[Sonography of the thyroid gland. Volume determination and morphologic correlation of echo and tissue structures]

The volume of 15 autopsied thyroid glands was determined by fluid displacement and compared with their sonographically obtained stereometric volumes. Maximum variation was 8.6%. Thyroid volumes were measured by ultrasound in 100 volunteers between ages 15 and 36. Total mean value was 19.8 ml. with a mean value of 22.1 ml. in the male group and 17.8 ml. in the female group. 20 volunteers had an additional scintigraphic examination. The thyroid volumes estimated by scintiscanning differed up to 85% with the volume measurements from sonography. Sonography scans were obtained from 6 autopsied thyroid glands and compared with the corresponding tissue slices. Tissue structures were reproduced with great accuracy by ultrasound.