original articles April 01, 2002 April 01, 2002

Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Thyroid Nodular Disease: Experience of a Multidisciplinary Group

DOI: 10.1590/S0004-27302002000200007

The goal of this work is to determine the role of ultrasonography in the evaluation of thyroid nodules correlating its echographic characteristics to cytological findings. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies were performed after echographic evaluation and classification of 436 nodules. Adequate samples for analysis were obtained in 401 nodules (92%), and echographic/cytological correlation was assessed. The echographic classification allows, through the different characteristics of the thyroid nodules, identifying cystic nodules with solid projections (positive cytology in 23,8%) and solid hipoechoic (40%) considered suspicious (Grade III) and highly suspicious (Grade IV – 95,2%) for malignancy. Iso and hyperechoic solid nodules (5%) and mixed nodules (1,9%) classified as Grade II, in agreement with the literature, are considered to be probably benign. Thyroid ultrasound proved to be an important aid to clinical evaluation and management; and should therefore be part of the initial evaluation and follow up of thyroid nodules.