A thyroid ultrasound is a safe, painless procedure that uses sound waves to examine the thyroid gland. A thyroid ultrasound scan serves to image the thyroid gland. Normal Thyroid Lobe - longitudinal view of left lobe Ultrasound Imaging. On color Doppler, the inferior thyroid artery (arrow) is seen, (c) Blood flow pattern in normal thyroid gland. Other providers may charge you from $100 to $1000 as well as an additional co-pay for an office visit. This is a type of medical imaging that requires taking radioactive iodine. For example, if the area is irregular and it is invading the surrounding tissue, there’s a greater risk that it is cancer. However, as thyroid nodules are only rarely cancerous, this is usually not needed. The sound waves used to create the ultrasound image cause no known side effects. Thyroid and Thyroid area scan: Use the following protocol for ultrasound scans that include the area between the mandible and the clavicle and between the lateral margins of the right and left sternocleidomastoid muscles. This is often done in conjunction with another thyroid ultrasound. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You may be uncomfortable in this position, but it’s not usually painful. Thyroid ultrasound takes place after a medical evaluation, including a medical history and a clinical exam. Med Sci Monit. A growing number of outpatient facilities can also perform ultrasounds. Whilst I was away in Cyprus for a short break a message from the GP's surgery asking me to collect 10mb Carbimazole from the chemist before the thyroid ultrasound scan. Other imaging tests are used to look at the thyroid gland, but not as commonly as ultrasound. Thyroid ultrasound is usually performed to assess an existing lump or an enlarged thyroid gland. A thyroid scan is an outpatient procedure usually done in the nuclear medicine section of a hospital. The above image is an ultrasound of a typical thyroid nodule, except that this nodule is a bit bigger than usual. An ultrasound of the thyroid is usually completed within 30 minutes. The superior thyroid artery is located within the neck. •Thyroid ultrasound remains the best imaging modality for evaluating thyroid nodules •Thyroid ultrasound suffers from low specificity •TI-RADS guidelines are now being utilized to help standardize interpretation, with clearer recommendations •TI-RADS may … only £120.00 (Includes booking deposit of £20) Book Your Scan … When a mass is found in the neck, the origin may not be obvious from a clinical examination; therefore, an ultrasound study is necessary to determine the origin and make-up (solid or water-filled mass) of the neck mass. The thyroid hormone produced by the gland affects many important physiological functions, including heart rate, body temperature, and overall metabolism. If you suffer from neck pain, inform the technologist so that they can help situate you in a comfortable position for the exam. You’ll be able to resume your normal activities as soon as it’s over. The new “quick and easy” thyroid cancer test requires patients to sing while undergoing an ultrasound scan. What’s the Link Between Thyroid Conditions and Depression? An ultrasound can give your doctor a lot of valuable information, such as: Ultrasounds can also detect a goiter, a swelling of the thyroid gland. Thyroid ultrasound does not require any preparation on the part of the patient. Thyroid ultrasound and the increase in diagnosis of low-risk thyroid cancer. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. Biopsy. The ultrasound technician places a pillow or a pad under the back of your neck to tilt your head back and to expose your throat. Sign up and get yours free! However, the doctor doing the scan said my thyroid had shrunk, it was much smaller than it should be. You won't be anesthetized, so you can drive home or return to work immediately after the procedure. Thyroid ultrasound can also be used to monitor the area for a recurrence of cancer if you’ve previously had a thyroid cancer removed., The parathyroid glands, which lie just next to the thyroid glands, release parathyroid hormone. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. You may not need any additional care if the ultrasound shows no abnormalities. The clinician takes a handheld device called a transducer (or probe) and places it directly on the skin on the front of your throat. This is usually part of the radiology department. Ultrasound has largely replaced a previous mode of imaging the thyroid called thyroid scintigraphy. This is in contrast to ultrasound, which provides information on gross morphology or biopsy that provides histological information. Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD, is a freelance medical and health writer and published book author. It is extremely important because every cell in the body…, The best books for toddlers are colorful, whimsical, and fun to read aloud. If you are concerned about a potential thyroid issue, it may be worth talking with your physician to see if a thyroid ultrasound might provide some helpful information. This is usually done with a quick injection using a needle filled with materials such as Lumason or Levovist, which are made of gas filled with tiny bubbles. 2019;104(3):785-792. doi:10.1210/jc.2018-01933, Zhang Y, Luo YK, Zhang MB, Li J, Li J, Tang J. Ultrasound—thyroid. If you have a thyroid scan, you will be asked to take a drink, or swallow a pill containing the iodine. If you have a cyst, nodule, or tumor, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove it or other treatment for any condition or cancer present. A thyroid ultrasound may be ordered if a thyroid function test is abnormal or if you doctor feels a growth on your thyroid while examining your neck. The clinician may move the transducer around a bit, to get a thorough view of the thyroid gland. Some people get a thyroid ultrasound because a small bump was noted in the region. If your ultrasound does reveal abnormalities, your doctor may order follow-up tests to narrow down the conditions that may be causing these abnormalities. Sometimes you might receive the scan as part of an overall medical exam, especially if you have symptoms that might be consistent with thyroid disease, like fatigue. It can be used to help diagnose a wide range of medical conditions affecting the thyroid gland, including benign thyroid nodules and possible thyroid cancers. Most of these nodules are harmless, and extra investigation and treatment may be unnecessary. Ultrasounds are quick, painless, and often inexpensive studies that can reveal a lot of information about your thyroid gland. 2019;132(16):1974-1982. doi:10.1097/CM9.0000000000000346, Felício JS, Conceição AM, Santos FM, et al. 2016;22:4755-4764. doi:10.12659/MSM.899834, Liang XW, Cai YY, Yu JS, Liao JY, Chen ZY. The two scans are identical, the one on the right is outlined to help you understand what you are looking at. Examination of the thyroid via ultrasound is a painless and fairly quick process. It can be almost imperceptably thin. Although calcification can be seen in both benign and malignant processes, it is the ultrasound feature most closely associated with malignancy 1. (a) Gray scale ultrasound, transverse scan showing normal thyroid anatomy, (b) Arterial vascularization of the thyroid gland. Some findings such as blood flow to the nodule, ill-defined margins, necrosis or microcalcifications, the involvement of lymph nodes and so on are indicators that your nodule may be cancerous (6). Scan for mobile link. Follow-up depends on ultrasound results. This procedure requires little to no special preparation. When you arrive, you’ll be asked to remove your shirt and lie on your back. During the test, the clinician will examine the area thoroughly and see if anything looks unusual, taking into account the overall size and shape. Doctors apply a gel, which allows the sound waves from the ultrasound probe to get through the skin. One of my follow-up CT scans detected some nodules in my thyroid. The sonogram can assess the size and look for changes in density showing the presence of cysts and solid tumors. Thyroid scans can help your doctor determine if your thyroid is working properly. For diagnosis, the results of a thyroid ultrasound must be considered along with other clinical information and other tests. Ana Maria Kausel, MD, is a double board-certified endocrinologist affiliated with Mount Sinai St. Luke's/Mount Sinai West in New York City. Your doctor may suggest injecting contrast agents into your bloodstream to improve the quality of the ultrasound images. Tetraplegia is a type of paralysis that affects the arms and legs. The ultrasound "U" classification of thyroid nodules has been developed by the British Thyroid Association (BTA) as part of their 2014 guidelines on the management of thyroid cancer 1.. This may feel a little cold at first. This involves injecting a material such as Lumason into a blood vessel before the procedure. However, this is not always done. In other cases, you’ll need to follow-up in a few days, after a radiologist or other professional has examined the images. Parathyroid ultrasonography: the evolving role of the radiologist. You’ll be called with the results in a few days. Ultrasound imaging ensures that the doctor injects the ethanol in exactly the right spot. But according