Thyroid nodules are common, with up to 50% of the adult population having palpable nodules. With the use of ultrasound, up to 10 times more nodules are likely to be detected. Given this we decided to evaluate by retrospective study the incidence of thyroid nodule in the North-Eastern Region of Romania (Moldavia) between 2005-2009.
Material and method: We reviewed the records of patients admitted in the Department of Endocrinology, St. Spiridon Hospital Iaşi between 1.01.2005-31.12. 2009 (4712 patients) and with selected the cases with nodular goiter.
Results: A total of 3105 cases of nodular goiter were identified. The women were most affected and highest prevalence was noticed for the patients with ages between 51-60 years. Most of the nodules were found in the right thyroidian lobe and the majority of the patients were euthyroid . The peak of incidence of nodular hyperthyroidism was different from that of diffuse hyperthyroidism.
Conclusions: Thyroid nodules are the most common endocrine problem and the increasingly frequent detection of nonpalpable thyroid nodules in asymptomatic patients requires new approaches for their management.