Which pathology is commonly diagnosed with a thyroid ultrasound?

A thyroid ultrasound is primarily used to evaluate structural abnormalities of the thyroid gland. This includes the identification and characterization of thyroid nodules, which are solid or fluid-filled lumps in the thyroid tissue. The ultrasound is the first-line imaging technique for assessing these nodules, allowing practitioners to determine their size, number, and whether they have characteristics that suggest the need for further evaluation or a biopsy.

In addition to nodules, ultrasound can be used to assess overall gland enlargement, commonly referred to as goiter. A goiter may arise from various causes, including iodine deficiency, autoimmune conditions, or other hormonal imbalances. Therefore, the primary use of a thyroid ultrasound in daily practice centers around detecting these nodular formations and assessing enlargement of the gland.

While the other pathologies mentioned, such as thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism, and thyroiditis, are related to the thyroid and can be evaluated with imaging, they are not as commonly diagnosed solely based on ultrasound findings. Thyroid cancer is typically confirmed through biopsy after a suspicious nodule has been identified on ultrasound, and hypothyroidism is primarily diagnosed through blood tests measuring hormone levels. Thyroiditis can sometimes be visualized with changes on ultrasound but is often diagnosed through clinical evaluation and lab tests as well.