Thyroid surgery is seldomly indicated in childhood and adolescence mainly because of suspicious nodules or proven carcinoma. Indications for operation in Graves disease and focal autonomy are discussed controversially, however. In a retrospective case control study two of our 6 patients up to 18 years demonstrated differentiated thyroid cancer with focal autonomy in the autonomous nodule. Other studies show similar results. Thyroid surgery is therefore warranted in all children and adolescents with focal thyroid autonomy.