Neck ultrasound (US) has become the most commonly used imaging tool in patients with thyroid diseases ( 9, 10). The inflammatory process also results in oxyphilic changes of follicular epithelial cells, parenchymal atrophy of thyroid tissue, and varying degrees of fibrosis, imparting a firm consistency to the thyroid ( 8).

The lymphoid tissue is distributed within and around the lobules, and often exhibits large follicles with prominent germinal centers ( 1, 4). HT is characterized pathologically by lymphocytic infiltration of the interstitium, mainly lymphocytes with some plasma cells and macrophages ( 1, 3). High serum thyroid peroxidase antibody concentrations are present in 90% of patients with HT, and high serum thyroglobulin antibody concentrations are present in 20% to 50% of these patients ( 3, 7). The inflammation is primarily mediated by circulating antibodies against thyroid tissue ( 6). The cells lining the thyroid follicles (thyrocytes), which are the target for these autoreactive lymphocytes, are progressively destroyed, ultimately leading to hypothyroidism ( 4). Later, lymphoid tissue develops directly in the thyroid gland ( 4, 5). The initial production and clonal expansion of self-reactive cells occurs in the regional lymph nodes. The key factor in the development of autoimmune thyroiditis is the breakdown of immune tolerance. In the United States and other countries where there is sufficient dietary iodine, it is the most common cause of hypothyroidism ( 3). Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the most common type of thyroiditis and the most common autoimmune disease, with an annual incidence worldwide of about 1 case per 1,000 persons ( 1, 2). Keywords: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) lymph nodes ultrasound (US) 0.76☑.36 mm P<0.0001), most notably in cervical levels III and IV (P<0.05 for both).Ĭonclusions: HT seems to be associated with an ultrasonographic pattern of increased number of enlarged cervical lymph nodes, particularly in levels III, and IV. Patients with HT had a higher number of total cervical lymph nodes than the control group (2.00☒.35 vs. Results: We included a total of 417 patients: 202 patients with HT in the study group, and 215 patients with goiter and euthyroid status in the control group. Data collected included number, size and ultrasonographic features of cervical lymph nodes. We compared preoperative ultrasound for patients with HT to euthyroid patients with goiter. Methods: This is a retrospective study looking at patients with confirmed diagnoses of HT on final surgical pathology who underwent preoperative comprehensive neck US. This study seeks to examine the sonographic pattern of lymph nodes in patients with HT. Regional cervical lymph nodes may be involved in cases of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Background: Comprehensive neck ultrasound (US) examination has become an essential component of preoperative workup for patients with thyroid cancer.

Shotty lymph nodes meaning