What is a hypoechogenic thyroid lesion?

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When your doctor asks you to swallow as he palpates the front of your neck during a physical, he is likely checking for thyroid abnormalities. Lumps in the gland may require further evaluation for possible hypoechogenic thyroid lesions.

Thyroid Gland

The thyroid sits at the base of the neck, just under the Adam's apple. It manufactures hormones that help metabolize carbohydrates and fats and regulate body temperature, heart rate, protein production and calcium levels.

Lesions

Thyroid lesions are abnormal fluid-filled or solid masses in the thyroid. According to the Mayo Clinic, most thyroid lesions are not cancerous, but they still bear monitoring. Physicians typicaly use ultrasound testing to help identify the nature of thyroid lesions.

Diagnostic Ultrasound

An ultrasound machine emits high-frequency sound waves through a small transponder passed over, in this case, the neck. The sound waves "echo" off the thyroid, and data returns to a computer that generates pictures of the gland. It is a painless and noninvasive study.

Echogenicity

Echogenicity refers to a structure's ability to reflect sound waves. Hypoechogenic lesions cast fewer echo shadows than hyperechogenic varieties, but they are more often cancerous, though the chances of malignancy are still relatively low.

Further Studies

Because an ultrasound test cannot truly differentiate between cancerous and noncancerous lesions, the next step is often a fine needle aspiration (needle inserted into the lesion to gather cells for pathology study).

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Thyroid Nodules

Radiological Info: Ultrasound of the Thyroid

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What is a hypoechogenic thyroid lesion?

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