[Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules]

The paper presents current diagnostic and therapeutic approach of thyroid nodules. TSH and iodine are the main goitrogenic agents, but there are also other auto- para-endocrinal factors that play very important roles in goiter growth as well as in the intrinsic growth potential of some thyroid follicular cells. The diagnosis of thyroid nodule demands further investigation such as thyroid function evaluation and distinction between benign from malignant nodules using FNAB. The confirmation or suspicion of malignancy or presence of compressive symptoms is indication for surgery. In benign lesions, without features of hyperthyroidism observation may be advised. Thyroxine therapy may be proposed to some patients but the possibility of side-effects should always be taken into account, as well as the low efficacy of this treatment.