Hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules in children
K. Abe, M. Konno, T. Sato and N. Matsuura
We studied two cases of hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules in children. A
9-year-old girl and an 11-year-old girl had thyroid masses in otherwise
nonpalpable thyroid glands. Scintiscan showed hyperfunctioning thyroid
nodules. The former patient had elevated values for T4 and T3, and plasma
thyrotropin (TSH) level failed to respond to stimulation with thyrotropin
releasing hormone (TRH), whereas the latter patient had normal values for
T4, and T3 and plasma TSH response to TRH was normal. After the surgical
removal of nodules, scintiscan exhibited radioactivity in the contralateral
lobe of the thyroid gland in the former and in the ectopic thyroid tissue
in the latter. Results of microscopic examinations of thyroid nodules were
consistent with adenomatous goiter.