PMC3893553_01
Initial thyroid ultrasound scanning and 99 m-Technetium scintiscan. A. Thyroid ultrasonography revealed a dyshomogeneous and hypoechoic nodule (15 x 0.8 mm) with an irregular and poorly defined border in the left thyroid lobe (indicated by a white arrow). B. Thyroid scintigraphy with 99 m-Tc showed a focal accumulation of radiotracer uptake in the lower lobe of the left thyroid, which represents the palpable tender nodule (indicated by a black arrow).
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F1
A thyroid ultrasound examination revealed a dyshomogeneous and hypoechoic mass (1.5 x 0.8 cm) in the left thyroid lobe that exhibited an irregular and poorly defined border (Figure 1A). Thyroid scintigraphy with 99 m-Tc demonstrated a focal accumulation of radiotracer uptake in the lower part of the left thyroid lobe but a normal uptake and configuration of the middle and upper portion of the left lobe and the right lobe (Figure 1B).
Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the left thyroid nodule. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy from the nodule in the left lobe revealed multinuclear giant cells in the thyroid nodule consistent with subacute thyroiditis (indicated by black arrows).
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F2
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy from the nodule in the lower left lobe revealed multinuclear giant cells consistent with subacute thyroiditis (Figure 2).
Follow-up ultrasound scanning and 99 m-Technetium scintiscan. A. Follow-up ultrasound scanning demonstrated the disappearance of the hypoechoic nodule in the left thyroid lobe. B. Follow-up scintigraphy showed the disappearance of the "hot" nodule in the left thyroid lobe and an even distribution of radionuclide in both lobes.
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F3
Repeated ultrasound screening revealed a disappearance of the hypoechoic nodule (Figure 3A) and follow-up scintigraphy analysis found the thyroid exhibited an even distribution of radionuclide in both lobes (Figure 3B).