Relationship of thyroid gland elasticity with age, gender and thyroid gland volume in the shear-wave ultrasound elastography

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine the correlation between thyroid gland elasticity with thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, age, gender and thyroid gland volume in the normal population. 

Methods: The study was conducted with 105 healthy cases. Thyroid gland elasticity was evaluated in axial plan using ultrasonography. 

Results: The relationship between thyroid gland elasticity and thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, age, gender and thyroid gland volume was evaluated. The mean thyroid gland volume was 11.95 ± 9.23 mm3. A moderate negative correlation was found between thyroid gland volume and kPa value observed from the elastography examination. A moderate negative correlation was found between elastography kPa value and blood thyroxine level. No correlations were found between thyroid-stimulating hormone level, age, gender and thyroid gland elasticity. 

Conclusions: The negative correlation between thyroid gland volume and thyroxine level with thyroid gland elasticity should be considered in elastographic evaluations. 

Keywords

• ultrasonography
• elastograpghy
• thyroid
• volume

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