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Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum resembling a thyroid nodule on ultrasound
Author(s) -
Singaporewalla Reyaz M.,
Mukherjee Jagat J.,
Thamboo Thomas P.,
Cheah Wei K.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21474
Subject(s) - medicine , echogenicity , nodule (geology) , thyroid , radiology , ultrasound , thyroid nodules , asymptomatic , fine needle aspiration , diverticulum (mollusc) , pathology , anatomy , biopsy , paleontology , biology
Background Ultrasound is routinely used in evaluating thyroid nodules and performing fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Occasionally, nonthyroidal lesions can mimic thyroid nodules on imaging and get wrongly aspirated. Methods A 63‐year‐old woman was reported to have an incidental left thyroid “nodule” on neck ultrasound scan. It was isoechoic with a surrounding hypoechoic rim and contained tiny foci of echogenicity. Similar findings were noted in a second surgeon‐performed ultrasound scan. Results An ultrasound‐guided FNAC showed abundant squamous cells, bacteria, and vegetable cells with no evidence of thyroid cells or colloid. The suspicion of a pharyngoesophageal diverticulum was confirmed on barium swallow. She remained asymptomatic with no increase in size at 6 months follow‐up. Conclusion A pharyngoesophageal diverticulum can be mistaken for a posteriorly placed “thyroid nodule” on ultrasound scan if the subtle differentiating signs are missed. An awareness of this condition is important to avoid unnecessary needle biopsies. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010