Need Help With Ultrasound of Thyroid

[tiredfedup]

Today I had an ultrasound of my thyroid.  I am being very impatient as I know I have to wait for the results.  The technician said she doesn't read the results and the doctor will go over them with me.  I didn't get to see much, but at one point I did see blue and red color on the screen.  Does this mean that there is blood flow?  Should there be blood flow?  Any ideas of what to expect from what I was seeing with the colors.  I hate waiting and know I have to, but any knowledge is greatly appreciated.

[898]

It is not uncommon for one lobe to be larger then other; the Hashimoto thyroid as well as subacute thyroiditis will cause Heterogeneous echotexture [your ultrasound report says homogeneous], and the lobe itself will be tender, not soft. In addition you will have swelling on the right side only. From the typical case the swollen lobe increases in thickness [so it will  be 1.8 cm , not 1.2 cm typically].
The swollen lobe usually shows up as a off-center neck mass  that moves up during swallowing with neck extended.{but I guess, it may vary from patient to patient]

[tiredfedup]

Sorry to keep questioning you, but you know your stuff!  I am wondering what would be a reason for my neck to look so swollen in the thyroid area if all is okay with ultrasound.  The radiologist thought the one lobe was mildly enlarged.  Could the Hash. still cause it to appear enlarged?  I don't understand this at all now!

thanks for you help

[898]

because as the handprobe moves the angle at which waves are sent receiving is changing so same areas can look darker/ lighter /change brightness, therefore is necessary to verify that the image is not comes and goes but stays thesame. It is similar to observing the ocean floor trough the layers of water.

[tiredfedup]

THANK YOU!  why would the scan make illusion of nodules??

[898]

actually neither of lobes is enlarged

[898]

It means that there is actually NO nodules are seen according to report; which is good.
the normal blood movement in the "real time" scan make illusion of nodules; therefore the still pictures are studied.

[tiredfedup]

okay, I went and picked the report up myself.  It says the thyroid glands are homogenous, but no focal mass.  what does that mean?

my right thyroid slightly enlarged 4.4cmx1.2cm in AP x 1.3

Left thyroid 3.2cm x 1.0cm in AP x 1.0cm in width (is this enlarged also?)

[tiredfedup]

I only got a quick look, but it looked like a large ring of red and blue...not really sure.  they sent me home with the images on a cd, but my computer can't run it.  I guess I can call and try to pick up a report.

thanks!

[MANmom]

I agree with 898, was the red and blue pattern all over the nodule, or a ring around the outside?  Mine were all over, my nodules were smooth, solid and round, and I do have papillary carcinoma.  My brother, who incidentally IS a Radiologist, looked at it and told me it looked to him like a follicular adenoma and not to worry about it.  Thyroid cancer is SNEAKY...my FNA biopsy also came back as "benign follicular clusters," but my tumors were small, 2mm or less, so unless the needle went directly into the tumor, they were not going to be able to tell me if it was cancer or not, so I had surgery to be sure...good thing I did!  I am looking at another surgery to remove the other half.  Good luck.

[mtkst13]

i know it's easier said than done, but try not to interpret what you see on the ultrasound screen.  it's hard enough to make out the parts of a baby, let alone a thyroid!

call the ultrasound place to see if the doctor's report is done yet.  if so, ask if you can have a copy for your records.  that's what i do.

[898]

the blue and read spots are indicate normal blood flow in the thyroid blood vessels ; "rings of fire" indicate blood flow around Benign nodules; tight clusters of spots indicate blood flow within the nodule, indicating 22% chance of cancer.
Please visit my pictures to look at the samples!

[tiredfedup]

Thank you (alos tired and fed up) lol!  When I can't figure something out, someone on this forum always has some great information.  Thank you for bumping me up!

Traci

[Terri627]

Hi,
I actually don't know! I've had a couple due to history of cancer, but I don't know what to look for. But, since I think it's a great question, and I've learned that if I don't know, there
is someone here who does, I thought I'd bump it to the top of the list. Good luck! I'll be checking in to learn what comes up.  

Terri  (also tired and fed up!)