Goiter .

goiterA goiter is a swelling in the thyroid gland which usually leads to a swelling of the neck or larynx.

They are classified in different ways:

  • A diffuse goiter is a goiter that has spread through all of the thyroid (and can be a simple goitre, or a multinodular goitre, as depicted).
  • Toxic goiter refers to goiter with hyperthyroidism. These most commonly due to Graves’ disease, but can be caused by inflammation or a multinodular goiter.
  • Nontoxic goiter (associated with normal or low thyroid levels) refers to all other types (such as that caused by lithium or certain other autoimmune diseases).

Worldwide, the most common cause for goiter is iodine deficiency.