Ultrasound imaging, also known as sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. The test is noninvasive and helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.
The radiologists at the UPMC Multidisciplinary Thyroid Center (MTC) are experts in using ultrasound to evaluate thyroid nodules.
An ultrasound of the thyroid produces a picture of the thyroid gland and can help doctors diagnose:
Ultrasound can also show abnormal neck lymph nodes, prior to surgery, to help surgeons determine the extent of the operation.
Because ultrasound provides real-time images, doctors may also use it to guide medical procedures, such as fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your ultrasound exam.
Your sonographer (ultrasound technician), may ask you to remove your clothes and jewelry and give you a gown to wear.
For most ultrasound exams of the thyroid, you will lay face-up on an exam table that can be tilted or moved.
The sonographer will:
The ultrasound image is:
Benefits
Risks
Board-certified radiologists at the MTC interpret your thyroid ultrasound scans.
Any UPMC hospital or facility can access your images at any time, day or night, if you ever need them in the future.
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