Ultrasound

During an ultrasound, sound waves are directed into the body from a scanning instrument, called a transducer. The sound from the transducer is reflected off the structures inside the body and analyzed by a computer. The computer then displays these images onto a computer screen, which are then interpreted by a radiologist. You will be asked to lie on an ultrasound table. The most common areas for an ultrasound scan are the pelvis, thyroid and abdominal organs. The sonographer will place warm scan gel on the area that is being imaged and then the transducer is then placed onto the gel against your skin. You will feel pressure, as the sonographer will move the transducer back and forth over your body. This test can take up to an hour. The radiologist will interpret the images and a report will be sent to your doctor.

 

Call (610) 402-TEST (8378) to schedule this exam at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Lehigh Valley Hospital-17th Street, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg or Lehigh Valley Health Network-Bath. Call (610) 435-1600 to schedule this exam at Lehigh Valley Diagnostic Imaging. Call (610) 562-3066 to schedule this exam at Lehigh Valley Health Network-Hamburg, (610) 865-5700 at Lehigh Valley Health Network-Bethlehem Township and (610) 683-6262 for Lehigh Valley Health Network-Kutztown.

 

A thyroid biopsy is an ultrasound-guided procedure performed to remove a sample of tissue from a nodule found on the thyroid gland. You will be asked to lie on the ultrasound table. The skin over the area of the thyroid will be cleansed with a sterile solution. The ultrasound transducer will be used to locate the nodule. The radiologist will numb the area with a local anesthetic. You may feel pressure as the biopsy needle is inserted through the skin into the nodule. Several passes will be made in order to get a sample of tissue from different areas of the nodule. The samples will be analyzed with the use of a microscope to assure enough tissue was obtained and then will be sent to the laboratory.