Today, ultrasound examination is one of the most demanded due to its painlessness, harmlessness, high information content and simplicity. Ultrasound of the throat and larynx is widely used in otolaryngology, oncology, endocrinology, pulmonology and other medical specializations.
A complete examination of the patient includes a physical examination, questioning of complaints, characteristics of the development of the disease. Based on the information received, the doctor prescribes an additional examination, including ultrasound.
Is ultrasound done for newborns? Diagnostics is carried out for both infants and pregnant women, in case of a serious patient's condition.
What is ultrasound
Depending on the quality of information, capabilities and size, the ultrasound machine can be:
- simple, which is convenient for transportation, has 16 channels;
- middle class (it is characterized by no more than 32 channels);
- advanced class (about 64 channels with the possibility of Doppler scanning);
- high-end has up to 512 channels with color Doppler, information processing through a digital system.
The device has an ultrasonic sensor, due to which ultrasound waves are received and transmitted. Sound impulses go to tissues, organs, some of which are reflected back when the density of the tissue changes, while the other continues to move through the tissues. The sensor in the online mode perceives impulses and transmits information to the processor, where it is processed and displayed on the screen.
What does ultrasound show?
The peculiarity of the examination consists in the movement of the ultrasonic sensor along the surface of the skin, as a result of which the state of the internal organs is displayed on the screen. Ultrasound waves, passing through tissues of different density, are projected onto the monitor with an image of more or less intense color.
To assess the condition of the internal organs, the doctor may prescribe an ultrasound of the throat. What does ultrasound show?
- structure, uniformity, size of organs, additional formations in the lower part of the throat;
- uniformity, diameter of the lumen of the organ;
- wall thickness;
- the state of the surrounding fiber;
- features of regional lymph nodes (size, number, adhesion with surrounding tissues, homogeneity of the structure);
- inflammatory foci.
On the basis of ultrasound, preliminary differentiation of a cyst, abscess, malignant formation is possible.
Indications for ultrasound
In what cases does the doctor prescribe an ultrasound of the larynx? The technique is indicated in the presence of the following complaints:
- discomfort, pain in the larynx, throat, and other areas of the neck;
- sensation of a foreign object in the throat;
- long-lasting dry cough of the "barking" type;
- shortness of breath, difficulty breathing;
- a feeling of constriction in the throat;
- hoarseness of voice;
- discharge of a bloody, mucous nature.
In addition, it is recommended to do an ultrasound if, during a physical examination (by palpation, percussion), the doctor revealed:
- additional education, which is visualized on the anterior cervical surface;
- education, which is felt in the larynx;
- pain on palpation;
- hyperemia of the skin, tissue edema;
- fistulous holes with discharge;
- enlargement, induration, soreness of the lymph nodes, their adhesion to the surrounding tissues.
The ultrasound method is used if medical history includes:
- chronic diseases of inflammatory, infectious origin, for example, tonsillitis, pharyngitis;
- previous operations in the cervical region;
- oncological processes of benign genesis with localization on the neck;
- malignant process of any localization (with suspicion of metastatic lesion);
- long-term smoking;
- suffered neck injuries.
Ultrasound is a screening method for detecting cancer, therefore, it is suitable for frequent use.
What diseases are diagnosed using ultrasound
The technique does not make it possible to establish cancer in 100% of cases, however, thanks to ultrasound examination, it is possible to suspect the appearance of a tumor. With the help of additional laboratory and instrumental examinations, the oncological diagnosis is confirmed or refuted.
Among the diseases for which ultrasound is performed, it is worth highlighting:
- laryngitis in the acute phase or with chronicity;
- adenoma, polyposis formation of the larynx;
- malignant process;
- cyst, abscess of a given area;
- swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), inflammation (lymphadenitis);
- metastases of tumors of other localization;
- lymphoma, lymphogranulomatosis (changes in lymph nodes).
When examining the thyroid gland, the doctor can visualize heterogeneous foci, additional formations (nodes, cysts), a decrease / increase in the size of the gland. If necessary, diagnostics is carried out in the post-traumatic period to determine the severity of the lesion, to identify the location of foreign bodies.
Research rules
Contraindications, when an ultrasound examination is not performed, includes an open wound surface of the neck. This is due to the need to apply a special gel to the skin, which improves the conduction of ultrasonic waves.
The research is carried out in this way:
- the patient should free his neck (take off clothes, jewelry);
- he lies on his back on the couch;
- a transparent gel is applied to the surface of the neck where the examination is supposed to prevent the penetration of air between the skin and the sensor;
- the study is carried out directly by sliding the ultrasonic sensor over the surface of the skin, as a result of which the state of the internal organs is displayed on the monitor.
The duration of the procedure does not exceed half an hour. During this time, the specialist examines not only the throat, larynx, but also the surrounding tissues and organs.
Ultrasound diagnostics does not require preparation, therefore, it is carried out both in a planned and an emergency manner.
The doctor pays special attention to hypoechoic foci (with reduced tissue density), since such signs may indicate a malignant lesion. As for the areas of increased tissue density - hyperechogenicity, an overgrowth of connective tissue can be suspected.
Often, people are unaware of the development of the disease due to the absence of symptoms. Thanks to the examination, it is possible to detect a pathological focus at an early stage of development.
When examining the glandular tissue of the thyroid gland, the doctor focuses on the consistency and density, which is displayed on the screen in zones of different density.
After the diagnosis, the patient receives a study protocol with a detailed description of all organs and structures that were examined, as well as the conclusion. Based on the results obtained in combination with complaints, medical history, the doctor can confirm, refute the diagnosis or prescribe additional diagnostics, for example, magnetic resonance imaging.
It has been statistically proven that there are significantly more cases of throat diseases among men than women.
The high frequency of throat diseases in men is due to smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, neglect of inflammatory, infectious processes in this area, as well as the influence of harmful occupational factors.
The appearance of pain, discomfort in the larynx, which is associated with inflammation, cancer, requires a diagnosis. With the help of an ultrasound examination, the doctor manages to examine the neck area, suspect or confirm the presence of pathology.
In order for the treatment to be successful, you should promptly seek help from specialists. This will allow diagnosing the disease at the initial stage and starting treatment without waiting for progression and the appearance of complications.
