Color Doppler evaluation of thyroid nodules : Validation of quantitative & qualitative analysis in predicting malignancy

INTRODUCTION: Changes in vasculature pattern and doppler parameters is well established with cellular proliferation in malignant lesions. We have evaluated the quantitative and qualitative differences in vascularity in pathologically confirmed malignant and benign thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pattern of vascularity and color doppler spectral parameters were evaluated in 40 patients with thyroid nodules and correlated with pathological findings. RESULTS: Pattern of vascularity as well as doppler spectral parameters showed differences of high statistical significance in benign versus malignant thyroid nodules. CONCLUSION: Qualitative as well as quantitative analysis of vascularity of thyroid nodules show highly significant clinical importance proven statistically.