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What Does White Spot On Thyroid In Ultrasound Indicate?
My dad had an ultrasound done on his thyroid in March of 2011 because it was found to be enlarged at his work's health fair. Dr. said it looked OK but wanted to follow up in about 6-8 months. He had another ultrasound done today & the Dr. said there is now a white spot on it so he wants to do a needle biopsy. Dr. said he still thinks it's nothing to worry about but wants to do the biopsy to be sure. My question is, what could the white spot be? What are the chances it could be cancer and how aggressive for it to show up in just 9 months time?
Thu, 12 Jun 2014
Hi,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
White spots on thyroid ultrasound can be calcifications/colloid nodule. Both of them are harmless and occur in cases of benign nodules. As far as I think, there is no need for needle biopsy and you can just leave it. If you are very anxious, you can follow up once a year for it. But there is nothing to worry. In ultrasound thyroid, the lesion if darker than surrounding tissue should be worrisome.
Other features of the lesion should also be considered - like vascularity, margins, number of nodules, associated lymphadenopathy etc. If all are favouring benign nodule, and the dr says he thinks there is nothing to worry, I would advise you to wait and follow up once a year if you are anxious.
Hope it sorts your problem.
Regards,
Dr. Pankaj Nagori
Specialist Radiology
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
White spots on thyroid ultrasound can be calcifications/colloid nodule. Both of them are harmless and occur in cases of benign nodules. As far as I think, there is no need for needle biopsy and you can just leave it. If you are very anxious, you can follow up once a year for it. But there is nothing to worry. In ultrasound thyroid, the lesion if darker than surrounding tissue should be worrisome.
Other features of the lesion should also be considered - like vascularity, margins, number of nodules, associated lymphadenopathy etc. If all are favouring benign nodule, and the dr says he thinks there is nothing to worry, I would advise you to wait and follow up once a year if you are anxious.
Hope it sorts your problem.
Regards,
Dr. Pankaj Nagori
Specialist Radiology
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