Differential diagnosis of primary hyperthyroidism and hashimoto thyroiditis by color Doppler flow imaging

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of color Doppler flow imaging in patients with primary hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto thyroiditis. Methods Thirty-eight patients with primary hyperthyroidism,21 patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis and 35 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. The morphous of thyroid,internal echo,size,blood distribution,the blood flow parameters of the superior thyroid artery including the maximum blood flow velocity(Vmax),heart rate (HR) and resistance index (RI) were measured by color Doppler flow imaging. Results Compared with control group,the size of thyroid in primary hyperthyroidism group and Hashimoto thyroiditis group was increased (P0.01),but there was no significant differences between the two groups. The echo of the thyroid enhanced in primary hyperthyroidism group and decreased in Hashimoto thyroiditis group with grid strong echo interior. Thyroid glandular substance internal blood of two groups was increased diffusely. Compared with control group,the blood flow of superior thyroid artery was sped up (P0.01). The Vmax and HR were higher in the patients with primary hyperthyroidism than that with Hashimoto thyroiditis (P0.01). There was no significant differences on RI(P0.05) in three groups. Conclusion CDFI is a valuable method for differential diagnosis of primary hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto thyroiditis.