Imaging of diseases of the thyroid gland in Austria

Imaging techniques for first line investigation of diseases of the thyroid gland are sonography (US) and scintigraphy, followed in dedicated cases by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Malignant lesions are generally hypoechoic on US with calcifications visible in some cases. The appearance of lymph node metastases is similar to that of the primary tumour. The various forms of goiter are the most commonly occurring forms of thyroid diseases in Austria, they appear heterogenous with hyperechoic as well as hypoechoic or anechoic nodes, in some cases with calcification. US findings of thyreoiditis are in acute forms of the disease more hypoechoic with diffuse swelling and hyperechoic with scar formations in chronic forms. Ectopic thyroid tissue occurs often in the form of thyroglossal duct cysts which are anechoic or hypoechoic.