Abstract
Thyroid nodules can be classified into solid nodules and cystic or predominantly cystic nodules. Thyroid sonography has been used as a major diagnostic technique for the evaluation of thyroid nodules. Several sonographic features such as hypoechongenicity, an irregular margin and micro calcifications have been introduced as potential predictors for the presence of a thyroid malignancy in solid thyroid nodules. However, there have been few studies on sonographic features as predictors of a diagnosis of cystic thyroid nodules. Among 230 nodules surgically removed in our hospital, we reviewed preoperative ultrasound examinations of 59 cystic nodules. Thyroid nodules were classified as Eccentric type (E), Concentric type (C), or Multiseptate type (M) in their configuration depending on the position of the solid and cystic components. The eccentric type was subdivided into either an acute angle (Ea) or a blunt (Eb) angle, depending on the angle between the solid component and the adjacent cyst wall. We also investigated the presence or absence of calcification, echo level, margin of the cyst and the solid part. Ea, Eb and solid component ≥ 50%, M and irregular margin or micro calcification were associated with malignancy.
