Comparison between peak systolic velocity of the inferior thyroid artery and technetium-99m pertechnetate thyroid uptake in differentiating Graves' disease from thyroiditis

ABSTRACT Objectives The differentiation between the various etiologies of thyrotoxicosis, including those with hyperthyroidism (especially Graves' disease [GD], the most common cause of hyperthyroidism) and without hyperthyroidism (like thyroiditis), is an important step in planning specific therapy. Technetium-99m (99mTc) pertechnetate thyroid scanning is the gold standard in differentiating GD from thyroiditis. However, this technique has limited availability, is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation, and is not helpful in cases with history of recent exposure to excess iodine. The aim of this study was to identify the diagnostic value of the peak systolic velocity of the inferior thyroid artery (PSV-ITA) assessed by color-flow Doppler ultrasound (CFDU) and compare the sensitivity and specificity of this method versus 99mTc pertechnetate thyroid uptake. Subjects and methods We prospectively analyzed 65 patients (46 with GD and 19 with thyroiditis). All patients were evaluated with clinical history and physical examination and underwent 99mTc pertechnetate scanning and measurement of TRAb levels and PSV-ITA values by CFDU. The diagnosis was based on findings from signs and symptoms, physical examination, and 99mTc pertechnetate uptake. Results Patients with GD had significantly higher mean PSV-ITA values than those with thyroiditis. At a mean PSV-ITA cutoff value of 30 cm/sec, PSV-ITA discriminated GD from thyroiditis with a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 89%. Conclusion Measurement of PSV-ITA by CFDU is a good diagnostic approach to discriminate between GD and thyroiditis, with sensitivity and specificity values comparable to those of 99mTc pertechnetate thyroid uptake.

Conventional Ultrasound and the Color Flow-doppler Mapping Function in Evaluation of Libyan Thyroid Tumors.

Aims: Conventional Ultrasonography and (CFM) can be expected to improve the distinction between benign and malignant thyroid nodule gland. The aim of this study was to estimate the supporting value of a color flow-Doppler mapping function (CFM) of conventional Ultrasonography of the thyroid nodule, and do so by using different flow patterns and whether ornot, this technique can have a role in the diagnosis of malignant involvement. Study Design: Prospective [analytic observational] study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Surgery and Department of Radiology, Misurata Cancer Center, Libya, between January 2007 and December 2009. Methodology: This prospective study was based on 54 patients with an available histological diagnosis of the thyroid nodule 41 benign Follicular adenomas (FA) and 13 malignant papillary carcinomas (PC) were examined. Before thyroidectomies, the patients were submitted to US graphic in a two different assessment methods: (i) patients examined with conventional thyroid US and (CFM) method and (ii) then re-examined with CFM method. The CFM produced 3 vascular pattern [A; Peripheral ring of flow with minimal or no internal flow. B; Peripheral ring and small to moderate internal color flow. C; Extensive internal color flow with or without peripheral ring]. Results: The conventional ultrasonographic patterns showed significant differences between benign and malignant cases. The ill-defined and irregular edges of assessment nodules were especially significant. The type A or B blood flow pattern were not significant. However, All samples with type C blood flow pattern were malignant and with sensitivity 61.5%. Conclusion: The study suggests that the conventional thyroid ultrasound with the color flow- Doppler mapping function can play a useful role in evaluation of the thyroid tumors, and the tumor features that analyzed by ultrasound should be considered at the time of surgical intervention. The method can be used to increase the effectiveness of cytological procedure in doubtful thyroid lesions.

Is the measurement of inferior thyroid artery blood flow velocity by color-flow Doppler ultrasonography useful for differential diagnosis between gestational transient thyrotoxicosis and Graves' disease? A prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity and resistance indices of both the right and left inferior thyroid arteries measured by color-flow Doppler ultrasonography for a differential diagnosis between gestational transient thyrotoxicosis and Graves' disease during pregnancy. METHODS: The right and left inferior thyroid artery-peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity and resistance indices of 96 patients with thyrotoxicosis (41 with gestational transient thyrotoxicosis, 31 age-matched pregnant patients with Graves' disease and 24 age- and sex-matched non-pregnant patients with Graves' disease) and 25 ageand sex-matched healthy euthyroid subjects were assessed with color-flow Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: The right and left inferior thyroid artery-peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities in patients with gestational transient thyrotoxicosis were found to be significantly lower than those of pregnant patients with Graves' disease and higher than those of healthy euthyroid subjects. However, the right and left inferior thyroid artery peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities in pregnant patients with Graves' disease were significantly lower than those of non-pregnant patients with Graves' disease. The right and left inferior thyroid artery peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities were positively correlated with TSH-receptor antibody levels. We found an overlap between the inferior thyroid artery-blood flow velocities in a considerable number of patients with gestational transient thyrotoxicosis and pregnant patients with Graves' disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the measurement of inferior thyroid artery-blood flow velocities with colorflow Doppler ultrasonography does not have sufficient sensitivity and specificity to be recommended as an initial diagnostic test for a differential diagnosis between gestational transient thyrotoxicosis and Graves' disease during pregnancy.

