Causes and symptoms of thyroid cysts

Thyroid cyst – These are cavities in the form of knots filled with liquid contents. These are focal formations similar to a capsule. They are determined by several methods, among them palpation, based on palpation. A visual inspection method is also common. Outwardly, the thyroid cyst is similar to dense vesicles in which there is liquid.

Signs and symptoms of a thyroid cyst

Often in everyday bustle, people do not notice the unexpected appearance of a cyst. Initial symptoms are not obvious. In the neck, due to an increase in the cyst, a characteristic compressive pain appears, especially in the area where the foreign formation is located.

Let’s list the symptoms more clearly:

• Pain occurs in the neck, and it is very difficult to establish their prescription.

• In the throat there is a constant sensation of a lump, or tickling.

• Difficulty swallowing, this symptom depends on the degree of progression of the disease.

• In breathing, disturbances occur – the thyroid gland increases, part of the organ is outside the larynx, pressing on it, as well as on the walls of the trachea, which is located behind the thyroid gland.

• The voice changes – also due to the tissues of the gland, which put pressure on the laryngeal nerve, and it becomes impossible to control the process of innervation of the vocal cords.

• Lymph nodes in the neck become denser, this is noticeable to an experienced doctor – the process of metastasis is characteristic only for formations that are called malignant.

In many ways, the symptoms depend on the type of cyst. This education is quite complex. So, with a colloidal variety, sweating, tachycardia are noticed. If it is benign, then manifestations can be observed:

• With suppuration, a kind of pain appears.

• The indicator of subfebrile body temperature may rise, it will be 39-40 ° C.

• Often there is a feeling of chills.

• There is a headache that cannot be explained by other symptoms.

• Lymph nodes are markedly enlarged.

Also, manifestations and signs depend on the size of the cyst. If it does not exceed 1 cm, then it is almost impossible to identify it. When the right lobe is affected, aggressiveness appears, the eyes are excessively bulging. In order to identify the appearance of a left-sided cyst, medical research is needed. If the size is 1-3cm:

• It can be determined by palpation.

• There is a deformity on the neck.

• Periodically in the throat and neck there is a feeling of discomfort.

 If the formation is large, the manifestations and symptoms will be more obvious:

• A fairly large growth under the epidermis on the neck is noticeable.

• The neck is severely deformed.

• Dyspnea.

• The veins are dilated.

• Dysphagia.

Etc. Manifestations of symptoms can be rare, periodic. When the episodes are one-time, it is much easier to overcome the disease. It is better to contact specialists at the first ailment. The patient himself is able to see only a large cyst, which is difficult to eliminate with conservative methods of therapy.

Causes of a thyroid cyst

It is important to know why a cyst may occur. This will help to take measures so that it does not appear. Of great importance is the structure of the gland tissue itself. It includes more than 30 million follicles that are filled with colloid (acini and vesicles). A colloid is a special protein gel-like liquid consisting of protohormones. This is a special kind of substances that function in the cells in which they are reproduced. When the flow of hormones and the outflow of colloidal substance is disturbed, the size of the follicles increases, small cysts form. Often they are multiple.

Often such a health disorder is manifested due to overexertion. At the same time, there is an overexpenditure of the volume of energy-supplying hormones. Recall that this includes T3 (triiodothyronine), as well as T4 (thyroxine). The usual reasons are:

• Psycho-emotional stress.

• The onset of the rehabilitation period after a particularly serious illness, possibly thermal exposure.

• Due to extreme cold or heat that has affected the patient.

• Increased hormone production and gland activity.

In the latter case, the density of the gland tissue gradually loses its elasticity. It is transformed into altered areas, cavities are formed that are filled with the corresponding fluid. They also collect destroyed cells. Thyroid health is also affected by:

• Iodine deficiency.

• The process of an inflammatory kind, which concerns an unchanged gland – thyroiditis.

• Severe intoxication, poisoning with poisons.

• Disruptions in the work of hormones, imbalance.

• Environment that does not meet the standards of life, insufficient ecology.

• Thyroid injury.

• Organ pathologies laid down from birth.

• hereditary concomitant factors.

The most common cause is hyperplasia with follicular degeneration (microbleeding). It is typical for injuries, strokes.

Are thyroid cysts dangerous?

A disease such as a thyroid cyst has a certain pathogenesis. If you run a case, the following risks will arise:

• hemorrhage process;

• inflammation;

• transformation into a malignant disease.

When a hemorrhage begins to flow inside the cyst, tolerable pain appears. The size of the “bump” is increasing. Medical intervention is not necessary when there is no secondary infection. Such education will resolve itself.

Rarely, such a dangerous phenomenon as the degeneration of a gland cyst occurs. This is more characteristic of the so-called cyst nodes. In order for the cyst to begin to become inflamed, accompanying factors are necessary:

• Intoxication of an organ or the whole organism.

• Strong pain.

• The growth of the size of the lymph nodes in the neck.

• Rather high, dangerous temperature (40-41 °C).

