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Kelly McAleese, MD

Timothy Colt, MD

Barbara Jaeger, MD

John Lewin, MD

At The Women's Imaging Center, we provide ultrasound-guided thyroid biopsies at all five of our locations throughout the Denver metro. Click here to learn more!

Ultrasound Guided Thyroid Biopsy in Denver | Biopsy Services

Frequently Asked Questions About Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Biopsy

Get an accurate diagnosis on thyroid conditions with an ultrasound-guided thyroid biopsy from the experienced team at The Women’s Imaging Center.

Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Biopsy in Denver

We serve patients in the Greater Denver area, with multiple locations for your convenience. Discover how our fellowship-trained radiologists provide a timely and accurate diagnosis with ultrasound-guided thyroid biopsy and more.

Find Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Biopsy in Denver

The thyroid is part of the endocrine system that affects the body's metabolism and growth. It is a small butterfly-shaped gland that lies in front of the trachea. The thyroid's primary function is to produce hormones that make many cells in your body function correctly. Its proper or improper function can affect our:

• Energy level
• Ability to sleep
• Muscle and digestive function
• Brain function
• Mood
• Ability to maintain a healthy heart rate
• Bone density health

The thyroid gland may enlarge or produce nodules to maintain adequate hormone production. We call these conditions thyromegaly and nodular or multinodular goiter, respectively.   Some autoimmune conditions, such as Graves disease or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, can also cause the thyroid gland to change shape or  function. If the gland is actively inflamed, accompanied by an abrupt change in function, neck swelling, or neck redness, that may indicate a condition called toxic thyroiditis.

When imaging tests show suspicious findings, we may recommend a biopsy of the thyroid.

Get Answers With an Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy of the Thyroid

At The Women’s Imaging Center, we perform thousands of ultrasounds and advanced imaging tests. The more experience the facility has with thyroid ultrasounds, the better the images will be for interpretation. Our radiologists are experts at both reading thyroid ultrasounds and performing ultrasound-guided thyroid biopsies. The radiologists at The Women’s Imaging Center specialize in performing any or all modalities utilized in women’s radiology, including breast, gynecologic, abdominal, thyroid, pelvic, and endocrine bone density.

Who’s Reading Your Ultrasound?

We recommend not taking blood thinners such as Aspirin or Motrin as they can increase bruising. On the day of the thyroid biopsy, we clean the neck with a sterile, antiseptic solution called Hibiclens. Please let us know if you have any allergies to topical solutions or medication. Hibiclens is pink, and people rarely have an allergy to pink dyes. We don’t typically use betadine because allergies are more common with that. The radiologist may use a small amount of lidocaine to anesthetize the skin to minimize discomfort from the procedure. Most people feel a slight pinching sensation and possibly pressure from the biopsy, but experiencing pain is uncommon.

Before the Biopsy

- The technologist uses an ultrasound transducer or probe to localize the thyroid nodule.
- The radiologist will then use a fine needle (smaller than you have probably seen before) to take the sample. The procedure is sometimes called a Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) or a Fine Needle Biopsy (FNB). The radiologist directs the fine needle under ultrasound guidance to the nodule.
- Using ultrasound guidance, the radiologist performs  several passes with the fine needle to gather cells for further analysis. The radiologist will watch the entire procedure in real-time as they are performing the procedure, which ensures that the targeting and sampling are precise.
- We prepare the cells on slides in preservative solutions for additional evaluation by the pathologist. We place a small amount of the sample in an extra collection tune in case the pathologist needs to perform additional testing. The pathologist or cytologist is a medical specialist who studies the structure and function of cells and analyzes the cells. Cytologists look at the cells under the microscope to determine if they are normal (benign), atypical, or look suspicious. Sometimes, the specialist needs more information. The specialist will test the extra cells tube for the cells' genetic makeup. This secondary process is slower and may take seven to ten days to return.

During the Biopsy

We recommend not taking blood thinners such as Aspirin or Motrin as they can increase bruising. We will provide you with Tylenol and a small portable ice pack to apply to the fine needle aspiration/biopsy site if needed. Complications from a Fine Needle Aspiration/ Biopsy of the Thyroid are rare. If you experience any bleeding, increased swelling, or sudden change of voice, please call us or seek medical attention.

The results of the Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid are usually available within two working days. The results may take longer in some cases if the pathologist needs more time for testing. The time required to complete the evaluation is unrelated to the final result. We allow the time necessary for the pathologist to make an accurate diagnosis. The results usually return as benign (normal). Sometimes the findings return as suspicious for malignancy (cancer). Occasionally, the thyroid biopsy results may be atypical. If the results prove to be atypical or malignant, then your doctor will advise a consultation with a specialist in thyroid surgery. The surgeon may recommend removing part of the thyroid gland or observation.

We request a thyroid ultrasound follow-up within six months from the procedure date. The follow-up ensures the stability of the finding that we biopsied, even for a benign result. Your care team at The Women’s Imaging Center ensures the continuity of screening to diagnosis to treatment when indicated. The care team and navigator coordinate your care with other specialists based on the recommendation of your referring clinician and within the continuity of care following the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines.

After the Biopsy

<div class="content">We want to make you as comfortable as possible during your thyroid biopsy. Here&rsquo;s what you can expect on the day of the procedure.</div>

What to Expect With an Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Biopsy

Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Biopsy

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The Women’s Imaging Center

Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Biopsy in Denver

Frequently Asked Questions About Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Biopsy

Insurance Options We Honor

At The Women's Imaging Center, we accept most major insurance providers and provide affordable self-pay options. If you have any questions about whether we accept your insurance, please contact us at 303-854-6818.

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With multiple location across the Denver area, we make it easy for you to find a “Women’s Imaging Center near me” or a “Medical Diagnostic Imaging Center near me”

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