either subtotal cyst aspiration, flushing with 99% ethanol, and subsequent complete fluid aspiration (n = 33), or to subtotal cyst aspiration, flushing with isotonic saline, and subsequent complete fluid aspiration (n = 33). In case of recurrence (defined as cyst volume >1 ml) at the monthly evaluations, the treatment was repeated but limited to a maximum of three treatments. Procedures were US-guided, and patients were followed for 6 months. Age, sex, number of previous aspirations, pretreatment cyst volume, and serum TSH did not differ in the two groups. Cure (defined as a cyst volume

The favoured diagnostic strategy in the workup of patients with a solitary thyroid nodule include determinations of serum TSH combined with serum T4 and/or free T4 followed by FNAB and US together with scintigraphy. A nonsurgical strategy was favoured by the majority supporting the use of L-T4 as the first choice. In case of clinical factors raising the likelihood of malignancy, the majority recommended diagnostic thyroidectomy despite FNAB suggesting a benign condition.

Fundamental differences between European countries exist as regards diagnosis and treatment of the multinodular nontoxic goitre suggesting difficulties in reaching a consensus.

Aim: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) in solitary benign thyroid nodules. Design and methods: A total of 78 euthyroid outpatients (45 participating in randomized trials) with a benign solitary solid and scintigraphically cold thyroid nodule causing local discomfort were assigned to ILP. ILP (using one laser fiber) was performed under continuous ultrasound (US) guidance and with an output power of 1.5-3.5 W. Thyroid nodule volume was assessed by US and thyroid function determined by routine assays, before and during follow-up. Pressure symptoms and cosmetic complaints were evaluated on a visual analogue scale (0-10 cm). Of the total patients, six had thyroid surgery 6 months after ILP and three were lost to follow-up. The median follow-up for the remaining 69 patients was 67 months (range 12-114). Results: The overall median nodule volume decreased from 8.2 ml (range 2.0-25.9) to 4.1 ml (range 0.6-33.0; P!0.001) at the final evaluation, corresponding to a median reduction of 51% (range: K194 to 95%). This correlated with a significant decrease in pressure as well as cosmetic complaints. After 12-96 months (median 38 months) of ILP, 21 patients (29%) had thyroid surgery because of an unsatisfactory result. All had benign histology. Thyroid function was unaltered throughout and side effects were restricted to mild local pain. Conclusion: US-guided ILP results in a satisfactory long-term clinical response in the majority of patients with a benign solitary solid cold thyroid nodule. Further large-scale studies should aim at optimizing selection criteria for ILP, preferably in randomized studies.

US-guided ILP could become a useful nonsurgical alternative in the treatment of the benign solitary solid cold thyroid nodule in patients who cannot or will not undergo surgery.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) on thyroid function, nodule size and patient satisfaction in benign solitary solid cold thyroid nodules by comparing one ILP session with no treatment in a prospective randomised study. Materials and methods: Thirty euthyroid outpatients with a benign solitary solid and a scintigraphically cold thyroid nodule causing local discomfort were assigned to one session of ILP (n ¼ 15) or observation (n ¼ 15) and followed for 6 months. Thyroid nodule volume and total thyroid volume were assessed by US and thyroid function was determined by routine assays before and during follow-up. Pressure and cosmetic complaints before and at 6 months were evaluated on a visual analogue scale. ILP was performed under US guidance and with an output power of 2.5-3.5 W. Results: In the ILP group, the nodule volume decreased from 8.2 ml (6.1; 11.9) (median; quartiles) to 4.8 ml (3.0; 6.6) after 6 months (P ¼ 0.001). The overall median reduction was 44% (37; 52), which correlated with a significant decrease in pressure symptoms as well as cosmetic complaints. In the control group, a non-significant increase in median nodule volume of 7% (0; 34) after 6 months was seen. No major side-effects were seen in the ILP group. There was no correlation between thermal energy deposition and nodule volume reduction. Thyroid function was unaltered throughout. Conclusion: US-guided ILP, given as a single treatment, resulted in a satisfactory clinical response in the majority of patients with a benign solitary solid cold thyroid nodule, and may become a clinically relevant alternative to surgery in selected patients.European Journal of Endocrinology 152 341-345

To assess approaches to the diagnosis and therapy of patients with nontoxic multinodular goiter, a questionnaire was circulated to all members of the American Thyroid Association (ATA). An index case report was presented (42-yr-old woman with an irregular, nontender, bilaterally enlarged thyroid of 50-80 g and no clinical suspicion of malignancy or thyroid dysfunction), and 11 variations were proposed to evaluate how each alteration would affect management. One hundred and forty responses were retained (approximately 50% of clinically active ATA members). For the index case, a TSH determination was the routine choice of 100%, and serum thyroid autoantibodies were measured by 74%. Simultaneous use of serum TSH, a thyroid hormone assay, and antithyroid peroxidase was employed by 49%. Only 4% included a calcitonin assay. The median number of blood tests ordered was 3 (range, 1-7). Ultrasound was used by 59%, thyroid scintigraphy by 24%, and both imaging modalities by 11%. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed by 74%. If scintigraphy showed inhomogeneous tracer distribution or a dominant hypofunctioning region, FNAB was performed by 15% and 97%, respectively. L-T4 treatment was preferred by 56%, radioiodine by 1%, surgery by 6%, and 36% would recommend no treatment. A large goiter, a history of external radiation, or rapid growth increased the preference for surgery. In case of a suppressed serum TSH level, radioiodine was used by 56%. In conclusion, in the work-up of patients with nontoxic multinodular goiter, ATA clinicians employ determinations of TSH often combined with a T4 and/or T3 assay and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies. Thyroid imaging, primarily ultrasound, is performed by more than two thirds, and FNAB by three fourths. This diagnostic evaluation is significantly less extensive than that of the European Thyroid Association members, but the distribution of treatment choices is quite similar. In accordance with their European colleagues, the majority of ATA members prefer the use of L-T4 therapy. There is, however, still a wide variation in the perceived optimal management of this condition among members of both organizations.