Korean J Endocr Surg.  2011 Jun;11(2):75-80. 10.0000/kjes.2011.11.2.75.

Sonographic Analysis of the Nodular Form of Hashimoto Thyroiditis

• Bang HJ
• Kim KM
• Park JB
• Bae KS
• Kang SJ

• KMID: 2375369
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/kjes.2011.11.2.75

Abstract

PURPOSE
There are relatively few results from studies on nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In addition, some Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients present with irregular symptoms, making the distinction from malignant thyroid nodule difficult. Therefore, we performed analyses on ultrasonographic findings of nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
METHODS
A retrospective follow-up study was performed on 76 patients (88 nodules) diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis after undergoing fine needle aspiration biopsy from January 2009 to December 2010. A frequency analysis was performed to investigate the most common ultrasonographic findings of nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In addition, patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of extensive Hashimoto's thyroiditis on the parenchyma, and ultrasonographic findings were compared and analyzed for nodules in each group.
RESULTS
The study was performed on 76 patients and 88 nodules. The majority of nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis were found to be solid on ultrasonography, and echogenicity was mostly hypoechoic, with prominent hypoechoic findings being more common. Most nodules did not have a rim surrounding the margins, and absence of accompanying calcification was also noted. The comparison and analysis of ultrasonographic findings of two patient groups that were divided based on the presence or absence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis across the parenchyma, revealed no significant difference.
CONCLUSION
Most nodular Hashimoto's thyroiditis cases do not present with calcification or rims and frequently present as solid and hypoechoic. It can be concluded that such findings are consistent regardless of whether there is accompanying extensive changes at the thyroid parenchyma associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Keyword

Hashimoto thyroiditis; Thyroid ultrasonography; Thyroid nodule

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Biopsy, Fine-Needle
Follow-Up Studies
Hashimoto Disease*
Humans
Retrospective Studies
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Nodule
Thyroiditis
Ultrasonography*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 55 year old woman with nodular Hashimoto thyroiditis. Transverse scan shows well defined solid hypoechoic nodule. Background parenchyma is homogenous.

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  Fig. 2 52 year old women with nodular Hashimoto thyroiditis. Transverse scan show well defined oval shaped solid hypoechoic nodule. Background parenchyma is heterogenous and coarse echotexture.

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