Ultrasonographic thyroid findings suspicious for malignancy

Abstract

Asymptomatic incidental thyroid nodules (thyroid incidentalomas) are found in up to a third of the adult population. There is notable overlap in the sonographic appearance of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. This paper provides a brief review of the ultrasound findings of thyroid nodules that are suspicious for malignancy with pathologic correlates. We then discuss the standard approach to a fine needle aspiration biopsy of a thyroid nodule at our institution. Finally, we review specific diagnostic challenges in image guided fine needle aspiration biopsies.

Keywords: FNA; biopsy; follicular; papillary; thyroid; ultrasound.