[Quantitative determination of echogenicity of diffuse inflammatory thyroid gland diseases]

Grey level was measured in 93 ultrasonic scans of the thyroid gland in order to quantify hypoechogenicity in diffuse inflammatory thyroid disease. Using a modern ultrasound device (256 grey-scale steps and 7.5-MHz parallel scan), grey levels were measured in normal thyroid glands and euthyreotic goiters as well as in thyroiditis or Graves' disease using a programmed setting of the device. Highly significant differences were found between normal thyroid glands and thyroiditis or Graves' disease. Sensitivity of the method was 65% in discriminating Graves' disease and 91% in discriminating thyroiditis; specificity was 95%. The clinical value of the method for follow-up studies in inflammatory diseases of the thyroid gland still has to be established.