A multinodular goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland containing numerous nodules rather than having smooth, homogeneous tissue. It can result from iodine deficiency, autoimmune disease, aging, or idiopathic causes. On ultrasound, a multinodular goiter appears as thyroid enlargement with multiple nodules of varying sizes and echogenicities scattered throughout both lobes. The degree of goiter is typically classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on ultrasound and clinical findings. While most multinodular goiters are benign, individual nodules within the goiter must still be characterized to assess for malignancy, and the goiter itself may eventually cause compressive symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or breathing if it becomes very large.
Sonography Term