ULTRASOUND CHARACTERISTICS OF THYROGLOSSAL DUCT ANOMALIES

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of ultrasound exa mination in the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct anomalies. The ultrasou nd and palpation findings in 24 patients with a thyroglossal duct anom aly were reviewed. Cysts, tracts and ectopic thyroid tissue appeared t o produce a characteristic ultrasound pattern in most cases. This stud y includes 5 patients with nonsymptomatic lesions which were detected at ultrasound examination. The necessity of performing a radionuclide scan prior to surgery for a thyroglossal duct anomaly is reconsidered in view of the diagnostic power of ultrasound in thyroid disease.