Thyroid symptoms
Caroline A. Banks MD, et al. The Laryngoscope, Volume 122, Issue 1, pages 13–16, January 2012
Study objectives and hypothesis:
Compressive symptoms are common in thyroid disease, but few studies have focused on the presence, associated factors, and aetiology of compressive symptoms.
Methods:
Patients who underwent thyroidectomy from 2005 through 2009 were reviewed
The data included demographics, indication for surgery, compressive symptoms, complications, diagnosis, volume of thyroid gland, presence of inflammation, and follow-up.
Study results:
Three hundred thirty-three patients were identified
The mean age was 51 years, and 82% were female
Fifty-two percent (n = 172) of patients experienced compressive symptoms preoperatively, including dysphagia (n = 131) and shortness of breath (n = 83)
Twenty-six percent (n = 86) of patients presented with voice changes, and 8% (n = 27) complained of odynophagia
Postoperatively, 25 patients (8%) continued to have compressive symptoms (P< .0001), and 10 patients (3%) developed new compressive symptoms. Compressive symptoms were present in 72% (n = 21) of patients with lymphocytic thyroiditis, 71% (n = 5) of patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer, and 60% (n = 92) of patients with goiter
The average volume of the gland in patients with compressive symptoms was 75.5 mL compared to 37.1 mL in asymptomatic patients (P< .0001)
There was not a significant relationship between compressive symptoms and the presence of inflammation (P = .869)
Conclusions:
- Patients with thyroid disease frequently present with compressive symptoms, and the majority of patients experience relief postoperatively.
- The volume of the thyroid gland is associated with compressive symptoms along with additional contributing factors.
