Evaluation of Diffuse Pathologies of the Thyroid Gland using Shear Wave Elastography

Shear wave elastography (SWE) can measure the stiffness of the thyroid gland in terms of velocity.

This prospective study aimed to quantify the velocity values in m/s via shear wave elastography in cases of Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD) to provide additional diagnostic insights by comparing the velocity values of healthy subjects against those with HT and GD.

In this prospective study, we measured the velocity values of the thyroid gland using SWE among patients diagnosed with HT, GD, and the control group. We numerically assessed and compared the velocity differences between groups. The study comprised 52 patients with HT 44 patients with GD and 41 healthy control subjects.

A statistically significant difference was noted in the thyroid gland velocities between HT and GD patients when compared to the control group. The mean velocities for HT patients (2.31 ± 0.4 m/s) and GD patients (2.20 ± 0.33 m/s) were significantly higher than that of the control group (1.87 ± 0.33 m/s). There was no significant difference in thyroid gland velocity values between HT and GD patients (P = 0.16). The optimal cutoff mean velocity value for the prediction of diffuse thyroid disease (HT and GD) was 2.19 m/s. For this cutoff value, the mean velocity had 62% sensitivity, 93% specificity, 71% diagnostic accuracy, 95% positive predictive value, and 51% negative predictive value for the presence of diffuse thyroid disease.

SWE, alongside ultrasound, could enhance the differentiation between HT, GD, and healthy thyroid glands.