Details about thyroid puncture and the need for this procedure

Often, with thyroid problems, it is necessary to go through a procedure such as thyroid puncture.

Another name for this examination method is a fine-needle biopsy.

It is the puncture that allows you to find out whether the node is benign or malignant.

The final diagnosis and the effectiveness of the treatment that the doctor should prescribe depend on this information.

In what cases should the procedure be carried out?

The formation of nodes in the thyroid gland is observed in many, especially after the age of forty. However, this does not mean that each node carries a potential danger.

The number of malignant tumors among such patients occurs only in four to seven cases out of a hundred.

A small knot or several small knots in the absence of symptoms most often does not pose a health hazard.

There are certain manifestations in which the specialist should be alert and prescribe an analysis.

These include the following signs:

• a node or several nodes larger than a centimeter, which were found during the examination with fingers;
• cystic formations;
• nodes more than 1 cm, detected during an ultrasound examination;
• discrepancy between the data obtained and the symptoms of the disease.

In addition, it is necessary to carefully monitor the state of the thyroid gland for some factors that can provoke the onset of the disease.

These include:

• adolescence and childhood;
• exposure to ionizing radiation on the whole body or in the head and neck;
• participation in the liquidation of a radiation catastrophe (for example, in Chernobyl);
• cases of malignant tumors in the thyroid gland in the patient's relatives.

That is, the appearance of large nodes, especially with provoking factors, should cause a thyroid puncture.

But first it will be necessary to conduct a series of tests to determine the level of thyroid hormones, an ultrasound examination of this organ.

If there are significant changes, then the doctor will prescribe a puncture of the thyroid gland.

Why are nodes in this organ dangerous?

Every fortieth man and every fifteenth woman has small thyroid nodules.

Moreover, the greater the age of a person, the greater the likelihood of nodes. Why are they dangerous?

First of all, they grow, which means they interfere with the organs that are next to the thyroid gland. That is, they squeeze the trachea, esophagus, nerves that are located near the thyroid gland.

As a result of such transformations, the following symptoms occur, which constantly appear and disturb:

• breathing difficulties;
• swallowing problems;
• sensation of a lump in the throat;
• drowsiness;
• weakness;
• excessive fatigue;
• difficulties with pronunciation of words;
• mood swings;
• a sharp jump in weight - an increase or decrease;
• increased sweating.

The reason for the appearance of nodes may be a lack of iodine, which enters the body.

It is necessary for the normal production of thyroid hormones. If it is not enough, then the production of hormones decreases.

At the same time, the thyroid gland tries to make up for the lack of hormones and takes iodine from the blood. An important organ works very actively, a goiter occurs. But not all iron works so actively. In some areas, vasodilation occurs, this leads to tissue density, so a knot is formed.

In addition to a lack of iodine, poor ecology, radiation, and hereditary predisposition also lead to the formation of nodes. That is, various factors can influence the occurrence of this pathology.

Even frequent stress and regular hypothermia can give impetus to the malfunction of the thyroid gland and, in particular, to the formation of a node or nodes.

If the nodule is small and at the same time the thyroid gland functions normally, produces the required number of necessary hormones, this is not dangerous to health. You just need to observe the patient.

If there are many nodes or they grow, the thyroid gland may not work properly, hormones are produced in too large or very small quantities, naturally, this leads to various diseases.

And the most dangerous is thyroid cancer. Therefore, the puncture of the nodes is necessary.

How is this manipulation going?

Thyroid puncture is not a very complicated diagnostic procedure if performed by a qualified and experienced doctor.

The essence of the procedure is to guide the syringe needle into the gland node and draw its contents into the syringe through the needle.

After that, the material is sent for research, which will determine which cells are contained in the node. And determine whether the node is dangerous or not.

It is not necessary to prepare for this manipulation. No special exercises or diet required.

But psychological preparation may be needed. If the patient is afraid of the procedure, the doctor should tell about the upcoming manipulation in more detail and reassure the patient.

Here's how the procedure goes:

1. The patient should lie on the couch with a pillow under his head.
2. The specialist finds the node by palpation.
3. The patient should swallow the saliva as many times as the doctor says.
4. The doctor inserts a needle into the thyroid gland (it is very thin).
5. He draws the contents of the node into the syringe.
6. The specialist removes the needle, applies the material to the glass.
7. The doctor seals the puncture site.

Usually, a specialist makes not one, but several injections in different parts of the node. This helps to get material from different places, it is more informative.

The procedure is carried out under the control of an ultrasound machine, as it requires accuracy.

After the procedure, after ten minutes, the patient can go home. You can go in for sports, take a shower only a few hours after the puncture.

Preparation and procedure lasts about twenty minutes, and the biopsy itself takes about five minutes.

Usually patients are concerned about the question - does it hurt to do a puncture? Anesthesia during this manipulation is not required, the sensations are the same as with any conventional injection.

What are the consequences of a thyroid puncture?

This procedure is usually well tolerated. The possible consequences are minimal if the puncture is taken by a highly qualified specialist.

However, the following unpleasant consequences may occur:

• hematoma formation;
• dizziness after the procedure;
• temperature rise to 37 degrees;
• symptoms of thyrotoxicosis;
• the appearance of a cough;
• laryngospasm;
• nerve damage in the larynx.

As for the hematoma, although control with the help of an ultrasound diagnostic device helps to avoid damage to large vessels, it is almost impossible not to touch small capillaries and vessels.

The hematoma usually resolves fairly quickly and does not cause much inconvenience.

Dizziness can occur in the presence of cervical osteochondrosis. Very impressionable patients are also susceptible to this.

To avoid this problem, getting up from the couch after this manipulation should be done carefully, slowly and smoothly. Before lifting, it is advisable to lie down for 15 minutes.

It is a sharp rise that can provoke dizziness. The patient must first be warned about this feature.

Body temperature rises quite rarely. It can rise by the evening of the day when the thyroid node was punctured.

The temperature can rise to thirty-seven degrees or a little higher.

Such an increase does not cause a serious danger. However, if the temperature persists even the next day, it is better to consult a specialist.

Tachycardia, sweating of the palms, severe psychological discomfort - all this can arise due to a strong fear of complex manipulation. That is, there will be symptoms of thyrotoxicosis.

Do not pay attention to them, they are not a manifestation of the disease.

The specialist must first talk with the patient, help him overcome fear and properly tune in to the procedure.

Cough after the procedure can occur if the thyroid gland is close to the trachea.

This cough is usually short-lived and disappears without additional help in a very short time.

In extremely rare cases, the laryngeal nerve may be damaged or laryngospasm may begin.

In such cases, the specialist will take all necessary measures to get rid of such undesirable consequences.

