Differential diagnosis of thyroid cysts by Ultrasound

Aims: High frequency ultrasound (US) and Tc99m radionuclide scanning (TC99m) are essential diagnostics for thyroid nodules. The TC99m differentiates “cold“ and “hot“ nodules. Cold nodule normally indicates an operation. We show that cystic nodules need differentiation by US and present four pitfalls during our clinical experience of one year. Method: From May 2006 until June 2007 we operated on 460 patients with thyroid pathology. In 36% cases a “cold“ nodule indicated the operation. A fraction of those were cystic lesions which we retrospectively analysed. In four cases US lead to unusual diagnoses. Result: Fou…