Quantitative Multi-Parameter MRI Evaluation of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Changes After Dietary Interventions

BACKGROUND Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common autoimmune disease. There are currently few studies utilizing multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate diffuse thyroid lesions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This study aims to explore the value of multi-parametric MRI in assessing the progression of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study ultimately included 40 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, who were randomly and evenly assigned to an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group received dietary management, while the control group received no intervention. Laboratory and imaging tests were conducted at baseline and 6 months later. RESULTS After dietary management, patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis showed a significant reduction in thyroid T2-weighted imaging relative signal intensity (T2WI RSI) (mean: 1.69±0.35 vs 1.42±0.24, P<0.05) and water fraction (mean: 94.57±1.76 vs 93.36±1.62, P<0.001). Additionally, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) levels decreased significantly (TPOAb: 376.58±319.52 vs 273.55±287.63, P<0.05; TGAb: 219.06±572.54 vs 198.80±567.59, P<0.05). In contrast, no significant changes in thyroid water fraction, TPOAb, or TGAb levels were observed in the control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, multi-parametric MRI offers a valuable quantitative tool for assessing Hashimoto's thyroiditis, providing an intuitive and sensitive method to improve disease understanding and management.