Abstract：Objective: To evaluate the ultrasonic features of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis(HT) with different thyroid functions. Methods: Ultrasonography was performed in 71 patients who were diagnosed as having HT. The patients were classified into three groups, the first group consisted of 26 patients with hyperthyroidism, the second group consisted of 24 patients with hypothyroidism and the third group consisted of 21 patients with euthyroidism. Ultrasonography(Philips, IU-22, America) was performed using high-frequency linear-array transducer(5~12MHz). The magnitude of thyroid gland and the diameter of superior thyroid arteries(STA), the sonographic features of thyroid gland were evaluated by gray scale sonography; subsequently color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI) was used to measure the peak systolic velocity(PSV), end of diastolic velocity(EDV) and resistance index(RI) of STA. Results: ①The width, thickness of the lateral lobe and the thickness of the isthmic portion in three HT groups were greater than those in the normal control. There was a significant difference(P＜0.05) between the thicknesses of the gland in each group. The length in the HT hyperthyroidism group was greater than that in the others. ②Focal hypoechoic pattern and diffuse hypoechoic pattern were mainly seen in the groups of HT hyperthyroidism and HT euthyroidism, diffuse hypoechoic pattern with heterogeneous linear hyperechoic and nodular changes were mainly seen in the HT hypothyroidism group. ③Normal subjects had CDFI pattern 0(absent or minimal intraparenchymal spots). Patients with HT euthyroidism had CDFI pattern 0 and pattern Ⅰ(presence of parenchymal blood flow with patchy uneven distribution). Patients with HT hypothyroidism had CDFI pattern Ⅰ and pattern Ⅱ(mild increase of color flow Doppler signal) except two cases no blood signal. Patients with HT hyperthyroidism had CDFI pattern Ⅱ and pattern Ⅲ(marked increase). ④There was a significant difference(P＜0.05) between the PSV of the STA in each group. The RIs in the three HT groups was respectively greater than that in the normal control. There were no significant differences among the three HT groups by compared with each other.⑤The PSV in the HT hypothyroidism was related with serum TSH levels(P＜0.05). Conclusions: To some extent, ultrasound can be used to evaluate the thyroid function of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
2009, Vol. 20 
