Private Child Neck / Thyroid Ultrasound

Your child might need a Neck & Thyroid Ultrasound if you or your GP have noticed a lump or swelling in the neck, glands that feel enlarged or have not settled after a few weeks, or any concern about the thyroid, the small gland at the front of the neck. It is also the right next step if your child has a swelling that comes and goes, a lump near the midline of the neck, or a fullness under the jaw or in front of the ear.

Neck lumps are very common in children and the great majority are completely harmless. Most are simply lymph glands reacting to a recent cough, cold or sore throat. Because a lump cannot always be told apart by feel alone, a gentle ultrasound is the simplest, safest way to look beneath the skin and find out exactly what it is.

In a single appointment the scan can look at:

• Neck lumps and swellings, their size, shape and exact location.
• Lymph glands (nodes), whether they are reactive, enlarged or persistent.
• The thyroid gland, its size, position and texture.
• Thyroid nodules, small lumps within the thyroid.
• Congenital neck cysts, such as a thyroglossal duct cyst or branchial cyst.
• Salivary glands, swelling under the jaw or in front of the ear.

The sonographer also uses Colour Doppler to look at the blood supply within a lump or gland, which helps tell a simple reactive node from one that needs a closer look.

A neck ultrasound uses safe, pain-free sound waves, with no radiation, no needles and no injection. A small amount of warm, clear gel is placed on the skin of the neck, and the sonographer moves a smooth, hand-held probe gently over the area to build a live picture on the screen.

Ultrasound carries no known health risks, so it is the ideal first test for children, and can be repeated as often as needed with complete peace of mind.

The scan is gentle, quick and completely painless, and you are welcome to stay with your child throughout. Younger children can sit on a parent’s lap if that helps them feel settled.

• Your child lies back or sits with the chin lifted slightly so the neck is easy to reach. A small, soft pillow or rolled towel may be used for support.
• Warm gel is placed on the neck and the sonographer slides a smooth probe over the skin. There are no needles and nothing that hurts; the gel may feel a little cool at first but quickly warms up.
• The gel wipes off easily with a soft towel and your child can carry on with their day straight away.

The sonographer explains what they can see as they go, so by the end of the appointment you will already have a clear picture of what was found.

No special preparation is needed. Your child can eat and drink normally, take any regular medicines as usual, and come straight to the appointment. There is no fasting and no full-bladder requirement for a neck or thyroid scan.

It can help to dress your child in a top with an open or loose neckline so the neck is easy to reach, and to bring a favourite toy, book or comforter so they feel relaxed. If your child is old enough, a quick word beforehand, explaining that the scan is just “warm jelly and a little camera that takes pictures” can take away any worry.

Yes, a neck ultrasound is completely safe and pain-free for children of any age. It uses harmless sound waves, exactly the same technology used to scan babies during pregnancy. There is no radiation, no needles, no injection and no known side effects.

Your child can return to normal activity immediately afterwards, and the scan can be safely repeated as often as needed if your specialist wants to keep an eye on something over time.

You shouldn’t have to wait for important answers about your baby’s health. That’s why, at the Harley Street Ultrasound Group, we give you same-day results.

Your specialist senior sonographer will talk you through what they can see during the scan itself, so you leave the room with an understanding of your child's findings. Your full medical report with tailored advice and any recommended next steps will be ready the same day, along with high-resolution digital images of the scan.

You can view and share both the report and the images securely from any internet-connected device, including your phone, and forward them directly to your GP, health visitor or a paediatric specialist.

Most neck scans in children show simple, harmless causes. The most common findings are:

• Reactive lymph nodes: glands that have grown slightly while fighting a recent cough, cold, sore throat or ear infection. These are very common, completely benign, and usually settle on their own over a few weeks.
• Thyroglossal duct cyst: a soft, harmless cyst in the midline of the neck that has been present since birth. It often moves when your child swallows or sticks out their tongue.
• Branchial cyst: a benign fluid-filled cyst on the side of the neck, also present from birth.
• Thyroid nodule: a small lump within the thyroid gland. Most are not serious, and ultrasound measures the size and look of the nodule precisely.
• Salivary gland swelling: usually due to infection or a small blocked duct, and generally short-lived.

Your sonographer will explain exactly what was found in clear, everyday language so you leave feeling informed and reassured.

In most cases the scan is reassuring and no further action is needed beyond keeping an eye on things at home. Sometimes, though, your specialist may suggest a simple next step, such as if a lymph node is unusually large, has not settled after several weeks, or has features that warrant a closer look, or if a thyroid nodule is above a certain size.

Next steps are usually straightforward and may include a repeat ultrasound in a few weeks to check that a node is shrinking, a referral to a paediatrician or ENT specialist, or occasionally a blood test of thyroid function. Your report will set out any recommendation clearly so you know exactly what, if anything, to do next.

It is completely natural to worry, but please be reassured: the vast majority of childhood neck lumps are benign and reactive. Most are simply lymph glands that have grown a little while fighting off a common infection, and they settle on their own.

A lump is more likely to be harmless if it appeared around the time of a cold or sore throat, is soft and a little tender, moves easily under the skin, and gets smaller over a few weeks. It is worth getting checked sooner if a lump is hard, growing, fixed in place, present for more than a few weeks, or your child also has unexplained fevers, night sweats or weight loss.

Either way, a quick ultrasound is the kindest way to replace worry with a clear answer, and in most cases that answer is simply reassurance.

A Private Child Neck & Thyroid Ultrasound at the Harley Street Ultrasound Group is £350, all fees inclusive.

What’s included in the price:

• One-to-one appointment with a specialist senior sonographer experienced with children.
• Comprehensive neck and thyroid ultrasound plus Colour Doppler.
• Detailed written medical report with tailored advice.
• Same-day high-resolution digital images delivered to your secure portal.
• No referral required and no waiting list, most families are seen within 24 to 48 hours.

We accept self-pay and most major UK private health insurers. If you have insurance, please contact your provider before booking to confirm your policy covers a private child pelvic ultrasound, and our team is happy to provide any details they need.

Many parents worry that coming to us privately will somehow affect their baby’s NHS care. That simply is not the case.

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get your baby on the right path fast. When you come to us, your child is seen by a qualified specialist who can investigate their symptoms the same day. If your child needs further care, our specialist will write to your NHS GP advising them, and your report and images can be shared securely with any NHS paediatric team.

We don’t want you waiting weeks for answers. Your child’s health and your peace of mind is priceless.