[Clinico-morphologic comparisons in the combined study of the thyroid gland]

The authors conducted radionuclide and ultrasonic scanning (RNS and USS) of 92 patients with thyroid nodal lesions (colloid goiter, adenoma, cyst, thyroiditis and cancer). The results obtained were correlated with those of surgical intervention and histology findings. The combination of RNS and USS of the thyroid made it possible to accurately define the site, sizes, function and internal structure of a node. Analysis of combined scanning has shown that the term "warm" node does not reflect its function. Cystic-hemorrhagic degenerative changes develop more frequently in nodes exceeding 3.5 cm in diameter. To a lesser degree, these changes are associated with the morphological structure of a node. The authors have arrived at a conclusion that combined radiation diagnosis of thyroid cancer at its early stages is difficult in the absence of characteristic diagnostic signs. Additional diagnostic measures including fine-needle biopsy, are recommended in such cases.