Sonographic findings of tuberculous thyroiditis in a patient with Behçet's syndrome

Using hierarchical similarity to examine the genetics of Behçet's disease

OBJECTIVE

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disease that affects patients along the historic silk road. Thus far, the pathogenesis of the disease has proved elusive due to the complex genetic interactions of the disease. In this paper, we seek to clarify the genetic factors of the disease while also uncovering other diseases of interest that present with a similar genotype as BD.

RESULTS

To do this, we employ a convergent functional genomics approach by leveraging the hierarchical similarity tool available in Geneweaver. Through our analysis, we were able to ascertain 7 BD consensus genes and 16 autoimmune diseases with genetic overlap with BD. The results of our study will inform further research into the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease.

Paratracheal lymph nodes: a new sonographic finding in autoimmune thyroiditis

PURPOSE

To assess the clinical value of paratracheal lymph nodes (PLNs) as a novel sonographic finding in autoimmune thyroiditis (AT).

METHODS

A total of 309 consecutive patients underwent sonographic examinations of the thyroid between 1998 and 2003. A single radiologist assessed the sonographic findings of AT and PLNs. All patients underwent serological tests for antimicrosomal antibodies (AMAs). Patients with clinical, cytological, or laboratory findings of thyroiditis formed the AT group with a positive AMA test (n = 199). Controls were patients with no signs of nodular thyroid disease, normal thyrotropin, negative AMA, and benign cytology (n = 110).

RESULTS

PLNs were seen in 184 of 199 patients in the AT group and in 28 of 110 controls (P < 0.001) (sensitivity of 93.4%, specificity of 74.5% in the diagnosis of AT). PLNs in controls were fewer (2.8 +/- 1.5 versus 4.7 +/- 2.6; P < 0.001) and smaller (8.2 +/- 2.4 mm versus 10.7 +/- 3.3 mm; P < 0.001) than in the AT group.

CONCLUSION

PLNs are often present in patients with AT and are detectable with sonography. Radiologists should be aware of the importance of including the paratracheal region in the evaluation of the thyroid gland.

Tuberculous abscess of the thyroid gland: a report of two cases

Tuberculosis of the thyroid gland is very rare, with an acute abscess formation being the least common form of presentation. We report the sono-graphic features of two cases of tuberculous thyroid abscess that were confirmed via ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy.