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Ultrasound of Thyroid Nodules

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Thyroid Ultrasound and Ultrasound-Guided FNA

Thyroid ultrasound is an exquisitely sensitive technique for the detection of thyroid nodules and is able to image nodules as small as 2–3 mm. The prevalence of sonographically detected nodules that cannot be palpated is up to 50%–60% in individuals older than 60 (1). Therefore, the challenges confronting the clinician are the identification of those nodules that have a higher probability of being clinically relevant malignancies so that these can be targeted for fineneedle aspiration biopsy, and the recognition of those that may undergo sonographic surveillance. Furthermore, diffuse thyroid disorders, such as Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, image differently than the normal thyroid parenchyma, but it may be challenging to differentiate asymmetric involvement of the thyroid by one of these diffuse processes from a discrete thyroid nodule.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Susan J. Mandel MD.,MPH & Jill E. Langer MD

  2. 3522 North 3rd Avenue, 85613, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Daniel S. Duick M.D.,MACE

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  1. Susan J. Mandel MD.,MPH
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  2. Jill E. Langer MD
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  3. Daniel S. Duick M.D.,MACE
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. 1741 Barcelona Way, 32789, Winter Park, FL, USA

    H. Jack Baskin M.D.,MACE

  2. 3522 North 3rd Avenue, 85613, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Daniel S. Duick M.D.,MACE

  3. Thyroid Center of New Hampshire, 5 Coliseum Avenue, 03603, Nashua, NH, USA

    Robert A. Levine M.D.,MACE

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Mandel, S.J., Langer, J.E., Duick, D.S. (2008). Ultrasound of Thyroid Nodules. In: Baskin, H.J., Duick, D.S., Levine, R.A. (eds) Thyroid Ultrasound and Ultrasound-Guided FNA. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-77634-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-77634-7_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-77633-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-77634-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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