to one study, cancer was found in only 1 of every 111 ultrasound tests, and over half of the people whose results showed thyroid nodules did not have cancer. A thyroid scan is a simple outpatient procedure. A thyroid scan is usually necessary when your doctor wants to examine a growth that has been found on your thyroid. Even when these nodules are truly cancerous, they are often small and low-risk cancer types, and the risks of interventions might outweigh the benefits in some cases. This hormone is very important for regulating calcium in the body. It does not use ionizing radiation and is commonly used to evaluate lumps or nodules found during a routine physical or other imaging exam. The chin is tilted back to allow the front of the neck to be extended. An ultrasound can also check an underactive or overactive thyroid gland. Thyroid Ultrasound Scan in London performed by a Consultant Radiologist Doctor. Clinicians can use thyroid ultrasound to evaluate several different medical conditions that affect the thyroid gland, an endocrine gland in your neck. A thyroid ultrasound might be done in a hospital setting, clinic, or right in a medical office. 2013;17(2):219-227. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.109667, Sung JY. Thyroid Scan plane transverse. Some medical conditions involving the thyroid may have a very similar appearance on a thyroid ultrasound, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Sometimes thyroid ultrasounds are used for screening. Thyroid ultrasounds are very safe and cause no known complications. 2015;34(4):268-274. doi:10.14366/usg.14071. If you have an increased risk of getting thyroid cancer (for example, from certain kinds of genetic diseases), you might need regular thyroid ultrasounds. In some cases, your doctor will recommend the use of a contrast agent to help get better images. I had a scan a couple of weeks ago and not had the official results from my GP yet. Images will be visible on a screen, and are used to make sure that the radiologist has a clear picture of your thyroid to evaluate. Ultrasound can also help your doctor get an idea of whether such an area is likely to be benign and harmless or a potential cancer.. Ultrasonography. For example, certain types of thyroid nodules can be treated via an injection of ethanol into the nodule (called ethanol sclerotherapy). This provides a less invasive intervention compared to surgical removal. The nuclear scan assesses the activity of the thyroid and can assess size and if the thyroid is over or underactive. If one or more nodules are detected within the thyroid gland, the radiologist will examine the features of the nodules. However, other clinical symptoms and tests can help distinguish the two.. That will make it less likely that a harmless nodule detected on ultrasound would lead to unnecessary treatments.. Your doctor will often use an ultrasound to create images of a fetus during pregnancy. If there is a bump on the thyroid gland, they can measure its size and location and can even get some information about its blood supply. Your doctor may order a biopsy of a suspicious lump. You can take your medications and eat and drink normally ahead of time. Thyroid Ultrasound: Patient Prep: No prep. If you suspect you may have both, it's possible that one is…, The thyroid gland is located in the neck below the thyroid cartilage, or Adam’s apple. A thyroid ultrasound is a safe, painless procedure that uses sound waves to examine the thyroid gland. It can be used to help diagnose a wide range of medical conditions affecting the thyroid gland, including benign thyroid nodules and possible thyroid cancers. Clinicians are still learning about how to make sure this test is given to the people who really need it and is interpreted in exactly the right way. The technician will run the transducer back and forth over the area where your thyroid is located. Learn about which foods to eat and avoid during diverticulitis flares, and the best…. If your clothing does not obscure your neck, you won't need to remove your shirt. Ultrasound imaging (also called sonography) uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. There is no recovery time needed after a thyroid ultrasound test. One of the limits of the thyroid ultrasound is that it doesn’t tell you whether your thyroid might be producing too much or too little thyroid hormone. In some cases, you may be able to sit upright during the ultrasound. You lie flat on the table, with your head and neck extended. Update on thyroid ultrasound: a narrative review from diagnostic criteria to artificial intelligence techniques. You can ask your healthcare provider about whether to