["Cold" nodules of the thyroid gland. (Clinical statistical study)].
A series of 718 scintigraphically cold thyroid nodules observed between 1965 and 1976 at the Turin University Endocrine Surgery Centre is presented. This form was more common in women (80%) and mainly occurred in the 3rd and 5th decade of life. Malignancy was present in 88 cases (12.27%): 49 papilliferous tumours, 25 follicular, 9 Hurthle-cell, and 5 anaplastic. A reference is expressed for unilateral lobectomy followed by suppressive management as opposed to total thyroidectomy since malignancy is low in forms where a tumour has a single site in a cold nodule. Furthermore, this approach spares the patient from the severe consequences of inevitable post-operative hypothyroidism. Total resection is, however, mandatory in anaplastic forms. A detailed account is offered of the typical echotomograms associated with individual pathological situations. These are enough to support a preoperative diagnosis of malignancy.