Characteristics of two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography in Graves' disease

Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) was performed in 24 patients with Graves' disease and the results were compared with those from 8 patients with Hashimoto's disease, 6 patients with simple diffuse goiter, and 15 normal volunteers. All cases were confirmed by clinical, laboratory tests or pathology. CDFI of Graves' disease showed diffuse or localized hypoechoes within the thyroid glands, rich flow signals in the hypoechoes, accelerated flow velocity, and decreased resistance in the superior thyroid arteries (STA) and arteries within the glands. These appearances were characteristic as compared with the controls. The rate of flow in STA of Graves' disease patients was 8 to 10 times higher than that in the normal volunteers. This study demonstrates that CDFI is convenient and efficient as compared with isotope scan and some other laboratory tests, and can be widely used in the diagnosis of Graves' disease.