Fleshy Goiter

Rouying (肉瘿, “flesh goiter”) is a relatively common type of goiter. Its clinical features include a round or oval nodule in the front of the neck at the level of the larynx. The nodule is slightly firm, moves up and down with swallowing, is usually solitary, and develops slowly. In Western medicine, this corresponds to a “thyroid adenoma” or “thyroid cyst,” both benign thyroid nodules. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition falls under the category of “goiter” (瘿病).

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Round lumps on one or both sides of the front of the neck; a feeling of tightness or pain in the neck, or no obvious discomfort; a pale-red tongue with a thin, greasy coating; a wiry, slippery pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • Round lumps may appear on one or both sides of the front of the neck.
  • The neck may feel tight or painful, or there may be no obvious discomfort.
  • The tongue may be pale red.
  • The tongue coating may be thin and greasy.
  • The pulse may feel taut and smooth.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Regulate qi and relieve stagnation; transform phlegm and soften hardness.

In Plain Language:

  • May help regulate the flow of qi and ease stagnation, alleviating discomfort such as chest tightness, distension along the sides of the torso, low mood, or frequent sighing.
  • May help transform phlegm and soften firm masses, alleviating manifestations such as profuse phlegm, a sensation of obstruction in the throat, or lumps in the body.

|Related Medications

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Round lumps on one or both sides of the front of the neck; fatigue, dry mouth, palpitations, sweating, insomnia and vivid dreams, weight loss, increased appetite with persistent hunger, irritability and a tendency to anger; women may also have irregular menstruation; a red tongue with a thin coating or little coating; a fine, rapid, weak pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • Round lumps may appear on one or both sides of the front of the neck.
  • You may feel tired and have a dry mouth.
  • You may have palpitations and sweat.
  • You may sleep poorly and be prone to insomnia and vivid dreams.
  • You may be thin and find it difficult to gain weight.
  • You may feel hungry easily even after eating a lot.
  • You may be impatient and become angry easily.
  • Women may have irregular periods.
  • The tongue may be red.
  • The tongue coating may be thin or almost absent.
  • The pulse may be fine and somewhat rapid, with weak force on palpation.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Tonify qi and nourish yin; relieve stagnation and transform phlegm.

In Plain Language:

  • May help replenish the body’s vital qi and nourish yin fluids, alleviating discomfort such as low energy, dry mouth and throat, or a sensation of internal heat.
  • May help relieve stagnation and transform phlegm, alleviating manifestations such as chest tightness, distension along the sides of the torso, low mood, or difficulty coughing up phlegm.

|Related Medications

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

Zhibai Dihuang Wan
Shengmai San

References

  1. Zhao Haiping, Jiang Changxin, Zhao Chunge, et al. Changes in the incidence of nodular goiter and thyroid adenoma: A 25-year clinicopathological analysis of data from Tianjin Medical University General Hospital [J]. Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2003(5): 41–45.
  2. China Association of Chinese Medicine. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Surgical Conditions in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Rouying) [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2012: 40.
  3. Zhao Yong, Xu Wenhua, Chen Quanru. Pattern-based selection of commonly used Chinese patent medicines for treating thyroid nodules [J]. Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine, 2014, 36(6): 36.
  4. Fan Yali. Observation of the short-term efficacy and long-term recurrence rate of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment for hyperthyroidism [J]. World Chinese Medicine, 2014(2): 193–195.
  5. Cai Wei, Chen Xingli, Cheng Xiaoping, et al. Safety evaluation and rational use of Xiaojin Wan [J]. Chinese Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 2013, 33(10): 819.