Role of different imaging modalities and FNAC correlation in diagnosing thyroid gland pathologies

Background : Thyroid nodule, goiter, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer are all common conditions that may have a negative effect on normal thyroid function. Objective : To determine how fi ne-needle aspiration cytology correlation and various imaging modalities contribute to the diagnosis of thyroid gland diseases. Patients and methods : A total of 100 participants who came for thyroid problems in the outpatient departments of Al-Hussein University Hospital were included in the research. All patients were screened with ultrasound (US), and based on the results of that examination, some were sent for further radiological testing. Results : Of the 100 patients included in the study, US was able to classify thyroid diseases as focal (69 cases), diffuse (30 cases), and others (11 cases). A total of 48 thyroid nodules underwent fi ne-needle aspiration cytology and distributed based on the Bethesda score as three (6.2%) in category I, 30 (62.5%) in category II, fi ve (10.4%) in category III, one (2%) in category IV, three (6.2%) in category V, and six (12.5%) in category VI. The sensitivity, speci fi city, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, and likelihood ratios of US, and pathology were determined. Approximately 22 (22%) patients underwent a computed tomography scan mainly to evaluate retrosternal extension and for preoperative staging, and 22 (22%) patients underwent a radionuclide scan. Conclusion : Patients with normal thyroid function (euthyroid) should fi rst have an US. In the same way, US is the fi rst line of diagnosis for a goiter ' s size and extent. Computed tomography without contrast is appropriate if there is any worry about effect on the trachea or if it is necessary to determine how deep the goiter sits.