Grading of goiter is a grading criterion used in the clinical examination to assess the degree of goiter. A secondary enlargement of the thyroid gland only represents the size of the thyroid gland and does not indicate thyroid disease per se. It is the specific type of thyroid disease that indicates the severity. Further refinement of ultrasound, thyroid hormone levels or even puncture biopsy is recommended.
We often see goiter disease in the clinic, and it is currently classified into three degrees in clinical examination based on the enlargement of the thyroid gland:
(1) Mild (degree I) enlargement: the thyroid gland is not visible in the neck on examination, but can be palpated on palpation.
(2) Moderate (degree II): the neck is visible and the outline of the enlargement is palpable on palpation, but the thyroid gland does not extend beyond the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
(3) Severe (degree III): The thyroid gland is visually and palpably enlarged, and the thyroid gland extends beyond the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Simply in terms of secondary enlargement, it is not the most severe in the classification. However, many types of thyroid disease can manifest as goiter. Examples include primary hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, subacute thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. The severity of the condition should be determined by the specific type of disease.
Therefore, if secondary enlargement of the thyroid gland is found, further improvement of thyroid hormone levels, thyroid ultrasound testing, and if necessary, thyroid aspiration biopsy should be performed.