PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Which condition is the most common cause of thyroid enlargement?

1. Thyroiditis

2. Multinodular goiter

3. Graves' disease

4. Thyroid carcinoma

The correct answer is: Multinodular goiter

Thyroid enlargement, also known as goiter, is often attributed to a variety of conditions, but the most prevalent cause in many populations is multinodular goiter. This condition is characterized by the presence of multiple nodules in the thyroid gland and can arise due to factors like iodine deficiency, which leads to compensatory hyperplasia of thyroid follicular cells, resulting in enlargement. In many cases, multinodular goiters occur as a natural, benign response to the body’s demand for more thyroid hormone due to metabolic needs or iodine insufficiency. While other conditions like thyroiditis, Graves' disease, and thyroid carcinoma can also cause thyroid enlargement, they are less common as primary causes. Thyroiditis refers to inflammation of the thyroid gland and can lead to transient enlargement, but it is not as frequent as multinodular goiter. Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition that leads to hyperthyroidism, can cause an enlarged thyroid, but it typically presents with additional symptoms, such as eye involvement or increased metabolic activity, making it less common as a standalone cause of thyroid enlargement. Thyroid carcinoma is relatively rare compared to benign conditions like multinodular goiter and tends to represent a small fraction of thyroid enlargement cases. In summary