[The possibilities for 2-stage instrumental screening in the detection of thyroid diseases in an endemic focus]

The approbation and comparative assessment of the methods of early active detection of thyroid diseases were performed among the population of the endemic region. The ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is thought to be the most effective method at the first stage of the screening examination since it is very exact (98%), specific (99%) and sensitive (99%) when detecting both diffuse and nodular alterations of the organ. The possibility to combine the ultrasound examination with the thin-needle aspiration puncture biopsy allows not only to detect the patients and form the groups of risk of probable diseases, but also to make the diagnosis and determine the methods of treatment during the mass examination.