Role of Ultrasonography and Color Doppler Imaging in Identification of Thyroid Nodules Suspicious of Malignancy for Fine Needle Aspiration

Abstract

Thyroid nodules are a frequent finding on neck sonography. US is the most commonly used imaging technique for the evaluation of thyroid nodules. The Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) developed by the American college of radiology (ACR) for classification of thyroid nodules is a practical and convenient method for risk stratification of thyroid malignancy, based on allocating points for different sonographic features of thyroid nodules in five morphologic categories (composition, echogenicity, margins, shape, and presence of echogenic foci). This study was performed to evaluate the role of both ultrasonographic features and color Doppler in the evaluation of suspicious thyroid nodules that need intervention.