GLOSSARY
BAETS:
British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons: a group of UK surgeons with a specialist interest in surgery of the endocrine system.
Colloid Goitre:
A common cause of thyroid enlargement where the thyroid is occupied by multiple, non-cancerous nodules (lumps). May cause symptoms due to the size of the thyroid or sometimes due to over-production of thyroid hormones, when surgery can be used in treatment.Often also referred to as 'multi-nodular goitre'.
Endocrine:
Relating to those organs responsible for producing hormones (substances released into the bloodstream which regulate the function of other, remote organs).
First-time Surgery:
Thyroid surgery, where no previous surgery on the thyroid gland has been performed; as distinct from re-operative thyroidectomy.
Goitre:
Enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Graves' disease:
A disease of the thyroid gland in which the body's immune system produces antibodies, which can stimulate growth and activity of thyroid cells.One of the commonest causes of an over-active thyroid (thyrotoxicosis), when thyroidectomy can be used in treatment.
Funnel plot:
A method of showing a surgeon's results, compared to those of all surgeons, and to the national average. See Introduction section for guidance on interpretation of funnel plots.
Hypocalcaemia:
Low calcium levels in the blood. May arise after thyroid surgery, due to damage of the parathyroid glands, which sit next to the thyroid, and which control blood calcium levels.
Laryngoscopy:
Inspection of the vocal cords and their movements, usually by a flexible telescope inserted through the nose as an outpatient procedure.
Lobectomy:
Removal of one half (or 'lobe') of the thyroid
Lymph node dissection:
Removal of certain lymph nodes in the neck, usually as part of treatment for some thyroid cancers.
Lymph nodes:
Lymph nodes are small, oval organs, present throughout the body, which are part of the immune system, acting as filters for foreign particles and cancer cells.
Recurrent laryngeal nerves:
Nerves to the voice box, responsible for controlling the movements of the vocal cords, important for voice production and coughing. May be injured in thyroid surgery.
Thyroid:
A gland situated in the neck, responsible for regulating the body's metabolism, by production of thyroid hormones.
Thyroidectomy:
Removal of the thyroid gland.
Thyroxine:
The principal hormone released by the thyroid, and which may be taken as a tablet to replace the function of the thyroid after thyroidectomy.
Total Thyroidectomy:
Removal of the whole thyroid gland.
Vocal Cord Palsy:
Loss of the normal movements of one or other vocal cord, which may be due to injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve(s) during thyroid surgery. May result in a hoarse/weak voice and swallowing difficulties.