Thyroid Examination
Not yet clinically reviewed
This protocol was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia and Ward Guide apps for educational use. Follow your hospital's own policies and consult seniors when in doubt.
Inspection
Ask the patient to extend the neck and look for swelling c either side of the trachea or in front of it. Ask the patient to swallow. Any swelling that moves up with laryngeal cartilage on swallowing is enlarged thyroid.
Palpation
Put both of your hands over the swelling ( from front or back ) and palpate. Ask the patient to swallow and note various characteristics (size, diffuse, single or multiple, unilateral or bilateral, consistency and tenderness) as swelling moves under your fingers.
Percussion
Sometimes percussion of thyroid is also done to look for retrosternal thyroid.
Auscultation
Ask the patient to hold his / her breath and auscultate thyroid for bruit with the bell of stethoscope.
Retrosternal Thyroid
Pemberton's sign is checked to look for retrosternal thyroid. When patient is asked to raise the arms above his head. There is stridor, face become congested and neck veins become distended (positive Pemberton's sign)