Ultrasonic and fluorescent scanning: A combined noninvasive diagnostic approach to extrathyroidal neck lesions

Thirteen patients with suspected extrathyroidal neck masses were investigated with the combination of fluorescent scanning and echography. Iodine content, the solid or cystic consistency of the lesion, and the position of the lesion with respect to the thyroid were determined preoperatively to estimate thyroidal origin and benignity or malignancy of the lesions. Pathologic diagnoses correlated well with these totally noninvasive studies of extrathyroidal neck masses.