Asymptomatic Thyroid Nodule Detection in a Referred Patient, A Case Report

Thyroid gland abnormalities or enlargement can be easily detected during a routine oral examination. Dental clinical examination involves inspecting and palpating different parts of the head and neck, including the thyroid gland. Referral of patients is crucial for proper patient care.

In this report, we present the case of a 42-year-old female patient referred to the oral medicine clinic from an orthodontic clinic for the evaluation of tongue pigmentation, during which a thyroid nodule was incidentally detected. The patient was diagnosed with doxycycline-induced tongue pigmentation and was referred for further assessment and management of the thyroid nodule. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy, and the tissue was consistent with that of multiple goiters with no malignancy.

This case highlights the importance of the dentist’s role as a health care provider in detecting any abnormalities presented during the clinical examination and their responsibility to refer the patient to the appropriate medical specialists when needed.