Goitre - Morphology

Morphology

Regarding morphology, goitres may be classified either as the growth pattern or as the size of the growth:

Growth pattern

• Uninodular (struma uninodosa): can be either inactive or a toxic nodule
• Multinodular (struma nodosa): can likewise be inactive or toxic, the latter called toxic multinodular goitre
• Diffuse (struma diffuse): the whole thyroid appearing to be enlarged.

Size

• Class I (palpation struma): in normal posture of the head, it cannot be seen; it is only found by palpation.
• Class II: the struma is palpative and can be easily seen.
• Class III: the struma is very large and is retrosternal; pressure results in compression marks.

• Struma nodosa (Class II)

• Struma with autonomous adenoma

• Struma Class III