engleski

Ultrasonography as a tool for detecting autoimmune thyroid diseases and predicting thyroid dysfunction

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD)- (thyroiditis Hashimoto and Graves’ disease) are associated with typical echographic presentation: diffuse reduction in thyroid echogenity, or hypoechogenic areas within normal ehogenity of the thyroid parenchyma, ehogenic stripes within thyroid, irregular contours of the lobes, and slightly enlarged lymph nodes near the thyroid. Sometimes, only some of these typical signs are presented, or the presence of the signs is very discreet. Colour Doppler ultrasonogrphy is additional tool for studding thyroid vascularity and blood flow parameters for predicting activity of the disease. Material and methods: The 1228 subjects, referred for ultrasonography of the thyroid, were examined prospectively with regard to detecting AITD. The reason for referral of 862 patients was diffuse goiter, thyroid dysfunction (TD), or neck discomfort, but also 366 of apparently healthy subjects submitted to general check-up, were included in this study. Determination of T4, T3, TSH, TPOAb and TgAb were preformed. Results: Of 319 subjects, with normal thyroid echostructure, normal thyroid vascularity and normal values of blood flow parameters, elevated TPOAb levels were observed in 3, 4%, and elevated TSH levels in 0, 9%. Of 593 patients with typical echographic presentation for ATD, elevated TPOAb levels were observed in 90%. TD was found in 450 patients (76 %) at the beginning of the study/or before/or for the 1-8 years (3, 6 &plusmn ; ; 1, 9) follow up. Of 107 patients with only some of discreet echographic signs for ATD, elevated TPOAb were observed in 69%, and TD was found in 35 patients (33%). Of 366 of apparently healthy subjects submitted to general check-up, AITD was found in 15%, and TD in 5%. Conclusion: ultrasonograpy is very useful tool for detecting AITD and subclinical TD, even when only some of discreet echograpic signs are presented.

Ultrasonography; Autoimmune thyroid diseases

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