The pyramidal lobe is not seen unless it is significantly enlarged. In the female, the upper pole of each thyroid lobe may be seen at the level of the thyroid cartilage, lower in the male. The surrounding muscles are of lower echogenicity than the thyroid and tissue planes between muscles are usually identifiable. The air-filled trachea does not transmit the ultrasound and only the anterior portion of the cartilaginous ring is represented by dense, bright echoes. The carotid artery and other blood vessels are echo-free unless they are calcified. The jugular vein is usually in a collapsed condition and it distends with a Valsalva maneuver. There are frequently 1-2 mm echo-free zones on the surface and within the thyroid gland that represent blood vessels. The vascular nature of all of these echoless areas can be demonstrated by color Doppler imaging to differentiate them from cystic structures (10-11).
Lymph nodes may be observed and nerves are generally not seen. The parathyroid glands are observed only when they are enlarged and are less dense ultrasonically than thyroid tissue because of the absence of iodine. The esophagus may be demonstrated behind the medial part of the left thyroid lobe, especially if it is distended by a sip of water. (FIGURE 2)
Figure 1. Sonogram of the neck in the transverse plane showing a normal right thyroid lobe and isthmus. L=small thyroid lobe in a patient who is taking suppressive amounts of L-thyroxine, I=isthmus, T=tracheal ring ( dense white arc is calcification, distal to it is artefact), C=carotid artery ( note the enhanced echoes deep to the fluid-filled blood vessel), J=jugular vein, S=Sternocleidomastoid muscle, m=strap muscle.
Figure 2. Sonogram of the left lobe of the thyroid gland in the transverse plane showing a rounded lobe of a goiter. L=enlarged lobe, I= widened isthmus, T=trachea, C=carotid artery ( note the enhanced echoes deep to the fluid-filled blood vessel), J=jugular vein, S=Sternocleidomastoid muscle, m=strap muscles, E=esophagus.
