Characteristics of Killian-Jamieson diverticula mimicking a thyroid nodule.

BACKGROUND: Killian-Jamieson (K-J) diverticula have been incidentally detected on neck ultrasonography and could be misdiagnosed as thyroid nodules. The purpose of this study was to define the clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics of K-J diverticula.

METHODS: We analyzed 13 patients with K-J diverticula mimicking thyroid nodules including 4 of our patients and 11 previously reported cases between 1984 and August 2009.

RESULTS: Seven patients (54%) were women, and all patients were asymptomatic. The average lesion's diameter was 1.5 cm (range, 0.5-4.0). Most of the lesions (92%) were located in the left thyroid lobe. Ultrasonography showed heterogeneous echogenic masses with echogenic foci and hypoechoic rims. A connection with the adjacent esophageal wall was found in 7 diverticula (54%) at the time of initial diagnosis.

CONCLUSION: The K-J diverticula had unique ultrasonographic findings. Awareness of the fact that K-J diverticula can be misdiagnosed as thyroid nodules is important to avoid unnecessary interventions.