Ultrasound of the Thyroid Gland

Ultrasound is non invasive medical test which is used by physicians to diagnose and treat medical conditions.Ultrasound is safe and painless, and produces images of the thyroid gland by using high frequency sound waves which are transmitted from the transducer. These sound waves travel through the gel and into the organs being examined. Those that are reflected back from the organs are collected by the transducer and used to create images. No ionizing radiation is used in ultrasound examinations.

Why is aThyroid Ultrasound performed

• Ultrasound is an imaging modality used to visualize and examine the thyroid gland and the adjacent structures in the neck
• To confirm the presence of a lump/growth
• To characterize  a lump/growth
• To analyze the appearance of a lump/growth
•  If a growth is fluid filled (cystic) or solid
•  Number  and size of lump/growth
• Location of the growth
• Whether the growth has distinct boundaries
•  Blood flow to the growth
•  Abnormal thyroid function test
• To check underactive or overactive thyroid gland

Preparation prior to an ultrasound

•  All jewelry and accessories must be removed from around the neck area.
• Loosefitting comfortable, preferably a shirt or top with buttons which can be unbuttoned, to expose the area to be examined, should be worn.
• You may be asked to change into a gown if the neck area is not easily accessible.
• You will be asked to lie down on a bed with a pillow or pad placed under the shoulders to assist with hyper extending the neck by tilting the head back lump. (Some people may find this position uncomfortable. However it is not usually painful.
• In order for the transducer to glide easily over the skin, water soluble gel is applied onto the neck area.
• The gel may feel a bit cold when applied to the skin.
• The transducer will be moved backwards and forwards over the area whilst the technician views the images on the screen in front of her.
• Relevant images will be taken and a report written.
• The report will be sent to the referring physician or given to the patient to take along to their next appointment.
• The scan takes about 30 minutes to perform.

 How is a Thyroid Ultrasound performed ?

You will be asked to lie face-up on the examination bed. A pillow will be placed under the shoulders to extend the neck. This may be a bit uncomfortable. The Sonographer will apply a water-based gel to the area to be examined. The gel helps to the transducer eliminates the air pockets between the transducer and the skin which would prevent the sound waves from passing into the body. The transducer is placed on the skin and moved back and forth over the neck region. Desired images are taken. There is usually no discomfort from pressure as the transducer is pressed against the area being scanned. However if scanning is performed over an area of tenderness, you may experience pressure or minor pain from the transducer. After the scan, the gel will be wiped off from your skin. The gel does not stain or discolor clothing.When the examination is complete, you may be asked to dress and wait in the waiting area while the ultrasound images are reviewed and a report is written. After the ultrasound examination, you should be able to resume your normal activities immediately.

It is a butterfly shaped gland which wraps around the front part of the neck,with one lobe on either side of the neck connected by a narrow band of tissue, just below the Adams apple.The thyroid gland regulates metabolism.

Equipment

Ultrasound scanners consist of a console containing a computer and electronics, a video display screen and a transducer that is used to do the scanning. The transducer is a small hand-held device which is attach to the scanner by means of a cord. The transducer sends out inaudible sound waves into the body and uses the returning echoes to form images. These images are immediately visible on the display screen which looks like a TV monitor. Gel is applied to the skin to allow the sound waves to travel back and forth from the transducer.

Results

The report will be faxed or e-mailed to the referring physician or given to you to take with you if you have a follow-up appointment with your physician. The referring physician will discuss the report with you. Follow-up scans may be necessary, but your doctor will explain the reason why another scan is necessary.

Risks

For standard diagnostic ultrasound there are no known harmful effects on humans.

Limitations

It may not always be possible to distinguish between benign and malignant lumps with complete certainty. Other tests may be recommended for further evaluation but in some cases a repeat ultrasound after a few months will suffice.Ultrasound cannot determine thyroid function, that is, whether the thyroid is overactive, underactive or normal. Blood tests or a radioactive iodine uptake test is needed The report will be faxed or e-mailed to the referring physician or given to you to take with you if you have a follow-up appointment with your physician. The referring physician will discuss the report with you. Follow-up scans may be necessary, but your doctor will explain the reason why another scan is necessary.