Thyroid : official journal of the American Thyroid Association
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Relatively little is known about the cytological characteristics of hyperfunctioning (hot) thyroid nodules. Concern has been expressed that fine-needle aspiration (FNA) identifies hot nodules as follicular tumors or indeterminate, and as a consequence patients could be unnecessarily referred for surgery. Between 1979 and 1996, thyroid FNA was performed on 829 patients. ⋯ The frequency of adequate aspirations and conclusive results in the various groups and subgroups was found to be statistically indistinguishable. In conclusion, the yield of adequate samples and the rate of conclusive results of FNA in thyroid nodules is similar, irrespective of the functional state or of goiter presentation. Hot thyroid nodules do not seem to produce an increase in the rate of inadequate or indeterminate FNA results, and therefore, do not affect the overall performance of thyroid FNA.
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An unusual presentation of periodic paralysis in a Mexican man with thyrotoxicosis is presented. The patient suffered paralysis of the lower extremities without apparent precipitating factors such as hypokalemia, exercise, carbohydrate or alcohol ingestion. Hyperthyroidism was managed first with a thyroid suppressant (methimazole) and propranolol. ⋯ Definitive treatment of hyperthyroidism was achieved with radioactive iodine, which subsequently required substitution therapy with thyroxine. A moderate dose of thyroxine (100 microg) caused muscular weakness. Treatment of thyrotoxicosis and flaccid paralysis as well as the effects of glucocorticoids on thyroid function are discussed.