Thyroid ultrasound

Thyroid ultrasound, also known as thyroid color Doppler flow imaging, is an examination that indirectly detects the thyroid gland using an ultrasound probe. Thyroid color ultrasound can display the morphology and structure of the thyroid gland. When the thyroid gland is diseased, many lesions can be detected by ultrasound examination, making it the preferred clinical method for diagnosing thyroid diseases. Interpretation of common abnormal results in thyroid ultrasound reports Rich blood flow signals within the thyroid gland: Both Graves' disease and early Hashimoto's thyroiditis can show rich blood flow signals within the thyroid gland. If there are rich blood flow signals within a nodule, it is necessary to be alert to the possibility of malignancy (thyroid cancer), but rich blood flow signals alone cannot determine that the nodule is malignant; other manifestations also need to be considered. Microcalcifications Microcalcifications refer to punctate hyperechoic foci ≤ 1 mm, which are specific indicators for diagnosing thyroid cancer. If microcalcifications are observed on ultrasound, thyroid cancer should be highly suspected, and further examinations, such as thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy, should be performed under the guidance of a doctor. If a single nodule with microcalcifications is found in a young patient (under 40 years old), the possibility of malignancy is greater. Which thyroid ultrasound findings require vigilance for thyroid cancer? Microcalcifications within the nodule Nodule aspect ratio > 1 Nodule presenting as solid hypoechoic Irregular nodule shape Rich blood flow signals within the nodule, etc. Interpretation of thyroid color ultrasound TI-RADS classification results TI-RADS 1: Normal thyroid TI-RADS 2: Benign nodule TI-RADS 3: Nodule is possibly benign TI-RADS 4: Nodule is suspicious for malignancy TI-RADS 5: Nodule is possibly malignant, with 1-2 ultrasound features suggestive of malignancy, such as hypoechogenicity, microcalcifications, aspect ratio > 1, lobulated or irregular margins, etc. TI-RADS 6: Nodule has been proven malignant by biopsy