These symptoms indicate the onset of the stage of pathogenesis. According to statistics, 90% of diagnosed patients with a thyroid cyst are not at risk of developing cancer. The root causes of the appearance of cysts signal the risks:

• gland hyperplasia,

• thyroiditis attack,

• dystrophic changes in the follicle,

• infectious processes.

An endocrinologist can answer worries about whether a thyroid cyst is dangerous after some research. This conclusion comes after receiving data on the tendency to neoplasms of suppuration, inflammation. Certain manifestations speak of complications and pathogenesis:

• Hyperthermia is a significant increase in temperature.

• Growth of cervical lymph nodes.

• Intoxication of the body.

• Painful manifestations in the localized area of ​​cyst formation.

It is impossible to allow the size of the cyst to become large – then nodes are formed. They carry a great danger of malignancy.

 Types of thyroid cysts:

There are cases of single and multiple formations, autonomous toxic and calm cysts of a non-toxic type. They can also become benign or malignant. The volume of cysts usually accounts for one-twentieth of all the nodes of the organ itself, the thyroid gland.

What makes a cyst single or multiple? They usually contain fluid or blood cells. If too much hormone is released, the patient shows symptoms of a thyroid disorder. The lack of hormones also indicates a disease of the organ. Frequent cases of hypothyroidism, which occurs as a consequence of Hashimoto’s disease. This is a special lesion of the thyroid gland, provoking inflammation and autoimmune lesions. 

Colloidal thyroid cyst – one of the varieties of the disease. This is a colloidal node, it is formed as a result of non-toxic goiter. Nodular formations are called enlarged follicles, which have a high density of thyrocytes, which serve as a layer on the walls. If there are no significant structural changes in the cells of the gland, then a nodular goiter is formed. When the thyroid parenchyma changes, a goiter of a diffuse-nodular type is formed. Of those diagnosed, about 95% have colloid neoplasms of a completely benign nature. Then it is only necessary to provide dispensary observation. And 5% have a risk of transformations into an oncoprocess. It is believed that this type of cyst does not require treatment.

Follicular thyroid cyst has a different clinical picture. It is better to call it a follicular adenoma. The composition of such a formation is based on a large volume of cells – follicles. They have a fairly dense structure, there is no cavity, as in a cyst. It can rarely be clinically manifested in the initial stages. Visually, it will be noticeable only with proper magnification. When noticeable deformations occur, the risk of malignancy increases. Most often, this type of cyst appears in women. Its symptoms are as follows:

• Dense bump on the neck.

• There is no pain on palpation.

• The boundaries of education are clearly defined.

• Breathing becomes difficult.

• If the cyst is well developed, the body weight drops.

• The neck area is burdened by a feeling of discomfort.

• As if there is a lump in the throat, squeezing.

• Tachycardia.

• Frequent bouts of coughing.

• Tickle.

• Irritability.

• Feeling tired quickly.

• The temperature difference causes strong sensations.

• Sweating.

• High blood pressure.

Multiple thyroid cysts – a phenomenon that is difficult to call a diagnosis. This is rather the conclusion of instrumental studies. Among these is an ultrasound. Such a formation is detected through a special ultrasound scan. According to statistics, this is considered the initial pathological hyperplasia of the tissue structure, the pathogenesis of iodine salt deficiency. This is the most common first signal about the development of pathology in the thyroid gland. The most common cause of the disease is iodine deficiency. The treatment process in this case is directed to the neutralization of concomitant factors. The impact happens:

• ecological,

• psychoemotional,

• food,

• replenishing (relative to iodine).

Malignant thyroid cysts also called cancer. They are very rare compared to adenocarcinomas. They are difficult to diagnose, often an additional biopsy is prescribed for this. Their growth is slow, and if tendencies are found to accelerate it and increase in volume, the attending specialist sends the patient for additional examinations. It is difficult to focus only on the size of the cyst. Much more indicative than inflammation of the organ.

This is the most common classification of cysts. In addition, there are a number of varieties:

• Cyst of the right lobe of the organ.

• Cyst of the left lobe of the thyroid gland.

• Cyst on the isthmus of the thyroid gland.

• Small thyroid cysts.

• cyst in children.

• Cyst in teenagers.

• Cyst in pregnant women.

In most cases, the malfunction of the thyroid gland is associated with the state of hormones. In some cases, a dangerous failure is considered one of the manifestations of age.

Thyroid cyst treatment

Treatment of thyroid cysts is prescribed for certain manifestations. In particular, it is important what size its increase has reached. It is necessary that the cyst reaches three centimeters. Much also depends on the incoming complaints of the patient. There are times when its size is dangerous for neighboring organs, when it increases, it presses on them, and other painful symptoms appear. For example, body temperature rises, there is a tendency to malignancy of the cyst.

