Ultrasound of the Normal Thyroid with Technical Pearls and Pitfalls

Abstract

Ultrasound is the best imaging modality for comprehensive evaluation of the thyroid. The thyroid is best imaged using a high-frequency linear probe with the patient in a supine position with the neck hyperextended. Normal thyroid is homogeneous in appearance without defining anatomic landmarks within the gland. A few anatomic variants can occur, and it is important for the sonographer and radiologist to be aware of these variants, to avoid misidentifying them as a pathology. This article provides a comprehensive review of ultrasound of the normal thyroid gland, including technique, normal anatomy, anatomic variants, imaging appearance, and technical pearls and pitfalls.

Keywords: Normal anatomic variants of the thyroid; Technical pearls; Technical pitfalls; Thyroid; Thyroid anatomy; Ultrasound.