Incidental thyroid nodule
Flowchart · click to enlarge
Three-tiered approach for nodules found incidentally on CT, MRI or PET/CT. Size is measured in the longest axial dimension.
- Abnormal lymph nodes on CT/MRI: calcification, cystic change, or increased enhancement.
Not for nodules in patients with known high risk (e.g. prior neck irradiation, MEN2, familial thyroid cancer) where clinical evaluation directs workup.
Sources
- Hoang JK, Langer JE, Middleton WD, et al. Managing incidental thyroid nodules detected on imaging: white paper of the ACR Incidental Thyroid Findings Committee. J Am Coll Radiol. 2015;12:143–150.PubMed ↗
Radessential summarizes published classification systems for practicing radiologists. Summaries are condensed; confirm details against the cited source before relying on them for patient care.
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