title: [Scintigraphy and sonography in the diagnosis of thyroid autonomy. A retrospective study of 526 patients].
abstract: The place of scintigraphy and ultrasonography in diagnosis was analysed retrospectively in a series of 526 patients with confirmed thyroid autonomy. Male:female ratio was 1:4.6; peak age incidence was in the sixth decade. 5.6% of patients were younger than 30 years and in each case had a sonographic focus. A normal thyroid size was found in 6.5% on palpation and in 10% by ultrasound. Normal thyroid function was found in 287 patients (56%), of whom 48% had a positive TRH test, the remainder being hyperthyroid. Unilocular autonomy was present in 57%, multilocular in the remainder. With increasing degree of autonomy there was an increase in echo-density. In 351 patients (74%) the adenoma was echo-poor, in 16% echo-normal and in 10% echo-dense. Focal findings on sonography were noted in 94% of patients. The incidence of thyroid carcinoma was 1.5% (2 of 136 patients with goitre resection), the carcinoma not being located in the autonomous tissue. It is concluded that a thyroid of normal size does not exclude autonomy. Patients younger than 30 years require scintigraphic examination only if there are focal signs. Echogenicity of a thyroid focus does not correlate with function. The incidence of cancer in the presence of autonomy is low. There was no case of thyroid carcinoma in the autonomous region.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
vernacular_title: Szintigraphie und Sonographie bei der Diagnostik der Schilddrüsenautonomie. Eine retrospektive Studie an 526 Patienten.