Progress in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of autonomously functioning thyroid nodule

Autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (AFTN) is a predominantly benign neoplasm presenting in thyroid gland. AFTN can cause a range of functional abnormalities, from euthyroidism to subclinical hyperthyroidism (pre-toxic nodule stage) and overt hyperthyroidism (toxic nodule stage). The treatment methods include surgery treatment, ¹³¹I therapy, radiofrequency ablation treatment, etc. This paper reviews the progress in diagnosis and treatment of AFTN and the special clinical conditions (such as malignant nodules, Marine-Lenhart syndrome, Graves hyperthyroidism induced by ¹³¹I therapy, etc.) to provide a basis for further clinical application. (authors)