Multimodal Ultrasound Examination of Thyroid and Breast Nodules

In recent years, with the improvement of health awareness, thyroid and breast nodules have become increasingly common. However, if they are not detected and diagnosed early, reasonable treatment is the correct solution.

Ultrasound is a dual-selection screening method for thyroid and breast nodules, not only because it is inexpensive, but also because the “material” is more beautiful. This is because ultrasound examinations are not only non-radiative, but the examination process is also painless. It can dynamically observe the size, shape, margins, growth patterns, echo, calcification, and blood supply of the nodules in real time. Although conventional ultrasound can assess these conditions, it is still not comprehensive enough. Therefore, our ultrasound department has launched the “Multimodal Ultrasound Examination of Thyroid and Breast Nodules”.

Multimodal ultrasound examination combines two or more ultrasound examination methods for multi-angle analysis, thus improving the ability to differentiate between benign and malignant thyroid and breast nodules.

Our multimodal ultrasound includes: conventional color ultrasound—ultrasound elastography—contrast-enhanced ultrasound—ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Ultrasound elastography is an indicator for assessing the hardness of nodules, equivalent to the clinical doctor’s palpation. The harder the nodule, the higher the degree of malignancy. However, for smaller and deeper thyroid and breast nodules that cannot be touched by our hands, our ultrasound elastography can replace palpation to determine the hardness of the nodules.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can significantly improve the display rate of capillaries within nodules. By injecting a contrast agent (SonoVue) into the venous blood vessels, when the contrast agent microbubbles enter the nodule with the blood, the ultrasound doctor can objectively and efficiently assess the blood supply of the nodule based on the speed, range, and morphology of blood flow perfusion, further determining the benign or malignant nature of the nodule.

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a minimally invasive method to puncture thyroid and breast nodules, aspirating tissue for pathological analysis, allowing for direct determination of the nodule’s benign or malignant nature.

1. Is there any preparation before the examination?

Except for not taking anticoagulants one week prior to the ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and needing to undergo several routine tests before the puncture, there is no preparation needed for conventional color ultrasound, elastography, or contrast-enhanced ultrasound; just your presence is required.

2. Will there be side effects when injecting the contrast agent during the contrast-enhanced ultrasound?

The contrast agent we use is called SonoVue. It is a pure blood pool microbubble contrast agent that is expelled from the body through breathing within 15 minutes after injection. After years of clinical application and validation, only a very small number of side effects or adverse reactions occur, indicating good safety.

3. Are there any precautions after the ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy?

This is a minimally invasive procedure, leaving only a small puncture mark. It is similar to receiving a buttock injection, with no special restrictions after the procedure.

Conventional color ultrasound, ultrasound elastography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy together construct a multimodal ultrasound examination system for thyroid and breast, significantly improving the early identification ability of thyroid cancer and breast cancer, safeguarding your health!

The ultrasound department of Panzhihua Steel Xichang Hospital is here to “shine light on your liver and gallbladder” and safeguard your health.

Consultation Phone:

0834-2410572 (Ultrasound Medicine Department)

18227599339 (Dr. Hu)

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