Sonographic evaluation of thyroiditis with color flow study

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Imaging
• Endocrinology
• Histopathology

Background:

• Thyroiditis diagnosis can be challenging, requiring accurate imaging modalities.
• Ultrasonography (USG) and color flow Doppler (CFD) are non-invasive imaging techniques with potential for evaluating thyroid conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the efficacy of ultrasonogram in evaluating thyroiditis.
• To compare the results of ultrasonogram with color flow Doppler study.
• To correlate sonographic findings with histopathological diagnoses.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 50 patients with suspected thyroiditis.
• All patients underwent ultrasonography and color flow Doppler examinations.
• Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) was performed for histopathological diagnosis and correlation.

Main Results:

• Ultrasonography revealed irregular margins in 58% of patients, decreased echogenicity in 78%, and heterogeneous patterns in 88%.
• Color flow Doppler showed increased vascularity in 38% and decreased vascularity in 34% of patients.
• Histopathological diagnosis identified Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 34%, lymphocytic thyroiditis in 24%, and granulomatous thyroiditis in 18%.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasonography and color flow Doppler are recommended as cost-effective and non-invasive diagnostic modalities for thyroiditis.
• These imaging techniques demonstrate good correlation with histopathological findings, supporting their utility in clinical practice.