Thyroid ultrasound detects Basedow's disease

Articles written by BSCKI. Nguyen Thi Mai - Doctor of Radiology - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital

The thyroid gland plays an important role in controlling metabolic processes. And Graves' disease is the most typical and common form of thyroid disease. To detect this disease, doctors often use thyroid ultrasound in combination with a number of clinical and laboratory symptoms.

The thyroid gland is the body's largest endocrine gland, which controls metabolism. It is a gland that secretes thyroid hormones including thyroxine, tri-iodo-thyronine hormone. The thyroid gland is located in front of the neck, shaped like a butterfly, in front of the thyroid is the skin and muscle, behind the thyroid is the windpipe. The thyroid gland consists of two lobes, the left and right lobes, which are connected by the isthmus of the thyroid gland.

To determine the presence of a thyroid nodule when clinical examination is suspected; To characterize thyroid nodules, i.e. to measure the exact size of the internal structure of the nucleus and the distribution of blood vessels in the nucleus; Helps to differentiate between benign and malignant thyroid masses based on their ultrasound characteristics; To distinguish thyroid masses from other neck masses such as lymphadenopathy, thyroid cysts, etc.; Assess diffuse pathology in thyroid parenchyma such as thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism; Postoperative follow-up of thyroid tumor: Residual or recurrent mass at thyroid site or metastasis to cervical lymph nodes; To screen patients at high risk for thyroid malignancy such as patients with a family history of thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type II, and radiation exposure in childhood; To guide diagnosis (FNA cell aspiration/biopsy) and therapeutic intervention procedures.

All patients were screened for thyroid ultrasound in the supine position with the neck supine, using a high-frequency linear line probe (7-15 MHz) that provides full high-resolution images. Ultrasound is performed both in the horizontal and vertical planes. Real-time imaging of thyroid lesions was performed using both grayscale and color Doppler techniques. The imaging features of a mass (eg, location, size, shape, contour, echogenicity, and vascular pattern) are determined.

Thyroid ultrasound is ordered if thyroid hormone tests are abnormal or your doctor feels your thyroid gland is enlarged when examining the neck area; Thyroid ultrasound is done during the general physical examination; When your doctor suspects swelling, pain, or inflammation of the thyroid gland; Follow-up after surgical treatment of thyroid cancer; Use guided biopsy or interventional therapy for thyroid nodules.

Hyperthyroidism is the term used to describe an increase in the synthesis and release of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. In particular, Graves' disease is the most typical and common form of thyroid disease, characterized by diffuse goiter and uncontrolled hyperthyroidism syndrome (protrusion of the eyes). .
Measures to diagnose Graves' disease include:
To definitively diagnose Graves' disease, it is necessary to rely on both clinical and necessary tests:
Clinically: The patient has thyrotoxicosis syndrome with at least 1 of the following: 3 symptoms: goiter, bulging eye and anterior tibial myxedema Necessary test: FT4 increase and TSH decrease, some patients in early stage only have FT3 increased TSH-RAb antibody concentration Thyroid scan for thyroid imaging increased radioactive iodine capture or technitium

Normal thyroid Normal thyroid size:
+ Width < 2cm
+ Front and back thickness < 2cm
+ Length < 5cm.
+ The volume of the gland is < 10cm2.
+ Waistline : < 5mm

Basedow's thyroid gland with imaging features: Thyroid gland is 2-3 times its normal size; Inhomogeneous reverb with hypoechoic regions; Increased angiogenesis on color Doppler, increased systolic and diastolic flow rates, increased impedance.

Ultrasound images of Graves' hyperthyroidism may be indistinguishable from Hashimoto's thyroiditis and De Quervain's thyroiditis; However, combining clinical and laboratory symptoms helps to differentiate these 3 diseases.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is fully equipped with the latest modern ultrasound equipment in Vietnam to help patients early detect many dangerous diseases, including Graves' hyperthyroidism. The team of technicians are all experienced and highly qualified.
To register for an examination at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact the nationwide Vinmec Health System Hotline, or register online HERE.