DIFFUSE TOXIC GOITER

Diffuse toxic goiter is a common disease of the thyroid gland. As organospecific autoimmune condition the disease is not infrequently combined with endocrine ophthalmopathy and in this connection a more precise preparation of the patients to surgery is found to be mandatory. Elderly persons demonstrate atypical patterns of the disease course (insignificant enlargement of the gland, manifest depression, isolated cardial disorders without other symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, resistance to thyrostatic treatment). The patients need a lifelong dyspensary follow-up as diffuse toxic goiter is a condition of a relapsing type.