Sonography plays several important roles in the diagnosis and management of thyroid cancer. Ultrasound (US) is used for the detection and characterization of thyroid nodules as well as a guidance modality for fine-needle aspiration biopsy of indeterminate or suspicious nodules. US is also used to help stage thyroid cancer by identifying cervical lymph nodes suspicious for metastasis so they can be biopsied prior to subsequent neck dissection. Post-thyroidectomy, routine surveillance of the neck is performed with US to identify local recurrence and/or nodal metastatic disease so that focused and limited repeat neck dissection or alcohol ablation can be accomplished.
Keywords: Central neck compartment; Cervical lymph node metastases; Fine-needle aspiration biopsy; Lateral neck compartment; Thyroid cancer; Thyroid nodules.
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