What complications can occur after a thyroid biopsy?

Although this procedure is not too complicated, but if it is performed by an insufficiently experienced specialist, some complications are possible.

When they appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.
These include:

• puncture of the trachea;
• infection in the thyroid gland;
• heavy bleeding;
• significant swelling at the puncture site;
• severe fever;
• swallowing dysfunction.

A puncture of the trachea can lead to a coughing fit. To stop it, the specialist must remove the needle.

The procedure will need to be rescheduled for another time.

This can happen due to the inexperience of the doctor or the patient's incorrect behavior (if he does not remain completely immobile).

To avoid such a complication, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions of a specialist and not move during the manipulation.

With insufficiently sterile processing of the syringe for taking a puncture, infection is possible. This leads to swelling, soreness, redness, inflammation at the puncture site.

In this case, you should immediately contact a specialist, he will immediately begin treatment.

It is easier to remove inflammation if it is just beginning. And if you delay the treatment process, serious health problems are possible.

If there is heavy bleeding in the puncture area, this means that the doctor has hit a large blood vessel with a needle. This complication usually occurs immediately during the procedure.

Therefore, the doctor will immediately take the necessary measures. Of course, bleeding is a rare complication, because thyroid puncture manipulations are carried out under the control of an ultrasound machine.

Severe fever may occur due to infection.

Therefore, if the next day after the biopsy procedure, this problem is still bothering, you should immediately seek help from a specialist.

As for the dysfunction of swallowing, there can only be slight discomfort, which can be easily eliminated with special lozenges. If the discomfort persists, then only a doctor will help.

What else can disturb after the puncture?

The following unpleasant symptoms may appear:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• dizziness;
• weakness and loss of strength.

But in general, all these signs pass quickly and do not bother after a couple of days.

The wound heals in three to four days, it may itch a little, which indicates tissue healing, this is absolutely normal.

Contraindications for this procedure

Not everyone and not always can carry out this manipulation. Puncture of the thyroid nodule has no direct contraindications.

However, in practice, the procedure is not carried out with the following pathologies:

• mental illness;
• impaired blood clotting;
• patient refusal;
• certain age;
• tumors of the mammary glands;
• numerous operations performed;
• node size more than 3.5 cm;
• diseases with impaired permeability of the vascular wall.

Naturally, in case of violations of blood clotting, it is problematic to carry out such a procedure, as well as other similar manipulations, because severe bleeding can occur.

If the patient is a small child, then the procedure can only be done with the use of anesthesia, and this is also not always possible.

In addition, in case of arrhythmia, tachycardia or hypertensive crisis on the day of the biopsy, the manipulation can be postponed or carried out only after the admission of a specialist.

Thyroid Puncture Results

Research results may vary.
Based on the analysis of the content, a conclusion is made about the nature of the node, it can be:

• malignant (oncology);
• benign.

The result is also intermediate (non-informative).

Naturally, if the result is not informative, you will have to re-analyze - to do a puncture. And if the result gave all the necessary information, an additional study of the thyroid gland is not necessary.

A benign result usually indicates the development of nodular goiter and various types of thyroiditis. Naturally, the main tactic is to monitor the patient's health status.

If the node is colloidal, then most often it does not develop into oncology. That is, it is necessary to regularly take tests for thyroid hormones and be examined by an endocrinologist. At least once a year.

The intermediate result is follicular neoplasia. Most often, it is a benign formation, but it can also be malignant.

With this result, this organ is usually removed, and the material is sent for histological examination. This will require taking thyroid hormones so that hypothyroidism does not develop.

The malignant result is thyroid cancer. Naturally, in this case, the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland is required.

It all depends on the specific type of neoplasm, as well as on the analyzes and decision of the specialist.

But in any case, surgery is necessary.

After surgery, replacement therapy is usually prescribed, that is, the patient must take certain hormones so that the quality of life does not deteriorate.

Thyroid puncture is a simple procedure, but it must be performed by a highly qualified and very experienced specialist.

After all, it must be carried out very accurately, the slightest violation of the rules of conduct, and serious complications are possible.

In addition, the reliability of the results of the analysis depends on the correctness of the procedure.

In any case, if there are indications, the procedure must be carried out, and then follow the instructions of the doctor.

This will help avoid serious health problems.

Source: https://EndokrinnayaSistema.ru/shhitovidnaya-zheleza/diagnostika/punkciya-shhitovidnoj-zhelezy.html

Puncture of the thyroid gland: indications and consequences

The more and faster the world of technology improves, the less people pay attention to their own health.

The thyroid gland, although it is a small organ in the body, it performs a very important function. The production of hormones is involved in metabolic processes, growth and development of the body.

Puncture of the thyroid gland is prescribed for suspected cancer or other neoplasms. There are indications and consequences here.

This procedure - a biopsy - is necessary in the diagnosis of the thyroid gland. Usually it is painless. However, there are cases when the puncture causes discomfort, moreover, complications that threaten a person with death.

A biopsy of the thyroid gland reveals the disease, as well as understand the nature of its course. Thyroid nodules are considered the most common disease of the modern age.

In 5-7% of cases, their appearance is malignant, in the rest - benign. In any case, treatment is carried out, but it is prescribed for what the disease is.

The nature of the disease helps to determine the puncture of the thyroid gland.

The endocrine cells that are taken during the biopsy are examined under a microscope. The procedure itself is performed by a surgeon using ultrasound.

When is a puncture necessary?

What situations may trigger a thyroid biopsy? Not every person needs a puncture. Moreover, it is prescribed after an ultrasound of the thyroid gland is performed, the data of which show the presence of nodes, possibly of a malignant nature.

Not every thyroid problem forces doctors to do a puncture. A biopsy is done if the nodule is larger than 1 cm (10 mm) in diameter. If a person has sick relatives or he himself has already undergone irradiation of the thyroid gland, then a puncture is prescribed with a diameter of less than 1 cm.

The essence of the study is the use of ultrasound equipment and a special thin needle that is inserted into the thyroid gland in order to partially extract the tissue. Then it is examined under a microscope, revealing the nature of the disease.

Number of punctures:

• With a tumor diameter of up to 1 cm - one puncture.
• With a diameter of more than 1 cm - several punctures.

The procedure takes about 15 minutes, of which 3-4 minutes is the extraction of the tissue itself.

The biopsy is usually painless, but may be uncomfortable.

Everything is carried out under ultrasound, since there are many blood vessels in the thyroid gland. Any mistake can lead to bad consequences.

