If you put your stethoscope over this, what will you hear?

October 29, 2013

Okay, so if we simply ask you what this is you’ll say a thyroid goiter. We knew you’re too smart for that! But how about if you listen over the mass? What might you hear and in what disease (or diseases) might you hear it?

You may hear a thyroid bruit. A thyroid bruit is described as a continuous sound that is heard over the thyroid mass. (If you only hear something during systolic, think about a carotid bruit or radiating cardiac murmur.) A thyroid bruit is seen in Grave’s disease from a proliferation of the blood supply when the thyroid enlarges. While a TSH producing pituitary tumor could also cause this, it’s very rare so a thyroid bruit is often considered pathognomonic for Grave’s disease. Don’t forget to look for eye involvement if you suspect Grave’s disease! Visit our webpage to learn more about the thyroid exam.

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