When a thyroid nodule is suspected or discovered, high-resolution thyroid ultrasound is the single most important diagnostic study.
🔍 What does a thyroid ultrasound tell us?
Ultrasound allows us to evaluate:
Size and exact location of the nodule Composition (solid, cystic, or mixed) Margins (smooth vs irregular) Echogenicity and calcifications Vascularity (with Doppler imaging) Cervical lymph nodes
➡️ These features are far more predictive of cancer risk than symptoms or blood tests.
📊 Risk stratification matters
Using ultrasound findings, nodules are categorized with validated systems such as:
ATA risk patterns ACR TI-RADS
These systems help determine:
✔️ Which nodules need biopsy
✔️ Which nodules can be safely observed
✔️ Appropriate follow-up intervals
🧪 Important clarification
Blood tests do not diagnose thyroid cancer CT scans and MRIs are NOT first-line tests for thyroid nodules Ultrasound provides real-time, radiation-free, highly accurate evaluation
🦋 Why this matters for patients
Proper ultrasound evaluation:
Prevents unnecessary biopsies and surgeries Ensures early diagnosis of clinically significant thyroid cancer Guides personalized management
Expert, high-resolution thyroid ultrasound makes all the difference.
📚 References
Haugen BR et al. ATA Guidelines for Thyroid Nodules. Thyroid Tessler FN et al. ACR TI-RADS. Radiology Russ G et al. EU-TI-RADS. European Journal of Endocrinology
My name is Rodrigo Arrangoiz I am a breast surgeon/ thyroid surgeon / parathyroid surgeon / head and neck surgeon / surgical oncologist that works at Center for Advanced Surgical Oncology in Miami, Florida.
I was trained as a surgeon at Michigan State University from (2005 to 2010) where I was a chief resident in 2010. My surgical oncology and head and neck training was performed at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia from 2010 to 2012. At the same time I underwent a masters in science (Clinical research for health professionals) at the University of Drexel. Through the International Federation of Head and Neck Societies / Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center I performed a two year head and neck surgery and oncology / endocrine fellowship that ended in 2016.
Mi nombre es Rodrigo Arrangoiz, soy cirujano oncólogo / cirujano de tumores de cabeza y cuello / cirujano endocrino que trabaja Center for Advanced Surgical Oncology en Miami, Florida.
Fui entrenado como cirujano en Michigan State University (2005 a 2010 ) donde fui jefe de residentes en 2010. Mi formación en oncología quirúrgica y e n tumores de cabeza y cuello se realizó en el Fox Chase Cancer Center en Filadelfia de 2010 a 2012. Al mismo tiempo, me sometí a una maestría en ciencias (investigación clínica para profesionales de la salud) en la Universidad de Drexel. A través de la Federación Internacional de Sociedades de Cabeza y Cuello / Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center realicé una sub especialidad en cirugía de cabeza y cuello / cirugia endocrina de dos años que terminó en 2016.
View all posts by Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO
Rodrigo Arrangoiz MS, MD, FACS, FSSO 