Avaliação da maturação das fístulas arteriovenosas para hemodiálise pelo eco-Doppler colorido / Evaluation of hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula maturation by color-flow Doppler ultrasound

CONTEXTO: Quando se confecciona uma fístula arteriovenosa para hemodiálise (FAVH) autógena, é necessário que se aguarde a dilatação da veia em questão e o desenvolvimento de volume de fluxo mínimo, fenômeno chamado de maturação. Ainda hoje se discute qual o tempo necessário para ocorrer essa maturação. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a maturação de FAVH utilizando-se critérios ecográficos. MÉTODO: Entre maio de 2004 e 2005, 40 pacientes foram selecionados prospectivamente, sendo 23 homens (57,5%), com média de idade de 17,5±51,3 anos, com indicação de confecção de uma FAVH. Utilizou-se o aparelho Logic III® com transdutor de 10 MHz para a avaliação no pré-operatório e nos 7º, 14º, 21º e 28º dias de pós-operatório. Os critérios para a maturação após a cirurgia foram: veia com diâmetro médio maior que 4 mm e volume de fluxo maior que 400 mL/min. RESULTADOS: O diâmetro médio pré-operatório foi de 3,24±1,43 e 3,71±1,37 mm para fístulas de punho e de cotovelo, respectivamente. O diâmetro final foi de 5,01±0,87 mm para as FAVH de punho (p = 0,006) e de 6,15±1,16 mm para as FAVH de cotovelo (p = 0,95). O volume de fluxo no 7º dia pós-operatório foi de 493,63±257,49 mL/min e 976,33±332,90 mL/min para as FAVH de punho e cotovelo, respectivamente. Ao final do estudo, foi calculado o valor de 556,81±288,42 mL/min nas FAVH de punho (p < 0,05) e de 1031,62±614,812 mL/min nas FAVH de cotovelo. Baseados nos dois critérios, a maturação ocorreu em 57,1% das fístulas de punho e em 100% das fístulas de cotovelo após a 1ª semana. Após 4 semanas, 67,9% das fístulas de punho e 100 por cento das fístulas de cotovelo apresentaram maturação. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria das FAVH de cotovelo apresentou diâmetro e fluxo adequados para punção logo após a 1ª semana de pós-operatório. Para as FAVH de punho, houve melhora progressiva dos padrões de maturação com o passar das semanas, sugerindo que essas FAVH devem ser puncionadas preferencialmente após...

BACKGROUND: When a hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula (HAVF) is created, it is important to wait for venous dilatation and volume flow increase through the HAVF, a phenomenon called maturation. There is still some controversy as to the exact time required for this maturation to occur. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the time required for HAVF maturation using ultrasound criteria. METHOD: From May 2004 through May 2005, 40 patients were prospectively selected. The sample was comprised of 23 men (57.5%), mean age of 51.3±17.5 years, with indication of HAVF creation. Logic III® ultrasound with 10 MHz transducer probe was used for pre- and postoperative evaluation 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the procedure. Criteria for maturation after the procedure were vein diameter larger than 4 mm and volume flow larger than 400 mL/min. RESULTS: Preoperative mean diameter was 3.24±1.43 and 3.71±1.37 mm for fist and elbow fistula, respectively. Final diameter of the fist HAVF was 5.01±0.87 mm (p = 0.006) and 6.15±1.16 mm for the elbow HAVF (p = 0.95). Flow volume in the 7th postoperative day was 493.63±257.49 and 976.33±332.90 mL/min, respectively, for the fist and elbow HAVF. At the end of the study, the value of 556.81±288.42 mL/min was calculated for the fist HAVF (p < 0.05) and 1,031.62±614.812 mL/min for the elbow HAVF. Based on both cut-off values, maturation occurred in 57.1% of the fist fistula and in 100% of the elbow fistula after the first week. After 4 weeks, 67.9% of the fist HAVF and 100% of the elbow HAVF presented maturation. CONCLUSION: Most elbow HAVF showed adequate diameter and flow volume for puncture 1 week after the procedure. For the fist fistula, gradual maturation occurred throughout the weeks, suggesting that these HAVF should be punctured 4 weeks after the surgery.

Echocardiographic Characteristics of Normally Functioning CarboMedics and St.Jude Medical Mitral Valve

BACKGROUND: CarboMedics and St.Jude Medical bileaflet valves are in widespread use but few noninvasive studies about the two types of valves were performedd. The aim of this study was to assess the characterisics of the normally functioning CarboMedics and St.Jude Medical prosthesis in the mitral position. METHODS: Patients with normally functioning CarboMedics and St.Jude Medical valve in the mitral position were included. They underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography 7 to 14days after mitral valve replacement. With the use of color flow Doppler transesophageal echocardiography, we measured the length, width, and area of maximal physiologic regurgitation and by using 2-D transesophageal echocardiography, we measured the opening and closing angles of the bileaflet valves and we tried to elucidate whether spontaneous echo contrast is present in the left atrium. RESULTS: 31 pateints underwent mitral valve replacement with CarboMedics and 10 patients with St.Jude Medical. The length of maximal physiologic regurgitation ranged from 11mm to 44mm in carboMedics mitral valve and from 12mm to 36mm in St.Jude Medical mitral valve. The area ranged from 0.19cm2to 3.48cm2in CarboMedcs and from 0.58cm2to 4.49cm2in CarboMedics and The mean opening and closing angles are 83.2(+/-1.1)degrees, 22.3(+/-1.3)degrees in CarboMedics and 86.5(+/-1.2)degrees 26.2(+/-3.2)degrees in St.Jude Medical. Spontaneous echo contrast was positive in 66% of patients, of whom patioents with atrial fibrillation showed nuch higher revalence of SEC than patients with sinus rhythm. CONCLUSION: These finding valve will give us a reference valvue for the evaluation of prosthetic valve function in mitral position.