Projects / Programmes
IMPROVEMENT OF DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT OF THYROID DISEASES USING COLOUR FLOW DOPPLER SONOGRAPHY
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.07.00 |
Medical sciences |
Metabolic and hormonal disorders |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B480 |
Biomedical sciences |
Endocrinology, secreting systems, diabetology |
thyroid disease, thyroid vascularity, colour flow doppler sonography
Researchers (6)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
11039 |
PhD Simona Gaberšček |
Cardiovascular system |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 2. |
01900 |
PhD Sergej Hojker |
Human reproduction |
Head |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 3. |
20485 |
PhD Blaž Krhin |
Metabolic and hormonal disorders |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 4. |
11744 |
PhD Edvard Pirnat |
Microbiology and immunology |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 5. |
20484 |
PhD Katja Zaletel |
Metabolic and hormonal disorders |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 6. |
24486 |
MSc Mojca Žitko |
Pharmacy |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Recent publications on thyroid angiogenesis indicate an important role of thyroid vascularity in the pathogenesis of thyroid disorders. Colour flow Doppler sonography method provides many additional informations, predominantly on thyroid functionality. These informations are useful in the process of diagnostics and treatment of different thyroid disorders. In spite of long standing use of Doppler sonography in the field of thyroidology, only a few data regarding the correlation between serum thyrotropin concentration and the concentration of thyroid autoantibodies and between thyroid vascularity, gathered in larger patient's groups with newly diagnosed, untreated thyroid diseases have been published thus far. Similarly, data about thyroid vascularity during the course of treatment and during follow up of Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism due to autonomous tissue are scarce. No data about thyroid vascularity in patients with postpartum thyroid disease are available.
In this study, we will include subjects referred to our department for thyroid disorders at the Department for nuclear medicine under the suspicion of thyroid disorder. Subjects, diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, postpartum thyroid disease and subjects with hyperthyroidism due to toxic adenomas will be included. Thyroid ultrasound is an essential part of thyroid gland examination at every first examination in our department. It will be complemented by colour flow Doppler ultrasound. Thyroid vascularity will be examined semiquantitatively by using colour flow Doppler sonography pattern and quantitatively by measuring the peak systolic velocity.
We expect an increase in thyroid vascularity proportionally to thyrotropin concentration and to concentration of thyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid receptor antibodies. In Graves' patients, additional informations will be gathered in the period of remission, leading to better prediction of relapse of the disease. In patients with hyperthyroidism after delivery, thyroid vascularity measurements will enable faster diagnostics of different causes of hyperthyroidism, resulting in different treatment modalities. In patients with hyperthyroidism due to toxic adenomas, measurements of thyroid vascularity will enable better estimation of the success of the treatment with radioiodine.
Results of this research will improve diagnostics and treatment of thyroid diseases.
Significance for science
Our results contribute to better understanding of the pathogenesis of different forms of autoimmune thyroid disease (Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and postpartum thyroiditis), especially to the understanding of the role of thyroid autoantibodies and thyrotropin in the process of angiogenesis within thyroid gland. Because literature data on the occurrence and course of postpartum thyroiditis are scarce, our data represent interesting additional information regarding more precise definition of this condition, probably including different, yet unrecognized pathogenic mechanisms. The use of colour doppler ultrasound enables also new understanding of the occurrence and the course of those diseases and therefore it does not have only practical meaning for diagnosis.
Significance for the country
The results are very useful for the fast diagnostics of different types of autoimmune thyroid diseases and for the fast decision of the modality of treatment. The greatest benefit is expected in patients with postpartum thyroiditis, where at first examination, the decision about the way of treatment seems to be very difficult. In other thyroid diseases, the results contribute to a better follow up of patients in remission and to more competent decision about eventual repeated treatment. Therefore, the results enabled higher treatment quality of patients with different thyroid diseases in Slovenia, without increasing the costs of treatment. The results also have international visibility, which increases the role of Slovenia in the field of thyroidology.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
