- Laboratory investigations:
- Thyroid function tests (1) – ensure patient is euthyroid prior to surgery
- Full Blood Count (1)– serious adverse haematological effects of concurrent antithyroid medications (agranulocytosis)
- Calcium levels (1) – provides baseline as levels may fall post-operatively
- Two group and save samples (1) – potential for blood loss
- Clinical investigations:
- Nasendoscopy (1) – document vocal cord function and visualization of laryngeal inlet
- Respiratory flow volume loops (spirometry) (1) – can help characterize fixed obstruction but rarely used
- ECG (1) – to determine arrhythmias associated with thyroid dysfunction
- Imaging investigations:
- Ultrasound (1) – first-line diagnostic imaging of thyroid nodule to determine the size, location and suspicious features
- CT scan (1) – performed if concerns regarding tracheal narrowing or deviation
- CXR (1) – may demonstrate tracheal deviation / retrosternal goitre
