At 02:10 AM 6/10/01 -0000, Laura wrote:> >1. Local anesthesia or no? May I request one way or the other?
Fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodules is always under local anesthesia.
>2. This is a question about Dr. Messmer's post: >(SNIP)"This risk is also low in the hands of an experienced surgeon >so unless it is cancer, there are to my knowledge, no reasons to >remove a nodule."
[snip] It was believed the nodule was contributing to >her chronic hoarseness. Gee... did the ENT agree with this conclusion?
She was very upset when the hoarseness not >only failed to resolve after surgery, but worsened. Do you know why? Was there some trauma to the recurrent laryngeal nerve? The thyroid gland is anatomically outside of the larynx
>Are you saying removing a nodule that is not cancerous, but is believed to be >interfering with speech and/or swallowing is not advisable? I wouldn't say this; and I don't think Dr John is saying this either. In general, I would expect that any neck mass interfering with primary functions such as speech, breathing, swallowing should be removed. But as regards small benign thyroid nodules suspected to be affecting voice, I think I would seek another opinion. I suppose a mass might *involve* or lie close to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, however, in which case surgery would be of greater risk. Then a second opinion would definitely be helpful.
GWendel
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