Ultrasound and cancer of the thyroid

a revision of literature and ultrasound features

Abstract

This review describes the sonographic features of the nodules and its relationship with thyroid cancer. Factors predisposing to the formation of nodules and their different ways of presenting themselves to the ultrasound are viewed with emphasis. Ultrasound is easy to perform, broad access to the population, does not involve ionizing radiation and is easily combined with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA). Therefore, the high-resolution ultrasound combined with color Doppler, it is a suitable model for evaluation of specific characteristics and the nature of the nodules, while the aspiration biopsy helps in accuraté diagnosis. This paper discusses the role of ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of suspicious nodules that FNA deserve, as well as in guiding the clinician about their approach.