| Objective To explore the ultrasonographic characteristics of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) with nodules lesions so as to improve its diagnostic accuracy. Methods The sonographic data of 105 cases of thyroid nodules, including 54 benign nodules (the benign group) and 51 malignant nodules (the malignant group) confirmed by surgical pathology, were collected in our hospital from Oct 2010 to Oct 2014, and the sonographic features between the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results According to the sonographic appearance of HT gland background, the 105 thyroid nodules were classified into homogeneous type (40 cases), focal type (15 cases), diffuse type (26 cases) and nodular type (24 cases). Compared with the benign nodules, the malignant nodules were more likely to have the sonographic features of obscure boundary (76.5% vs 18.5%), irregular shape (74.5% vs 16.7%), solid structure (92.2% vs 68.5%), low echo (62.8% vs 29.6%), interior microcalcification (58.8% vs 3.7%), aspect ratio≥1 (41.2% vs 9.3%), and locally increased or irregular blood flow (76.5% vs 16.7%). The proportion of benign nodules in nodular type of HT was significantly higher than that of malignant nodules (70.8% vs 29.2%). In the malignant group, malignant nodules of the homogeneous type and focal type of HT were commonly hypoechoic, while the diffuse type of HT were commonly hyperechoic. Microcalcification was most frequent in the homogeneous type and focal type of HT, and macrocalcification was most frequent in the diffuse type and nodular type. Conclusion The ultrasonographic characteristics of HT with nodules lesions have important value in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant nodules. |
