Breast Ultrasound
What is Breast Ultrasound?
Breast Ultrasound, also known as sonography or ultrasonography, is frequently
used to evaluate breast abnormalities that are found with screening or diagnostic
mammography or during a physician performed clinical breast exam. Ultrasound
allows significant freedom in obtaining images of the breast from almost any
orientation. Ultrasound is excellent at imaging cysts: round, fluid-filled, pockets
inside the breast. Additionally, ultrasound can often
quickly determine if a suspicious area is in fact a cyst (always non-cancerous)
or an increased density of solid tissue (dense mass) which may require a biopsy
to determine if it is malignant (cancerous).
What Should I Expect?
Ultrasound is easy and painless; however, there could be some discomfort from
the pressure applied to the transducer. You will be positioned on an exam table
and a clear gel will be applied to your breast. A gel is used to eliminate the
air bubbles between the transducer and your body since the sound waves travel
poorly through air. The transducer is pressed against the skin and moved back
and forth to visualize the area of interest.
How Should I Prepare?
For this exam, no preparation is needed. You should wear comfortable loose-fitting
clothing, and you may also be asked to change into an examination robe.
How Do I Get the Results?
After your study is over, the images will be evaluated by one of our board-certified
radiologists, with expertise in breast ultrasound imaging. A final report will
be sent to your doctor who can then discuss the results with you in detail.
Should you have any questions regarding the Breast Ultrasound exam, we will be glad to discuss them with you.
