Neck Ultrasound, Cardiff & South Wales
Self-refer. Consultant-led. Immediate results explained at your appointment.
neck ultrasound scan
What's included for £260
- ✓Consultant Radiologist scan, with results explained immediately
- ✓Written report within 24-48 hours
- ✓Digital scan images
- ✓Onward referral if needed
- ✓No GP referral required
The neck, in detail
A comprehensive scan of the soft tissues of the neck, covering the lymph nodes, salivary glands, muscles and any lump you can feel.
Cervical lymph nodes
All neck levels assessed, from reactive swelling to nodes that need a closer look.
Neck lumps
Lipomas, cysts and enlarged nodes. For a lump elsewhere on the body, see our lump & bump scan.
Submandibular glands
Stones, swelling and masses in the glands under the jaw.
Parotid glands
The lower part is in view, so cysts and lumps there can be seen.
Carotid arteries
Visible plaque and how the vessel looks. This is not a full carotid Doppler study.
Skin & subcutaneous lumps
Superficial lumps in the skin and the fatty layer beneath, such as sebaceous cysts and small lipomas.
Sternocleidomastoid
The main strap muscle of the neck, assessed for masses and, in babies, torticollis.
Quick look at the thyroid
A quick look at the gland is included. If the thyroid itself is your main concern, our thyroid ultrasound covers it in detail.
Reasons to book a neck scan
What we can identify
Neck ultrasound is the first-line imaging test for a neck lump or swollen glands.
Enlarged lymph nodes
Reactive patterns from infection versus nodes with features that need further assessment. Also common in the armpit.
Salivary gland stones & swelling
Stones, blocked ducts and inflammation in the submandibular and parotid glands.
Lipomas
Soft, fatty lumps, with their size and depth mapped.
Neck cysts
Sebaceous, branchial and thyroglossal cysts that often show up as a painless lump.
Carotid plaque
Plaque in the carotid arteries can be seen, though a full flow study needs a dedicated carotid Doppler.
Muscle & soft-tissue masses
Lumps within the sternocleidomastoid and the other neck muscles and soft tissues.
If a lump or node needs sampling, we arrange a fine-needle aspiration biopsy with a specialist. If the thyroid gland itself is your main concern, our thyroid ultrasound looks at it in detail.
When to also see your GP. A neck lump, or a hoarse voice, that lasts more than 3 weeks should be checked by your GP as well as scanned. Your GP can refer you along the urgent NHS head and neck pathway where that is needed. A private scan is a fast way to get answers, but it does not replace that route.
Preparation
How to prepare
No special prep. We position you with the neck gently extended, which brings the neck structures forward and gives the clearest images.
If you have neck stiffness or arthritis, let us know and we'll work in a position that's comfortable for you.
Your appointment, step by step
Arrive
Free parking at Penarth. 5-minute walk from Penarth railway station.
Meet your consultant
Brief chat about your symptoms and history. Ask any questions.
The scan (20-30 mins)
You lie on your back with a pillow under your shoulders so the neck is gently extended, and warm gel goes on the front of the neck. You may be asked to swallow, which moves the structures and helps separate them for a clear view.
Immediate results
Your consultant explains the findings as they scan and again at the end, so you leave knowing what's going on. Written report follows within 24-48 hours.
Had been waiting ages on the NHS to get a scan, so when I saw this service available on the high street I was surprised. Scan was organised for the same week, totally worth it. Actually got a diagnosis for once. Dr Junaid was very thorough and explained everything.
Transparent, all-inclusive
One price for your neck ultrasound. Add a second or third area in the same appointment for better value.
Neck Ultrasound
- ✓Immediate results explained, plus written report in 24-48 hrs
- ✓Same-week appointment
- ✓No GP referral required
Bundle with another area
- ✓Two body areas in one appointment
- ✓Common combos: neck + a lump elsewhere, neck + abdomen
- ✓Save £160 versus two separate scans
Three areas in one visit
- ✓Three body areas in one appointment
- ✓Handy if you're checking a few areas at once
- ✓All three areas covered in a single visit
The 2 and 3-area prices cover any combination of areas. Book the matching option and tell the consultant which areas you would like scanned on the day.
All prices include consultation, scan, written report, digital images and any onward referral if required. Blood tests and biopsy, if you need them, are priced separately.
Our Penarth clinic
Patients travel to us from Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Barry, Caerphilly, Swansea and the Vale.
Common questions about neck ultrasound
How much does a neck ultrasound cost?
£260 all-inclusive. Adding a second area in the same appointment is £360, and three areas is £399.
What is the difference between the neck scan and the thyroid scan?
The neck scan covers lumps, lymph nodes, the salivary glands and neck muscles, with a quick look at the thyroid included. If the thyroid gland itself is your main concern, such as swelling, a nodule or an abnormal blood test, book the dedicated thyroid ultrasound instead. Both are £260, and the consultant scans whatever is relevant on the day.
What can a neck ultrasound show?
Neck lumps and where they sit, enlarged lymph nodes, salivary gland stones and swelling, cysts and lipomas, and masses within the neck muscles. It is the first-line imaging test for most neck lumps.
I have had a neck lump for a few weeks, should I see my GP too?
Yes. A neck lump, or a hoarse voice, that lasts more than 3 weeks should be checked by your GP as well as scanned, as your GP can refer you along the urgent NHS head and neck pathway if that is needed. A private scan gives you fast answers but does not replace that route.
Can ultrasound tell whether a lump is serious?
It characterises a lump by its size, structure and how it sits against nearby tissue, and flags features that need further assessment. A firm diagnosis of some lumps still needs a biopsy, which we can arrange with a specialist.
Do you scan the thyroid as part of this?
We include a quick look at the thyroid. For a detailed thyroid assessment, including nodules and goitre, see our thyroid ultrasound.
How long does the scan take?
About 20-30 minutes.
Do I need a referral?
No, you can self-refer and book online.
How quickly can I be seen?
Most appointments are available within 48-72 hours.
Is ultrasound safe?
Yes. It uses sound waves rather than radiation, and is safe in pregnancy.
Will I get a written report?
Yes. Immediate verbal results at the appointment, plus a written consultant report within 24-48 hours.
Where do I go?
Acorn Private Clinic at Penarth (CF64 2AD), 10 minutes from Cardiff.
Get the answers you need.
Self-refer for a private neck ultrasound. Consultant-led, same-week, with immediate results explained at your appointment and a written report within 24-48 hours. £260 all-inclusive.