Thyroid biopsy

Thyroid nodules are masses that can be found on the thyroid gland. The vast majority of these nodules are benign. However, it is important to analyze those nodules as soon as they appear with an ultrasound, to determine if any of them have suspicious cancer characteristics. If suspicious characteristics are present on ultrasound, a fine needle biopsy should be performed.

This biopsy is more reliable if performed under ultrasound guidance. This confirms that the suspected nodule is tested. The cells obtained during a fine needle biopsy under local anesthesia are stained, fixed and analyzed under microscopic vision. Sometimes not enough cells are collected and the biopsy needs to be repeated a second time. Long waiting lists in hospitals and clinics can make this process very long.

At the Polyclinique Centre-Ville, we offer a unique service combining a visit with the endocrinologist to determine if the thyroid nodule is considered at risk, a biopsy under ultrasound guidance and a cytopathology analysis. For this reason, the pathologist is on site in order to determine if there are sufficient sampled cells for diagnosis, analyses the collected specimen and presents a preliminary report of the diagnosis. If the initial specimen is inconclusive, another biopsy can be performed at the same time, since the patient is already under local anesthesia. No needs for another appointment.

Polyclinique Centre-Ville is very proud to offer this almost unique approach in Quebec. It is therefore appreciated by patients having a thyroid nodule since it accelerates the care process and prevents them from another visit to have another biopsy, if the initial sample was inconclusive.