Q:

When is surgery preferred as a definitive treatment?

0

A 30-year-old woman presents with complaints of palpitations, tremulousness and weight loss of around 4 kg (despite a good appetite) over the last 2 months. On examination, she is anxious, has a pulse rate of 100/min, warm and moist peripheries, fine tremors of the outstretched hands and a visible goiter. No obvious abnormalities in the eyes. Her last menstrual period was 15 days ago. Her primary care physician orders for laboratory examination which reveals normal hemogram with an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 25 mm in the first hour. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) <0.001 mIU/L and total T4 28 mg/dL. A diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis is made. She is started on beta-blockers and she is asked to get a technetium uptake scan and review.

When is surgery preferred as a definitive treatment?

All Answers

need an explanation for this answer? contact us directly to get an explanation for this answer

Patients who have compressive symptoms such as dysphagia, difficulty breathing or change in voice, or patients with large goiters, have a nodule suspicious of malignancy, patients who have moderate-to-severe active Graves’ orbitopathy, (where radioiodine can worsen condition), or patients planning pregnancy within 4–6 months are candidates ideal for surgery. Patients with substantial coexisting comorbidities make poor candidates for surgery.

need an explanation for this answer? contact us directly to get an explanation for this answer

total answers (1)

Similar questions


need a help?


find thousands of online teachers now