Thyroid Gland

Ultrasound elastography (USE) is used mainly to improve ultrasound efficacy for the characterization of thyroid nodules, e.g., detection of malignancy, and less commonly for evaluation of diffuse diseases, e.g., chronic thyroiditis. The stiffness of the gland depends on the structural properties of the matrix of tissues (cells, membranes, extravascular matrix, microvessels), whereas in conventional ultrasound (US), it is the microscopic structure that determines reflectivity. Thus, elastography provides histologic tissue structure, enabling differentiation of the normal gland from nodules and parenchymal diseases. Tissue stiffness is a feature that reflects the nature of the thyroid nodule; neoplasia and inflammation alter the tissue composition and structure and increase the stiffness [1, 2].