What does my ultrasound of the thyroid results mean?

[clk229]

I had a CT CHEST WITH CONTRAST
Both right and left lobes of the thyroid are seen to be somewhat enlarged and lobulated in
appearance with heterogeneous low-attenuation areas and a 1.6 cm x 1.5 cm nodule seen in the
right lobe of thyroid. Clinical correlation, physical exam, and thyroid ultrasound would
more fully evaluate as clinically warranted. Some minimal residual amorphous thymic tissue
seen. No thoracic adenopathy of significance. Those portions of the upper abdomen
incidentally included on the examination show no obvious abnormality. No
significant osseous abnormalities.


NECK ULTRASOUND
CLINICAL HISTORY: Thyroid nodules and enlargement seen on chest CT. Characterize/evaluate nodules.
IMPRESSION: 1. No comparison ultrasound exam. 2. Right thyroid lobe size is 6 x 2.1 x 2.5 cm and the left is 4.5 x 1.7 x 2.7 cm. There is mild diffuse heterogeneity throughout the gland with no increased vascularity. Several focal nodules are seen on the right, the largest in the upper lobe, almost entirely solid, with dimensions of 2.6 x 1.6 x 2.8 cm. There is a lesion extending from right lobe to the isthmus, measuring 20 x 10 x 21 mm and the right lower lobe nodule measuring 15 x 12 x 11 mm. Any or all of these nodules would be amenable to ultrasound guided biopsy in Radiology. No well-defined focal nodule seen on the left. 3. No neck mass or fluid collection otherwise seen

What do these results mean?

[shawnelyse]

I would make an appointment and discuss this with your doctor. If you don't like or understand what you are being told, make an appointment with an endocrinologist.

[MANmom]

You probably just have solid nodules, but they mean you need an ultrasound guided biopsy to check for cancer in the nodule.  The 2.8mm nodule is large enough to have a biopsy. The US does NOT point to cancer, but they would probably like to get a sample to compare with future tests. Nodules most often do not go away, they may shrink, but if they get a sample now, they can compare that with future samples to check for changes.  The only characteristic that could point to cancer is that it is almost entirely solid.  If it had vascularity (which the report states that it does not) I would be more concerned, cancer needs a blood supply to grow.  The chances for cancer are slim, say 5-15%, I would not worry too much, but do get the biopsy.