[Imaging procedures in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases]

The image-producing examination techniques used in the morphological diagnostics of the thyroid gland are demonstrated. Their application must deliberately be done dependent upon the clinical findings and the therapeutic questioning. For the various thyropathies in this sense a diagnostic step programme is reported with the aim of a rational application of the individual techniques. These are conventional x-ray diagnostics, computed tomography, ultrasound tomography, scintigraphy (fluorescence scintigraphy), fine needle aspiration biopsy and cytology. Most frequently a combination of ultrasound and scan is recommended for the combined assessment of morphology and function.