engleski

Duplex-doppler ultrasonography of the thyroid

Duplex evaluation of the superior thyroid artery (STA) was performed in 25 normal subjects and 95 patients with various thyroid diseases to determine the usefulness and possibilities of quantitative ultrasonographic data in thyroidology. STA diameter and blood flow mean and peak velocity, and thyroid lobe dimensions were measured. Blood flow volume and blood flow volume per cm3 of thyroid tissue were calculated. Serum levels of T3, T4 and TSH were simultaneously determined. Measurement errors, all being <8%, and normal range of STA blood flow volume and velocities were determined by studies performed in normal subjects. Results of the study showed the blood flow in euthyroid goiter to be greater compared to normals only because of its larger size. The euthyroid goiter compensates for its increased blood requirements by augmenting the STA diameter rather than by accelerating the flow, as in hyperthyroid Graves’ patients, in whom all parameters were significantly higher than in either normal subjects or other patients. Duplex sonography proved to be an efficient method for prompt discrimination of hyperthyroidism from euthyroidism in Graves’ disease. It was not possible to distinguish hypothyroidism from euthyroidism, except in overdose during thyrostatic therapy accompanied by high TSH, where blood flow was accelerated.

thyroid disease; duplex ultrasonography; instrumentation

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