Diagnosis of Head and Neck Lesions With Ultrasonography Periprocedural Care

Updated: Feb 02, 2023
  • Author: Javed Ahmad, MBBS; Chief Editor: Mahan Mathur, MD  more...
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Periprocedural Care

Equipment

For all ultrasound examinations of the head and neck, the high-frequency linear array transducer provides the best visualization, given that all objects of interest are superficial.

According to the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), ultrasound equipment should operate at the highest clinically appropriate frequency. Lower-frequency transducers may be used in select patients for increased depth perception. For assessing inferior central or upper mediastinal adenopathy and inferior parathyroid glands, a curved linear tranducer may be useful. [2]  

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Patient Preparation

Anesthesia is usually not indicated for head and neck ultrasonography examinations.

For all ultrasound examinations of the head and neck, the patient is to be supine. The head of the bed can be arranged to any angle for patient and sonographer comfort. Having patients turn their head to the left or right and/or swallowing may help evaluate some thyroid lesions and aid in performing the examination.

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