As the site zheleza.com has already indicated, any appearance of a node in the thyroid gland forces a biopsy. The puncture is assigned in such cases:

1. The node in diameter exceeds 5 mm.
2. The presence of a single node that does not accumulate radioactive iodine.
3. The appearance of metastatic nodes.
4. The presence of multiple nodes.
5. A cyst appeared.
6. There are signs of cancer.
7. The patient complains of pain that occurs during palpation of the lymph nodes in the neck or thyroid gland.

Before the biopsy, a detailed blood test is done. Other indications for puncture are:

• There is active blood flow inside the node.
• The neoplasm is located in the isthmus of the thyroid gland.
• The patient had a family history of thyroid cancer.
• On the side of the node, the lymph nodes are enlarged.
• The neoplasm does not have a clear capsule.
• The patient has cancer.
• In the node, heterogeneous contents, calcifications are observed.
• The patient had previously been in areas of radioactive contamination.

Many doctors agree that nodules up to 1 cm in diameter do not require a biopsy. If the patient has a rapid growth of nodes (up to 5 mm in 6 months), then a puncture of the thyroid gland is sometimes prescribed several times.

Not only the appearance of nodes can force doctors to perform a puncture. Other reasons for a biopsy are:

1. Thyroiditis - subacute, painless or chronic autoimmune.
2. Goiter - toxic, diffuse.
3. Recurrence of adenoma, goiter or tumor.

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Contraindications for thyroid puncture

Puncture of the thyroid gland has its own contraindications. They are as follows:

• Not available for patients who have had multiple surgeries.
• Not available for persons with a mental disorder.
• Not for patients with low blood clotting.
• It is not carried out with the size of the neoplasm above 35 mm.

If there are no contraindications, then the patient is assigned a biopsy. It is performed by the surgeon under the ultrasound screen in order to clearly get to the puncture site.

Blindly, the procedure is not carried out, since in this case irreversible consequences are possible.

The patient takes a horizontal position, opening the collar zone.

A 10-20 ml syringe with a thin needle is used to reduce pain. Before inserting the needle, the neck is treated with an antiseptic.

The needle is inserted exactly into the node from which the biomaterial is taken. The accuracy of the hit allows the procedure to be carried out without blood sampling.

The needle is removed, and the biomaterial is transferred to a special glass to conduct laboratory tests.

The procedure can be carried out 2-3 times if there are several nodes. Preparation and taking of the puncture takes 3-5 minutes. Usually pain medication is not used.

A cream containing lidocaine may be applied to the skin to reduce the sensation. If the results are uninformative, then an additional biopsy is performed.

• A sedative can be taken 2 days before the puncture.
• After the procedure, the puncture is closed with adhesive tape, and after 5-10 minutes you can go about your business.
• A couple of hours after the biopsy, you can take a bath, play sports.
• For pain after the puncture, apply cotton wool soaked in an alcohol solution to the puncture.
• If after the procedure it hurts to turn your head, you should consult a doctor. It will be necessary to take the correct position under the manipulations of the doctor.
• To prevent dizziness, it is recommended to lie down.

All patients experience different sensations after thyroid puncture. Someone returns home in a day and goes about their business, while someone experiences pain for a few more days.

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What are the consequences of thyroid puncture?

As with any therapeutic procedure, thyroid puncture can have consequences. It depends on the professionalism of the doctor, and on the individual characteristics and health of the patient. Common side effects of this procedure are:

1. The appearance of hematomas of varying degrees. Since the needle penetrates past the blood vessels into the thyroid gland, it is not uncommon for them to touch. Despite the fact that everything happens using ultrasound, it is sometimes impossible to avoid punctures due to the individual structure of the circulatory system. This leads to bleeding. Pain can be relieved by applying a cotton swab.
2. Temperature increase. The mark does not exceed 37 degrees. This temperature drops after a day and does not threaten a person.
3. Cough. It occurs after a puncture if the node from which the material was taken is close to the trachea. It can also cause pain when swallowing. Symptoms usually go away on their own after a few days.
4. Dizziness, fainting. This happens in two cases: with osteochondrosis of the cervical region and with high susceptibility. In the first case, after 10-20 minutes after the procedure, you should smoothly take a vertical position. In the second case, it is permissible to take sedatives before the puncture of the thyroid gland.
5. Thyrotoxicosis is a psychological phenomenon that manifests itself in panic fear, sweaty palms, palpitations, and anxiety. This is removed due to a clear explanation of how the procedure will be carried out, as well as answers to all questions that concern the patient.

There may be more complex consequences that threaten a person's life. In this case, he should spend several days under the supervision of doctors. These complications are:

• Heavy bleeding from the puncture area that does not stop.
• The formation of a tumor in the puncture zone.
• Painful or impossible to swallow.
• There are signs of infection.
• The temperature rises above 38 degrees, which is accompanied by fever and chills.
• Enlargement of lymph nodes, which is noticeable to the naked eye.
• Inflammation of the puncture site.
• Hemorrhages under the skin, inside the node or under the capsule of the gland. Usually the blood is quickly absorbed and the pain goes away.
• Transient paresis of the th ligament.
• Decreased heart rate.
• Laryngospasm.
• Phlebitis.
• Puncture of the trachea.
• Damage to the laryngeal nerve.

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Forecast

Puncture of the thyroid gland is a safe measure, despite all the negative consequences that sometimes occur.

However, they are rare, as only qualified doctors are allowed to perform the procedure.

The prognosis is satisfactory, since the result of the research is achieved - the detection of cancer, the determination of the nature of the disease, the appointment of the correct treatment.

The procedure takes little time and is mostly painless. In this case, the doctor's manipulations and the individual characteristics of the patient's body play an important role.

It should be understood that this procedure cannot guarantee the accuracy of the diagnosis, despite its technology and uniqueness.

If the doctor is suspicious about the results, then it may be necessary to repeat the thyroid biopsy or order other tests.

Puncture of the thyroid gland does not affect life expectancy, but it helps to identify diseases that raise the question: how long do people live with this disease?

Source: http://zheleza.com/punkciya-shhitovidnoj-zhelezy

Puncture of the thyroid gland: is there a danger and why do it

To diagnose any problems in the work of organs, a qualitative examination is necessary.

Superficial studies, such as general tests, hormone tests, and even ultrasound, do not always cope with this task.

Examination of thyroid problems often includes an analysis such as thyroid puncture. What does such an analysis give and should we be afraid of it?

What for in general to do or make a puncture?

A puncture of the thyroid gland, otherwise this examination is also called a fine needle biopsy, is necessary to obtain the most accurate data on the state of the thyroid gland. Namely, an unmistakable diagnosis guarantees effective treatment. Does it make sense to try different types of treatment when you can only do one analysis?

A fine-needle biopsy is prescribed to examine only the thyroid gland and mammary glands. This is due to the structural features of these organs.

