Correlation of computerized gray‐scale sonographic findings with thyroid function and thyroid autoimmune activity in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Loy, M.; Cianchetti, Maria Elisabetta; Cardia, F; Melis, Alessandro; Boi, Francesco; Mariotti, Stefano

doi:10.1002/jcu.20008

Cited by 58 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The interface between thyroid cells and the colloid exhibits an elevated acoustic impedance, causing high-frequency acoustic waves to be reflected back to the probe. In autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), however, both lymphocytic infiltration and disruption of normal tissue architecture cause a reduction in thyroid echogenicity (1,4,6,10,11). Thyroid hypoechogenicity is currently viewed as an early sign of thyroid autoimmunity, which may be present even when the thyroid disorder is not suspected from a clinical point of view (4,6,7,12,13).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rapid improvements in US equipment and the use of standardized computerized algorithms have permitted an objective and quantitative measurement of tissue echogenicity in thyroid diseases (11)(12)(13), as well as in other pathological conditions (14,15). Using a subjective measure of thyroid echogenicity, previous studies demonstrated that in patients with thyroid autoimmune diseases, the presence of circulating thyroid antibodies (Abs) as well as the development of hypothyroidism was closely correlated with the degree of thyroid hypoechogenicity (1,5,11,12,16).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at ultrasound does not indicate autoimmune thyroid diseases in patients with morbid obesity

Rotondi¹,

Cappelli²,

Leporati³

et al. 2010

European Journal of Endocrinology

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Objective: Thyroid ultrasound (US) scan is a valuable tool for diagnosing thyroid diseases. In autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), an hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at US is related to circulating thyroid antibodies (Abs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid US for the detection of AITD in patients with morbid obesity. Design: Thyroid US scans showing an hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid were collected from 105 morbid obese patients (body mass index (BMI) O40 kg/m 2 ) and 105 non-obese patients (BMI%30 kg/m 2 ). Results: A thyroid hypoechoic pattern at US was consistent with clinical/biochemical features of AITD in 90/105 (85.7%) non-obese patients and in 22/105 (20.9%) morbid-obese patients (P!0.0001). By performing a complete thyroid work-up, including clinical examination, thyroid morphology, serum hormones, and auto-Ab measurements, the discrepancy between the US pattern and the results of the thyroid Ab tests was justified in 6/15 non-obese patients, and only in 1/83 morbid obese patients. Thus, an unexplained hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at US, defined as negative tests for thyroid Ab and absence of justifying thyroid disturbances, was found in 2/105 (1.9%) non-obese patients and in 68/105 (64.8%) morbid obese patients (P!0.0001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that i) morbid obesity may affect thyroid morphology, and ii) an hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at US, a well-established parameter for diagnosing AITD, has a poor diagnostic accuracy when patients with morbid obesity are taken into account.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at ultrasound does not indicate autoimmune thyroid diseases in patients with morbid obesity

Rotondi¹,

Cappelli²,

Leporati³

et al. 2010

European Journal of Endocrinology

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“…The change in echogenicity has also been demonstrated in subclinical (mild) hypothyroidism (1)(2)(3). Since subclinical thyroid dysfunction has a tendency to develop into overt thyroid dysfunction (4), the finding of decreased echogenicity or irregularity in echo pattern at thyroid US in these patients with the elevation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) could perhaps be seen as an early sign of thyroid failure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association between hypoechogenicity or irregular echo pattern at thyroid ultrasonography and thyroid function in the general population

Vejbjerg¹,

Knudsen²,

Perrild³

et al. 2006

eur j endocrinol

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Objective: Patients with overt hypothyroidism show decreased echogenicity of the thyroid at ultrasonography (US). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between echogenicity of the thyroid/irregular echo pattern, and thyroid function in the general population, i.e. subjects without overt thyroid disease. Design: A cross-sectional investigation of 4649 randomly selected adult subjects. Methods: Blood samples were analysed for serum TSH, thyroid hormones and thyroid autoantibodies. US of the thyroid was performed. Results: Participants with decreased echogenicity (nZ379) had a higher mean TSH (1.65 mU/l) compared with subjects with normal echogenicity (1.21 mU/l, P!0.0001). The association was stronger in subjects with markedly decreased echogenicity (4.20 mU/l, P!0.0001). A similar association was seen when the subjects were divided into subgroups according to the level of TSH; more subjects with high levels of TSH had decreased echogenicity (P!0.0001). Likewise, more subjects with high levels of TSH had an irregular echo pattern (P!0.0001). Subjects with decreased echogenicity had a higher risk of having thyroid autoantibodies than subjects without decreased echogenicity (P!0.0001). This association was stronger when echogenicity was markedly decreased. Conclusions: We demonstrated an association between hypoechogenicity at thyroid US and higher levels of serum TSH even in subjects without overt thyroid disease, suggesting decreased echogenicity as an early sign of thyroid dysfunction. Irregular echo pattern, whether accompanied by hypoechogenicity or not, was another possible marker of thyroid failure. This indicates a possible use of thyroid US in detecting early and subclinical thyroid dysfunction.European Journal of Endocrinology 155 547-552

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“…Furthermore, their presence is related to subclinical hypothyroidism and levels of thyroid autoantibodies (64,65), and ultrasonography has been used for the follow-up of patients (66). Thyroid ultrasonography is usually heterogeneous because of fibrosis and hypoechogenic areas, it is not necessary for diagnosis but it is recommended to confirm the presence of a thyroid nodule, solitary or multiple nodule can be detected both hypothyroid or euthyroid patients.…”

Section: Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in Children and Adolescents

Sarı¹,

Karaoğlu²,

Yeşilkaya³

2011

Autoimmune Disorders - Current Concepts and Advances From Bedside to Mechanistic Insights

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Correlation of computerized gray‐scale sonographic findings with thyroid function and thyroid autoimmune activity in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Abstract: Computerized gray-scale sonography provides an objective measure of thyroid hypoechogenicity, which correlates well to the clinical stages of HT. Use of this modality may prove beneficial in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with HT.

Cited by 58 publications

References 25 publications

A hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at ultrasound does not indicate autoimmune thyroid diseases in patients with morbid obesity

A hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at ultrasound does not indicate autoimmune thyroid diseases in patients with morbid obesity

The association between hypoechogenicity or irregular echo pattern at thyroid ultrasonography and thyroid function in the general population

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in Children and Adolescents

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