The History of Thyroid Ultrasound: Past, Present, and Future Directions

HIGHLIGHTS•Ultrasound technology has evolved rapidly over the last 50 years.•It is a critical tool for the evaluation of thyroid nodules, guidance of fine needle aspiration, and surveillance of thyroid cancer.•Its widespread use has resulted in negative consequences of increased rates of detection of occult thyroid cancers and false positive findings.•Advances in the technology have increased the diagnostic power of US and widened the scope of its applicability in clinical care.AbstractThe rapid evolution of ultrasound (US) technology has dramatically changed the medical field. Ideally suited for evaluation of anatomic disorders of the thyroid, coupled with its ease of use at the bedside, US has become an essential tool for Endocrinologists over the last 50 years. This noninvasive technology provides a sensitive and specific instrument for malignancy risk prediction of thyroid nodules, surveillance for recurrent thyroid cancer, and diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disorders. While US has proven invaluable for such diagnostic purposes, its extensive use also has resulted in important negative consequences. This review will discuss the evolution of US equipment for the evaluation of thyroid disorders, its use in interventional procedures, and the unintended outcomes from the widespread adoption of this technology. Finally, this article will explore the potential future applications for US technology and its related advancements.