ECNU is a professional certification in the field of neck ultrasonography for physicians who perform consultations and diagnostic evaluations for thyroid and parathyroid disorders through both diagnostic ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (UGFNA).
Category: Thyroid
What is Thyroid fine needle biopsy?
This is a short procedure that is done in the office. It involves taking tissue samples from one or more areas in the thyroid gland. It is done under local anesthesia, and with ultrasound guidance.
What is the Afirma GEC (gene expression classifier)?
We use the latest in thyroid fine needle biopsy techniques with ultrasound guidance. We also use the most advanced technologies for evaluating thyroid biopsy specimens. We participated in a research trial which led to the use of molecular diagnostics for evaluating selected thyroid biopsy specimens and now we routinely use the Affirma gene expression classifier (GEC) to evaluate thyroid biopsy specimens. The Affirma test is done on specimens in which the result is not clearly benign or cancerous. It tests proteins inside of the cells to determine if characteristics are consistent with benign or cancerous findings. This technology has reduced the number of patients requiring surgery.