Participants in our screening program for cerebrovascular disease are supposed to receive thyroid checkups at the time of ultrasound imaging of carotid arteries. Thus far, a total of 4,338 people have participated in this program. Of the total, 17 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma were found (detection ratio: 0.39%). This study concerned with the 13 cases which underwent surgical treatment in our hospital. They all were diagnosed as early cancers--eight cases at stage N0 and five cases at stage N1--with an average tumor diameter of 11 mm. Besides, five cases of Basedow's disease (hyperthyroidism) and 15 cases of chronic thyroiditis were found (detection ratio: 0.35%). Of the 15 chronic thyroiditis cases, nine were found to have symptoms of hypothyroidism. We concluded that our screening program for cerebrovascular disease involving the ultrasonographic scans of the thyroid gland is very helpful not only in detecting malignancies at an early stage but also in screening for functional abnormalities of the thyroid.
Aspects of disease screening ; Ultrasonography ; Desiccated thyroid ; Thyroid Gland ; Diagnostic Neoplasm Staging