Role of Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Thyroid Gland Lesions and FNAC Correlation

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Abstract (English)

Introduction: Thyroid gland plays a critical role in regulating metabolic functions such as cardiac rate, cardiac output, lipid metabolism, skeletal growth, other metabolic activity such as heat production. Thyroid swelling is one of the common clinical problems routinely encountered in the outpatient department (OPD). Most of them are due to diffuse enlargement of thyroid gland (diffuse colloid goiter) commonly seen at puberty and lactation, predominantly in females. Clinical evaluation of the thyroid is not always sufficient. Hence, the clinician has to depend on various other diagnostic modalities such as Thyroid profile study, ultrasonography, FNAC etc. to achieve a confirm diagnosis. Aims and Objectives: To assess the validity of ultrasonography findings of thyroid lesions by correlating with FNAC findings. To study the ultrasonographic features of various thyroid lesions in patients with thyroid disorders. Correlate the sonographic findings with FNAC in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions. Methodology: It was prospective observational type study conducted in Jehangir hospital, Pune. Total 62 candidates were selected, who came for Ultrasonography of neck for thyroid gland swelling or who are having abnormal thyroid profile study. Ultrasonography of neck for thyroid was done after getting informed consent regarding study. Mapping of findings like anatomy, size, shape and morphology were recorded and compared later with the FNAC findings. Results: In this study of 62 patients, female preponderance (71%) was noted. Among the study population, maximum patients were in the age group of 50 to 60 years. Out of 62 patients, most of the patients were having thyroid swelling. In most of cases physical examination can give limited information regarding thyroid lesions. Therefore, ultrasonograhic examination can provide accurate characteristic of thyroid lesions. The ultrasonograhic findings were correlated with FNAC findings. Strong correlation was observed between ultrasonography and FNAC results. Conclusion: Ultrasound has a clear cut utility in evaluating thyroid lesions and can be used as an adjunct to clinical examination and should be offered to all patients presenting with thyroid nodules. It has got other added advantages of being safe, reproducible, economical and portable technique without hazards of radiation. Sonographic diagnostic accuracy of thyroid lesions was 88.7% in our series, when correlated with FNAC suggest strong agreement between ultrasonography and FNAC.