CHARACTERIZATION OF THYROID NODULES IN KHARTOUM STATE USING ULTRASOUND

Abstract

This is retrospective study deals with the ultrasound finding of thyroid nodules.

The objective of this study was to characterize the thyroid nodules and to compare between ultrasound findings and lab investigation results. It was carried out on 50 patients complaining of thyroid lumps in Khartoum state comes to Hospital and Clinics. The study was conducted from October 2009 up to November 2011. The machines used in the study were Toshiba with 7-10 MHz, probe was linear. All patients scanned with supine position technique. After the detailed literary work the study comes to conclusion that ultrasound only does not determines accurately whether nodule is benign or malignant; but it can give a picture about the nodule and by comparing the sonographic findings with the result of FNA we obtain the most real diagnosis; that most of thyroid nodules are benign (90%). The study reveals that the incidence of thyroid nodules is more common in female (84%) than male (16%). The study shows that 69 % of thyroid nodules were detected in the ages between 28 - 57 years and the incidence is less common in young and most elder patients. Most cases of thyroid nodules are associated with normal thyroid function test (68%)