The human endocrine system is considered one of the most important in the body. In the event of malfunctions or malfunctions in her work, her general health can dramatically deteriorate. It is impossible to guess in what form the pathological process will be expressed, but improper functioning of the thyroid gland often threatens the patient's life. Today, medicine insists on a regular examination of this organ, which allows you to timely detect abnormalities and apply advanced treatment methods. Elastography is a procedure that significantly increased the level and quality of the diagnosis of the thyroid gland.
The role of the thyroid gland
High-quality and stable work of the human body is possible only with the coordinated interaction of all its systems. Complex patterns of interaction between organs provide all vital functions, hormones play a global role in this process. The thyroid gland produces several types of hormones at once, a malfunction in its work leads to serious diseases.
Despite the small size of the organ, its role cannot be underestimated. Thyroid hormones are involved in almost all metabolic processes of the body. The role of the body is as follows:
- Stabilization of metabolism, the work of the cardiovascular, digestive, nervous and reproductive systems.
- Promotes the mental and physical development of man.
- Protects the body from the effects of stressful situations.
- Thanks to hormones, it regulates the metabolism and level of calcium in the body.
- It stabilizes the water-salt balance in the body.
- Promotes the production of vitamin A.
- Participates in the processes of thermoregulation.
As you can see, the thyroid gland is an indispensable organ. Any malfunctions affect human health, lead to the development of diseases, and in some cases to death. Modern medicine allows you to answer the question of how to identify problems with the thyroid gland. The range of diagnostic tools is expanding, medical research does not stand still.
What is elastography?
The most important organ of the human endocrine system is subject to various threats. The circulatory system is highly developed in the organ, the walls of the thyroid gland consist of thyrocytes, in which there are many follicles. With the development of diseases, follicles begin to form nodular formations of a different nature and shape.
Elastography is the most advanced method of ultrasound diagnostics (ultrasound), which allows you to accurately determine the level of elasticity of the body. Thanks to this procedure, it became possible to determine the degree of damage to the thyroid gland, the level of tissue deformation.
There are two types of thyroid elastography:
- Compression. The elasticity of the tissues is checked by pressure on them using a special ultrasound probe. As a result, a color cartogram is formed. This approach is applicable for the diagnosis of tissues close to the body surface.
- Shear wave method (ARFI elastography). Such an elastography of the thyroid gland is based on a shift in the acoustic impulse, according to which information is generated on the stiffness of the organ tissue. The method allows you to evaluate the nature of tumors of any type.
In addition to the state of the thyroid gland itself, using elastography it became possible to determine changes in the lymph nodes nearby.
Indications for elastography
What are the dangerous nodes in the thyroid gland? What are the main indications for an ultrasound procedure? Nodules on the thyroid gland can be benign and malignant. Removal of the former is not shown in all cases, only for individual indications. Malignant or oncological nodes require immediate intervention, but without preliminary diagnosis it is impossible to identify them.
Thyroid elastography is performed in the following cases:
- Nodular goiter.
- The presence of neoplasms of an unknown nature.
- Graves' disease.
- Thyroiditis in a chronic form.
This type of study does not require additional preparation by the patient. Elastography is a surefire way to establish the nature of the neoplasm in the thyroid gland, timely detect the development of cancer pathology and prescribe the right treatment.
Cancer definition
Clinical studies show that cancer diagnosis occurs in 1-3% of cases after elastography. With disappointing examination results, it becomes obvious what are the dangerous nodes in the thyroid gland.
However, timely diagnosis significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and recovery of the patient. Medical statistics claim that men are more prone to oncology of the endocrine organ than the female half of humanity.
The development of a cancerous tumor is also indicated by pathogenic changes in the regional lymph nodes, which are available for study using ultrasound. Diagnosis based on thyroid elastography is more than 95% accurate.
Benign formations
In addition to cancer, elastography allows the determination of benign tumors in the thyroid gland. Thanks to this method, doctors expand the data of examinations of such pathologies as:
- Cysts and adenomas of the thyroid gland.
- Macrofollicles.
- Colloid nodes.
- Microcalcinates.
Elastography helps to make an early diagnosis, which is further specified, but often avoids a biopsy of the thyroid gland.
Deciphering the results of elastography
Medical studies show that the procedure is absolutely harmless to the patient, while it has an affordable cost. There are no restrictions for elastography; children and pregnant women can be calm about their health.
The results of the examination appear at the doctor's monitor within 15-20 seconds. The patient receives the final conclusion on the same day, a few minutes after the ultrasound. The main parameters are indicated in the medical record, a picture obtained as a result of elastography is attached.
In the process of decoding elastography of the thyroid gland, special attention is paid to the density of the node, on the basis of this indicator, a conclusion is made about the malignancy of the formation. If it is established that the pathology is of an oncological nature, then surgical intervention may become the main focus in treatment. For any examination results, only the endocrinologist decides which therapy the patient needs.
Sonoelastography - what is it?
There is an additional procedure that allows you to refine the data obtained as a result of elastography. Such a study is called sonoelastography. A procedure is prescribed if there is doubt about the nature of the nodes and formations in the thyroid gland.
The method has several advantages over other studies:
- High accuracy, which eliminates a number of subjective factors.
- The picture is more detailed, detailed and accurate.
- Areas of development of pathology are better localized, which allows a more accurate biopsy of the thyroid gland node, if necessary.
Often, a similar procedure is performed to control the results of a biopsy, but in some cases it helps to avoid unwanted stressful intervention in the body.
The role of the procedure in thyroid prophylaxis
As practice shows, indications for thyroid elastography may be different. This study can significantly increase the chance of early diagnosis of dangerous diseases.
With pathologies of the thyroid gland, timely diagnosis greatly facilitates the patient's treatment, increases the chances of recovery. When oncology is detected, time is of critical importance, therefore, the accuracy of ongoing research plays a key role.
Doctors recommend regular preventive examinations, even if there are no clear indications or symptoms. Attention to health can save lives.
How often can elastography be performed?
As mentioned above, the procedure for human health is absolutely harmless. The number of examinations is determined individually, based on the patient’s health status.
To prevent and control their own health, the examination is carried out once a year. If it is necessary to control the development of chronic pathology, observations are carried out once every 3 months. When removing the thyroid gland, it is recommended to undergo monitoring twice a year. In some cases, the treatment process requires control up to 3 times a week.
All options have individual readings based on the patient’s medical history. Experts believe that for those living in adverse conditions, elastography should be a mandatory procedure that will help to avoid dangerous diseases.