The main remedy in the treatment of such diseases is their emptying. To do this, use a thin needle. If the disease is accompanied by suppuration or malignancy, or a similar risk has been identified in studies, in the event of a relapse, a repeated puncture will be relevant. There is a method based on the introduction of special preparations into the cyst cavity – sclerosants (such as ethyl alcohol), that is, the method of sclerosis. Thanks to him, a beneficial subsidence and scarring of the cyst begins. An indication for surgical intervention in the presence of a cyst of this organ is the rapid accumulation of a liquid composition in it.

If it is still small – that is, has not reached 3 cm – and the patient does not complain about the condition, the treatment will consist of a course of pharmacological preparations. They are used as therapy for diffuse non-toxic goiter. These include a number of preparations of thyroid hormones, drugs with iodine. The purpose of this technique is to control TSH, as well as to organize an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland itself. When therapy is based on preparations with iodine, the state of thyroid antibodies is first detected. This helps to rule out autoimmune thyroiditis.

Puncture of a thyroid cyst indicated if it is necessary to achieve a therapeutic and diagnostic goal. The contents of the cyst are removed and sent for mandatory cyto-histological examination. The procedure requires a very thin needle. With its help, a puncture is made in the formation, through which, under the influence of pressure, the contents are removed.

Therapeutic puncture is indicated only for large cysts and complaints from the client. Often a repeated puncture procedure is performed. When relapse recurs, other appropriate methods are used.

After such an operation and the appearance of an active abscess, the presence and degree of exposure to an infectious agent, the sensitivity of the patient to antibiotics are determined. Completes the course of any of the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs.

For surgical treatment, certain indications should be identified:

• Large cyst size.

• Compression syndrome on nearby organs and blood vessels in the neck.

• Frequent occurrence of rapid relapses, which happens after a puncture procedure.

• Malignancy.

If the indications are present, it is necessary to remove a lobe of the organ (hemistrumectomy).

Thyroid cyst removal (surgery)

To get a referral for cyst removal, you need to carry out certain tests and special preparatory procedures. Among them:

• General blood analysis.

• Ultrasound of the gland.

• Blood for HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases.

• Blood on TSH.

• Puncture.

• Biopsy.

The operation that is performed on the thyroid gland can be partial or complete, if the formation is associated with an autoimmune process, it is impossible to completely do without removing the organ. Using modern technologies, specialists leave a fragment of structures. This is the so-called laryngeal nerve, the parathyroid gland system. To remove a large cyst, general anesthesia is done. The duration of the operation is no more than 1 hour. This is followed by 3 weeks for recovery. Colloidal cysts do not operate, they are observed in a dynamic manner.

There are several methods for removing the thyroid glands.

• puncture of the cyst that has arisen;

• sclerotherapy procedure;

• course of laser coagulation;

• performing surgery on the thyroid gland itself.

Sclerotization is the introduction of a sclerosant into the cyst. It serves as a provocateur of blockage of small blood vessels, a natural burn of the cyst walls occurs, its walls subside, and then the scarring process follows. Having established ultrasound control, the doctor inserts a thin needle into the bump. The contents are expelled from the cavity. The process of its elimination resembles suction. The amount of the taken substance does not exceed 90% of the total volume. Then, also with the help of a needle, 96% or 99% alcohol (ethyl) is poured into the cyst. Its volume should be 20-50% of the removed substance. But the total volume of alcohol should not be much more than ten milliliters. After two minutes, the injected liquid is removed. This gap is enough to burn the inner walls of the cyst. Sclerotization is one of the less painful types of medical intervention.

The operation has side effects:

• pain when alcohol is injected.

• Burning in neck and ears.

• The release of alcohol outside the bumps.

Laser coagulation is also called the method of local hyperthermia. This is an updated way to remove a thyroid cyst. It consists in using a laser that acts on the area with the cyst. Simultaneously, ultrasonic control is carried out. With the help of a laser, hyperthermia is created in the cyst area. Thanks to laser coagulation of the protein, the destruction of its cells begins. The duration of the operation is about 5-10 minutes. In addition, there are the following advantages:

• painlessness;

• outpatient conduct;

• non-invasive basis;

• minimum side effects;

• scarring does not occur.

Often they resort to a good alternative to the methods listed – surgical intervention on the thyroid gland. Such a measure would be appropriate for excessively large cysts and the risk of malignancy. A popular operation is hemistrumectomy (removal of a lobe of the gland). There is a situation when the goals of the operation expand to thyroidectomy (absolute removal of the organ). Then, a course of replacement therapy, which is based on thyroid hormones, will definitely follow.

Food

Many people are interested in nutrition that will help with a thyroid cyst. This is one of the means to compensate for iodine deficiency. This substance is found in many products:

• All types of seafood.

• Persimmon.

• Cherry.

• Eggplant.

• Dates.

• Radish.

• Buckwheat.

• Chokeberry.

• Spinach.

• Prunes.

• Currant black.

• Beet.

• Tomatoes.

• Garlic.

• Millet.

Excess sweet foods are contraindicated. Smoked meats, fried foods, canned food, lard are harmful. For salting food, it is better to use iodized or marine salts.