The authors draw attention to the altered ultrasonographic (USG) picture of the thyroid gland with subacute inflammation (SAT). A typical finding in the first to third stage of the disease are irregular different sized hypoechogenic to almost echo-void foci with normal parenchyma in between. The finding is normal only in the fourth stage of the disease. In 22 patients before 1987 the USG finding of the thyroid gland was evaluated. In 17 the examination revealed the assumed SAT which was confirmed in 15 patients. Seven patients were at that time hypothyroid. The USG finding was evaluated again in 1990. Ten patients, 2.8 years after the acute stage of SAT had a normal USG finding and were euthyroid. Five patients, not more than one year after the acute stage of SAT had still a pathological USG finding. Four of them were hypothyroid. Based on USG examination it is possible to identify before the cytotogical examination at first ill defined hypothyroidism or hypothyroidism as SAT in stage 1 to 3.

Keywords: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Thyroid Gland /diagnostic imaging/; Thyroiditis, Subacute /diagnostic imaging/; Ultrasonography