Abstract: The ultrasound part of “2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer” is comprehensive and informative. The content includes the indications for thyroid ultrasound and aspects needed to be evaluated, malignancy risk prediction based on sonographic pattern, decision-making based on ultrasound appearances, follow-up of benign thyroid nodules and surveillance of persistent and recurrent thyroid cancer with ultrasound. Compared with 2009 version of American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, there is a great deal of development. The most important revision was that it analyzed ultrasound pattern of risk stratification of malignancy in thyroid nodules and gave a detailed description of relevant concepts and definitions. Altogether, the new guidelines provided an algorithm for evaluation and management of patients with thyroid nodules based on sonographic pattern and fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. Comprehensive review of the guidelines and appropriate adjustment in practices will make ultrasound examination more reasonable and may enhance the level of medical practices basically.

Key words: Differentiated thyroid carcinoma, American Thyroid Association, Guidelines, Ultrasound