Ultrasonography in differential diagnosis of thyroid adenoma and nodular goiter

Objective To discuss the diagnostic value of 2-dimensional and color Doppler flow imaging ultrasonography to the differential diagnosis of thyroid adenoma and nodular goiter.Methods The ultrasonography materials were analyzed in 52 patients(54 lesions) with thyroid adenoma and 78 patients(102 lesions) with nodular goiter confirmed by postoperative pathologic examinations.The characteristics of images of 2-dimensional ultrasonography and color Doppler flow imaging were compared and analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in age,sex,location and size of lesions,degeneration of lesions(calcification,hemorrhage or cystic)(P0.05).There were sitatistic differences in the number of lesions,the shape of lesions,the essence echoes in the intranodular,the border of lesions(halo sign,envelope),internal blood flow and perinodular blood flow(P0.05).Conclusion The pathologic basis of thyroid adenoma and nodular goiter are different,and they have their own ultrasonographic characteristics.Ultrasonography can be used to make differential diagnosis between two kinds of diseases.