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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indographics 2023; 02(02): 079-094
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1772768
Pictorial Essay

Ultrasound Imaging of Thyroid Pathologies: A Pictorial Review

Authors

  • Supraja Laguduva Mohan

    1   Department of Radiodiagnosis, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India

  • Ramkumar Govindarajalou 

    1   Department of Radiodiagnosis, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India

  • Sunitha Vellathussery Chakkalakkoombil 

    1   Department of Radiodiagnosis, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India

  • Madhan Ramachandran

    1   Department of Radiodiagnosis, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India

  • Karthik Venkatesh

    1   Department of Radiodiagnosis, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India

Funding None.
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Abstract

With its complex embryological origin, the thyroid can be affected by various congenital, developmental, benign, and malignant pathologies. Ultrasound, which is free from radiation and offers good spatial resolution, is the initial modality of choice in congenital hypothyroidism and is used in conjunction with scintigraphy. High-resolution ultrasound also aids in early diagnosis, risk stratification, and follow-up of nodules. While fine-needle aspiration cytology is the preferred method for further evaluation of thyroid nodules, ultrasound guidance reduces the likelihood of obtaining nondiagnostic samples. Numerous risk stratification guidelines for thyroid nodules have been developed by various societies over the past decade, with the most popular being the American College of Radiology—Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System. A comprehensive understanding of the varying morphological appearances of thyroid nodules and the consistent use of risk stratification guidelines can accurately detect incidental malignancies while avoiding unnecessary intervention in seemingly benign nodules.

Keywords

thyroid nodules - TI-RADS - colloid nodules - papillary carcinoma - thyroglossal duct - thyroid dysgenesis - thyroiditis

Author Contributions

S.L.M. was responsible for design, literature search, manuscript preparation; R.G. was responsible for manuscript editing, manuscript review; S.V.C. was responsible for manuscript review; M.R. was responsible for manuscript preparation; and K.V. was responsible for manuscript preparation.




Publication History

Article published online:
16 October 2023

© 2023. Indographics. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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