Role of Ultrasonography and Ultrasound Elastography in the Evaluation Thyroid Nodules

Abstract

Background: Thyroid nodules are commonly encountered, and thyroid cancers are among the commonest head and neck malignancies. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are extremely important in the definitive management of such patients.Ultrasonography is widely used first line of investigation in a patients suspected with thyroid mass which will help to differentiate diffuse thyroid diseases from nodular thyroid disease,recent advances in ultrasound technology and the introduction of Ultrasound Elastography have reportedly improved the accuracy in the differentiation of benign from malignant thyroid nodules. Subjects and Methods: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 80 cases of thyroid lesions diagnosed by ultrasound were included in the study. The ultrasonography and ultrasound elastography examination was done in the department of Radiology. These 80 cases which were found to have thyroid lesion on ultrasound were subjected to FNAC for confirmation of ultrasound finding and establishment of final diagnosis. Results: Our study showed 37.5% (30) of cases were diffuse thyroid disease and 62.5%(50) were nodular diseases. Out of 30 diffuse thyroid disease 15% were colloid goiter, 17.5% were hashimotos thyroiditis,5% were De Quervains thyroiditis. Our study also showed 100% of the hyperechoic nodules were benign, 77.77% hypoechoic nodules were benign and 22.22% hypoechoic nodules were malignant, 100% isoechoic nodules were benign and 100% of cystic nodules were benign. Conclusion: Ultrasound helps us to know clearly whether the lesion is solitary or multiple. It helps to clearly differentiate between solid and cystic lesions. The diffuse heterogenous echotexture of the gland with characteristic hypoechoic nodules clearly helps us in diagnosing Hashimotos thyroiditis. In addition, ultrasound is very useful to differentiate benign lesions from malignant thyroid lesions in most of the cases.