A goiter is a type of swelling in the neck brought on by an enlarged thyroid gland. It is also known as a bronchocele. There are several types of goiters, including:

Diffuse goiter (spread throughout thyroid, a.k.a. multinodular goiter or simple goiter)

Nontoxic goiter (goiter with normal or low thyroid levels)

Toxic goiter (goiter with hyperthyroidism)


Possible causes of a goiter include:

Congenital hypothyroidism

Graves' disease

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Iodine deficiency

Pharmacological therapy

Thyroid cancer

Thyroiditis

Treatment options for a goiter depend upon many factors. Treatment, in fact, may not be required if the goiter is small enough in size. Many treatment option may revolve around treating the underlying hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Additional treatment possibilities include:

Antithyroid drugs for Graves' disease

Radioactive iodine (iodine-131)

Thyroidectomy