[Solid cold thyroid nodule. Current data]

Attitudes adopted when confronted with a solid cold thyroid nodule are analyzed in the light of recent developments in paraclinical data represented essentially by results of immunological, ultrasound and fine needle cytopuncture examinations. The use of these new surveillance technics frequently allows surgery to be deferred, while if on the contrary operation is decided then it usually now involves both thyroid lobes to avoid nodular recurrence and repeat surgery. Postoperative follow up surveillance is essential to ensure individual adaptation of attitude: therapeutic abstention, suppressive or possibly compensatory treatment.