Role of Ultrasound in Evaluation of Nodular Thyroid Lesions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Thyroid disorders have become widely prevalent in India. Using latest sonography techniques, evaluation of thyroid nodule and diagnosing as Malignant without FNAC has risen to 90% specificity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was done in 100 patients who came to sonography department with clinical suspicion of thyroid nodule. High frequency superficial ultrasound probe is used in this study. The ultrasound characteristics used in our examination were echogenicity (hypoechoic /isoechoic /hyperechoic) , composition (solid /cystic /mixed /spongiform), margin, shape, echogenic foci as specified by ACR-TIRADS . RESULTS: In this study on 100 patients with thyroid nodules, 34 cases were classified as TIRADS 3, 4 or 5. From this 30 patients underwent surgical resection of which 30 people had histopathological proved thyroid carcinoma meaning the accuracy of sonography with TIRADS has 90% specificity and 100% sensitivity in diagnosing Malignancy. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography with ACR TIRADS scoring is very much helpful tool in diagnosing Malignancy without FNAC is cost effective and easy available modality. In hands of a good sonologist