Sonographic assessment of thyroid gland in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: Thyroid gland morphology and disorders were affected with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). The study aims to assess thyroid gland disorders and morphology in patients with CKD on regular hemodialysis.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study included 71 participants divided into two groups. The study group included 51 patients with known chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis and healthy group included 20 participants. The exclusion criteria were thyroid disorders. The thyroid gland was scanned with ultrasound using a 7 MHz probe.

Results: The thyroid is enlarged in 21.57% of patients and heterogeneous echotexture in 31.4%. The prevalence of thyroid nodules and cysts were 9.8% and 7.8% respectively. A positive linear correlation existed between duration of hemodialysis and thyroid volume. Thyroid volume and echotexture were significantly increased with duration of hemodialysis (p = .001 and .00 respectively). Thyroid nodules and cysts were not significantly correlated with duration of hemodialysis (p = .06 and .28 respectively).

Conclusions: In conclusion, enlargement of thyroid gland and heterogeneity of thyroid tissue were the most common morphological changes in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. The prevalence increased with longer duration of hemodialysis. Periodic ultrasound assessment of thyroid volume and texture are recommended in hemodialyzed patients to avoid complications.