Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Synchronous Triplanar Reconstruction Integrated with Color Doppler Mapping for Precise and Rapid Localization of Thyroid Lesions
Published on: February 9, 2024
Quantitative Assessment of Thyroid Parenchymal Vascularity Using Superb Microvascular Imaging in Chronic Autoimmune
1Izmir Tinaztepe University, Radiology, Türkiye, Izmir.
Purpose:
To quantitatively evaluate thyroid parenchymal vascularity using superb microvascular imaging (SMI) in patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT) and to investigate its relationship with thyroid function tests and thyroid autoantibody levels.
Materials And Methods:
This retrospective study included 124 patients diagnosed with CAT. Thyroid parenchymal vascularity was quantified using the vascularity index (VI) obtained from SMI. Measurements were performed bilaterally in axial and sagittal planes, and a mean VI was calculated for each patient. Laboratory parameters, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG), and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), were recorded. Correlations between VI measurements and laboratory parameters were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient.
Results:
No significant correlations were observed between VI values and fT3 or fT4 levels. Weak correlations between TSH and VI were identified only in limited imaging planes. In contrast, moderate and statistically significant positive correlations were found between VI values and both anti-TG and anti-TPO levels across all imaging planes as well as for the mean VI (all p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Quantitative SMI-based assessment of thyroid vascularity is associated with thyroid autoantibody levels rather than thyroid hormone levels in patients with CAT. These findings suggest that SMI-derived vascularity measurements may reflect underlying immunological activity rather than functional thyroid status.
Key Points:
· Superb microvascular imaging enables quantitative assessment of thyroid parenchymal vascularity using the vascularity index in patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.. · The thyroid vascularity index shows moderate and significant positive correlations with thyroid autoantibody levels (anti-TG and anti-TPO), reflecting underlying immunological activity.. · No significant association is observed between the vascularity index and thyroid hormone levels (fT3, fT4), indicating that vascularity does not reflect functional thyroid status.. · Quantitative vascularity assessment may provide complementary information beyond conventional ultrasonography and laboratory tests in the evaluation of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.. · Superb microvascular imaging has potential as a noninvasive tool for assessing inflammatory activity and may contribute to disease monitoring in clinical practice..
Citation Format:
· Ozenbas C, Altun I. Quantitative Assessment of Thyroid Parenchymal Vascularity Using Superb Microvascular Imaging in Chronic Autoimmune Thyroiditis: Associations with Thyroid Function Tests and Autoantibodies. Rofo 2026; DOI 10.1055/a-2898-9283.