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Thyroid Cancer, Nodules & Hyperthyroidism (Expert Forum)
CT scan and Ultrasound for thyroid differ in reports..what to do...
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Mark Lupo, MD. Topics covered include Goiter, Graves Disease, Hyperthyroid, Parathyroid/Calcium Problems, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules/Cysts, Thyroiditis, Thyroid & Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Tests, and Thyroid Surgery.
CT scan and Ultrasound for thyroid differ in reports..what to do...
by juwedo, Jul 29, 2007 12:00AM
My ENT doctor ordered me to have a U/S due to a lump in my throat feeling, choking easily, difficulty swallowing and an enlarge thyroid. The ultrasound came back with this result (written with no typo's on my part!)....
There is a focal hypoechoic solid appearing nodule in the lower right thyroid gland measuring 3.6 x 4.4 x 9.4 cm. This is a nonspecific in the lower pole on the left lobe of the thyroid gland. There is a 1.1 x 1.6 x 2 cm hypoechoic likely mixed solid and cystic nodule
My ENT doctor found that report "confusing" so sent me to have a ct scan and this was the result:
There is a solitary 8 mm in diameter low density lesion seen in the left lobe of the thyroid.
So, being the ct scan only saw one small nodule the ENT doc said to just watch and see what happens and recheck in six months! I am NOT happy with that. Most of my symptoms are on the right side of my throat. I can FEEL the lump on my right side. My ENT doc is totally ignoring the U/S report and is going with the ct scan report and ignoring my symptoms. The lady doing the U/S was obviously very concerned with something on my right side although she wouldn't tell me what she saw she did say she could verify the need for an ultrasound. My questions are..am I over reacting or is this something that needs to be taken care of? And also, is a ct scan just as reliable as an ultrasound when it comes to thyroid tumors?
Thank you for taking the time to answer this! I honestly appreciate it.
There is a focal hypoechoic solid appearing nodule in the lower right thyroid gland measuring 3.6 x 4.4 x 9.4 cm. This is a nonspecific in the lower pole on the left lobe of the thyroid gland. There is a 1.1 x 1.6 x 2 cm hypoechoic likely mixed solid and cystic nodule
My ENT doctor found that report "confusing" so sent me to have a ct scan and this was the result:
There is a solitary 8 mm in diameter low density lesion seen in the left lobe of the thyroid.
So, being the ct scan only saw one small nodule the ENT doc said to just watch and see what happens and recheck in six months! I am NOT happy with that. Most of my symptoms are on the right side of my throat. I can FEEL the lump on my right side. My ENT doc is totally ignoring the U/S report and is going with the ct scan report and ignoring my symptoms. The lady doing the U/S was obviously very concerned with something on my right side although she wouldn't tell me what she saw she did say she could verify the need for an ultrasound. My questions are..am I over reacting or is this something that needs to be taken care of? And also, is a ct scan just as reliable as an ultrasound when it comes to thyroid tumors?
Thank you for taking the time to answer this! I honestly appreciate it.
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Jul 30, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 30, 2007 12:00AM
US is better than CT for thyroid evaluation -- ie defining nodules. CT is good to determine if the nodule(s) extend below the collar bone area (ie, substernal goiter) or compresses/displaces the trachea (wind-pipe).
The confusing part about the US is the 9.4cm -- this may simply be a typo and I would not be surprised if you have a 3.6x4.4x4.9cm mass that blends in with the rest of the right lobe that on CT scan did not show up as a discrete mass.
I would consider finding an endocrinologist who does their own ultrasound and can tell you what's going on during the consult. It seems you have symptoms in this area and that biopsy is necessary. Check on thyroidologists.com to see if there is anyone near you or try aace.com or thyroid.org.
The confusing part about the US is the 9.4cm -- this may simply be a typo and I would not be surprised if you have a 3.6x4.4x4.9cm mass that blends in with the rest of the right lobe that on CT scan did not show up as a discrete mass.
I would consider finding an endocrinologist who does their own ultrasound and can tell you what's going on during the consult. It seems you have symptoms in this area and that biopsy is necessary. Check on thyroidologists.com to see if there is anyone near you or try aace.com or thyroid.org.
Member Comments (2)
by juwedo, Jul 30, 2007 12:00AM
Thank you so much. Your comments make sense.
