I did alot of reading on this so I was confident it would not hurt at all....well the "numbing" needle burned but that was no big deal. The 1st needle pinched...but I dealt with the discomfort...the 2nd needle got contaminated so he had to get a 3rd...5 minutes go by and I did ask if whatever he used to numb the pain wore off and he said no.....well it did..omg I saw stars! You cannot talk or move so I had to be still and NOT cry....WOW....and to top it off..I also read that afterwards it may be "tender" for up to 48 hours....It has been over 10 days and I cannot swallow without it hurting, turn my head without feeling it and it hurts when you touch it. This bulge never hurt prior to the biopsy. It came back undiagnostic so now I have to go again! I think it all has to do with who performs it. This time I asked who is scheduled to do mine and I looked him up! Good Luck.
To acquire a sampling of the cells in a thyroid nodule, an endocrinologist or a radiologist will need to perform a fine needle biopsy. The cells extracted will then be evaluated by a pathologist to determine if the growth is benign or malignant, and if surgery is needed. As for a fine needle biopsy will cause thyroid cancer to metastasize, talk to your doctor.Related Article: How to Prepare for a Needle Biopsy
It could be a malignant thyroid nodule. It needs further investigation, likely with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).
This is done by extracting cells from the thyroid using a very fine needle. It is usually done under local anaesthetic and then the cells are sent to a cytopathologist to be analysed.
typical size needle used for fine needle aspiration
A procedure called fine-needle aspiration allows the clinician to extract cells directly from the lump for further evaluation.
Philip S. Feldman has written: 'Fine needle aspiration cytology' -- subject(s): Diagnosis, Lymph nodes, Lymphatic Diseases, Needle biopsy, Salivary Gland Neoplasms, Salivary glands, Thyroid Neoplasms, Thyroid gland 'Fine needle aspiration cytology and its clinical applications' -- subject(s): Breast, Breast Diseases, Cytodiagnosis, Diseases, Lung Diseases, Lungs, Needle biopsy, Pathology
After performing a thyroid scan uptake, if it is determined that there is a hot nodule it typically means that the nodule is hyperfuncitioning. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists ThyroidAwareness.com website, "The scan tells whether the nodule is hyperfunctioning (a "hot" nodule), or taking up more radioactivity than normal thyroid tissue does; taking up the same amount as normal tissue (a "warm" nodule); or taking up less (a "cold" nodule). Because cancer is rarely found in hot nodules, a scan showing a hot nodule eliminates the need for fine needle biopsy. If a hot nodule causes hyperthyroidism, it can be treated with radioiodine or surgery."
Fine needle aspiration; with imaging guidance
If malignancy cannot be ruled out from the results of a thyroid scan, this means that a thyroid nodule may or may not be an active part of the thyroid tissue. Therefore, more testing might be needed to determine if there is a malignant growth. Another test that might help make a clearer diagnosis is a fine needle biopsy. If after a needle biopsy and thyroid scan, it is still unclear if a thyroid growth is malignant, surgery might be an option. Talk with your doctor regarding the results of your test and to find out what they suggest.
It can be done in a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital
DefinitionA fine needle aspiration of the thyroid gland is a procedure to remove thyroid cells for examination. The thyroid is located in front of the trachea (windpipe) at the top of the neck.Alternative NamesThyroid nodule fine needle aspirate biopsy; Biopsy - thyroid - skinny-needle; Skinny-needle thyroid biopsyHow the test is performedThis test may be done in the health care provider's office or in a hospital. Usually numbing medicine (anesthesia) is not needed because the needle is very thin.You will lie on your back with a pillow under your shoulders and your neck extended. The biopsy site is cleaned. A thin needle is inserted into the thyroid, and a sample of thyroid cells and fluid are removed. The needle is then taken out.Pressure will be applied to the biopsy site to stop any bleeding. The site will be covered with a bandage.How to prepare for the testTell your health care provider if you have drug allergies, bleeding problems, or are pregnant. You should also make sure your health care provider has a current list of all medications you take, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs.How the test will feelYou may feel a sting as the needle is inserted.Why the test is performedThis is a test to diagnose thyroid disease or thyroid cancer. It is often used to get information on thyroid lumps that can either be felt by the doctor or seen by ultrasound.Normal ValuesThe thyroid tissue is normal in structure and the cells appear noncancerous under a microscope.What abnormal results meanAbnormal results may mean:Diffuse thyroid disease such as goiter or thyroiditisNoncancerous tumorsThyroid cancerWhat the risks areThe main risk is bleeding into or around the thyroid gland. If bleeding is severe, the windpipe (trachea) may be compressed. This complication is rare.
The CPT code for a biopsy of a lymph node by fine needle aspiration (FNA) without image guidance is 10005. This code specifically applies to procedures involving the aspiration of a lymph node using a fine needle technique. If the procedure involves multiple lymph nodes, additional codes may be used to report those separately.