As for any cancer, imaging of the body is necessary to determine
where the cancer is located in its original site, and to
determine if it has spread to other locations in the body. For
thyroid cancer, there are a number of different tests that are
typically used: • Computed Tomography (CT) • Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) • Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan •
Nuclear Medicine Imaging Ultrasonography is an imaging procedure
in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off
internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns
are shown on the screen of an ultrasound machine, forming a
picture of body tissues called a sonogram. This type of study is
typically the first study done to examine the thyroid, since
images are very good at detecting nodules or other lumps within
the gland. Ultrasonography can also detect abnormal lymph nodes
in some parts of the neck. Because the pictures are obtained in
“real time”, the ultrasound is often used to guide a fine needle
biopsy of the thyroid