ABSTRACT
Thyroid node is one of common clinical symptoms. Fine needle aspiration, radioisotope scan and ultrasound are some imaging methods which help us in diagnosis and management of a thyroid node. Ultrasound is a noninvasive method with minimal side effects and we studied diagnostic value of ultrasound and color doppler in thyroid nodules. We studied 66 cases of palpable thyroid node who came to endocrine clinic of Emam-Reza hospital between August 2003-2004 and underwent FNA. These patients were evaluated by sonography and color doppler in radiology department of Ghaem hospital. 8% of the nodules were malignant and 92% were benign. Homogeneous echo pattern suggests benign lesion rather than malignancy. The probability of malignancy is greater in solitary nodule than multiple nodules. In color doppler examination, 91% of benign nodules and 75% of malignant nodules had perilesional vascularity. 60% of malignant nodules and 12% of benign nodules had very high intranodular vascularity, so rich intralesional flow is an indicative of a malignant lesion. RI>0.75 is significantly higher in malignant lesions than benign lesions [P=0.045]