Nurse Cratchet the school nurse noticed Billy had a lump at

Nurse Cratchet, the school nurse, noticed Billy had a lump at the base of his neck. Nurse Cratchet contacted Billy’s parents recommending that Billy have the lump inspected by his pediatrician because she was concerned that the swelling may be his thyroid gland. Discuss the possible significance of the swelling. Include in your discussion whether this would be hypo- or hyperthyroid, and the symptoms that you would expect to see.

Solution

Ans: The swelling at the base of neck could be goitre because in goitre, the main symptoms include a visible swelling at the base of the neck. Though the swelling is mostly benign and non cancerous. But it should be checked by the expert to rule out any other associated disease. The swelling would cause tight feeling, coughing, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and breathing. The goitre coulde be due to Iodine deficiency of Iodine, essential for thyroid hormones production). The goitre may occur in grave\'s disease/hyperthyroidism (where the hormone produces too much thyroid) or due to hashimoto\'s disease /hypothyroidism, where very less amount of hormone is present. Due to which pituitary gland produces more TSH to stimulate the thyroid and results in enlargement.