Every day, tens of thousands of people turn to medical centers who complain of problems with the throat or larynx. Patients experience some discomfort or suffer from frequent sore throats. Reasons for treatment may be different, often ENT doctors have to prescribe an ultrasound of the throat and larynx to make or specify a diagnosis. What does this study show? How is the procedure performed?
Direction to ultrasound
Despite the fact that ultrasound is considered one of the best diagnostic methods, otolaryngologists do not have a separate procedure for scanning ENT organs. A legitimate question arises: do ultrasounds of the throat and larynx do? Of course they do, because this is the most inexpensive and safe method of examination. That's just the doctors have to give out a direction for scanning the neck or thyroid gland. But, despite this, the result obtained makes it possible to establish the problem and begin the fight against it. Diagnostic centers repeatedly scan the neck, and in fact, ultrasound of the throat and larynx many times during the day. Which shows how popular this procedure is. So do not be surprised to read in the direction the appointment for examination of the neck or thyroid gland.
Indications for ultrasound of the ENT organs
The need for ultrasound scanning arises if the patient comes with the following complaints:
- the appearance in the throat area of hardening;
- constant feeling of a lump in the throat ;
- oncological tumors in the neck, which affect the condition of the throat or larynx;
- discharge of pus, heavy smell when breathing;
- severe pain with fever;
- inflammatory processes in acute or chronic form;
- changing the tone of voice;
- prolonged dry cough.
Ultrasound diagnosis helps to cast aside doubts and confirm or refute the diagnosis.
What can show an ultrasound of the neck
The otolaryngologist appoints an examination of the neck, and not an ultrasound of the throat and larynx, which shows the state of all structures of the problem area, and not just the ENT organs. During the diagnosis, the following indicators are evaluated:
- the inner surface and structure of the lower throat sections and larynx, with a description of any seals or neoplasms;
- the size of the clearance and its uniformity;
- the condition of the walls of the investigated organs, the presence of nodes or tumors;
- cell spaces around the throat and larynx;
- the condition of the cervical lymph nodes;
- confirmation of neoplasms in the throat, an approximate determination of their nature (cyst, adenoma, cancer, abscess);
- the presence of inflammatory processes.
Ultrasound data of the throat and larynx allow you to supplement the information obtained during the examination. The doctor may prescribe or adjust the treatment, as well as decide on the appointment of new studies, such as a biopsy.
How is the procedure
Examination of the neck occurs according to a certain algorithm. There is nothing scary or painful in this. The patient must free his neck from scarves, collars and jewelry. Then it is convenient to lie on the couch, after which the doctor will apply a conductive gel to the skin. The sonologist begins to move the sensor along the neck, observing the image on the screen. Based on the results of the survey, a special protocol is issued in which all indicators are described and decoded. The procedure does not take much time, on average, its duration does not exceed 20 minutes.
What's next?
With the result of the examination on the hands, the patient returns to the attending physician. He studies the examination protocol and prescribes therapy. If hypoechoic nodes are detected, then the diagnosis should be continued.
Patients should not panic after reading the phrase "hypoechogenic education" in the protocol. This is not a diagnosis, but a description of the density of the structure. At this point, the tissue structure is less dense than around, and the ultrasound pulse moves more slowly. So, the doctor will have to identify this pathology or norm for this site. Sometimes the results obtained are simply incorrect when performing an ultrasound of the throat and larynx, which shows not the presence of serious health deviations, but the low qualification of the sonologist (specialist who performed the ultrasound).
And one more clarification. Structures with low density may turn out to be cysts. This is a cavity with thin walls, the tissue of which resembles a mucous membrane. There is fluid inside the cavity. However, the term “cyst” is never written in the ultrasound protocol. Since to establish such a diagnosis, a biopsy is necessary. The procedure can be performed with a special needle or other medical devices.
How to prepare for an ultrasound of the neck
Ultrasound of the throat and larynx is not difficult to do. With an appointment on hand, you must sign up for a scan. It is not necessary to follow a diet or a special drinking regimen. The main thing is not to delay the completion of the assignment so as not to miss the time.
Main danger
Practice shows that in men over 60, the risk of detecting throat cancer is significantly increased . According to statistics, it takes 11th place in the causes of male mortality. Women also should not relax, for them this reason is in 19th place. Oncology of the throat and larynx is most often associated with excesses and abuses. People don’t want to hear that alcohol and tobacco are slow killers. In addition, work in hazardous conditions, which include interactions with asbestos, acids or nickel, has a strong effect.
With increased fatigue, a change in the timbre of the voice, shortness of breath and an ongoing dry cough, it is necessary to diagnose the condition of the throat and larynx as soon as possible. The detection of oncology in the early stages allows, at a minimum, to extend the patient's life by 5-7 years.
If you need an ultrasound of the throat and larynx, where to do it? Diagnosis is carried out in municipal and private clinics.