Both of these glands have a highly developed circulatory system, and the puncture of a conventional needle for tissue sampling during insertion can touch the vessels, which will greatly "smear" the result of the examination.

In addition, the occurrence of hematomas and bleeding is excluded.

Tumors in the thyroid gland can be benign or malignant. From their character, treatment will be prescribed, and erroneous treatment will cause incredible harm to the body and the consequences will be terrifying. The results of the study will dispel all doubts.

What is this analysis?

Puncture of the thyroid nodule, although it sounds scary, is actually a very simple procedure and is not at all dangerous.

What is a puncture? An incredibly thin needle is inserted into the knot, which captures part of the tissue needed for the study.

It is the tissue particles that can show what the patient's problem is and what is needed to improve the functioning of the thyroid gland.

For the accuracy of tissue sampling, the procedure is carried out under ultrasound control.

The doctor observes the accuracy of the movement of the needle, and the puncture itself is made as close as possible to the sampling site.

This eliminates any danger and the slightest likelihood of complications. If the formation is large (more than 1 cm), then the puncture will be not one, but several.

Many are tormented by the question, does it hurt to do a puncture? It all depends on the personal threshold of sensitivity, but it feels like a puncture differs little from taking blood from a vein.

Unpleasant sensations occur only when the needle is inserted. Before the puncture there are no special recommendations. The whole procedure will not take more than 40 minutes, regardless of the size of the site.

The results of the thyroid puncture will be known in a few days.

According to the study of tissues, it will be known whether the formation in the thyroid gland is benign, malignant, or has an intermediate stage.

In exceptional cases, fabrics may be non-informative.

For the latter option, it will be necessary to carry out the entire procedure again in order to still understand the nature of education.

With the formation of a benign character, it is recommended to repeat the examination at least once a year.

Malignant tumors are almost always treatable, so do not despair of the diagnosis.

Indications for puncture

Puncture of the thyroid gland is necessary to clarify certain concerns, and ultrasound examination left gaps. This is the only analysis that allows you to study the structure of tissues. And he is assigned:

• In the presence of cystic formations on the thyroid gland;
• If malignant tumors are suspected;
• When nodes are found on ultrasound;
• With ambiguous images on ultrasound;
• When finding "suspicious" seals and knots by palpation;

Does the puncture have contraindications? Yes. You can not do the procedure if:

• The patient is very tiny;
• The patient has a bleeding disorder;
• On the thyroid gland, formations of more than 3 centimeters;
• The subject was found to have mental disorders;
• Repeated surgical interventions have already been performed;
• A woman has tumors in the mammary glands;
• The patient himself refused the examination.

With any suspicion of education, it is still advisable to puncture the thyroid gland.

Are there consequences?

After a puncture, there are rarely any complications, if you trust a good diagnostician. So it is worth thinking carefully about where to do the analysis. The absence of complications will be due precisely to the professionalism of the diagnostician.

Infrequently, puncture of the thyroid gland provokes such complications:

• The puncture site itself and the neck hurt;
• With osteochondrosis, the head may feel dizzy with a sharp rise in the body;
• Can hurt the cervical vertebrae;
• Sometimes minor hematomas appear at the puncture site.

There are no horrifying consequences from the procedure, and they cannot become a problem or provoke it.

A common misconception that a violation of the integrity of a benign formation can provoke its transition to cancer has never been confirmed by doctors.

The procedure is so simple that it does not even require anesthesia!

Conclusion

After the puncture, it will become known exactly what type of treatment the patient needs, and this is the most important stage of treatment.

It is better to “panic” and make accurate tests for the nature of the formation than to skip the stage when the treatment will be effective and the body will not weaken.

The treatment of any disease is more effective and easier when the body does not need to maintain a level of vitality, and it is able to devote its strength to eliminating one specific threat.

Moreover, the early stages of malignant tumors can be treated with medication, but the later stages cannot be removed without the magic of the surgeon. Don't forget to support your body in the form of a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition and sports.

Source: http://myzhelezy.ru/endokrinnye/shhitovidnaya-zheleza/punktsiya-shhitovidnoj-zhelezy.html

How to take a thyroid puncture: important information for the patient

Before the examination, it is important to find out all the details of the upcoming procedure.

The detected nodule in the thyroid gland is a frequent indication for puncture. It is important for the doctor to determine the morphological structure of the formation and make sure that it is not of a malignant nature.

Despite the frequency of this procedure, patients always have a lot of questions. How to take a puncture of the thyroid gland: let's try to figure it out with the help of a detailed description, photo and video in this article.

What is a puncture: medical facts

Puncture of the thyroid gland is a percutaneous sampling of biological material for further morphological and histological examination. The procedure is the most reliable method for diagnosing malignant neoplasms.

Note! According to statistics, about half of the population of our planet over 50 years of age have nodules in the thyroid gland. With age, this figure only increases.

93-95% of these neoplasms do not pose a threat to the life and health of the patient and need only regular monitoring.

The remaining 5-7% are of a malignant nature: their early detection and treatment remain a priority in modern oncology.

Not all thyroid nodules can be felt

Unfortunately, "by eye", with the help of a visual examination of the neck and palpation, it is impossible to determine what the nature of the node in the thyroid gland is.

Even with the help of ultrasound of the thyroid gland, according to the characteristic fuzziness of the boundaries of the formation and the heterogeneity of its internal structure, an oncological disease is only assumed, and a diagnosis of cancer can only be made after a puncture.

So what is this procedure? In simple words, an oncologist, using a thin and long needle, pierces a tumor node through the skin of the neck and collects its cells.

The resulting biomaterial is delivered to the laboratory, where, after special preparation, it is sent under a microscope. With the help of a morphological study, a cytologist can determine what type of cells a neoplasm consists of, and therefore, confirm or refute cancer.

Indications for the procedure

Of course, far from all nodes are punctured: most of them do not bother their owners in any way and may even be undiagnosed throughout life.

The procedure is resorted to when the tumor is diagnosed by palpation (sometimes the only complaint in a person is a small nodule that he felt on his neck with his own hands) + ultrasound, and the doctor needs an additional diagnostic method. The medical instruction prescribes a puncture in five cases.

Table: Indications for thyroid puncture:

A large thyroid nodule always requires a biopsy.

What the patient needs to know

There is no specific preparation for thyroid puncture.

The doctor must explain in detail what was the indication for the appointment of this diagnostic test, how the procedure will be carried out, and what consequences it can lead to.

If the patient is overly anxious, a mild sedative may be prescribed the day before.

Procedure algorithm

The diagnostic test is performed by an oncologist, usually on an outpatient basis. How to prepare for a thyroid puncture, we discussed above.

