Thyroid biopsy

To assess the condition of the cells and nodes of the thyroid gland, as well as to detect the symptoms of any disease, a thyroid biopsy is used. It involves the collection of cellular material with a needle, which is then subjected to analysis. Thanks to this method, it becomes possible to determine the nature of the tumor and the type of inflammation.

What does the fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid gland show?

The main task of the survey is to identify cells that are predisposed to the formation of cancer education. In his process, the following pathologies are established:

1. Cancer of the thyroid gland, in the presence of carcinoma, lymphoma or expressed metastases.
2. In case of inflammations and formations resembling nodes, a conclusion is drawn about the development of autoimmune thyroiditis .
3. Also, a follicular tumor is established by a biopsy of the thyroid nodule, and the likelihood that it may be of a malignant nature is 20%.

The result of the procedure may be a non-informative conclusion, which requires a repeated biopsy.

Preparation for thyroid biopsy

Before starting the examination, a specialist should inquire about the drugs used by the patient. Further it is necessary to report the presence of an allergy to medications and problems with blood coagulability.

Immediately before the procedure, the following activities are envisaged:

1. Having familiarized himself with possible dangers, the patient agrees with the conditions and signs.
2. The patient needs to remove all dentures, jewelry and other metal products.
3. Before operation for ten hours it is forbidden to take food and drink.

How is a thyroid biopsy done?

Patients on the eve of the examination are advised to take a sedative. The use of anesthesia is impractical, since the drug, mixed with cellular material, can affect the result of the procedure. Puncture biopsy of the thyroid gland is carried out in the following sequence:

1. The patient lies on his back with a head tilted back.
2. The doctor, having processed the place of taking the puncture with alcohol, makes two or three injections from one node.
3. The resulting piece of tissue is laid on the glass, which is then transferred to a histology for examination.

The procedure lasts no more than two minutes, and already ten minutes after the examination the patient can go home.

During manipulation, it is important not to swallow saliva, since there is a high risk that the needle may move and take the wrong material.

Control of the process is carried out using an ultrasound machine, so you can more accurately determine the location of the affected tissue.

A biopsy of the thyroid gland - is it painful?

Sensations from the puncture are comparable to those that are usually noted when injected into the buttock. The fact is that the realization that fine-needle biopsy of the thyroid gland is made in the neck, frightens the patients. However, the procedure was not in vain called fine-needle, because it implies the use of much thinner needles than with intramuscular injections. Therefore, pain should be practically not felt.

Consequences of a thyroid biopsy

This procedure is completely safe. During the first days, there may be pain in the neck, as well as minor hematomas in the puncture area. To prevent their appearance, it is recommended to tightly squeeze a piece of cotton after the injection.

Some believe that a biopsy causes the node to become a tumor, but no such case has been recorded so far. There is also a misconception that manipulation provokes tumor growth, but there is no evidence of this.