Incidental thyroid nodules found during carotid doppler ultrasonography at King Hussein Medical Centre

ABSTRACT

To determine the incidence of thyroid nodules found during extra-cranial carotid Doppler examination. Between March 2005 and December 2007, a total number of 791 patients [354 females and 437 males] underwent carotid Doppler examination for different causes. The study included thyroid gland examination with gray scale and color Doppler. Patients with incidental thyroid nodules were referred to endocrinology out-patient clinic for further evaluation. Patients were divided according to age group and prevalence per decade. Incidental thyroid nodules were found in 98 [12.3%] patient. Bilateral nodules were found in 61 and unilateral in 37 patients. Nodules equal or larger than one cm were found in 89 patients. Fifty eight nodules were solid, 24 were cystic and 16 showed mixed echogenesity. Fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 87 patients, and results showed 79 [91%] benign and 8 [9%] malignant nodules. Most malignant nodules were papillary carcinomas. Younger age groups [<55 yrs] were reported to have a higher rate of thyroid nodules [18.3% vs.7.3%, RR 2.51] [95% CI 1.68-3.75; P=0.0000028]. Incidental thyroid nodules are a common finding during carotid Doppler ultrasound examination and some of these nodules may represent clinically significant pathology. Younger age constitutes a group of people with higher risk for thyroid nodules