The authors analyzed ultrasonographically the total 45 cases of thyroid disease verified by historicaldiagnosis, functional diagnosis, and morphological diagnosis at the Departement of Radiology, Busan NationalUniversity hospital from June to Sept. 1982. The resuls obtained were as follows; 1. In the sex distributionfemale was 38 cases (84.4%), and male 7 cases (15.6%). 2. Among the total 4 cases thyroid adenoma was 24 cases(53.3%), nodular hyperplasia 8 cases (17.7%), thyroid carcinoma 7 cases (15.6%), diffuse hyperplasia 3 cases(6.7%), Hanshimoto's thyroiditis 1 cases (2.2%), subacute thyroiditis 1 cases(2.2%), tuberculous thyroiditis 1cases(2.2%) in orders. 3. On ultrasonogram, total 24 cases of thyroid adenoma showed a single nodule in 24 cases(100.0%), smooth outer margin in 23 cases (95.8%), capsular echo in 23 cases (95.8%), pure cystic nodule in 4cases (16.7%), and increased echogenicity in 17 cases (85.0%) among the 20 cases excluded the pure cystic nodules.4. Total 7 cases of thyroid carcinoma showed no capsular echo in 4 cases (57.1%), irregular outer margine in 4cases(57.1%), no pure cytic nodule in all cases, and enlargement of metastatic lymphnode in 4 cases (57.1%). 5.Total 8 cases of nodular hyperplasia showed enlargement of thyroid gland and multiple nodule in 8 cases (100.0%),and increased echogenicity in 7 cases (87.5%). 6. Total 3 cases of diffuse hyperplasia showed enlargement ofthyroid gland and increased echogenicity in 3 cases (100.0%). 7. Total 3 cases of thyroiditis showed decreasedechogenicity in 3 cases (100.0%) and enlargement of thyroid gland in 2 cases (66.7%). 8. The cold area visualizedon radionuclide scan could be differentiated from a solid mass and cystic one by utrasonogram.
Busan ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroiditis ; Thyroiditis, Subacute ; Ultrasonography

To assess the pharyngeal presentations and the diagnostic value of thyroid SPECT and thyroid fine needle aspiratory biopsy (FNAB) in subacute thyroiditis (SAT) as seen initially in ENT department, 30 patients, during the course of SAT, were examined for pharyngeal symptoms and tested for serum T3, T4 level. The thyroid SPECT imaging or thyroid FNAB were performed. Our results showed that, of the 30 patients, 21 had sore throat of various degrees, and 9 had abnormal sensation of throat. Six were diagnosed as having SAT by only SPECT, in the remaining 24, the final diagnoses was established by SPECT combined with FNAB. Two of them were finally diagnosed as having SAT by trial treatment with oral prednisone. It is concluded that sore throat and abnormal sensation of pharynx are the important presentations of SAT, and thyroid SPECT imaging and thyroid FNAB are valuable in diagnosing SAT.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Pharyngeal Diseases/diagnosis ; Pharyngitis/diagnosis ; Thyroid Gland/*radionuclide imaging ; Thyroiditis, Subacute/*diagnosis ; Thyroiditis, Subacute/radionuclide imaging ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Riedel's thyroiditis is a rare form of chronic thyroiditis, characterized by a fibroinflammatory process which partially destroys the thyroid, often involving surrounding tissues. The relationship of Riedel's thyroiditis to other forms of thyroiditis is not clear. A case of Riedel's thyroiditis in a 51-year-old female patient, admitted with a previous diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis, is reported. She was first diagnosed with subacute thyroiditis based on clinical manifestation and radiologic and laboratory results. She was treated with glucocorticoid for 8 weeks. The follow-up lasted for 12 months. However, three years later she underwent a thyroidectomy operation due to an enlargement of the thyroid nodule and suspicion of malignancy. Histopathologic examination confirmed that she had Riedel's Thyroiditis. Until now, few case of Riedel's thyroiditis in patients with a history of subacute thyroiditis have been reported in the literature. Although the etiology of Riedel's thyroiditis is unknown, it may develop in the course of subacute thyroiditis.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyroidectomy ; Thyroiditis* ; Thyroiditis, Subacute*

