Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT49

Introduction: Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a self-limiting inflammatory disorder of the thyroid gland, characterized by cervical pain and transient thyroid dysfunction due to follicular destruction. The assessment of thyroid elasticity through shear wave elastography (SWE) may offer significant insights into the progression of the disease and assist in clinical decision-making.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of SWE elastography in forecasting the resolution of SAT and its relationship with clinical parameters and thyroid function.

Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight patients (78.9 % female) were enrolled in this study. Evaluations encompassed conventional ultrasound, shear wave elastography (SWE), assessment of biological markers (including TSH, FT4, and inflammatory markers), as well as clinical evaluations focusing on pain and lateral cervical inflammatory symptoms.

Results: Out of the 38 patients assessed, all exhibited clinical symptoms indicative of SAT. Conventional ultrasound findings demonstrated hypoechogenicity in 100% of cases. SWE elastography revealed an initial mean elasticity index (EI) that was elevated in all patients, with a median value of 115 kPa (range: 100–121 kPa). The EI progressively decreased to 54 kPa at one month, 24.3 kPa at three months, and 11.9 kPa at six months. Initial TSH levels were 0.05 μIU/ml, increasing to 0.1 at one month, 0.54 at three months, and 2.5 μIU/ml at six months. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) declined from 95.7 mm/h initially to 7.2 mm/h at the six-month evaluation. Significant correlations were noted between EI and ESR (r = 0.812, P < 0.0001), EI and TSH (r = -0.419, P = 0.005), as well as EI and clinical symptoms (r = 0.798, P < 0.0001). These findings indicate that EI serves as a robust predictor of disease progression, which can inform both initial and ongoing therapeutic strategies.

Conclusion: SWE elastography proves to be a valuable instrument for monitoring the progression of SAT. The elasticity index demonstrates a strong correlation with clinical and biochemical parameters, establishing it as an important predictor of disease resolution and a guide for therapeutic management.