title: Ultrasonic imaging in the differential diagnosis of diffuse thyroid disorders in children.
abstract: In 22 patients with suspected diffuse goiter, the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography was compared with that of aspiration biopsy cytology and thyroid antibody testing. Ultrasonography was abnormal in 100% (10/10) of the patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, only 90% (9/10) of whom were identified with antibody testing. All patients with diffuse colloid goiter had normal echo patterns on ultrasound imaging, whereas 29% (2/7) of them had positive results on antibody testing. Whether these are 'false positives' or represent focal thyroiditis remains unclear. Thus, ultrasound imaging stands out as a valuable diagnostic tool for the differential diagnosis of diffuse thyroid disorders in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ivarsson
authors.forename: U B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Ericsson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fredriksson
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Persson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000276:immunology; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013968:Thyroiditis, Subacute / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013954:Thyroglobulin