Application Of Real-Time Elastography In Evaluation Of Hashimoto Thyroiditis Progression

This study aimed to assessment of Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) progression by real-time elastography (RTE). RTE showed that eight out of 12 parameters had a significant difference between healthy controls and HT patients (all P<0.05). HT in hyperthyroidism, euthyroidism, or hypothyroidism group had a significantly increase in the ratio of the blue area (% Area) and elastic index (EI) compared with those of the control group (all P<0.05). Besides, the % Area and the EI positively correlated with the thyroid function of HT patients (r=0.851, P<0.05 for % Area and r=0.865, P<0.05 for elastic index). The cut-off point of the diagnostic accuracy of EI in determining the stage of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism was 1.37, 1.62, respectively, and the area under ROC (AUC) was 0.859 with a sensitivity of 80.8% and specificity of 81.0%, 0.871 with a sensitivity of 82.0% and specificity of 83.0%, respectively.