Thyroid And Parathyroid Ultrasound: Why It Is Done
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Why It Is Done
A thyroid and parathyroid ultrasound is done to:
- Check lumps (nodules) in the thyroid gland. A thyroid ultrasound can usually show the difference between a solid thyroid gland nodule and a simple fluid-filled sac (cyst). See a picture of a thyroid nodule
. - Find out whether the thyroid gland is enlarged. A thyroid ultrasound may also be used to keep track of the size of the thyroid gland during treatment for a thyroid problem.
- Look for enlarged parathyroid glands caused by disease. Normal parathyroid glands are often difficult to see on ultrasound and cannot be felt during physical examination. But abnormal parathyroid glands may be enlarged and easily seen by ultrasound.
- Guide the placement of the needle during a thyroid biopsy.
| Last updated: | June 11, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Bets Davis, MFA |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism |
| Editors: | Maria Essig, Tracy Landauer |
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