S. Takashima et al., HASHIMOTO THYROIDITIS - CORRELATION OF MR-IMAGING SIGNAL INTENSITY WITH HISTOPATHOLOGIC FINDINGS AND THYROID-FUNCTION TEST-RESULTS, Radiology, 197(1), 1995, pp. 213-219
PURPOSE: To assess the clinical usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR)
imaging of the thyroid gland in Hashimoto thyroiditis. MATERIALS AND M
ETHODS: Signal intensity ratios on spin-echo T1-, proton-density-, and
T2-weighted images were measured prospectively in 37 patients with Ha
shimoto thyroiditis (33 women, four men; mean age, 51 years) and in 10
patients with thyroid lymphoma (six women, four men; mean age, 68 yea
rs). Signal intensity ratios were correlated with histopathologic find
ings and thyroid function test results with stepwise regression analys
is. Diagnosis of lymphoma with signal intensity ratios was compared wi
th morphologic diagnosis by using receiver operating characteristic cu
rves. RESULTS: A proton-density-weighted signal intensity ratio of 1.5
4 or higher indicated hypothyroidism (R = .445, P = .008; 29% sensitiv
ity [two of seven patients]). A T2-weighted signal intensity ratio of
5.08 or higher suggested advanced glandular destruction (R = .677, P <
.001). Diagnosis by each observer was better than diagnosis with sign
al intensity ratios. CONCLUSION: MR imaging results can reflect thyroi
d function and histopathologic findings in the thyroid gland and help
discriminate malignant lymphoma from Hashimoto thyroiditis.