Follicular carcinoma masquerading as a hot nodule in a pediatric patient

Abstract

Autonomous functioning thyroid nodules (AFTNs) are generally considered to be benign entities, with malignancy found in about 1 per cent considered to be rare in the general population. Because of this low rate, fine needle aspiration is generally not recommended, and these lesions are most often treated with radioactive iodine, medication, or surgery. However, AFTNs are exceedingly rare in the pediatric population and the optimal treatment is not defined. We present a 14-year-old female patient with an AFTN treated with surgical resection and found to contain a follicular carcinoma with capsular invasion.