Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Thyroid nodule is a common disease that is found in 50% of the adult population; of total, 5% of thyroid nodule cases are diagnosed as thyroid cancers. Thyroid ultrasonography is the most sensitive diagnostic imaging method for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. The ultrasonographic findings that indicate malignancy are taller than wider, speculate margins, marked hypoechoic lesion, microcalcification, and macrocalcification. In contrast to findings indicating pure cyst, sponge form is benign. Hence, knowledge of these ultrasonographic findings is helpful in determining whether FNA (fine needle aspiration) is required to determine malignancy of the thyroid nodule. In the cases presented herein, ultrasonographic findings indicated malignancy. However, nodules were benign.

Case1: Sonographic findings after fluid drainage. Patient: aged 38 years, male. Figure (1-1) Ultrasonography findings show irregular margins. Figure (1-2) Fluid drainage the palpable neck nodule that the patient presented with 3 years ago.

Case 2: Sonographic findings after percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT).

Patient: aged 52 years, male. Figure (2-1) Ultrasonography findings show taller than wider speculate margins. The findings also show microcalcification in the middle. Figure (2-2) Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy performed for the palpable neck nodule that the patient presented with 5 years ago.

Conclusion: When performing thyroid ultrasonography, it is important to consider the previous ultrasonographic findings and procedure history to avoid unnecessary FNA.