Ultrasound of the thyroid gland - indications, norms, preparation

Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is a popular and informative diagnostic procedure that is prescribed for patients with abnormalities in the functioning of the gland and suspected of a number of endocrine pathologies.What are the indications for this type of examination?How to prepare for thyroid ultrasound?How does the procedure work?About this and talk below.

Table of contents: What is ultrasound thyroid?Indications for ultrasound of the thyroid gland What symptoms indicate the pathology of the thyroid gland?About contraindications Preparation for ultrasound scan Shchitovidki How is ultrasound What thyroid gland pathology reveals the study?Norms of ultrasound of the thyroid gland How often should I undergo the procedure?Advantages of ultrasound

What is ultrasound thyroid?

Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is a diagnostic procedure performed with the help of modern ultrasound equipment.In the process of scanning, the specialist gets an opportunity to study the structure, location, size and structure of the thyroid, which is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis and develop an optimal therapeutic course.

In the event that ultrasound showed increased size, blurriness of contours and heterogeneity of the structure of this organ, this indicates a number of serious disorders requiring medical care by .

In addition, ultrasound can detect the presence of tumor lesions localized in the thyroid gland, assess the condition of nearby lymph nodes, the structure of the larynx and soft cervical tissue structures. To date, ultrasound is the most accurate and informative diagnostic method for thyroid pathologies.Such procedures, such as computer or magnetic resonance imaging, are already assigned for the purpose of additional research.

Note: thyroid pathologies are found, according to statistics, in 20% of patients.Therefore, in prophylactic ultrasound of this organ is recommended to do at least once a year!

Indications for thyroid ultrasound

Doctors recommend patients to perform an ultrasound examination of the thyroid in the case of the following clinical indications:

• enlargement of the gland;
• malfunction of the hormonal background;
• genetic predisposition of the patient to thyroid pathologies;
• disorders in the functioning of the endocrine system;
• problems with natural conception;
• is a disordered menstrual cycle;
• long-term therapeutic course with the use of drugs of hormonal type;
• attacks of suffocation.
• general weakness and increased nervous excitability;
• obesity.

Important! Patients in the age group over the age of 40 should undergo regular thyroid ultrasound for preventive purposes!

Shchitovid ultrasound is part of the compulsory comprehensive medical examination program, recommended for women during pregnancy planning .In addition, this diagnostic procedure is prescribed to patients in the period of preparation for surgical interventions to assess the condition of the gland in the postoperative period.

What are the symptoms that indicate the pathology of the thyroid?

Specialists and endocrinologists, in connection with the widespread prevalence of thyroid diseases, recommend patients to take a closer look at their health.

Note the following clinical signs that may indicate severe dysfunction in the thyroid:

• increased anxiety;
• emotional instability, frequent mood swings;
• cough, pershenie;
• sensation of a lump localized in the larynx;
• hair loss;
• arrhythmia;
• increased fatigue;
• Fingertip;A slight increase in body temperature;
• ;
• sudden change in weight;
• tumor neoplasms localized in the neck or larynx;
• enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes;
• sleep disorders;
• increase in blood pressure;
• voicelessness;
• difficulty in swallowing;
• excessive sweating.

Note: , if any of the above symptoms appear, you need to contact an endocrinologist for professional advice and getting a referral for thyroid ultrasound!

About contraindications

Carrying out ultrasound does not adversely affect the patient's health condition, and therefore this procedure does not actually have absolute contraindications.

Doing ultrasound is not recommended for damage to the skin in the neck area in the form:

• burn lesions;
• streptoderma;
• injury;
• certain diseases of a dermatological nature.

Preparing ultrasound for thyroid

The ultrasound examination does not require any special preparation from the patient .Patients of the elderly and children are recommended to carry out this manipulation on an empty stomach, in order to prevent the occurrence of possible emetic pushes. The last meal should be no later than 2 hours before the proposed study.

When going on ultrasound, bring along a clean towel( for placing under the head), napkins( to remove residual gel), as well as the results of previous diagnostic procedures of this body.In addition, in order to obtain the most accurate and reliable results of ultrasound examination on the eve of the procedure, patients should avoid excessive physical fatigue and psychoemotional shocks.

