Ultraschall Med 2007; 28 - V_6_7
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-989015

Ultrasound of the Marine-Lenhart Syndrome

J Fernandez Sanchez 1, M Nicolai 1, S Lins 1, A Geissler 1
  • 1Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Stuttgart, Germany

Objectives: The Marine-Lenhart-Syndrome is the association of Grave's disease with autonomously functioning thyroid nodules. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sonographic presentation of this entity.

Methods: 12 Patients with a Marine-Lehnhart-Syndrome according to the thyroid scan and the thyroid antibodies were studied with ultrasound (B-Mode and Color Doppler).

Results: The toxic nodules were slight hyperechoic to hypoechoic with increased blood flow of several degree. The rest of the gland showed a diffuse hypoechonecity with increased vascularization.

Conclusions: In cases of a diffuse parenchymal hypoechogenicity with diffusely increased thyroid blood flow and with hypervascular thyroid nodules the sonographic diagnosis of the Marine-Lenhart-Syndrome can be made.