Correlation of Ultrasound Findings with Cytopathological Findings in Different Types of Thyroid Disorders in 120 Patients.

ABSTRACT

Background: The disorders of thyroid glands are most common in female population compared to male population. Maximum numbers of patients were in the second to fifth decade. Patients of benign multinodular goitre formed the largest proportion of the cases in the study. The second most common lesion detected was solitary nodules. Ultrasound was able to detect an increase in gland size. Both micro-calcification and macro-calcification were easily detected by ultrasound study. Ultrasound was able to detect lymph node metastasis and cystic degeneration. High-resolution ultrasonography (USG) is the most sensitive imaging modality available for examination of the thyroid gland and associated abnormalities. Ultrasound scanning is non-invasive, widely available, less expensive, and does not use any ionizing radiation. Further, real time ultrasound imaging helps to guide diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures in cases of thyroid disease. Methods: All patients are examined in supine position with hyper extended neck, using a high frequency lineararray transducer (7-15 MHz) in Toshiba USG machine that provides adequate penetration and high resolution image. Scanning is done both in transverse and longitudinal planes. Results: Out of 120 patients, maximum number of patients were between the age of 20 to 50 years and 70% of patients were female but only 30% were males. Ultrasound can detect multiple nodules in 52 patients (43.33%) and single nodule in 20 patients (16.66%). Conclusion: Ultrasound was able to predict micro-calcifications in malignancies and the presence of macro-calcifications in benign nodules. This finding was of considerable importance for predicting malignancy in the nodules. Ultrasound was able to detect lymph node involvement in malignancies.