Abstract
To evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative ultrasonography in diagnosing thyroid tumors, we studied 32 cases (4 men and 28 women) with multinodular thyroid and suspected thyroid malignancy seen at our iustitute from 1998 to 2000. Equipment included a Hitachi echopal ultrasound diagnostic system with a 10 MHz frequency and a 38 mm wide probe. To detect superficial tumor, intermediate jelly must be applied appropriately to the probe, which is then brought into contact with the exposed thyroid surface. We concluded that surgeons would benefit much from intraoperative thyroid ultrasonography in direct real-time confirmation of tumor sites and properly determine the extent of resection required. Intraoperative thyroid ultrasonography is also very useful in detecting occult cancer when clinical examination indicates only lymphatic metastasis.
