Hard Goiter
Type: Symptom
Definition
An enlargement of the thyroid gland that feels exceptionally firm or stony upon palpation.
Clinical Details
The normal, soft, and glandular tissue of the thyroid is completely replaced by dense, acellular collagen and fibrous connective tissue. When a physician physically examines the patient's neck, the thyroid gland feels completely immobilized and as hard as a piece of wood. It is painless but visually and physically prominent.