Neck Ultrasound Scan
A Neck Ultrasound provides a targeted assessment of a palpable neck lump or swollen lymph node. Any unexplained neck lump present for more than three weeks should be assessed promptly.
Clinical content reviewed by the MyScanHub clinical team · October 20264 minutes reading time
From
£190
All-inclusive. Reported by a consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer within 72 hours.
- Radiologists & specialist sonographers
- CQC registered
- GDPR compliant
- Report within 72 hours
What is a Neck Ultrasound Scan?
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves — no radiation and no injections — to produce real-time images of soft tissues and organs.
Ultrasound is safe, painless, and radiation-free — making it a first-line investigation for many conditions of the neck.
Is this scan right for you?
Common reasons for having this scan include:
- Unexplained neck lump
- Neck swelling that is new or growing
- Painful neck gland
- Surveillance following head and neck cancer
- Neck swelling with ENT symptoms
What a Neck Ultrasound Scan can find
Ultrasound can identify:
- Lymphadenopathy
- Thyroid abnormalities contributing to neck swelling
- Benign neck cysts
- Salivary gland abnormalities
- Features requiring urgent specialist review
What it cannot do
Ultrasound is an excellent first-line tool for thyroid, neck and scalp assessment but has inherent limitations. Findings must always be interpreted alongside clinical assessment by your GP or specialist. A normal result does not exclude all pathology. Suspicious features will be communicated clearly at the time of your scan with guidance on next steps.
What happens on the day
- 1Check in at our clinic in the Guildhall Outer Car Park at Bluewater. Parking is free.
- 2You lie back with your neck slightly extended. A little gel goes on the skin and the probe is moved over the front and sides of the neck.
- 3The scan takes about 20 minutes. There are no needles and nothing to recover from: you can drive and go back to work straight away.
- 4Your written report is uploaded to your secure patient account within 72 hours.
Is ultrasound the right test for a lump?
For a lump you can feel in the neck or on the scalp, ultrasound is the first test: it shows whether the lump is a cyst, a lymph node or something solid, and whether it needs further assessment. Deeper or larger lumps may need MRI afterwards; if that applies, the report will say so.
Preparing for your Neck Ultrasound Scan
On the day of your scan:
- No fasting is required
- Wear a low or open collar
Please notify the team if:
- You are pregnant or might be pregnant
- You have any open wounds or skin infections in the scanning area
- You have relevant medical history (diabetes, cardiac, blood thinners)
- You have allergies to latex or ultrasound gel
Your report
All diagnostic scans at MyScanHub are performed and reported by GMC-registered Consultant Radiologists or HCPC-registered Clinical Specialist Sonographers. Your written report is delivered securely to your patient portal within 72 hours.
You can download the report and your images from your patient account to share with your GP, physiotherapist or specialist, or add a GP consultation to talk the findings through. How to open and share your results.
Why consider a private Ultrasound scan for the neck?
When you need answers quickly — or when prior imaging has been inconclusive — a private Ultrasound at MyScanHub gives you timely access and specialist reporting without the wait.
Private scan benefits include:
- Fast access — same-day or next-day appointments, no waiting list
- Consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer report within 72 hours
- Fully-private, CQC-registered, GDPR-compliant imaging centre
- Secure online access to your report and images, easy to share with your GP or specialist
Smarter scanning. Proactive health. Peace of mind.
Step 1
Choose
Pick a scan or a programme. No GP referral required.
Step 2
Book
Select a time online — same-day availability most weekdays.
Step 3
Scan
Be seen by specialists at our Dartford, Kent imaging centre.
Step 4
Results
Your written report within 72 hours, in your secure patient account.
Frequently asked questions
Does the neck scan include the thyroid?
It covers the lump or area you are concerned about, together with the lymph nodes and salivary glands around it. If the question is the thyroid itself, book the thyroid scan.
Will the scan tell me if a lymph node is serious?
It shows the node's size, shape and blood flow, which separates the common reactive nodes from those that need further assessment, and the report says which.
What happens if a nodule or lump is found?
The report describes it using the standard UK criteria and says whether it needs further assessment, such as a biopsy or a specialist opinion, which your GP can arrange. Most nodules found on ultrasound are benign.
How long does the scan take?
About 20 minutes.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly, and every scan is reported by a consultant radiologist or a clinical specialist sonographer. You can share the report with your GP afterwards.
When will I get my report?
Your written report, from a GMC-registered consultant radiologist or an HCPC-registered clinical specialist sonographer, is delivered securely to your patient account within 72 hours of your scan, with your images alongside it.
Where is the clinic?
Our imaging centre is at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford, Kent (DA9 9ST), in the Guildhall Outer Car Park — free parking, a few minutes from junction 2 of the M25 and the A2. We're open Monday to Saturday 8am–9pm and Sunday 10am–5pm. Full directions are sent with your booking confirmation.
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Ready to book your Neck Ultrasound Scan?
Book online in minutes. Same-day and next-day slots available most weekdays in Dartford, Kent. Reported by a consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer within 72 hours.
At our clinic in Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford: free parking, open seven days. How to find us · All private ultrasound scans in Dartford & Kent