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Thyroid ultrasound

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Definition:

A thyroid ultrasound is an imaging method used to see the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a gland located in the neck that regulates metabolism . Ultrasound is a painless method that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body.

Alternative Names:

Ultrasound - thyroid; Thyroid sonogram; Thyroid echogram

How the test is performed:

The test is usually done in the ultrasound or radiology department. You will lie with your neck hyperextended (extended beyond its usual limit). A lubricating gel will be placed onto your neck. Next, the ultrasound technician will move a wand, called a transducer, over the area.

The transducer gives off sound waves. The sound waves go through the body and bounce off the area being studied (in this case, the thyroid gland). A computer looks at the pattern that the sound waves create when bouncing back, and creates an image.

How to prepare for the test:

No special preparation is necessary for this test.

How the test will feel:

You should feel very little discomfort with this test. The gel may be cold.

Why the test is performed:

A thyroid ultrasound is usually done when you have a growth on your thyroid gland. The exam can help tell the difference between a cyst (a sac containing fluid) and a tumor (abnormal tissue that may or may not be cancerous).

• Review Date: 10/23/2006
• Reviewed By: Stuart Bentley-Hibbert, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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