[Value of scintigraphy in the treatment of single nodules of the thyroid]. / Die waarde van flikkergrafie in die hantering van enkelnodules van die tiroïed

The value of radionuclide scanning of the thyroid gland was investigated in 125 patients with solitary thyroid nodules. Fifty-seven of the 95 patients with 'cold' nodules underwent surgery. The incidence of malignant nodules in this group was 16%; therefore surgery is recommended for all solitary 'cold' nodules. Of the 30 patients with 'warm' nodules, 20 were treated surgically and in only 1 patient was the nodule malignant. This incidence is probably not significant. Surgery is, however, also recommended for all solitary 'warm' nodules because of the possibility of toxic change. Accurate planning of the surgical procedure depends on any function of the nodule in question and this can be determined with certainty only by radionuclide scanning.