Color Doppler detection of solitary hyperperfused thyroid nodules.

Aim: To determine if colour Doppler sonography is a sensitive tool to detect solitary hot thyroid nodules. Method: All patients evaluated in our ultrasound laboratory during study period also underwent thyroid sonography. If one or more nodules with a diameter of at least 8 mm were present, thyroid scintigraphy was performed. Hyperperfusion within the nodule compared to the surrounding tissue indicated autonomy according to the study protocol. Results: 1010 patients were screened. 385 had one or more nodules, 309 of them with a diameter of more than 8 mm. Among these patients a hot nodule was proved with scintigraphy in 120 cases. 116 of these 120 patients were correctly identified with colour Doppler sonography. Conclusion: Colour Doppler sonography is a reliable method to detect solitary hot or hyperperfused thyroid nodules and to identify a risk group of patients prior to the administration of xray contrast media.