Normal values for thyroid ultrasonography, goiter prevalence and urinary iodine concentration in schoolchildren of the Veneto Region, Italy.

Goiter prevalence in school-age children and median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) are the main indicators of iodine deficiency in a population. In areas of mild iodine deficiency, where goiters are small, ultrasound is preferable to physical examination to estimate goiter prevalence. The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted thyroid volume ultrasonography results from a survey of European schoolchildren as an international reference, but these values have recently been questioned.

[Diagnostic imaging in primary hyperparathyroidism. Radiological techniques: US--CAT--MR].

This study aims to clarify the diagnostic value of ultrasonography, computerised tomography and magnetic resonance in adenomatous pathology of primary and persistent hyperparathyroidism. Although the diagnostic efficacy of the various imaging techniques is still the subject of current debate, the latest specific surgical techniques, require their use either individually or in association, in order to achieve faster and safer surgery. After an overview of the various methods, illustrating their indications and diagnostic limitations, the authors emphasise that the role played by ultrasonography, CAT and MR justifies their use in the preoperative localisation of parathyroid adenoma.

Clinical approach in patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma and negative 131I whole body scintigraphy: importance of 99mTc MIBI scan combined with high resolution neck ultrasonography.

Aims And Background: The aim of this study was to define the clinical impact of MIBI scan combined with neck ultrasonography on the detection of metastates in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients with elevated serum Tg levels but negative 131I scan (non-functioning DTC).

Methods And Study Design: Eighty-two patients with non-functioning DTC, 19 patients with 131I-positive metastases (functioning DTC), and 24 DTC patients who were disease free after therapy (no cancer patients) were enrolled. 131I scan was performed after administration of low diagnostic and high therapeutic tracer doses.

[Ultrasonography in the study of lesions of the menisci and the collateral ligaments of the knee. Findings in 48 surgically treated patients].

The authors report the results of the study of 48/112 patients who underwent US examination of the knee for gonalgia. Meniscopathy or capsular-ligamentous lesions were clinically suspected. US results were compared with arthroscopic or athrotomic findings; the latter two methods were considered as the reference gold standard.