Ultrasound Interventions in the Neck with Emphasis on Postthyroidectomy Papillary Carcinoma

This article reviews the sonographic technique for a basic ultrasound of the thyroid and a typical postthyroidectomy surveillance scan. Diagnostic criteria for these scans are discussed. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of thyroid nodules is reviewed, as are techniques for biopsy of recurrent nodal disease or disease in the thyroid bed. Ultrasound-guided ablation techniques are described as they apply to patients who have undergone prior thyroidectomy.