A puncture today is a safe and effective procedure that causes a person minimal discomfort:

1. The diameter of the puncture needle is small - 23-21G, which corresponds to 0.64-0.82 mm. Puncture with such needles (it is called fine-needle) not only reduces pain, but also improves the quality of the biomaterial - there is practically no blood from damaged vessels in it.
2. Since the discomfort from a puncture is similar to a regular injection, the procedure is performed without anesthesia.
3. The doctor punctures the node under ultrasound control: this allows for greater accuracy of the study than with palpation control of the formation.
4. If necessary, several nodes can be punctured at once (with different needles).
5. The duration of the puncture does not exceed 3-5 minutes.

For an experienced doctor, puncture of the thyroid node is not difficult

Note! Patients with a low pain threshold can use local anesthetics, such as Emla topical cream based on lidocaine and prilocaine, to minimize the discomfort of the puncture. By agreement with the doctor, the product is applied to the skin of the neck (it is possible under the film) 1 hour before the procedure.

On the day of the study, it is better to refuse a rich breakfast so as not to cause an attack of nausea. But limiting yourself in food completely is also not recommended.

After a second examination and filling out medical documentation, the doctor proceeds to puncture the node. The patient lies on a couch with his head tilted back slightly to allow access to the thyroid gland.

The procedure has several successive steps:

• treatment of the skin of the neck with an antiseptic solution;
• skin puncture and penetration of the puncture needle into the node (under ultrasound control);
• sampling of biological material (usually 1-3 ml) into a syringe;
• removing the needle;
• application of an aseptic bandage (plaster).

Important! On the same day, the resulting biomaterial is sent to the laboratory for further diagnostic testing. As a rule, the patient receives the result within 1-2 days after the procedure.

The average price of a thyroid gland puncture with histology is 2500 rubles.

Recommendations for patients undergoing fine needle biopsy

Most patients tolerate thyroid puncture well and do not need to remain in the hospital under observation. Since the procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance, the risk of damage to neighboring organs and blood vessels is minimal.

Immediately after the puncture, the person can go home. On the same day, you can remove the aseptic bandage, take a shower and lead a normal life.

Evaluation of results

After microscopy of the dried and stained material, the doctor can make the following medical conclusion:

• benign neoplasm (colloidal goiter, nodular goiter with thyrotoxicosis, AIT);
• malignant formation (thyroid cancer - follicular, papillary, medullary);
• intermediate result (follicular neoplasia);
• non-informative result (small amount of obtained biomaterial, presence of blood in the sample, etc.).

A benign node in the thyroid gland, as a rule, does not pose a danger to the life and health of the patient and requires only annual monitoring.

When thyroid cancer and follicular neoplasia are detected, surgical treatment is recommended with additional radio-beam and drug therapy (according to indications).

An uninformative result is an indication for re-puncture.

The algorithm of the doctor's action when receiving a non-informative result

To date, thyroid puncture remains the standard for examining nodes: preparation for this diagnostic test is not required, and the results remain among the most reliable. With the help of the procedure, it is possible to detect a malignant formation at an early stage and start treatment in a timely manner.

Puncture of the thyroid gland is done after a medical examination by an endocrinologist and ultrasound diagnostics, during which a neoplasm larger than 1 cm was found. This minimally invasive surgical intervention aims to obtain a tissue sample for cytological examination. The reason for it may be a suspicion of a malignant neoplasm.

Types of puncture and the scheme of its implementation

There are several types of biopsy, but a fine-needle biopsy is usually done. This procedure is characterized by the fact that the endocrinologist uses a needle with a minimum diameter. It does not bring any discomfort to the patient, so anesthesia is not used during the biopsy. All manipulations must be carried out under ultrasound control. The task of the oncologist is to obtain tumor cells from the patient, and not the thyroid gland itself.

Cells extracted from the neoplasm are sent to the laboratory. During the cytological analysis of the biopsy, specialists determine whether the material obtained is malignant or not. If the number of cells taken during a fine-needle biopsy is not enough to make an accurate diagnosis, the endocrinologist prescribes a histobiopsy to the patient.

During it, the specialist acts on the affected area with a larger diameter needle and can obtain a larger area of ​​tissue for cytology. This manipulation can be more painful, so it is performed under local anesthesia.

Indications for a biopsy and preparation for it

A biopsy of any type is prescribed only after a complete examination. Suspicions may arise:

seals;

cysts and other pathologies.

The most risky groups include patients younger than 20 and older than 60, people with a hereditary predisposition to cancer, women who have been diagnosed with tumors of the breast or appendages. Do not perform a puncture if the patient has:

Poor blood clotting

acute vascular lesions (history);

· mental illness.

Complications after thyroid puncture

Not always the puncture of the thyroid gland passes for the patient without consequences. This procedure does not require any special preparation on the part of the patient himself, but the technology must be highly accurate. The patient lies on his back. A high roller is placed under his head. It is impossible to swallow throughout the entire procedure so that the thyroid gland does not move and the needle hits exactly the neoplasm.

With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the patient may experience slight dizziness after the puncture. There may also be minor bruising at the puncture sites. They will pass quickly, and you should not worry about this. Possible complications after thyroid puncture include infection of the wound in case of insufficiently careful treatment of the skin surface.

In this case, acute thyroiditis, or inflammation of the gland, sometimes occurs. There are several types of this disease:

Diffuse and focal;

Purulent and non-purulent thyroiditis.

Inflammation develops gradually, but "declares" itself sharply, overnight. The patient suddenly begins to feel severe pain in the thyroid gland and the entire throat. It can be projected onto the lateral surfaces of the neck and even the spine.

In extreme cases, the intense pain makes it impossible for the person to turn their head to the side. If this happens after a puncture, you need to know that infectious inflammation is manifested in this way. The patient himself does not need to take any action. Urgently address to the doctor!

Despite the introduction into medical practice of new methods for diagnosing thyroid diseases, puncture (puncture biopsy) remains an indispensable research method. Subject to the rules of the procedure, the procedure is safe for the patient, and its result is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis. It allows you to choose the tactics of treating the identified disease and control this process.

What does a thyroid puncture show?

Puncture (fine-needle aspiration biopsy) of the thyroid gland allows you to get the cells of the pathological focus, detected during an ultrasound scan of the organs of the anterior surface of the neck, and examine them under a microscope. This diagnostic method reveals and makes it possible to study the structure of the nodes in which the cells of the epithelium of the thyroid gland have undergone transformation into cancerous ones.

The puncture itself is a layer-by-layer puncture of the skin of the anterior surface of the neck, subcutaneous fat and thyroid tissue, carried out under ultrasound control. When performing a study, the doctor has the opportunity to detect suspicious areas of the tissue of this endocrine organ and obtain material from the desired area.

