Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Radio- diagnosis

Objectives & aim of work: This study aims to investigate the role of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in pediatric population and also compare the elasticity between them and healthy individuals. Background: Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is the most common thyroid pathology in childhood and adolescence among which Hashimoto{u2019}s thyroiditis is most common one. Along with size, measuring the tissue elasticity is becoming more commonly used parameters in evaluation of diffuse thyroid disease. Shear wave elastography is a new technology which directly evaluates the elastic property of the tissue. This technique can be used as baseline routine investigation of AITD with B-mode ultrasonography and laboratory anti-thyroid antibodies respectively Patient and methods: This case control analytical study was carried on 64 pediatric populations from age interval 7-17 years (32 cases and 32 control individuals). All the cases were diagnosed as AIT by high levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) and/or antithyroglobulin (TGAb), and other specific antibodies like thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibodies (TSHR). Also normal, low or high thyroid functions were assessed by measurement of thyroxine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Ultrasonography and Shear wave elastography examinations of thyroid gland were performed by Ultrasound Sonography system (SONY APLIO 400) by using linear wave transducer (frequency 7-14 MHz).All the measurements were recorded and statistical analysis was done. Results: Patients with AIT had significantly higher elasticity values (35.6 kPa, IQR 8.43-103.7 kPa) than control group (9.35 kPa, IQR 5.73-13.21 kPa). There was no correlation of elasticity values of thyroid gland in patient with AIT with autoantibodies and thyroid fuction test (TFT) respectively

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