Characterization of thyroid gland abnormalities using ultrasonography and radionuclide scintigraphy

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the thyroid abnormalities using ultrasound and scintigraphy. Methods: A The study population consisted of 173 patients were seen by surgeons and medical doctors , were diagnosed clinically as having thyroid issues, and referred to Nuclear Medicine and Radiology Department, Fujairah hospital for thyroid scintigraphy and neck ultrasound during the period from Jan 10, 2016 to June 30, 2018. All patients Thyroid function test were done before coming to radiology department. So all results were comparing with the thyroid function tests (TFT) results. Results: Thyroid scintigraphy and ultrasound reached the almost same imaging findings in patients with thyroid abnormality. Ultrasonography compared to nuclear medicine scintigraphy, Ultrasound detected 93.6% (162 patients) more than nuclear medicine 90.3% (157 patients) by 3.3 %. Ultrasonography was found to be an appropriate study in the detection of thyroid abnormality. Both US and thyroid scintigraphy have diagnosed the thyroid gland abnormality and suggested the diagnosis of others disorders of thyroid in all other patients. Conclusion: Both modalities revealed almost similar results. Ultrasound has the additional advantages of being non-ionizing radiation and accurately localizes and characterizes the thyroid abnormalities. Ultrasound examination should be obtained routinely for patients with suspected thyroid diseases and scintigraphy is reserved for selected cases.