BREAST ULTRASOUND

 

Breast imaging requires detection and characterization of breast abnormalities. The primary goal of Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound is to characterize abnormalities that have already been detected by mammography, palpable abnormalities, evaluating nipple discharge, evaluating breast implant integrity, or patients younger than 30 years of age, pregnant, or breast feeding. Breast ultrasound is not used as a screening tool it is used in conjunction with mammography and thorough physical exam. The use of breast ultrasound in appropriately selected patients can increase the certainty of a benign (non-cancerous) diagnosis, or it can increase the suspicion of a malignant (cancerous) lesion. Consequently, breast ultrasound may lead to biopsy in some patients, but should prevent unnecessary biopsy in most.

 

Breast ultrasound is very effective in identifying breast cysts. Breast cysts are harmless, liquid-filled sacs in the breast tissue. Cysts tend to come and go, usually related to hormonal cycles. Breast ultrasound is a painless procedure, which usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and does not involve compression of the breast. Ultrasound does not utilize radiation. An ultrasound technologist will apply a clear gel to the breast. This gel allows the sound waves to travel through the skin, and down to the tissues that are the target of the study. The resulting sound-wave pattern is displayed on a monitor. The image shows the inside of the breast in a targeted, more specific image for the radiologist to interpret. Lesions that are only identified by ultrasound or simply well visualized with ultrasound may be goon to biopsy utilizing ultrasound guidance. See the breast biopsy section for further information.