Thyroid ultrasound uses sound waves to produce pictures of the thyroid gland within the neck. It does not use ionizing radiation and is commonly used to evaluate lumps or nodules found during a routine physical or other imaging exam. Ultrasound imaging is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.
An ultrasound of the thyroid is typically used:
1) to determine if a lump in the neck is arising from the thyroid or an adjacent structure
2) to analyze the appearance of thyroid nodules and determine if they are the more common benign nodule or if the nodule has features that require a biopsy. If biopsy is required, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration can help improve accuracy of the biopsy.
3) to look for additional nodules in patients with one or more nodules felt on physical exam
4) to see if a thyroid nodule has substantially grown over time
