Usefulness of Ultrasound in the Management of Thyroid Carcinoma

Abstract

Since the late 1960s, ultrasonography (US) has been used increasingly in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with thyroid carcinoma. As a noninvasive, rapid, and easily reprodu-cible high-resolution imaging study, the use of US has expanded from the detection of non-palpable thyroid carcinoma to an examination of the lymph node basins for staging purposes and treatment planning, fine needle aspiration guidance, intraoperative localization of thyroid lesions and lymph nodes, and postoperative surveillance for recurrent thyroid carcinoma. The recent literature has shown that compared to radiologist-performed US, sur-geon-performed US is more accurate and suitable for thyroid carcinoma patients with lower local recurrence rates. This article reviews the clinical significance and usefulness of US in the management of patient with thyroid carcinoma.