[Indications for surgical treatment of diffuse toxic goiter]

The results of examination and treatment in 129 patients with toxic goiter (TG) were analyzed. Thyroid status, stable intrathyroid iodine content, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody titer, the volume and echostructure of thyroid tissue were studied either during their first visit and during conservative treatment. The findings suggests that the relapse rate is higher with slow reduction in thyroxine levels and prolonged suppressed TSH during treatment, with higher TSH receptor antibody titer after treatment, with large thyroid volumes when TG manifests it self and in the absence of positive changes in the volume and echostructure of thyroid tissue during treatment, with lower intrathyroid iodine content and its greater reduction during treatment. Earlier surgical intervention should be recommended 2 patients having these risk factors (their combination, in particular).