Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
9088116
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Cricoid cartilage on sonography in pediatric patients mimics a thyroid mass
Author(s)
Donohoo, JayH; Wallach, MT; ,
Year
2006
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine
ISSN:
0278-4297
EISSN:
1550-9613
Publisher
AMER INST ULTRASOUND MEDICINE
Location
LAUREL
Page Numbers
907-911
Language
English
PMID
16798902
Web of Science Id
WOS:000238883300012
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the sonographic appearance of the uncalcified cricoid cartilage in pediatric patients and illustrate how this can be easily confused with a thyroid mass or residual thyroid tissue after thyroidectomy.We retrospectively reviewed the sonographic and computed tomographic examinations performed on 4 adolescent patients. Two patients had either thyroid cancer or thyroid nodules, and 2 healthy patients were reviewed to show normal anatomy. Results were compared with the clinical and surgical findings in each patient.Computed tomographic and sonographic examinations showed the normal anatomic relationships and imaging appearance of the cricoid cartilage. Findings from a follow-up sonographic examination on a patient with treated thyroid cancer were initially interpreted as residual thyroid tissue, but another examination revealed that this tissue was actually uncalcified cricoid cartilage. Another patient who had intraoperative sonography verified these findings.Uncalcified cricoid cartilage in a pediatric patient appears on sagittal sonography as a round or ovoid structure with variable echogenicity, located posteromedial to the thyroid gland. Awareness of this structure's sonographic appearance should prevent unnecessary biopsy or surgery.
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity