The thyroid gland, a small butterfly located in front of the neck of the human body, plays a crucial role in metabolism and growth and development, despite its small size. However, when the thyroid gland is invaded by diseases, especially when tumors appear, it may pose a threat to our health. Fortunately, with the continuous development of medical imaging technology, thyroid ultrasound examination has become an important means of diagnosing thyroid tumors.
1、 Overview of Thyroid Tumors
Thyroid tumors are benign or malignant tumors that occur in the thyroid gland. Benign tumors mainly include thyroid adenomas, nodular goiter, etc. They usually grow slowly and have little impact on surrounding tissues, but may also cause thyroid dysfunction or compression symptoms. Malignant tumor refers to thyroid cancer. In recent years, the incidence rate of papillary thyroid cancer has increased significantly.
2、 The basic principles and advantages of thyroid ultrasound examination
Thyroid ultrasound examination is a non-invasive and non radiative imaging examination method that utilizes the propagation and reflection characteristics of ultrasound in the human body to form images of the thyroid gland. This examination method has the advantages of easy operation, real-time imaging, and strong repeatability, which can clearly display the morphology, size, structure, and blood flow distribution of the thyroid gland.
At present, ultrasound examination is the main method for thyroid examination. With the development of high-frequency ultrasound technology, nodules as small as 2-3mm can now be detected. Ultrasound examination can also make preliminary property judgments of thyroid nodules, providing important basis for the formulation of clinical treatment plans.
3、 Application of thyroid ultrasound examination in detecting thyroid tumors
1. Observation of thyroid morphology and size
Thyroid ultrasound examination can intuitively display the overall morphology and size of the thyroid gland. Under normal circumstances, the thyroid gland is butterfly shaped, with symmetrical lobes on both sides and a thin isthmus. When a tumor appears in the thyroid gland, its shape and size may change, such as local elevation, increased volume, etc. These changes provide important diagnostic clues for ultrasound doctors.
2. Detection of thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules refer to localized echogenicity abnormalities located within the thyroid gland, which can be tumor like or non tumor like. Nodules are usually benign, but can also be malignant. Thyroid ultrasound examination can clearly display the size, shape, boundary, echo and other characteristics of nodules. By carefully observing these features, ultrasound doctors can make preliminary judgments on the nature of nodules. For example, benign nodules usually have regular morphology, clear boundaries, and uniform echoes; Malignant nodules may have irregular shapes, blurred boundaries, uneven echoes, and even accompanied by tiny calcifications.
3. Guided biopsy
For nodules suspected of malignancy by ultrasound, ultrasound-guided biopsy is an important diagnostic tool. Ultrasound doctors can accurately insert a fine needle into the nodule under the guidance of ultrasound images, and extract a small amount of cellular tissue for pathological examination. This method not only has minimal trauma and fast recovery, but also has a high accuracy, providing a reliable basis for the formulation of clinical treatment plans.
4、 Thyroid ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of different types of thyroid diseases
1. Thyroid adenoma
Thyroid adenoma is one of the most common benign tumors of the thyroid gland. On ultrasound images, thyroid adenomas usually appear as round or oval hypoechoic nodules, single or rarely multiple, with clear boundaries and intact capsule. The internal echo of the nodule is uniform. When cystic changes or bleeding occur, the echo is uneven and shows mixed echoes. Sometimes calcification can be seen inside, but most of them are manifested as coarse calcification.
2. Nodular goiter
Nodular goiter is a benign proliferative disease that presents complex and diverse ultrasound images due to the extent of the lesion and the different stages of the disease. Ultrasound shows asymmetric enlargement or non enlargement of the thyroid lobes on both sides, with an uneven surface and thickened internal echogenicity. There are multiple nodules of varying sizes within the thyroid gland, and the internal echogenicity of the nodules is diverse, ranging from hypoechoic, isoechoic, to slightly hyperechoic. The nodules can also be cystic, cystic, or solid, with clear or blurred boundaries. The echo inside the nodule may be uniform or uneven, and there may be arc-shaped or patchy calcification at the edges and inside.
3. Subacute thyroiditis
Subacute thyroiditis is generally believed to be related to viral infection. Ultrasound shows enlargement of the thyroid gland on the affected side, with a blurred or absent gap between the thyroid gland and the anterior cervical muscle. The thyroid gland has a patchy hypoechoic area with irregular shape and blurred boundaries.
4. Thyroid cancer
The common pathological types of thyroid cancer are: papillary carcinoma, follicular cell carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, and medullary carcinoma, with papillary carcinoma being the most common. On ultrasound images, thyroid cancer typically presents as substantial hypoechoic, irregular in shape, with an aspect ratio greater than 1, blurred boundaries, uneven echogenicity within nodules, and often accompanied by tiny gravel like calcifications. For nodules highly suspected of being thyroid cancer, ultrasound doctors will further observe whether they invade surrounding tissues and whether there are signs of cervical lymph node metastasis.
5、 Precautions and limitations of thyroid ultrasound examination
1. Precautions
Before undergoing thyroid ultrasound examination, patients do not need special preparation, only need to fully expose their neck. During the examination, the patient should remain quiet and avoid swallowing or speaking to interfere with the examination results.
2. Limitations
Although thyroid ultrasound examination has important value in diagnosing thyroid tumors, it also has certain limitations. For example, ultrasound examination has a certain degree of subjectivity; The appearance of benign and malignant nodules overlaps on ultrasound images; For certain special types of thyroid cancer (such as follicular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, etc.), ultrasound findings may not be typical enough, and a comprehensive diagnosis needs to be made by combining other imaging methods (such as CT, MRI, etc.) or pathological examinations.
May every friend have a healthy thyroid gland, making life full of sunshine and vitality. May thyroid ultrasound examination become a powerful assistant for us to safeguard our health and protect our 'little butterfly'. Wishing everyone good health and happiness!