When a thyroid abnormality is palpable - What it means and what you should do

Physical examination of the thyroid can reveal diffuse enlargement, a single nodule, or several nodules on one or both sides. The challenge for the physician is to decide how to proceed with these findings. Luckily, there are many more benign nodules than malignant neoplasms of the thyroid. The authors describe how to identify thyroid dysfunction and those few nodules that require surgical resection.