expect this. Updated April 11, 2020. Our thyroid-friendly meal plan can help. Thyroid ultrasound may be performed with the person reclining, but it can also be done while seated. Or, it may be performed by a sonographer, a health professional trained in diagnostic ultrasound. All rights reserved. If you do have thyroid cancer, your doctor may recommend surgery or another treatment strategy. Thyroid ultrasound is sometimes combined with thyroid therapies as well. MRI scans are also very helpful in looking at the brain and spinal cord. Scan plane for longitudinal view Right lobe. Unlike ultrasound, CT and PET scans do require radiation exposure as well. In other words, it won’t tell you if you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. A thyroid ultrasound is used to examine the thyroid for abnormalities, including: A thyroid ultrasound may be ordered if a thyroid function test is abnormal or if you doctor feels a growth on your thyroid while examining your neck. Last medically reviewed on February 27, 2020. Ultrasound scan. Just before the test, a thin layer of gel is applied to the skin on the front of the throat. The most common reason for referral for this procedure is a nodule palpated in the region of the thyroid. Assess your thyroid and salivary glands and lymph nodes for cancer risk. The gel may feel a little cold when it is applied, but contact with your skin warms it. Thyroid scan vs sono: The nuclear scan and the ultrasound of the thyroid are used for different reasons so one is not "better" than the other. Ultrasounds may also be used if your doctor needs to take a biopsy of your thyroid or surrounding tissues to test for any existing conditions. Ultrasounds are quick, painless, procedures, and can help you detect conditions or early stages of cancers. Newer ultrasound technologies, such as three-dimension (3D) ultrasounds or Doppler ultrasounds, may cost more because of the higher level of detail that these ultrasounds can provide. This technique is sometimes still used for people who have hyperthyroidism or for monitoring after removal of a thyroid cancer. But ultrasound imaging has become more frequent in many other areas of medicine as well, including in the diagnosis of thyroid disease. 2016;7:52. doi:10.3389/fendo.2016.00052. If a biopsy is needed, doctors use ultrasound to scan the area again, ensuring that they know exactly where to place the needle. Haymart MR, Banerjee M, Reyes-Gastelum D, Caoili E, Norton EC. A thyroid scan is a nuclear imaging test used to see the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck and helps to regulate your metabolism. You’ll need to remove anything that might block access to your neck, like a necklace. Your clinician will first need to make sure that that the technique will be potentially helpful in your specific situation. It is a quick, non-invasive way of confirming or excluding certain pathology in relation to the thyroid. A diagnostic radiologist or sonographer is a medical professional who is trained to carry out ultrasound scans and interpret ultrasound images. Early thyroid scans were done with radioactive iodine. You should bring your paperwork and health insurance card. Thyroid scan vs sono: The nuclear scan and the ultrasound of the thyroid are used for different reasons so one is not "better" than the other. A thyroid ultrasound is not associated with any risks. A fine needle aspiration may also be used for further diagnosis. Your ultrasound will probably be performed in a hospital. A similar type of ultrasound can be used to evaluate the parathyroid glands, for example, in someone with a potential parathyroid adenoma or another possible parathyroid problem.. The nuclear scan assesses the activity of the thyroid and can assess size and if the thyroid is over or underactive. The sonogram can assess the size and look for changes in density showing the presence of cysts and solid tumors. Talk to your doctor if you believe you have a family history of thyroid issues or are concerned about a possible thyroid condition in order to initiate preventive ultrasound care. If your test is being performed by the physician managing your treatment, you can talk right then about how the test information will impact your future care. If necessary, you can change into a gown. Ⓒ 2021 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. This image can be seen on a … An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body. In fact, one of the advantages of ultrasound over some other imaging techniques is its safety record.. This may be needed if your doctor is concerned that a thyroid nodule might be cancerous, due to the way it appears on ultrasound.