z-logo
Premium
Paratracheal lymph nodes: A new sonographic finding in autoimmune thyroiditis
Author(s) -
SerresCréixams Xavier,
CastellsFusté Ignasi,
PrunaComella Xavier,
YetanoLaguna Victorina,
GarrigaFarriol Victòria,
GallardoAgromayor Elena
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/jcu.20504
Subject(s) - medicine , thyroid , thyroiditis , lymph , serology , ultrasound , autoimmune thyroiditis , radiology , cervical lymph nodes , pathology , antibody , immunology , metastasis , cancer
Abstract Purpose. To assess the clinical value of paratracheal lymph nodes (PLNs) as a novel sonographic finding in autoimmune thyroiditis (AT). Methods. A total of 309 consecutive patients underwent sonographic examinations of the thyroid between 1998 and 2003. A single radiologist assessed the sonographic findings of AT and PLNs. All patients underwent serological tests for antimicrosomal antibodies (AMAs). Patients with clinical, cytological, or laboratory findings of thyroiditis formed the AT group with a positive AMA test (n = 199). Controls were patients with no signs of nodular thyroid disease, normal thyrotropin, negative AMA, and benign cytology (n = 110). Results. PLNs were seen in 184 of 199 patients in the AT group and in 28 of 110 controls ( P < 0.001) (sensitivity of 93.4%, specificity of 74.5% in the diagnosis of AT). PLNs in controls were fewer (2.8 ± 1.5 versus 4.7 ± 2.6; P < 0.001) and smaller (8.2 ± 2.4 mm versus 10.7 ± 3.3 mm; P < 0.001) than in the AT group. Conclusion. PLNs are often present in patients with AT and are detectable with sonography. Radiologists should be aware of the importance of including the paratracheal region in the evaluation of the thyroid gland. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008

This content is not available in your region!

Continue researching here.

Having issues? You can contact us here