The value of ultrasonic follow-up in diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules

Objective To analyze the changes of benign and malignant thyroid nodules during follow-up and to increase the diagnostic accuracy. Methods The ultrasonographic changes of 161 thyroid nodules confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed, including size, internal components, echogenicity, margin, microcalcification, anteroposterior to transverse dimension ratio(A/T) and the relationships with thyroid capsule, and the change of cervical lymph nodes. Results Ninety-three benign thyroid nodules and 68 malignant thyroid nodules were enrolled in this study, the changes in size, internal components, microcalcification, the relationships with glandular capsule, and cervical lymph nodes were significantly different(P<0.05), while the echogenicity, margin, and A/T were not significantly different, benign nodules changed more easily in size and internal components, while malignant nodules changed more easily in microcalcification. Both the nodules broken the thyroid capsule or cervical lymph nodes exhibited malignant signs suggest probable malignancy. Conclusions Analyzing the ultrasonographic changes during follow-up contributes to identify benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Key words: Ultrasonography; Thyroid nodule; Diagnosis, differential