Thyroid Ultrasound and Thyroid Biopsies
Ultrasound Examination
Ultrasound examination is the most accurate and useful imaging test to detect nodules or lumps within the thyroid gland. Ultrasound procedure uses sound waves to produce images of the thyroid gland and the images can be captured to assess the size, shape, structure and any abnormalities of the thyroid gland. Accurate measurement of the size of the thyroid nodules can be made using ultrasound imaging. It also assists in evaluation of the variations in the thyroid tissue such as enlargement caused by goiter and decrease in size caused by inflammation, and can differentiate between solid, fluid filled or complex type of thyroid nodules.
Thyroid ultrasound is recommended by your doctor in following conditions:
- If a thyroid nodule can be felt on physical examination
- In suspicion of hormonal disorder of the thyroid gland
- In swallowing disorders
- If you are at a high risk for thyroid cancer with family history of thyroid malignancy and radiation therapy to the neck during childhood
- To evaluate changes in the size of thyroid nodule during follow-up
- To monitor your condition after surgery for removal of thyroid gland
- The role of ultrasound in diagnosis of thyroid conditions is complex and involves detection of the thyroid and neck masses, distinguishing between benign and malignant nodules, and guidance during fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and percutaneous treatment.
Thyroid Biopsy
Biopsies of the thyroid gland are very important procedures that can clarify the nature of a nodule to decide if it is benign or a cancerous tumor of the thyroid.
It is done in our office as an outpatient procedure much more comfortable that having to check in in a hospital for a procedure. The procedure takes only a few minutes and it's done guided by ultrasound imaging to ascertain the accuracy of the sample.
It uses local anesthesia so it's painless. Does not require any special preparations and does not require that the patient fasts before the procedure. The patient can resume usual activity as soon as the biopsy is finished. The results will be available within one week and will utilize DNA analysis of the sample if necessary.