[Thyroid gland volume. Methods of its determination and their significance]

For the assessment of the volume of the thyroid gland palpation, sonography or scintigraphy can be used. Palpation serves only as orientation, it underrates large goitres and a false positive diagnosis of goitre cannot be ruled out. Sonography uses a static echotomographic method or a dynamic empirical method. Echotomography is at present the most reliable method of assessment of the thyroid volume in vivo. The value of conventional scintigraphy for assessment of the thyroid volume is only historical, more accurate three-dimensional radionuclide diagnostic methods are so far not currently available in this country.