[Management of goiters].

Simple goiter is defined as an enlarged thyroid without dysfunction, thyroiditis or cancer. Complications of the goiter appear only at stage of plurinodulaire goiter. Homogeneous simple goiters of young subjects resolve with thyroid hormone administration. Many simple multinodular goiters of adults can benefit from simple monitoring. Total thyroidectomy is recommended for goiters that become symptomatic, unsightly, accompanied by lowering of TSH concentration, or containing suspicious nodules. Radioactive iodine constitutes an alternative to surgery for voluminous, compressive, hyperfunctionnal goiters, especially in older people.