Normal Esophagus Misdiagnosed as a Thyroid Nodule by Non-Radiologist Reading Thyroid US: Case Report

Authors: Karla E Abundiz-Bibiano*, Roberto Rivera-Villanueva, Ernesto Roldan-Valadez, Rogerio Santiago-Herrera

DOI: 10.23880/crij-16000123

Volume 2, Issue 2

Abstract

Ultrasound (US) of the thyroid gland represents one of the first diagnostic approaches in the characterization of thyroid nodules. Specific US features allow the radiologist to differentiate malignant versus benign pathology. We report a case of a patient who was sent for a biopsy to the radiology department for the diagnosis of a left thyroid nodule with microcalcifications and irregular borders. After a US evaluation, the attending radiologist reported non-existing lesions in the thyroid gland, some previous images from the esophagus were what a non-radiologist physician observed at an earlier thyroid ultrasound and considered a thyroid nodule with an indication of biopsy. If the low-moderate level of agreement is found between the radiologists interpreting US findings of neck structures, then non-radiologist interpreting US images for their patients may need further education. Clinicians should be aware of the characteristics of normal anatomic structures that can simulate thyroid nodules when they explain ultrasonography to their patients.

Keywords: Esophagus; Ultrasonography; Thyroiditis; Nodules; Microcalcifications; Biopsy; Hyperaldosteronism

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