This is the first case report about acute suppurative thyroiditis with thyrotoxicosis and pyriform sinus in Korea. A female patient, who was previously healthy, visited our hospital for the treatment of common cold symptoms and neck pain which developed 2 weeks before the visit. The condition of the patient did not improve through the use of antipyretics and even worsened. The patient was admitted to the hospital and was diagnosed with acute suppurative thyroiditis. The culture result of the drained fluid revealed group D Streptococcus. The patients condition was improved after using antibiotics and drainage. After recovery from acute thyroiditis, esophagography was performed and the pyriform sinus was found to be obliterated by chemical cauterization. It is very important yet difficult to differentiate acute thyroiditis with thyrotoxicosis from subacute thyroiditis. In this study, we discussed the differential diagnosis between acute thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis with a review of literature.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antipyretics ; Cautery ; Common Cold ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drainage ; Female ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Korea ; Neck Pain ; Pyriform Sinus* ; Streptococcus ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroiditis ; Thyroiditis, Subacute ; Thyroiditis, Suppurative* ; Thyrotoxicosis*

Subacute thyroiditis is a self-limiting inflammation of the thyroid, presenting with painful thyroid swelling, thyrotoxicosis and low radioactive iodine uptake. The characteristic US findings for this disease are focal ill-defined hypoechoic areas in one lobe or diffuse hypoechoic areas in both lobes. Thyroid carcinomas should be included in the differential diagnosis for a lesion with focal hypoechoic areas and have been rarely reported to coexist with subacute thyroiditis. Takayasu's arteritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the aorta and its branches as well as pulmonary arteries. Subacute thyroiditis associated with Takayasu's arteritis is extremely rare, with only three cases being reported. We report here on the first case with the simultaneous diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis, papillary thyroid carcinoma and Takayasu's arteritis.
Aorta ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Carcinoma ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Inflammation ; Iodine ; Pulmonary Artery ; Takayasu Arteritis ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroiditis, Subacute ; Thyrotoxicosis

Thyroid hemiagenesis is considered to be a rare congenital anomaly, but its incidence is propabley underestimated because the diagnosis is usually incidental. The left lobe is absent four times as often as the right and women are about three times more likely to have this developmental defect. Many of these patients are hyperthyroid or medical attention. We present the case of a 14-year-old women with right thyroid hemiagenesis associated without other thyroid disorders. The diagnosis of hemiagenesis was established by isotope imaging and thyroid ultrasound. In most of the clinical reports on thyroid hemiagenesis, an association with other thyroid disorders was found such as hyperthyroidism, multinodular goitre, hypothyroidism, benign adenama, Graves' disease, acute and subacute thyroiditis, and carcinoma. Even if morphology and function of thyroid gland is normal on diagnosis, a follow-up survey should be recommended.
Adolescent ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graves Disease ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Hypothyroidism ; Incidence ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis, Subacute ; Ultrasonography

Thyroid hemiagenesis is considered to be a rare congenital anomaly, but its incidence is propabley underestimated because the diagnosis is usually incidental. The left lobe is absent four times as often as the right and women are about three times more likely to have this developmental defect. Many of these patients are hyperthyroid or medical attention. We present the case of a 14-year-old women with right thyroid hemiagenesis associated without other thyroid disorders. The diagnosis of hemiagenesis was established by isotope imaging and thyroid ultrasound. In most of the clinical reports on thyroid hemiagenesis, an association with other thyroid disorders was found such as hyperthyroidism, multinodular goitre, hypothyroidism, benign adenama, Graves' disease, acute and subacute thyroiditis, and carcinoma. Even if morphology and function of thyroid gland is normal on diagnosis, a follow-up survey should be recommended.
Adolescent ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graves Disease ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Hypothyroidism ; Incidence ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis, Subacute ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: The introductian of highly sensitive imaging techniques has made it possible to detect many nonpalpable nodules, or incidentaloma. Because these nodules are small sized or deep seated, the diagnostic approach is difficult with conventional methods but it is easy with ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA). However, the role of ultrasound-guided FNA on the incidentalomas has been poorly evaluated, so we tried to assess the diagnostic value of high resolution ultrasound-guided FNA in the incidentalomas. METHODS: One hundred forty-nine patients who underwent high resolution ultrasound-guide FNA for nonpalpable nodules that was smaller than 1.5 cm in diameter at Kosin Medical Center from June, 1996 to April, 1998 were included in the study. Ultrasound-guided FNA was performed with a 22-guage needle attached to 10 mL syringe with 10 MHz linear transducer in a free hand fashion. The aspirated materials were smeared and stained with Papanicolaou stain. For those who underwent surgery histopathologic diagnoses were compared to cytological diagnoses. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 45 and most of them were middle aged. Male to female ratio was 1:11.4. Of 149 patients 16 were involutional change, 55 hyperplasia, 42 Hashimotos thyroiditis, 8 follicular neoplasm, 19 papillary carcinoma, 1 subacute thyroiditis, and 6 inadequate specimen. Of the 149 nodules, 123 cases were solid, 11 cystic, and 15 mixed. Malignant nodules were more frequent in the solid nodule, but there was no significant difference between each group. Ten of 93 cases (10.7%) measured less than 1 cm and nine of 56 cases (16.1%) between 1.0 cm to 1,5 cm were malignant nodules. The difference of incidence rate of malignant nodules between each group was not significant. The incidence of malignancy was 13.6% (12/88) in solitary nodule and 11.5% (7/61) in multiple nodules. The difference of incidence rate of malignant nodules between each group was not significant. Eighteen cases including 14 malignancies diagnosed by FNA underwent operation. Of those 13 were papillary carcinoma and 5 adenomatous goiter. Upon the correlation of ultrasound-guided FNA cytology with pathologic diagnosis, the sensitivity of ultrasound-guided FNA cytology in differentiating benign and malignant nodule was 92.3% and overall diagnostic accuracy was 80.0%. The obtainability of adequate cytologic specimen by ultrasound-guided FNA was 95.9%. No complication except pain was noted during this study. CONCLUSION: High resolution ultrasound-guided FNA cytology may be useful for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer in the thyroid incidentalomas and also useful for early detection of recurrence of thyroid cancer .
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Goiter ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Recurrence ; Syringes ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyroiditis ; Thyroiditis, Subacute ; Transducers

Fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC) is preferred because of simplicity, safety, and reliability in the evaluation of patients with thyroid nodule or hyperplasia. However, there are a few limitations such as false-negative or false-positive cases and nondiagnostic material. To evaluate the usefulness of FNAC in thyroid lesions, we reviewed 704 FNAC cases of thyroid nodules from 1988 to 1994 at Soonchunhyang University Hospital. The results are as follows. 1. Among 704 FNAC cases of thyroid gland, 571(81.1%) cases were benign, 12 (1.7%0) were suspicious, 71(10.1%0) were malignancy, and 50(7.1%)-were material insufficiency. The cytologic diagnoses of the benign lesions included 168 cases of follicular neoplasm, 139 cases of adenomatous goiter, 162 cases of follicular lesion such as follicular neoplasm or adenomatous goiter, 61 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 13 cases of subacute thyroiditis, and 28 cases of colloidal nodule or benign nodule. The malignant lesions included 68 cases of papillary carcinoma, two medullary carcinomas and a case of metastatic colon cancer. 2. The average number of cytologic smear slides was 4.12+/-1.81 in material insufficiency and 5.63+/-1.79 in diagnostic cases. This difference was statistically significant(p<0.00001). 3. Histological assessment of 150 cases revealed 2 false negative and 1 false positive cases. The false negative cases were a case of marked sclerosis in papillary carcinoma and an occult case of papillary, carcinoma. The false positive case resulted from pseudo-ground glass nuclei due to marked dry artifact. 4. Comparison between the FNAC and the histologic diagnosis revealed that INAC had a sensitivity of 93.5%, a specificity of 99.2%, a false negative rate of 64%, a false positive rate of 0.8%, and an overall diagnostic accuracy of 98.0%. Therefore, FNAC of thyroid gland is a very reliable diagnostic method with excellent accuracy rate.
Artifacts ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Colloids ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Glass ; Goiter ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Sclerosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyroiditis ; Thyroiditis, Subacute

PURPOSE: Although Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is the most common disease causing xerostomia, autoimmune thyroid diseases can also affect the salivary glands. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of thyroid diseases (TD) in subjects with symptoms of xerostomia and evaluate the efficacy of salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) in the detection of TD in patients with SS and without SS.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the SGS findings of 173 subjects (men:women, 29:144) with symptoms of xerostomia. Ejection fractions (EF) in the parotid and submandibular glands were calculated. Thyroid disease was diagnosed on the basis of the results of the visual assessment of tracer uptake in the thyroid gland on SGS images as well as serological thyroid function tests.RESULTS: Based on the American-European Criteria, 94 patients were diagnosed with SS. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was diagnosed in 63 patients, subacute thyroiditis in 23, subclinical hypothyroidism in five, and Graves' disease in one. There were significant differences in the EF values of the parotid and submandibular glands between patients with TD and those with undetermined diagnoses.CONCLUSIONS: More than half of patients with xerostomia exhibited TD. Thyroid assessment by SGS is feasible, and SGS appears to be useful for the patients with xerostomia caused by TD. SGS may be the first imaging modality capable of evaluating both salivary gland function and thyroid gland status in patients with xerostomia. This strategy would make the requirement for additional workup for thyroid disease.
Diagnosis ; Graves Disease ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Prevalence ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Salivary Glands ; Submandibular Gland ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroiditis ; Thyroiditis, Subacute ; Xerostomia