Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)

Needle biopsy of the thyroid gland is a procedure that takes a small part of the thyroid tissue to be examined under a microscope and sets the final diagnosis of the disease or changes to this gland. The procedure lasts about 30 minutes.

INDICATIONS / WHY IT IS DONE?

• Used to examine the origin of the “nodes” on the thyroid gland.

• It represents an important method in distinguishing benign from malignant changes on the thyroid gland.

HOW IT IS PERFORMED?

• For this procedure, a doctor uses a fine needle and an ultrasound device. Your doctor will ask you not to move, not to talk, not to swallow saliva or cough during the procedure.

• The ultrasound apparatus allows the physician to better understand the site on the thyroid gland from which he will take a sample of the tissue. The needle doctor enters the tissue of the thyroid gland, takes a small part of the tissue, draws the needle and sends the material to the laboratory. The pathologist looks at the material under the microscope and sets the final diagnosis.

POTENTIAL RISKS

• Complications of performing this procedure are rare (because the needle is extremely thin).

• It usually happens that there is swelling, redness / bruising, and the pain on the site from which the sample is taken (these interruptions cease after a few days).

• If after the procedure comes the swelling of the whole neck, a change in the voice, severe pain, difficulty breathing, you should immediately contact the medical team of Tesla Medical.

• Very rarely there is bleeding (severe bleeding is extremely rare).

PREPARATION

• When scheduling this procedure, it is necessary to specify what medicines you take in regular therapy.

• In consultation with your doctor, you should temporarily discontinue the use of anti-clotting medications (Aspirin, Plavix, Clopidix, Farin, Sincum, Sintra, Pradaxa, Xarelto, Eliquis).

• It is necessary to complete a complete blood picture and blood clotting tests before performing the procedure.

• Bring your previous medical records (if any).