Usefulness of ultrasonography for diagnosis of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid.
BACKGROUND
Recent developments in ultrasonography (US) and the prevalence of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) has enabled physicians to detect and diagnosis thyroid diseases, including thyroid malignant lymphoma, much more easily.


METHODS
We describe our diagnostic strategy for malignant lymphoma on US screening. We screened possible malignant lymphoma patients by US characteristics such as enhanced posterior echoes.


RESULTS
Among 170 patients suspected of malignant lymphoma between 2000 and 2004, 74 (43.5%) were also diagnosed as having or suspected of lymphoma by US-FNAB. Five patients dropped out, and 67 of 69 patients who underwent surgical examination were pathologically diagnosed as having lymphoma. Finally, 79 (47.9%) of 165 US-suspected patients were confirmed as having lymphoma. Only 21.5% of lymphoma patients complained of rapidly growing goiter.


CONCLUSIONS
US screening for goiters contributes markedly to diagnosis of lymphoma at an early phase, facilitating early initiation of therapy.
Ota
Hisashi
H
Kuma Hospital, Kobe, Japan.
Ito
Yasuhiro
Y
Matsuzuka
Fumio
F
Kuma
Seiji
S
Fukata
Shuji
S
Morita
Shinji
S
Kobayashi
Kaoru
K
Nakamura
Yasushi
Y
Kakudo
Kennichi
K
Amino
Nobuyuki
N
Miyauchi
Akira
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
D013972:Thyrotropin