Quick question about ultrasound?

[strawberrie36]

What to expect for an ultrasound of the neck and thyroid?  Never had one done and really scared about it! Also, what happens if they find something wrong.  Will they do a biopsy right away or no? Cause I am only taking an hour break from work to do this and need to know if I should book more time off? Anyone who has been there/done that, please comment! Thanks!! =)

[redheadaussie]

Mine have never been very long. If they are well trained they just zoom around, take  few measurements and zoom around a bit more. I don't think mine have been anything more than about 5 minutes each time.

[strawberrie36]

Well it went ok, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get another one soon because the guy didn't spend a very long time doing the ultrasound! Not sure why! It only took about 3 and a half minutes tops. Is that normal?

[Barb135]

No correction needed - just nice to know there are some techs who have some sympathy........   LOL

[redheadaussie]

Gah, they must have seen me coming and decided to put it in the fridge. LOL!
Having thought about it, there was one U/S I had that the technician had warmed it up, she had had a scan herself and knew it was pretty yukky being so cold. So I stand corrected!

[Barb135]

Last one I had, they did use warm goo!!  

[redheadaussie]

Highly unlikely they will do a biopsy then and there. They need to get a trained doctor to do it, so they won't have one standing by, as such.

The only thing I can say about the U/S was that it was a little uncomfortable as you have to have your head back a fair way, and the pressure on my goitre made me cough a fair bit, but otherwise it's just the goo that is cold 99% of the time!  Why they never warm it up I will never know! LOL!

[Barb135]

A thyroid u/s is a "walk in the park".  They put some slimy stuff on your neck, run their little wand around, stopping once in a while when they need to measure something (like the size of your thyroid lobes, isthmus or nodules).  I think my last one took about 20 minutes, so unless you have a long way to travel or heavy traffic to contend with, you should be okay on an hour break; however, if you'd feel more comfortable, maybe you could arrange for a bit of extra time, then if you don't need it, you'll be that much ahead.

After the u/s is done, most likely, they will send you on your way and send the report to your doctor; however, one time, they did have the radiologist come in to talk to me and palpate my thyroid, etc because I was complaining of "choking" feelings.  

It's extremely unlikely that they would do a biopsy right away because your doctor would have to order it, then it would need to be scheduled, etc.  Often, a biopsy isn't even needed.

Best of luck to you and please don't be scared.  Let us know how you turn out.