Is a neck ultrasound necessary during a check-up?

A neck ultrasound can evaluate the thyroid gland, which is referred to as goiter, as well as the salivary glands and the lymph nodes.

The thyroid gland regulates the body's working pace, and nodules — that is, masses — are frequently encountered in the thyroid gland. For this reason, a neck ultrasound is a radiological examination that should often be requested during cancer screenings.

Inflammation, stones, and masses can also frequently be encountered in the salivary glands. These causes can easily be distinguished with a neck ultrasound.

The lymph nodes in the neck can enlarge both while resisting germs and as a result of cancerous cells spreading to the lymph node. Lymph nodes also have their own cancer, called lymphoma. A neck ultrasound is widely used to distinguish between these conditions.

In addition, a neck ultrasound provides us with very useful information in the early diagnosis of certain congenital cysts commonly seen in the neck, as well as masses arising from vessels and nerves.

A neck ultrasound is an imaging technique that requires no preparation beforehand, causes no pain during the procedure, and, because it contains no radiation, is not harmful to health. The fact that fine-needle sampling can also be performed during the ultrasound if desired provides us with a great advantage.

For this reason, I always recommend that a neck ultrasound be performed during annual check-ups.