Early and differential diagnosis of thyroid nodular lesions in women living in the aral sea region using ultrasound elastography and the ti-rads system

Thyroid nodules are among the most frequently detected endocrine abnormalities, with a considerably higher prevalence in women. Their differential diagnosis is particularly important in environmentally vulnerable areas such as the Aral Sea region, where iodine deficiency and other environmental factors may contribute to thyroid dysfunction. Conventional ultrasonography is the primary imaging method for thyroid nodule detection and characterization, while the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) provides standardized malignancy risk stratification. Ultrasound elastography offers additional information about tissue stiffness and may improve differentiation between benign and malignant nodules.