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This book is the written counterpart of a panel discussion. It consists often chapters each addressing a specific clinical question. One of the editors presents the issues to be discussed by the various commentators and relates his personal experience. In turn, several invited contributors reply to the specific questions posed by the editor. A summation of each chapter follows.
Four chapters contain material of direct relevance to the general surgeon. Chapter 3 asks whether all autonomously functioning thyroid nodules should be ablated to prevent subsequent development of thyrotoxicosis. Chapter 4 questions routine ablative therapy of hyperthyroidism in women of childbearing age. Chapter 8 is concerned with the efficacy and safety of needle aspiration of cystic thyroid nodules. Chapter 9 discusses the requirement for excision of thyroid nodules appearing after radiation therapy to the head and neck. Three chapters on Graves' disease consider use of long-term antithyroid drug therapy, long-term treatment