Cross-sectional imaging of the thyroid gland.
Directed imaging is useful in assessing the thyroid gland. Nuclear scintigraphy reveals functional information about the thyroid gland, while cross-sectional imaging, including ultrasound, CT, and MR imaging provide important adjunctive anatomic information about the thyroid as well as about related structures in the neck, including the presence or absence of cervical and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, or extension of thyroid disease into adjacent soft tissues or the mediastinum. This article reviews the anatomy and physiology of the thyroid gland and addresses issues related to diseases affecting the thyroid gland, with an emphasis on neoplasms and the role of cross-sectional MR and CT imaging in the assessment of thyroid neoplasia.
Loevner
Laurie A
LA
Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. laurie.loevner@uphs.upenn.edu
Kaplan
Summer L
SL
Cunnane
Mary Elizabeth
ME
Moonis
Gul
G
D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods