Multimodality imaging of the thyroid gland.

The continued development of high technology in the rapidly expanding field of computer-based imaging has had a significant impact on many areas of diagnostic imaging. The problem of rising medical costs emphasizes the importance of reaching a diagnosis by the most straightforward and cost-effective method while providing minimal patient discomfort. This responsibility to the patient and the medical care system rests with the physician. It is therefore essential that both imaging and referring physicians have a broad background of information regarding the potential limitations and relative merits of both old and new technologies available to patients with thyroid disorders. The appropriate utilization and relative roles of these imaging modalities have been discussed with respect to the individual clinical problem in this chapter.