What is an Ultrasound Thyroid?

An Ultrasound Thyroid is a procedure that uses ultrasound imaging to take images of the thyroid gland in your throat. Ultrasound of the thyroid may be required if blood tests show abnormal thyroid function, or to investigate a growth or enlargement of the Thyroid. Ultrasound evaluation can check for lumps and cysts or masses, measure the size of the thyroid and track the size of the gland during treatment for a thyroid problem. If a biopsy is required, FNAs or biopsies of thyroid tissue can also be undertaken with ultrasound guidance.

What happens during an Ultrasound Thyroid?

A. Before your scan

What to bring

• Your request form
• Any relevant previous imaging
• Your Medicare card and any concession cards

Preparation – the day of your procedure

There is no specific preparation and you may eat and drink as desired before and after the procedure. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding your health status, medication, and any known allergies. You will be asked to remove jewellery and change into an examination gown for your scan.

B. During your Ultrasound Thryoid

Procedure

You will be made comfortable on the examination table. A pillow or a pad may be placed under the back of your neck to tilt your head back and expose your throat.

Gel will be applied to the area being imaged to help create a good contact between you and the ultrasound probe. The probe will be placed directly onto the gel and your skin for the duration of the examination.

Your ultrasound will be performed by a Radiologist (medical specialist) or a sonographer (a specially trained technologist). Because the examiner is interpreting moving images on a screen a high degree of concentration is required.

Ultrasound examinations are not painful and generally not invasive but may be uncomfortable particularly if you need to move a body part that causes you discomfort.

Most ultrasound examinations will be completed within 30 minutes. It is not unusual for the radiologist to come in and speak with you and view the images on the screen. At the end of the procedure the gel is simply wiped from your skin so that it does not mark your clothes.

Risks and side effects

Ultrasounds are a very low risk procedure and complications are rare however you should be informed of the possible risks and side effects.

Risks associated with this procedure include:

• If scanning is performed over an area of tenderness, you may feel pressure or minor pain from the transducer.

Any medical procedure can potentially be associated with unpredictable risks.

Who will perform my Ultrasound Thyroid?

Your ultrasound examination will be carried out by a sonographer (a technologist trained in ultrasound imaging)

What happens after an Ultrasound Thyroid?

How do I get my results?

After your appointment, the information from your scan is interpreted by Envision’s Radiologist before delivery of a report to your doctor.

Post-procedure

You should be able to go about your daily activities after your appointment.