Important! If you undergo a therapeutic course with the use of any medications, then when planning an ultrasound scan of the thyroid gland, be sure to inform the specialist!

How is ultrasound

The procedure for ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is absolutely painless and does not cause the patient any discomfort! At the beginning of the patient lies on his back on a special couch, and uncovers the cervical region.In order to increase the visual area of ​​the study, an additional pillow is usually placed under the shoulders of the patient.

After that a special gel is applied to the skin of the patient, used to establish contact and improve the passage of ultrasound signals.

At the next stage of the procedure, the specialist presses the sensor to the patient's neck and begins to examine the thyroid gland at different angles of inclination.In the course of the study, a specific ultrasound signal is reflected from the tissue structures of the thyroid, which is processed by computer equipment, and then visualized on the monitor screen.

The specialist records the results, alternately examining the isthmus and thyroid lobes, assessing the size and structural state of the thyroid gland, after which an appropriate conclusion is made. The duration of the procedure can be from ten minutes to half an hour.

Note: The ultrasound specialist issues an opinion on the state of the thyroid gland, and the endocrinologist is already in charge of diagnosing and determining the appropriateness of additional diagnostic procedures!

What pathologies of thyroid gland does the research of reveal?

Carrying out of such diagnostic procedure as ultrasonic research of a thyroid gland, allows to reveal at the patient presence of following diseases :

• a nodal struma;
• abnormal enlargement of the thyroid;
• cystic neoplasm;
• thyroiditis;
• hypothyroidism;
• tumor formation of benign or malignant origin( to establish the nature of the tumor will help further cytological research).
• ectopia.

Important !The ultrasound examination helps to identify the pathological processes localized in the thyroid gland at the earliest stages of development, which greatly facilitates the subsequent treatment and increases its effectiveness!

Norms of ultrasound of thyroid

A qualified specialist in ultrasound diagnostics is engaged in interpretation and interpretation of the results.The exact diagnosis is made to the patient by an endocrinologist.

Normally, the thyroid gland should have a standard shape and density, a homogeneous structure, smooth and well defined contours.In the absence of any disorders and pathological processes, the cervical lymph nodes are not enlarged, and cystic or tumor neoplasms are absent.

During diagnosis, great importance is attached to the size of the thyroid itself. Normally its volume in the fair sex should not be more than 18 mm, and for men not more than 25 mm.

Note: The norm of thyroid size in small patients is established by an individual endocrinologist individually, taking into account such factors as gender and age category.

How often should I undergo the procedure?

The ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland has no contraindications or age restrictions, and does not cause any harm to the patient's health.

For prophylactic purposes, this diagnostic procedure is recommended to be performed annually by the ( this is especially true for patients in the age group over 40).

In the presence of questionable results of the study or in the course of the therapeutic course for thyroid pathologies and certain endocrine diseases, this diagnostic procedure can be carried out at intervals of up to three times throughout the week.

In the event that the patient has anxiety symptoms or a tendency to disrupt the functioning of this body, ultrasound of the thyroid gland is recommended to be conducted at least every six months.

Advantages of ultrasound study

Physicians identify a number of undoubted advantages that ultrasonic examination of the thyroid gland is characterized in comparison with other types of diagnostic procedures.

The following factors are considered to be related to them:

• minimal spectrum of contraindications;
• painless;
• no age restrictions;
• high accuracy and informative study;
• the possibility of conducting diagnosis in pregnant women.
• no need to disturb the integrity of the skin;
• affordable, affordable;
• excluding any risks of infection of the patient during the diagnostic process;
• the possibility of conducting a diagnostic procedure without special training;
• no radiation, radiation, ionizing effects.

Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is an extremely accurate, informative procedure that allows to reveal abnormalities in the functioning of this organ at the very first stages of the pathological process.Ultrasound examination is characterized by extreme safety for the patient's health, therefore it is allowed for even small children and women waiting for the baby to appear.For prophylactic purposes ultrasound examination of the thyroid is recommended at least once a year.Remember that timely diagnosis significantly facilitates the subsequent treatment and multiplies the chances of getting positive results!

Alexander Kazak, physician-therapist