Ultrasound Imaging of Thyroid Cancer

Ultrasound is an ideal imaging modality for detection and assessment of thyroid cancer because it is widely available and is highly sensitive for both detection and characterization of thyroid nodules due to improvements in transducer technology. It does not involve ionizing radiation and can be combined with fine-needle-aspiration biopsy. Recent consensus guidelines from the American Thyroid Association highlight the importance of ultrasound and state that thyroid ultrasound should be performed in all patients with a suspected thyroid nodule, nodular goiter, or radiographic thyroid abnormality; e.g., a nodule found incidentally on CT, PET, MRI, carotid Doppler, or other radiographic examinations.