[Does thyroid scintigram still have indications in 2005?].

Since 15 years, the indications of thyroid scintigrams have been dramatically reduced. This examination appeared useless in most cases of hypothyroidism and for the evaluation of thyroid cysts or for infracentimetric nodules. For greater solid nodules, its poor sensibility and bad specificity have resulted in its replacement by echography and fine needle biopsy.

[Adaptation of thyroid function to excess iodine].

NORMALLY: The production of thyroid hormones is normally stable, despite iodine supplies that may vary widely and even on sudden excess iodine. The metabolism of iodine is characterised by adapted thyroid uptake, the requirements varying on the age and physiological status of the individual (pregnancy, breastfeeding) and by insufficient supplies in several areas in France. IN THE CASE OF EXCESS: The mechanisms that permit the thyroid to adapt to a sudden or chronic excess of iodine are immature in the newborn and sometimes deficient in adults, and may lead to iodine-induced dysthyroidism.

Selection of patients with solitary thyroid nodules for operation.

Objective: To improve the preoperative selection for operation of patients with solitary thyroid nodules.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: University hospital, France.

[Echography of thyroid nodules. The echography specialist facing the clinician's requirements].

The risk of malignancy in cases of unique non-functional thyroid nodules ranges from 5 to 20% and since definitive diagnosis can only be provided by the pathology examination, surgical removal could be planned in all cases. The clinician however also has the objective of proposing surgery to as few patients with benign nodules as possible and thus calls upon the echographist to help distinguish between malignant and benign nodules. Thus orders for echography carry an intrinsic request for diagnostic arguments, a precise analysis of the characteristics of the nodule and a description of possible multinodular dystrophy as well as an estimation of the probability of malignancy.