Main advantages and disadvantages of analysis

The main advantages of the FAB method (fine needle aspiration biopsy) include:

1. Availability. To perform the procedure, only an endocrinologist with experience in performing this diagnostic manipulation, an ultrasound machine with a sensor for examining the neck organs, an aspiration needle and a syringe are needed.
2. Relative cheapness. The method does not involve the use of expensive equipment and consumables.
3. The speed of the study. Viewing slides with prepared cytological preparations does not require significant time.
4. Possibility to check the result. Slides can be stored under normal conditions for an almost unlimited time.

That is why fine needle aspiration biopsy remains an important screening method for examining patients when nodular neoplasms are detected in the thyroid tissue. The result of the analysis makes it possible to identify the early stages of thyroid cancer and to carry out timely treatment of this formidable disease.

Screening is an affordable examination of a large number of patients.

However, there are significant disadvantages of this method, which include:

1. False-negative study results. If the established methodology is not followed, tumor fragments may not get into the resulting aspirate, so the procedure shows the absence of malignant cells, and the start of therapy is delayed.
2. development of complications. A hematoma may occur at the site of TAB (as a result of bleeding from a damaged vessel of small diameter), as well as suppuration if asepsis rules are not followed during medical procedures.

The use of fine needles for biopsy reduces the likelihood of pain during the procedure, so there is no need for anesthesia (local or general). Currently, pain relief using creams or sprays containing local anesthetics (Lidocaine, Xylocaine, etc.) is used during diagnostic puncture in children.

When can thyroid puncture be done?

Despite the frequent detection of nodular neoplasms in the tissue of the thyroid gland, there are clear indications for an aspiration biopsy:

1. Detection during palpation of the neck or ultrasound diagnosis of nodular neoplasms, the diameter of which exceeds 1 cm.
2. If the size of the identified pathological focus is less than 1 cm, then the procedure is recommended to patients in the following cases:
   • work associated with ionizing radiation, or living in areas that have been exposed to radiation;
   • hereditary predisposition - experts have proven that thyroid cancer is often diagnosed in members of the same family;
   • detection by ultrasound of calcifications or a node with obvious signs of malignant degeneration of tissues, that is, fuzzy contours, uneven increase in blood flow.

Pathology is detected in 50% of patients at the age of 40, and even more often in older age groups.

Contraindications to puncture biopsy are relative - endocrinologists recommend that women refrain from performing the procedure during or on the eve of menstruation. If a patient has been diagnosed with disorders of the blood coagulation system, then TAB is performed after their correction. It is not recommended to do a puncture for SARS or other infectious diseases.

The safety of the procedure is also proved by the fact that a biopsy is possible even in children of a very early age, as well as during pregnancy and lactation.

How to prepare for the procedure

No special preparation is required for a needle biopsy of the thyroid gland. Therefore, the patient does not need to limit himself in taking food and liquids. Nevertheless, experts recommend reducing physical activity (just give up training on the eve of the puncture).

To study the structure of thyroid tissue, it does not matter at what time of day the diagnostic manipulation is performed (this TAB is fundamentally different from the study of the level of thyroid hormones, which should be performed between 8 and 10 hours). If the patient shows signs of increased anxiety, then the endocrinologist prescribes sedative preparations made from plant materials (valerian root extract, Novo-passit, Persen).

Features of the

An important condition for the correct implementation of the diagnostic procedure is visual control, carried out using a sonographic sensor. The only exception to this rule is the nodes of a very large size, determined by palpation of the neck, but in this case, ultrasound control allows the endocrinologist to choose the best places for TAB.

If the puncture is performed correctly, the cells of the connective tissue capsule of the organ and the glandular colloidal epithelium responsible for the production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine should get into the aspiration material. Therefore, the correct position of the patient's body becomes an important condition for the accuracy of the result. To achieve maximum extension of the neck, it is necessary to place a special roller under the patient's shoulders. To prevent complications of a biopsy, treatment of the skin with an antiseptic and a small pressure bandage applied to the injection site of the needle (it can be replaced by fixing a gauze swab with a finger) will help.

The whole process is controlled on the monitor of the ultrasound machine - first, the zones of changes in the tissues of the thyroid gland, the number of pathological foci, and the features of their structure are determined. Then, in turn, the biopsy needle is inserted into each pathological formation, the size of which exceeds 1 cm.

Upon receipt, the aspirate from each punctured formation is applied to a separate glass slide.

Puncture of the thyroid gland under ultrasound control - video

Frequent complications and dangerous consequences

Statistics prove that the most common complications of puncture biopsy are:

1. Subcutaneous hematoma at the injection site. To reduce the likelihood of its formation for a biopsy, a needle with a minimum diameter is used, and it is also recommended that the patient press on the swab applied to the puncture site for several minutes.
2. Sore throat (injection area). Its appearance is prevented by applying to the skin drugs that have a local anesthetic effect.
3. Temperature increase. Endocrinologists explain this both by the general reaction of the body (manifested by short-term episodes, goes away on its own), and by the development of the inflammatory process at the injection site. For prevention, it is recommended to treat the puncture site with antiseptic solutions and limit the intervention area with special sterile wipes.

You can often hear the opinion of people who are far from medicine that performing TAB increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer. This position is wrong. On the contrary, performing a puncture of the thyroid gland makes it possible to timely detect cancer in the early stages and carry out surgical and conservative treatment of a potentially dangerous disease.

The endocrinologist appoints control studies as needed. If there is no pronounced negative dynamics in the development of the disease, then it is enough to perform a puncture biopsy once every 12 months.

Deciphering the results after the study

The result of cytology, which describes:

• which cells are found in the aspirate, their ratio and structural features;
• whether pathological changes were detected.

The cytologist certifies the received data with his signature. In conclusion, the doctor indicates what percentage of the taken material is colloidal epithelial cells (tissue that produces hormones), whether there are cells with signs of malignant transformation or cancer. In addition, it describes the structure of the connective tissue membrane of the organ, the presence of pathological inclusions in it (hemorrhages, deposition of calcium salts, etc.)

Depending on this, a conclusion is made whether the node is a benign or malignant neoplasm (with the definition of the type of thyroid cancer). If the cytologist has doubts about the result, then this fact is also reflected in the document, recommending a second biopsy. The endocrinologist who observes the patient should make the final diagnosis, taking into account the clinical picture of the disease and the results of the puncture biopsy, and recommend further treatment tactics.

Disorders of the functioning of the thyroid gland occupy a leading position in diseases of the organs of internal secretion. The main feature of the states is that most of them do not have clear, independent manifestations. An exception is goiter or an increase in the size of the thyroid gland. The most accurate and common method for diagnosing neoplasms is puncture.

