DIFFUSE TOXIC GOITER

Diffuse toxic goiter is a common disease of the thyroid gland. As orga nospecific autoimmune condition the disease is not infrequently combin ed with endocrine ophthalmopathy and in this connection a more precise preparation of the patients to surgery is found to be mandatory. Elde rly persons demonstrate atypical patterns of the disease course (insig nificant enlargement of the gland, manifest depression, isolated cardi al disorders without other symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, resistance to t hyrostatic treatment). The patients need a lifelong dyspensary follow- up as diffuse toxic goiter is a condition of a relapsing type.