What is a thyroid ultrasound?
Thyroid ultrasound is a procedure that allows the physician to visualize the thyroid gland using high frequency inaudible sound waves as he or she is examining the neck. It produces “live” images of the thyroid and surrounding structures such as lymph nodes and parathyroid glands. Because of its sensitivity, ultrasound can detect nodules and cysts as small as 2-3 millimeters in size that are too small to feel on physical examination. Ultrasound is able to measure the size of thyroid nodules very accurately in order to determine if there is a change in size. Ultrasound is also used to detect recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer in patients who have undergone surgery for this disease. Ultrasound is now used for performing most thyroid biopsies to assure proper placement of the needle and to decrease the risk of an inadequate specimen being obtained.