If neoplasms are detected during an ultrasound examination, the endocrinologist decides to refer the patient for additional diagnostics. To examine the node for the development of the oncological process, a biopsy is used. This method consists in taking a small amount of organ tissue. To obtain the material, a puncture of the thyroid gland is performed.

Where can I get tested and how much does it cost?

For testing, you should contact a specialized clinic. Here the patient is examined by an oncologist, the neck is especially carefully examined. Only after this is the selection of cells for examination. The final cost is determined by a whole range of components:

• the number of medical consultations, their complexity;
• the use of ultrasound guidance in order to make a puncture in the required place;
• getting advice.

The qualifications of the specialists of the medical institution, as well as the technical equipment of the clinic, are also important. On average, a thyroid puncture can be done for 2000-3000 rubles.

A few words about preparation

Puncture of the thyroid gland is a procedure that does not require special preparation on the part of the patient. It is enough to follow the rules of personal hygiene, and during the manipulation strictly follow the instructions of the doctor.

Before starting the procedure, the patient is placed on his back. To maintain the position of the head, a roller is used, which lies under the shoulders. The head is thrown back. One of the difficult and unpleasant moments of the procedure is that the patient is forbidden to swallow - this eliminates the possibility that the needle will slip out. Anesthesia of the punctured area is not performed, since there are no nerve endings in the area of ​​the procedure.

Features of the procedure

How is a puncture done? The procedure involves a sequence of such actions:

• The doctor, using an ultrasound sensor, determines the exact location of the node.
• With the help of a thin needle, a puncture is made through which a small amount of the contents of the neoplasm is drawn into the syringe.

The absence of an item on anesthesia in the list of manipulations performed by the doctor is the best answer to the question of whether it hurts when the analysis is done.

About the results

After the puncture of the thyroid gland node is completed, the cytologist begins to study the material taken. The contents of the syringe are carefully applied to a glass slide and stained with a special composition. The slide is then placed under the microscope.

The results of a thyroid puncture are most often recorded as follows:

• Benign result. Such a record may mean that the patient is diagnosed with colloid goiter, subacute thyroiditis, autoimmune thyroiditis.
• Malignant result.
• Intermediate result.
• Uninformative result. This means that the results of the study are erroneous, contradict other complaints of the patient. As a rule, this is observed when the fence technology is violated. To get real results, it is recommended to do the puncture again.

When is the procedure required?

Puncture of the thyroid gland is a method that is widely used to make an accurate diagnosis when large neoplasms are found in the organ.

Medical practice distinguishes strict indications for which a puncture is taken:

• Detection of nodes on palpation of the neck, the size of which exceeds one centimeter.
• Detection of neoplasms during ultrasound examination.
• Simultaneous fixation of small nodes and symptoms of thyroid cancer.

The procedure is generally safe. However, there is a certain range of contraindications, in which it is not recommended to take a puncture:

• Violations of the blood coagulation system.
• Diseases in which the permeability of the walls of blood vessels is impaired.
• Exacerbation of mental illness.

Regarding the puncture in children: if other diagnostic methods cannot be used or they do not allow you to get a complete picture, then doctors resort to a biopsy. Only in this case, the sampling is carried out using anesthesia, which is administered intravenously.

The use of anesthesia is also practiced in cases where a puncture is required for a patient with a history of mental illness.

The choice of drug for anesthesia is dictated by the general health of the patient. Particular caution should be exercised if there are cardiovascular diseases. The decision to use anesthesia is made only after consultation with a cardiologist.

About possible consequences

Does thyroid puncture have consequences? In general, the manipulation does not give any complications. In some patients, minor bleeding is recorded at the site where the puncture was made. With diagnosed osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, dizziness may occur.

Due to the insufficient qualification of the doctor or ignoring the requirement to use the ultrasound machine after the puncture, injury to the vessel or nerve of the trachea may occur if the needle penetrates too deep. Often there are consequences such as laryngospasm, a violation of the integrity of the nerve of the larynx. To avoid such consequences is possible only in the case of contacting an experienced doctor.

The puncture is not dangerous in itself. But in some cases, by the evening of the day when the procedure was performed, the patient's temperature rises to 37 ° C. Such situations do not pose a danger to humans. The condition usually resolves within a day.

Cough also refers to the consequences of manipulation. The phenomenon is observed when the neoplasm is located close to the trachea. The condition does not require any medication.

When you can not do without the help of a doctor

The sampling of material at the site of the formation of the knot is generally a safe procedure. Some unpleasant consequences of puncturing the thyroid gland are temporary and disappear on their own.

However, in medical practice, cases have been recorded that require mandatory consultation with the attending physician:

• Bleeding that persists on the second day after the manipulation.
• The patient has difficulty swallowing.
• At the puncture site, swelling is felt, which, moreover, can hurt.
• Enlarged cervical lymph nodes.
• The patient notes chills and fever at the same time.

Each of these violations cannot be ignored. The conditions will not go away on their own and can threaten health.

Bibliography

1. Pinsky, S.B. Diagnosis of thyroid diseases / S.B. Pinsky, A.P. Kalinin, V.A. Beloborodov. - L .: Medicine, 2005. - 192 p.
2. Rudnitsky, Leonid Diseases of the thyroid gland. Pocket guide / Leonid Rudnitsky. – M.: Piter, 2015. – 256 p.
3. Sinelnikova, A. 225 recipes for thyroid health / A. Sinelnikova. – M.: Vector, 2013. – 128 p.
4. Sinelnikova, A. A. 225 recipes for thyroid health: monograph. / A.A. Sinelnikov. – M.: Vector, 2012. – 128 p.
5. Uzhegov, G.N. Diseases of the thyroid gland: Varieties of diseases; Treatment with traditional medicine; Medical / G.N. Uzhegov. - Moscow: RGGU, 2014. - 144 p.
6. Khavin, I.B. Diseases of the thyroid gland / I.B. Khavin, O.V. Nikolaev. - M.: State publishing house of medical literature, 2007. - 252 p.

⚕️ Olga Alexandrovna Melikhova - endocrinologist, 2 years of experience.

Deals with issues of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the endocrine system: thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, gonads, parathyroid glands, thymus gland, etc.

Puncture of the thyroid gland is a simple procedure consisting of puncturing the nodules of this organ in order to assess the risk of its malignancy. This is a fundamental test in that it provides a lot of information with little or no risk of complications.

How is the procedure

Thyroid puncture is usually done using an "eco-oriented" method - guiding the needle with ultrasound to make sure that the organ is punctured only in the right place.

If there are problems with the thyroid gland, medical advice is needed. When should this procedure be carried out? Each case will be studied individually. The main tests to run are:

• ultrasound;
• hormonal analysis;
• clinical examination.

