A patient with long standing multinodular goitre develops hoarseness of voice ; also, the swelling undergoes sudden increase in size. Likely diagnosis is:
**Core Concept**
This question tests understanding of complications of multinodular goiter, specifically **hemorrhagic cystic nodule**. Sudden enlargement of a thyroid nodule with hoarseness suggests **intra-nodular hemorrhage** compressing the **recurrent laryngeal nerve**.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Intra-nodular hemorrhage in a multinodular goiter leads to rapid swelling due to blood accumulation within a cystic nodule. Compression of the **recurrent laryngeal nerve** by the enlarged nodule causes **hoarseness**. This is distinct from slow-growing malignancies or chronic conditions. The acute onset and mechanical effects of bleeding are hallmark features.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Thyroid cancer typically presents with a **hard, fixed nodule**, not acute swelling. Hoarseness in cancer is due to **nerve infiltration**, not sudden compression.
**Option B:** Thyroid lymphoma grows **progressively** and is associated with **painful enlargement**, not sudden size change.
**Option C:** Subacute thyroiditis causes **painful, tender** enlargement with systemic symptoms like fever; hoarseness is rare.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
**"Bleeds donβt grow, they burst!"** Sudden thyroid nodule enlargement is **highly suggestive of hemorrhage**, not neoplastic growth. Always consider **recurrent laryngeal nerve compression** in multinodular goiters with hoarseness.
**Correct Answer: C. Hemorrhagic cystic nodule**