Korean J Radiol.  2011 Jun;12(3):400-401. 10.3348/kjr.2011.12.3.400.

RE: Role of Duplex Doppler US for Thyroid Nodules: Looking for the "Sword" Sign

• Lacout A
• Marcy PY
• Thariat J

• KMID: 1122340
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2011.12.3.400

Abstract

Duplex Doppler US may be useful for the detection of thyroid malignancies that show either anarchic winding or penetrating "sword like" neoangiogenic vessels. It may be helpful in selecting nodules that should undergo fine needle aspiration biopsy.

Keyword

Doppler US; Ultrasonography; Anaplastic carcinoma; Thyroid

MeSH Terms

Biopsy, Fine-Needle
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Thyroid Neoplasms/blood supply/pathology/*ultrasonography
Thyroid Nodule/blood supply/pathology/*ultrasonography
*Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
Ultrasonography, Interventional

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Patient who presented with poorly-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma. Doppler US shows large vessel (arrows) crossing from side-to-side in suspicious left hypoechoic thyroid nodule (arrowhead), as sword would do ("sword sign"). Fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirmed high grade malignancy of this aggressive nodule.

Reference

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