Thyroid echogenicity is diminished in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
(July 2004)
The background of the study. Ultrasonography can
be used to identify thyroid nodules and also to provide information
about the structure of thyroid tissue. This study evaluated the
use of computerized gray-scale ultrasonography to quantitate thyroid
echoes in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
How the study was done. The study subjects were
77 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Twenty-eight were
euthyroid, 20 had subclinical hypothyroidism (high serum thyrotropin
[TSH] and normal free thyroxine [T4] values), and 29 had overt hypothyroidism
(high serum TSH and low free T4 values); 23 of the latter were receiving
T4 and had normal serum TSH values. The results in these patients
were compared with those in 50 normal subjects. Thyroid volume was
measured using ultrasonography, and the echogenicity of the thyroid
and strap muscles was measured by computerized gray-scale ultrasonography.
The results of the study. The thyroid density
(echogenicity) in the patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
was lower than that in the normal subjects. Among the subgroups
of patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the thyroid density
was highest in those who were euthyroid, intermediate in those with
subclinical hypothyroidism, and lowest in those with untreated overt
hypothyroidism. There was no correlation between thyroid volume
and density or between thyroid density and serum antithyroid antibody
concentrations. Thyroid density was lowest and serum antithyroid
antibody concentrations were highest in the untreated patients with
overt hypothyroidism.
The conclusions of the study. Thyroid echogenicity,
as measured by ultrasonography, is reduced in patients with Hashimoto’s
thyroiditis, in proportion to the severity of hypothyroidism.
The original article. Loy M, Cianchetti ME, Cardia
F, Melis A, Boi F, Mariotti S. Correlation of computerized gray-scale
sonographic findings with thyroid function and thyroid autoimmune
activity in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. J Clin
Ultrasound 2004;32:136-40.
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