Aim: The aim of study was to validate the grey scale sonographic findings in lymphocytic thyroiditis using fine needle aspiration cytology which is taken as reference standard.

Methodology: 89 patients with diffuse neck swelling of the age group 18-80 years who came for sonographic examination of thyroid in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, in Medical college Alappuzha were included in the study, for a period of one year.  Grey scale evaluation was done followed by ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology.

Study Design: Descriptive study, with diagnostic test evaluation.

Results: The results indicated that there can be sonographically normal forms of thyroiditis, and also it not associated with thyroid enlargement always. The reduction in echogenicity correlated with reduction in thyroid follicles, which is due to lymphocytic infiltration in lymphocytic thyroiditis. A combination of grayscale parameters, presence of micronodules, fibrotic septations and absence of calcification can diagnose thyroiditis with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of 85%, 70%,88%,64% and 80% respectively. New cut off value of 1.2 cm, for anteroposterior diameter of thyroid is obtained from the receiver operator characteristic curve which can diagnose lymphocytic thyroiditis  with 70% sensitivity and 60% specificity.

Keywords: Lymphocytic Thyroiditis, ultrasound thyroid.

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Beenamol S

Associate Professor, Dept of Radiodiagnosis,

Medical College Trivandrum Kerala