Intra‐ and Interobserver Variability of Ultrasonographic Measurements of the Thyroid Gland in Healthy Beagles

Abstract

The repeatability of ultrasonographic measurements of the canine thyroid gland was evaluated. The variability of three different parameters (the maximal length, width, and height) within observer, between observer and between dogs was assessed based on three different measurements made by each of three observers infive healthy beagle dogs. From the three parameters, the volume of the gland was estimated using a formula of a rotation ellipse. The height and the volume had the lowest intra- and interobserver variability, while measurements of the length had the biggest intra- and interobserver variability. The mean values, with their 90% confidence interval were: height = 0.53cm [0.33-0.73], length = 2.45cm [2.04-2.85], width = 0.62cm [0.46- 0.78], volume = 0.38 cm3 [0.20-0.55].

Quantitative Pertechnetate Thyroid Scintigraphy and the Ultrasonographic Appearance of the Thyroid Gland in Clinically Normal Horses

“…93,94 Effects of intra and interobserver variability of sonographic measurements of the thyroid gland have been reported for the dog. 95 Five neutered female beagles of three years of age were used for the study. were not identified.…”

“…Height and volume seemed the most promising parameters with which to evaluate thyroid lobe size in dogs. 95 The sonographic appearance of the thyroid gland has been reported for clinically normal, hypothyroid and euthyroid (dogs with nonthyroidal illness) golden retrievers. 98 Thirty-six normal, 11 hypothyroid and 35 euthyroid dogs were included in the study.…”

“…103 This disparity may have resulted from the relatively high inter-observer variability encountered when making ultrasound measurements of thyroid lobes. 95 The progressive decrease in the size of the thyroid lobes observed over time may have been secondary to effects of supplementation with levothyroxine. Hormone supplementation may have stimulated the negative feedback loop, thus decreasing TSH secretion.…”

Die canine Hypothyreose – eine diagnostische Herausforderung?

“…Zum einen kommen sie durchschnittlich nur bei ca. 50 % der hypothyreoten Hunde vor, zum anderen k ö nnen sie auch bei gesunden, euthyreoten Hunden nachgewiesen werden [19,20,23] schiedenen Untersuchern sehr hoch ist [33] und es daher, wie bereits erw ä hnt, einiger Erfahrung bedarf, damit es nicht zu Fehleinsch ä tzungen kommt.…”

Thyroid Ultrasound in Dogs: a Review

“…47 When measuring the gland to assess shrinkage, care should be taken because of relatively high inter-observer variability. 62 When comparing different dogs or when performing a follow-up of the size of the gland over time, it is therefore advisable that the same observer performs all the measurements. Using the height and volume of the gland was shown to have the lowest intra-and inter-observer variability when evaluating the size of the gland.…”