Ultrasound is sensitive regarding focal mass lesions, and can also diagnose diffuse abnormalities although the specificity is somewhat poor. Ultrasound has a low predictability to differentiate benign mass lesion from malignant one.
Valuable information can be obtained from nuclear scans both in focal disease and in the differential diagnosis of various forms of thyrotoxicosis.
Generally, when a focal abnormality is detected, fine-needle biopsy is performed.
