Ultrasound Guided Thyroid Biopsy

Your doctor has scheduled you for a needle biopsy of your thyroid gland.  Ultrasound imaging is used to guide a very fine needle into the thyroid.  The skin on your neck will be cleansed and local anesthesia will be used to make the procedure more comfortable.  A fine needle is used to take a tissue sample.  The sample will be sent to a laboratory to be analyzed by a pathologist. The entire procedure should take an hour.  There are no restrictions after the procedure.  Your ordering physician will receive the results in two to three business days and will discuss the results with you.  If you do not here from your physician within 5 business days, please contact his or her office.

There is no formal preparation prior to the procedure.  You may eat and take your medicines before coming to the office.  If your previous thyroid imaging (CT/MRI/Ultrasound or Nuclear Medicine Scan) was performed at a location other than Diagnostic Radiology Associates or Waterbury Hospital, please be sure to bring the films with you.

If you have questions or concerns prior to, or after the procedure, please contact Diagnostic Radiology Associates at 203-756-8911.