If, according to these data, there are suspicions that the node may be malignant, then a puncture of the thyroid gland is performed. The most important factors in determining the suspicion of a nodule and, therefore, taking a puncture, are determining the size and appearance of the organ on ultrasound.

When is a puncture necessary?

In general, nodules smaller than ten millimeters will not be punctured unless risk factors (such as "irregular borders" or microcalcifications) are seen on ultrasound.

Reviews of thyroid taps report that large nodules (larger than 15–20 mm) almost always need to be punctured unless ultrasound shows they are purely cysts (fluid sacs). In this case, a puncture may be done to reduce the size of the nodule. But there will be very little analysis, since only solid material, not liquid, can be analyzed.

It should be borne in mind that thyroid nodules are very common problems, the vast majority of them are determined to be benign. Therefore, the mission of the endocrinologist is, on the one hand, to detect suspicious nodules in order to pierce them, and on the other hand, to avoid puncture of nodal areas with a very low probability of being malignant.

Preparing for the procedure

Ultrasound-guided thyroid puncture requires careful preparation. A preliminary analysis is necessary, mainly for two reasons. First study thyroid hormones, coagulation and make sure there is no risk of bleeding. The patient must be accompanied. Some sensitive people may experience dizziness immediately after the piercing, although symptoms usually disappear within a short time.

Medications that may interfere

It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you take regularly and if you have any allergies to medicines or other foods.

Stop taking anticoagulants (“drugs to thin the blood”) such as:

• "Acenocoumarol";
• "Warfarin";
• "Dabigatran";
• "Rivaroxaban";
• Apixaban.

You should avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory drugs for a week before the test. There is no need to take any additional medication.

Food

You do not need to follow a special diet, although some centers recommend not eating for about eight hours before the test. As a rule, it will be enough not to eat breakfast and not to drink anything before making a thyroid puncture.

Cloth

It is advisable to wear a wide-necked garment or one that can be easily opened (such as a button-down shirt) to free the thyroid area. Avoid wearing necklaces or other jewelry around your neck.

Pregnancy and lactation

Thyroid puncture is not contraindicated in pregnancy or breastfeeding, but health care providers will need to be informed of pregnancy or suspected pregnancy. Some hormones change naturally during these stages, which can affect the analytics.

How is the procedure?

If the nodule is alive, then puncture with may be impossible. In some cases, chest nodules may be checked by CT-guided puncture, or exploratory surgery may be required.

Puncture of the thyroid gland under the supervision of specialists lasts approximately 15-20 minutes. Getting the biopsy itself is very fast, the rest of the time is to prepare the material and the area to be biopsied.

The thyroid gland is performed over the patient, lying on his back in a position that leaves the thyroid gland open. Sometimes a pillow is placed under the shoulders to help with neck hyperextension. After the patient has assumed a horizontal position, a local antiseptic will be injected and the doctor will find the node to be punctured by ultrasound.

The puncture is performed with a very thin needle, which must reach the thyroid gland (usually thinner than the thyroid gland). With the needle in the knot, gentle movements will be made to aspirate the material to make sure the tissue is removed, then the needle will also be removed. During this part of the procedure, the doctor warns the patient that he should try not to cough, swallow, or speak: when the thyroid gland moves, it will be more difficult to make a diagnosis.

Typically, two to six punctures are required, depending on the quality of the sample obtained. Thus, the full size of the nodule is covered, and a more accurate diagnosis is more likely.

If it is a cystic nodule, it may be emptied with a syringe to reduce the size and relieve discomfort. After the puncture is completed, you will be asked to press for a few minutes in the area of ​​the puncture. Feelings of dizziness may be present after thyroid puncture. Since it does not require anesthesia or sedation, after a few minutes of recovery, you can return home without problems.

What are the complications and risks?

Puncture of the thyroid gland, according to reviews, may have consequences. The main complication is that a slight pain is felt at the puncture site. It can be treated with regular pain relief and/or topical ice application.

During the procedure or immediately after it, dizziness may occur in susceptible people. What happens to the material obtained after the procedure? Part of the material is spread over several slides (a glass plate for microscope viewing), and the other part is stored in a special solution for further preparation for the microscope.

After processing the samples, the doctor will be able to determine the diagnosis. How long do results take? It depends on the center where you were tested, but usually from two to three days to two to three weeks. What are the possible outcomes: each center or institution may use different classifications, but the so-called system of 6 categories is most commonly used at present.

It should be borne in mind that thyroid puncture with ultrasound does not analyze tissue blocks (biopsy), but only individual cells (cytology). Thus, it is an indicative test that only indicates the risk of malignancy, but the definitive diagnosis will always be established by biopsy with surgery.

Review of results

The consequences of thyroid puncture will be presented in the form of the following results:

Is it possible to get a benign result or is the node really malignant? Although rare (1-2%), a malignant nodule can lead to a benign thyroid tumor. This small risk is unavoidable, so it is very important to plan for adequate follow-up that allows endocrinologists to monitor the process. If changes in evolutionary control that suggest malignancy are observed (eg, growth greater than 20%), a second stage may be performed or, if necessary, surgery.

If the nodule is malignant, the usual treatment is applied, although a little later. Fortunately, in these cases, the results will be almost as good. The current recommendations of the Thyroid Association (ATA) are to plan follow-up according to the characteristics of the ultrasound and the result of the puncture.

What genetic tests are used?

In recent years, genetic methods have been developed to help determine whether a nodule is benign or malignant. These methods study several node genes in the material extracted in the puncture. These are not regularly performed today, but are commonly used when the outcome of a puncture is uncertain.

It should be borne in mind that a genetic diagnosis is also not final, but will help make a decision. It can be performed at the first puncture or reserved for the second puncture in case of doubt.

Let's summarize

One of the main reasons for the appearance of nodes, endocrinologists consider the lack of iodine. This element is necessary for the synthesis of the hormone; if the body delivers it in insufficient quantities, the body begins to work in an intensive mode and grows in size. Excessive activity of the thyroid gland can lead to the formation of endemic goiter.

Other reasons for the formation of knots can be radiation, hereditary diseases, poor environment. If the size of the tumors is more than 3 centimeters, there may be a number of dangerous symptoms: hoarseness, shortness of breath and a constant feeling of a lump in the throat. In such cases, in order to examine the tumor and eliminate the risk of developing cancer, a thyroid nodule is punctured.

To do this, the doctor makes a sample. To improve the accuracy of the procedure, an ultrasound scan is performed. Do everyone get a thyroid puncture? A biopsy may be performed on a patient with a small, isolated lump if they have ever been exposed, have a hereditary history of cancer, or have an ultrasound showing the presence of a tumor.