Characterization of Thyroid Benign Nodules using Ultrasonography and Scintigraphy

Abstract Recently in Sudan there is a noticeable increase of thyroid diseases, which is related to several factors. There are several investigations tools and methods used to assess thyroid disorders; hence the main objective of this study is to characterize thyroid benign nodules using Ultrasonography and Scintigraphy.This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted mainly in the Radiation and Isotopes Centre of Khartoum and Nilein Medical Diagnostic Center, Academy Charity Teaching Hospital and Bashair Teaching Hospital, in the period from May 2016 to December 2016. Sample size consisted of 50patients from both genderwere investigated using Toshiba and Alpinion E-CUBE 7ultrasound Machine with high frequency transducer 7.5-10 MHz linear probe and radionuclideTechnetium99m,all patients scan in supine position technique. The results was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), the results can be summarized as follow; the incidence of thyroid benign nodules is more common in female 86%, about 76% in married, detected in age between 22 – 70 years, the incidence are less common in young and elder patients, site is more bilateral than the left or right lobe 62%, also show high uptake 74%, distribution of radiotracer is more homogeneous 62%, most nodules outline are regular 60%. When investigated by ultrasound showed 60% heterogeneous texture and other are homogeneous appearance, the echogenicty obtained is 60% isoechoic, 20% hypoechoic and 12% hyperechoic, and the nodule out line showed 90% well define outline and 10% ill defined outline. Beside the study connected the results of nuclear medicine with ultrasound finding. Finally the study recommended that radiation Scintigraphy only dose not accurately but it can give a picture about the nodule and by comparing the sonographic finding we obtain the most real diagnosis, and increased research in this direction, use of ultrasound technology with high facility like Doppler toknow the blood flow indices for more accurate results.