Study of thyroid nodules with follicular cytology vascularization using color duplex-doppler and histology

• Grant number: 07/04308-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2007
• End date: November 30, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Radiology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Cristina Chammas
• Grantee: João Paulo de Santanna Pinto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

To date the fine needle aspiration (FNA) is the main diagnostic test to assess the malignancy of a thyroid nodule. However it is inconclusive in the cases when the nodule is diagnosed as of follicular variant (FV). For being a non-invasive method, Power and Duplex-Doppler ultrasonography (US) is the goal of many studies aiming to establish thyroid nodule malignancy criteria through nodule vascularity parameter. Objective: to distinguish thyroid nodules with FV cytology in benign or malignant by Power and Duplex-Doppler US comparing the data with the anatopathological evaluation. Methods: Forty patients presenting thyroid nodules will be evaluated by Power and Duplex-Doppler US, employing new vascular parameters (criteria) such as central to peripheral vases proportion, tortuousness, fistulae, stenosis and obstructions besides vascularity patterns already described. The nodule will be histologically assessed employing the same parameters followed by comparison of data collected by both methods.