The
thyroid nodule is a frequent cause of
primary care consultation . The
prevalence of a palpable
thyroid nodule is approximately 4-7%, increasing up to 67% by the incidental
detection of nodules on ultrasound. The vast majority are benign and asymptomatic, staying stable over
time . The
clinical importance of studying a
thyroid nodule is to exclude
thyroid cancer , which occurs in 5 to 10% of the nodules. The
Board of SOCHED (Chilean Society of
Endocrinology and Diabetes) asked the
Thyroid Study Group to develop a
consensus regarding the diagnostic management of the
thyroid nodule in
Chile , aimed at non-
specialist physicians and adapted to the national reality. To this end, a multidisciplinary group of 31 experts was established among
university academics, active
researchers with
publications on the subject and prominent members of
scientific societies of
endocrinology ,
head and
neck surgery ,
pathology and
radiology . A total of 14 questions were developed with key aspects for the
diagnosis and subsequent
referral of
patients with
thyroid nodules , which were addressed by the participants. In those areas where the evidence was insufficient or the national reality had to be considered, the
consensus opinion of the experts was used through the Delphi
methodology . The
consensus was approved by the SOCHED
board for
publication .