AMYLOIDOSIS OF THE THYROID-GLAND - ROLE OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY

We studied the role of ultrasound assessment of the thyroid gland in d etecting amyloid deposition in 9 patients confirmed to have renal amyl oidosis because the thyroid gland is a readily accessible organ. Ultra sound examination of the thyroid gland showed a distinctive abnormal a ppearance in 7 patients. There was enlargement of one or both lobes of the thyroid, a high echogenicity approaching that of the surrounding connective tissue, and a very fine homogeneous echotexture similar to ground glass appearance. Four patients showed dilated follicles in the thyroid gland. The other two patients had normal ultrasound findings. Open wedge biopsy of the thyroid gland in 4 patients, (3 with abnorma l ultrasound findings and I with normal ultrasound findings) showed am yloid deposits in the 3 patients with abnormal echo findings and no am yloid deposits in the I patient with normal findings. In 10 healthy in dividuals, 10 patients who were just initiated on maintenance hemodial ysis and another 10 patients on dialysis for more than 1 year, the thy roid gland was of normal size and appearance in the ultrasound examina tion. We conclude that ultrasound examination by an experienced radiol ogist is a useful tool in the diagnosis of thyroid amyloidosis. (C) 19 94 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.