THYROID PUNCTURE
What is Thyroid Puncture and when is it performed?
Thyroid puncture, using fine needle aspiration (FNA), is a procedure in which material is obtained from a thyroid nodule for cytological examination. It is considered as the most reliable test to confirm or exclude the presence of malignancy.
The puncture is done under ultrasound guidance to ensure:
Safety from possible injury of adjacent tissues, obtaining material from the nodule and not from the adjacent normal tissue, as well as withdrawing material from the most suspicious area of the nodule.
It is performed at the ultrasound clinic by an endocrinologist who is properly trained to handle the ultrasound and ultrasound guided needles.
The collected samples are processed by a specialized cytologist and the diagnosis is usually ready within three days of taking the sample.
What is the preparation to make a Thyroid Puncture?
The only preparation before the puncture is to stop anticoagulant medication a few days before and after consulting our doctor.
The patient can eat and drink normally before the puncture.