[Palpation and sonographic evaluation of the size of the thyroid gland].

The author compared in 88 13-year-old children evaluation of the size of the thyroid gland by palpation and sonography. Evaluation by the two methods was in agreement in 64 cases (73%) and controversial in 24 cases (27%). Palpation led in 24 instances to overestimation of the size and in 7 children (8%) to underestimation, as compared with sonography. Sonography is an essential method for evaluation of the thyroid gland in children.