[Application of ultrasound-guided drawing location of thyroid micronodule].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application value of preoperative ultrasound-guided drawing for locating thyroid micronodule in surgery. METHODS: A total of 88 patients (with 137 thyroid micronodules) who underwent thyroid surgery was included in the prospective study. Preoperative thyroid ultrasound was conducted in all patients. Select criteria: the maximum diameter of nodule ≤ 1 cm. All patients were randomly divided into two groups: 46 patients (68 micronoduls) in experimental group with ultrasound-guided drawing location of thyroid micronodule and 42 patients (69 micronoduls) in control group without ultrasound-guided drawing location of thyroid micronodule. RESULTS: All thyroid micronodules of experimental group were found quickly and accurately in surgery, and 4 micronodules in 4 patients of control group were not found in surgery. US examinations 3 months after surgery showed that all micronodules in experimental group were completely removed and 4 micronodules in control group retained. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided drawing is a useful technique for locating and searching accurately thyroid micronodule in surgery.

[Characteristic ultrasonographic features of the encapsulated papillary thyroid carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ultrasound (US) features of the encapsulated papillary thyroid carcinoma (EPTC). METHODS: Based on ultrasonographic features including shape, size, border, echogenicity, hypoechoic halo and microcalcification, 33 cases of EPTC were classified into two groups: 21 cases in irregular shape group and 12 cases in spherical or oval shape group. RESULTS: EPTC in the irregular shape group showed some ultrasonographic features including jagged border, irregular tumor shape and marked hypoechogenicity, while the ultrasonographic features of EPTC in the spherical or oval shape group included smooth border, regular shape, isoechogenicity and hypoechoic halo. Hypoechoic halo and isoechogenicity were found more frequently in EPTC of spherical or oval shape group than those in EPTC of irregular shape group. The size of EPTC in the spherical or oval group was commonly larger than that of EPTC in the irregular shape group. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that EPTC have some ultrasonographic features similar to benign follicular thyroid tumors.