Palpable thyroid nodules occur in approximately 4 to 7% of thepopulation, but only about 8 to 16% of thyroid nodules harbor thyroid cancer.1-6 Ultrasonography of the thyroid is more sensitive than palpation anddetects thyroid nodules in 19 to 67% of the population among persons withoutsuspected thyroid disease7; in one study, ultrasonography revealed nodules in 67 of100 asymptomatic persons (22 of those screened had a solitary nodule and 45 hadmultiple nodules).