In order to investigate characteristics of functioning nodules in Korea. clinical and nucleomedical
analysis of 20 cases of functioning nodules experienced at St. Mary´s Hospital, Catholic Medical College, from 1963 to 1977 was made.
1. The incidence of functioning nodules was 2.7% of 750 cases of hyperthyroidism, being lower than the reported incidence of 3 to 19%.
2. The majority of the functioning nodules were single and .solitary, They were prevalent in age groups less than 40 years. Four cases were in teenage.
3. The majority of patients were euthyroid. In 2 cases typical hyperthyroidism was present. In 7 cases, serum T3 (RIA) was, measured, 5 of which showed levels above 2 standard deviations of the mean in the normal group.
4. In 2 cases, the nodules were suppressed partiaIly by T3 administration. Five of six cases which underwent surgical resection showed follicular adenoma and one nodular hyperplasia. In one of 2 cases which received radioiodine therapy, the functioning nodule recurred.. It is concluded that (1) functioning nodules in Korea are rare, mostly solitary and prevalent in age group less than 40 years, and (2) although most
of patients are euthyroid, many of them may show high serum T3 levels.
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