Ultrasound examination (USG) is the basic diagnostic method used in patients with suspected thyroid diseases. Ultrasound examination allows to determine the location, size and structure of the thyroid gland. Thanks to the thyroid ultrasound examination, it is possible to initially examine the nature of suspicious focal lesions, e.g. nodules on the thyroid gland. Adjacent lymph nodes in the neck are also assessed. When it is necessary to perform a thyroid nodule biopsy, ultrasound is used to monitor the position of the biopsy needle - this allows for precise collection of material for examination and ensures the safety of the procedure.
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Thyroid research
When should I have my thyroid checked? What symptoms could indicate thyroid disease?
Symptoms of hypothyroidism:
- Feeling cold
- Dry skin, hair loss,
- Depression,
- Feeling tired, sleepy
- Overweight
- Chronic constipation
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland:
- Fast heart beat, a feeling of palpitations
- Nervousness, difficulty concentrating,
- Increased appetite accompanied by maintaining a low body weight,
- Frequent diarrhea
- Quick fatigue.
Palpable lumps on the thyroid gland:
The vast majority of nodules on the thyroid gland are benign changes that should be regularly monitored by ultrasound. Lumps can be a problem when:
- are responsible for the excess production of hormones, causing an overactive thyroid gland,
- have the features of a malignant tumor - they are the primary source of thyroid cancer,
- put pressure on the surrounding structures of the neck.
The presence of the above symptoms should prompt you to visit an endocrinologist who may order a thyroid hormone blood test and / or an ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
Indications for the ultrasound of the thyroid gland
The indications for an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland are:
Abnormal results of laboratory tests determining the level of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism),
Suspicion of thyroiditis, other thyroid diseases,
An increase in the circumference of the neck, indicating a possible enlargement of the thyroid gland,
Palpable nodules on the thyroid gland,
Control the size of previously diagnosed benign nodules on the thyroid gland
Nodular goiter control (nodular goitre indicates enlargement of the thyroid gland within which nodules are visible),
Control of the effects of the treatment of parenchymal goiter (parenchymal goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland without the presence of nodules),
Detection of a pathological change within the thyroid gland during ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging performed for other indications (e.g. during ultrasound of the salivary glands),
Cervical lymphadenopathy,
Screening in people with a family history (family history of thyroid cancer) or in workers exposed to ionizing radiation (surgeons),
Follow-up after surgical resection of the thyroid gland for nodular goiter or thyroid cancer.
What does an ultrasound of the thyroid gland look like?
Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is a completely safe and non-invasive method of imaging diagnostics. The thyroid ultrasound is preceded by an interview and analysis of test results indicating the possibility of thyroid disease. The doctor applies a small amount of medical gel to the front of the neck and then applies the ultrasound head. During the examination, the doctor assesses:
Position of the thyroid gland (central or side-to-side displacement of the gland),
The volume of the thyroid gland, the size of the individual lobes of the gland (normal thyroid or the so-called goiter),
Echogenicity of the thyroid parenchyma,
Echogenicity of suspicious lesions (fluid, lithium-fluid, solid),
The presence of calcifications
Vascularization of the thyroid parenchyma,
Lymph nodes in the neck, e.g. for cancer.
What does an ultrasound of the thyroid gland detect?
Ultrasound results of the thyroid gland contain a description of abnormalities in the position and size of the thyroid gland and a description of the pathological changes visible within it. Ultrasound examination only partially distinguishes benign nodules (cysts) from malignant ones (thyroid cancer) - a thyroid biopsy is required to accurately determine the nature of these changes. The description of the thyroid ultrasound may include recommendations for a follow-up ultrasound examination or the need to supplement the diagnostics with scintigraphy or computed tomography of the thyroid gland.
The description of the thyroid ultrasound does not include the diagnosis of diseases, eg "Graves-Basedow's disease" or "Hashimoto's disease" - the decision on the final diagnosis of the disease rests with the attending physician, usually an endocrinologist.
The quality of the apparatus on which the thyroid ultrasound is performed is of great importance. Having high-quality equipment, the doctor has a chance to describe the morphological features of the thyroid gland much more accurately and monitor their changes during subsequent examinations. At the Dworska Hospital in Krakow, we have the highest quality General Electric® 3D ultrasound equipment of the Voluson® series, which allows for a precise assessment of changes in the thyroid gland. Our studio is accredited by the Polish Ultrasound Society.
Thyroid biopsy
Thin-needle biopsy of the thyroid gland (FNAB) enables quick and comfortable collection of material for histopathological examination in order to determine the malignancy of the lesions. Thyroid biopsy is performed under ultrasound guidance, which makes the procedure completely safe.
Indications for a fine needle biopsy:
Nodule enlargement in subsequent thyroid ultrasound examinations,
The appearance of a lump before the age of 20 or after the age of 60,
The nature of the solid nodule on ultrasound,
Enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck
The occurrence of thyroid cancer in the patient's family,
Exposure to ionizing radiation,
Chaotic course of vessels within the thyroid gland visible on ultrasound doppler of the thyroid gland
Invasion of adjacent neck tissues.
In the case of an ambiguous result of a fine needle biopsy, the so-called core needle biopsy (BG).
We also perform ultrasound of the thyroid gland in children.
Source:
Trzebińska A, Dobruch-Sobczak K, Jakubowski W, Jędrzejowski M. Standardy badań ultrasonograficznych Polskiego Towarzystwa Ultrasonograficznego – aktualizacja. Badanie ultrasonograficzne tarczycy oraz biopsja tarczycy pod kontrolą ultrasonografii. Journal of Ultrasonography 2014;14:49-60.
Frequently asked questions about ultrasound of the thyroid gland:
Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is a non-invasive and completely safe method of imaging. For an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland, you should bring your previous ultrasound results and the results of laboratory tests indicating disorders of the thyroid gland (measurements of thyroid hormone levels) - if previously prescribed by a doctor. Besides, ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland does not require special preparation.
During an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland, the radiologist places a special head emitting ultrasound waves on the front part of the neck. This test is non-invasive and may be repeated many times in children and pregnant women. Thyroid ultrasound is based on the imaging of the thyroid gland and adjacent tissues along with the lymph nodes in the neck. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland allows for an objective measurement of the volume of the thyroid gland and the identification of enlarged thyroid gland (the so-called goiter). Ultrasound also allows you to determine the location and size of any nodules on the thyroid gland. The morphological features of the nodules visualized on ultrasound along with the clinical picture may determine the need for a thyroid biopsy.
Most thyroid nodules are benign and have no negative effects on the body. However, each nodule requires careful examination to exclude the source of hormonal disorders or thyroid cancer. To do this, you should visit the thyroid gland ultrasound.
