Ultrasound of the Thyroid

Purpose

The thyroid ultrasound examination provides us with information regarding the gland as a whole: its size, structure (homogenous or nodular), possible inflammation and details of circumscribed areas, cysts or tissue growths that are not available through palpation.  Fine-needle biopsies are performed with the help of the ultrasound to establish whether a condition is benign or malignant.  The surrounding tissues, lymph nodes, salivary glands and abnormalities of the neck arteries may be observed.

Advance Preparation 

No preparation is required.  For the examination, the patient will be asked to lie down on his or her back.  A pillow will be placed under the shoulder to cause the neck to be taut.  Then the neck area to be treated will be covered with a gel to provide good contact between the skin and the ultrasound probe.       

Contraindications 

There are no contraindications.