Sonographic Evaluation of Thyroid Lesions in Patients With Abnormal Thyroid Function Test in AKTH

Abstract

Context:
Thyroid lesions are highly prevalent, particularly among individuals with abnormal thyroid function tests. Their incidence increases with age and occurs more commonly in females. Ultrasound is an excellent imaging modality for characterizing thyroid lesions and assessing the risk of malignancy using the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS).

Aim:
To evaluate the sonographic characteristics of thyroid lesions in patients with abnormal thyroid function tests at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, Nigeria.

Methods:
This cross-sectional comparative study included patients with recent abnormal thyroid function tests. Thyroid parenchyma was evaluated and classified according to the TIRADS system. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 for Windows.

Results:
A total of 270 participants were enrolled, comprising 45 males (16.7%) and 225 females (83.3%). The modal age group was 31–40 years. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean ages of males and females (p ≤ 0.05). Most participants (73%) had thyromegaly, while 27% had normal thyroid gland size. Hyperthyroidism was present in 218 participants (80.7%), and 52 (19.3%) had hypothyroidism.

Among hyperthyroid patients, 161 (73.7%) were classified as TIRADS 2, followed by 47 (21.7%) as TIRADS 3. Among hypothyroid patients, 29 (55.8%) were TIRADS 2, and 19 (36.5%) were TIRADS 1. Differences in TIRADS categories between hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:
Thyroid lesions are more common in females, and the majority of participants had thyromegaly. TIRADS 2 was the most frequent category in both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients.