title: The Sonographic Features of the Thyroid Gland After Treatment with Radioiodine Therapy in Patients with Graves' Disease.
abstract: The aim of the study was to describe the typical sonographic features of the thyroid gland in patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism after radioiodine therapy (RIT). Thirty patients (21 female and 9 male) with a mean age of 53 y (standard deviation [SD] ± 11.3) and with previous Graves' disease who had been successfully treated with RIT were enrolled in the study. All were hypothyroid or euthyroid after treatment. The thyroid ultrasound was carried out by a single experienced operator with an 8-MHz linear transducer. Volume, vascularity, echogenicity and echotexture of the glands were noted. The presence of nodules and lymph nodes was also documented. The mean volumes of the right lobe were 2.4 mL ± 2.9 SD (0.6-14) and the left lobe were 1.8 mL ± 1.9 SD (0.4-9.1), with a mean total volume of 4.2 mL ± 4.7 SD (1.3-19.1). Of those who had a pre-treatment ultrasound (23%), the percentage reduction in volume was 87% (p < 0.05); 93% of the glands were hypovascular, with the remaining 7% showing normal vascularity. The glands were hyperechoic and of coarse echotexture. Overall, the sonographic features of the post-RIT gland included a significantly reduced mean total volume of 4.2 mL, hypovascularity, coarse echotexture and hyperechogenicity.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: colletteenglish@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Collette
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: English
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Department, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Department, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bergin
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland; Radiology Department, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes
keywords: Graves' disease; Radioiodine therapy; Thyroid; Ultrasound