[Color doppler ultrasonographic detection of focal thyroid nodules].

AIM: To determine if colour Doppler sonography is a sensitive tool to detect solitary hot thyroid nodules.

METHODS

All patients evaluated in our ultrasound laboratory during study period also underwent thyroid sonography. If one or more nodules with a diameter of at least 8 mm were present, thyroid scientigraphy was performed. Hyperperfusion within the nodule compared to the surrounding tissue indicated autonomy according to the study protocol.

RESULTS

1010 patients were screened. 385 had one or more nodules, 309 of them with a diameter of more than 8 mm. Among these patients a hot nodule was proved with scintigraphy in 120 cases. 116 of these 120 patients were correctly identified with colour Doppler sonography.

CONCLUSION

Colour Doppler sonography is a reliable method to detect solitary hot or hyperperfused thyroid nodules and to identify a risk group of patients prior to the administration of x-ray contrast media.