Definition
A needle biopsy use a needle to removal of a small piece of tissue or fluid for testing. In this case the tissue is removed from the thyroid gland.
Reasons for Procedure
A thyroid biopsy is usually done when a lump is found in the thyroid. The lump is often called a thyroid nodule. These nodules are fairly common and usually do not need treatment. Only about 5% of nodules are cancer.
The needle biopsy is usually done to see if a nodule is cancer. The biopsy may also be done if there is no nodule but the thyroid is enlarged.
Possible Complications
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a needle biopsy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
- Bleeding
- Bruising where the needle was inserted
- Pain after the procedure
- Infection
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
In the days leading up to your procedure:
- Have blood tests
- Talk to your doctor about your medical history, including any allergies.
- Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking. You may be need to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, aspirin )
- Blood thinners, like warfarin (Coumadin)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Arrange for a ride home from the care center.
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is used. The area that is affected will be numb.
You may also be given a sedative to help you relax
Description of the Procedure
There are two types of biopsies:
- Fine-needle aspiration (FNA)—most common
- Coarse-needle biopsy (CNB)
You will be asked to lie on your back. A pillow will be placed under your shoulders. Your neck will be extended. The site of the biopsy will be cleaned. For an FNA, your doctor will insert a tiny hollow needle into the nodule to collect a sample of tissue. For a CNB, your doctor will make a small cut in the skin. The needle will be inserted through the incision and into the thyroid to collect a sample. The process may need to be repeated several times. After the procedure, pressure will be applied to the biopsy site. A bandage will be applied.
In some cases, your doctor will use ultrasound to help locate the area that needs to be sampled. If ultrasound is used, the doctor will place a transducer on your neck. The transducer will send images to a screen for your doctor to view. These images will be used to locate the nodule and to guide the needle. This helps to make sure your doctor got a sample of the nodule and not the surrounding “normal” tissue.
How Long Will It Take?
About 10-30 minutes (plus 30 minutes in the recovery room)
Will It Hurt?
You may feel soreness at the biopsy site for 1-2 days. Talk to your doctor about medications that may help.
Post-procedure Care
When you return home after the procedure, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
- If you had FNA, remove the bandage within a few hours. If you had CNB, remove the bandage in a few days.
- Avoid vigorous physical activity for 24 hours.
- Return to normal activities.
- Take pain medicine (eg, Tylenol ) for any discomfort.
- Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.
- Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Call Your Doctor
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Bleeding
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Excessive neck swelling
- Unusual pain or discomfort
In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.