title: Usefulness of ultrasonography for diagnosis of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Kuma Hospital, Kobe, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Fumio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Matsuzuka
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuma
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukata
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Kennichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kakudo
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Amino
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miyauchi
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D013972:Thyrotropin