Color duplex Doppler evaluation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules

Aim: Color Doppler (CD) imaging has enabled identification of flow in thyroid tumors, but its role in evaluation of thyroid nodules for malignancy has not been accurately defined. Material and methods: CD and spectral parameters were analyzed in 55 benign and 25 malignant thyroid nodules. Following patterns of vascularity were identified: pattern 0– no visible flow; pattern 1– minimal internal flow without a peripheral ring; pattern 2– peripheral ring of flow but minimal or no internal flow; pattern 3– peripheral ring of flow and a small-to moderate amount of internal flow; pattern 4– extensive internal flow wit…