Abstract
Purpose: To determine whether Doppler ultrasonography could be useful in the prediction of relapse of hyperthyroidism in patients with Graves' disease.
Material and Methods: Forty patients with Graves' disease confirmed by laboratory tests were examined for a number of blood flow parameters in the inferior thyroid artery before and after they were subjected to proper antithyroid drug treatment. Data were retrospectively reviewed and compared with findings for a control group of 16 age-matched subjects.
Results: Significantly increased blood flow parameters were observed both in patients with active hyperthyroidism before treatment and in euthyroid patients who presented a relapse shortly after withdrawal of proper antithyroid drug treatment versus normal controls. Conversely, no significant differences were observed between patients who remained in stable remission and normal controls.
Conclusion: Our results support the concept that Doppler ultrasonography evaluation of patients with Graves' disease may contribute to the detection of a relapsing course of hyperthyroidism.
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