Definite distinction between thyroidal inflammatory conditions and other soft tissue inflammations of the neck using ultrasound

Abstract

Thyroid and non-thyroid inflammations are acute conditions accompanied by severe pain. It is impossible for general practitioners who have to refer patients to various outpatients department or specialised hospitals to distinguish between these conditions, even with the help of medical history, palpation and findings of laberatory investigations. Therefore, patients are often falsely referred to nuclear medicine or ENT outpatient departments. With the help of ultrasound a definite distinction between inflammatory conditions of the thyroid and other soft tissue inflammations of the neck can be established.