The sonographic features of metastatic cervical lymph nodes in postoperative patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were similar to those in preoperative patients.

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the diagnostic efficacy of Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS) features for distinguishing follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) from follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC).MethodsFrom January 2013 to July 2016, 46 follicular neoplasms in 45 patients who underwent preoperative thyroid ultrasonography (US) and thyroid surgery were included. The US features of each thyroid nodule were retrospectively evaluated by a single radiologist using a picture archiving and communication system. The diagnostic indices of K-TIRADS for follicular neoplasms were calculated according to whether K-TIRADS category 4 lesions were excluded or classified as benign or malignant.ResultsOf the 46 follicular neoplasms (mean size, 3.1±1.6 cm), 37 were FTAs (mean size, 3.1±1.7 cm) and nine were FTCs (mean size, 3.0±1.5 cm). A statistically significant difference was found between FTAs and FTCs regarding the margin (P=0.035), while no significant differences were observed in the composition, echogenicity, shape, orientation, calcification, or vascularity of the lesions (P<0.05). The FTAs belonged to K-TIRADS categories 3 (n=22) and 4 (n=15), while the FTCs belonged to K-TIRADS categories 3 (n=4), 4 (n=4), and 5 (n=1). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of K-TIRADS categories between FTAs and FTCs (P=0.184).ConclusionK-TIRADS features were not helpful for distinguishing FTA from FTC, although follicular neoplasms showed a high prevalence of K-TIRADS categories 3 and 4.

The prevalence rate of nodular subacute thyroiditis lesions on sonography was high, and the interval changes in the lesions were variable.

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This study aimed to assess and compare the sample adequacy, patient pain ratings, and complications associated with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules between two radiologists with different levels of experience. From March 2012 to May 2012, two radiologists performed ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration to diagnose thyroid nodules in consecutive patients using the same techniques. 157 patients were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of 75 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration by an experienced radiologist and group 2 consisted of 82 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration by a less experienced radiologist. The sample adequacy, pain-scale ratings, and complications related to ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration were compared between the two groups. There was no statistical difference in sex, age, nodule size, or location between the two groups. There was no statistical difference (p = 0.710) in the prevalence of adequate cytology between group 1 (94.7 % [71/75]) and group 2 (96.3 % [79/82]). The mean ± standard deviation of pain-scale ratings was 1.99 ± 1.68 in group 1 and 2.30 ± 1.83 in group 2, but there was no statistical difference (p = 0.326). There were no significant complications related to the procedure and no sonographic changes on follow-up ultrasound for either group. The study results demonstrated good outcomes for ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules and no statistically significant differences in sample adequacy, pain-scale ratings, or complication rates between two radiologists with different levels of experience.

Doppler ultrasonography (US) is widely used for the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules, metastatic cervical lymph nodes in patients with thyroid cancer, and diffuse parenchymal disease, as well as for guidance in various US-guided procedures, including biopsy and ablation. However, controversies remain regarding the appropriate use and interpretation of Doppler US. Therefore, the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology organized a taskforce to develop a consensus statement on the clinical use of Doppler US for thyroid disease. The review and recommendations in this article are based on a comprehensive analysis of the current literature and the consensus of experts.

A 24-year-old woman reported blindness in the left eye upon awakening from fat autotransplantation to her forehead for soft tissue augmentation in the face. Clinical findings on the third postoperative day suggested ipsilateral ophthalmic artery occlusion with infarction of the optic nerve and retina. There were also clinical manifestations of a mild right hemiparesis. MRI diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) revealed restricted diffusion of the left optic nerve and left middle cerebral artery domain indicative of the cytotoxic edema of infarction. This is the second report of optic nerve infarction after fat autotransplantation to the forehead and the first report of DWI restricted diffusion in this setting.

We here report on two cases of suspicious cytological findings upon ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) in patients with subacute thyroiditis (SAT). A 46-year-old woman who underwent US-FNA for a suspicious thyroid nodule in the right lobe at a local clinic was referred to our hospital for surgical treatment. Based on the cytology results, total thyroidectomy was performed. The histopathology findings confirmed the presence of SAT in the right lobe and absence of thyroid malignancy. A 40-year-old woman with a thyroid nodule in the left lobe with suspicious cytological findings upon US-FNA was referred to our hospital for surgical treatment. However, neck US revealed typical sonographic findings of SAT. On follow-up US 3 months later, near complete disappearance of the typical sonographic findings of SAT was observed, while a hypoechoic solid thyroid nodule in the left upper lobe was clearly visualized. Accordingly, US-FNA was performed for the hypoechoic thyroid nodule. Papillary thyroid carcinoma was suspected on the basis of the cytology findings; histopathologically, SAT was confirmed in both thyroid lobes and a papillary thyroid carcinoma was confirmed in the left lobe.