EVALUATION OF THYROID LESIONS ON HIGH-RESOLUTION ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND IT’S PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Thyroid lesions are prevalent endocrine abnormalities with a growing
global burden. High-resolution ultrasonography (HRUSG) serves as a pivotal noninvasive tool for initial evaluation, offering critical insight into nodule
characteristics. Accurate differentiation between benign and malignant lesions is
essential for appropriate clinical management.
Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of HRUSG in characterizing thyroid
lesions and to correlate sonographic findings with pathological results in patients
presenting with thyroid lesions at a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A longitudinal follow-up study was conducted over 18 months, enrolling
165 adult patients with clinically suspected thyroid lesions. All patients underwent
detailed clinical assessment, thyroid function tests, HRUSG evaluation with TIRADS
classification, followed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or
histopathological examination for pathological correlation.
Results: The mean age was 43.65 ± 11.36 years, with a female predominance
(66.67%). HRUSG detected nodules in 70.54% of cases, with solitary thyroid
nodules (STN) comprising 29.09% and multinodular goitre (MNG) 25.45%.
Sonographic features such as isoechogenicity, mixed consistency, well-defined
margins, and peripheral vascularity were commonly observed. Specific features
including microcalcifications and hypoechogenicity correlated with higher
malignancy risk. FNAC and histopathology confirmed the diagnostic accuracy of
HRUSG, supporting its utility in clinical decision-making.
Conclusion: HRUSG, combined with TIRADS classification and pathological
correlation, is a valuable diagnostic modality for evaluating thyroid lesions. It
enhances early detection and risk stratification, guiding timely and appropriate
intervention in a tertiary care setting.