 |
A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of the tissues inside the breast. A breast ultrasound can show all areas of the breast, including the area closest to the chest wall, which is hard to study with a mammogram. Breast ultrasound does not use X-rays or other types of radiation.
A breast ultrasound is used to see whether a breast lump is filled with fluid (a cyst) or if it is a solid lump. An ultrasound does not replace the need for a mammogram; however, it is often used to check a problem seen on a mammogram.
For a breast ultrasound, a small handheld unit called a transducer is gently passed back and forth over the breast. The sound waves are made into a picture that shows on a TV screen. The picture is called a sonogram, echogram, or ultrasound scan.
A small handheld instrument called a transducer is passed back and forth over the breast. The picture produced by ultrasound is called a sonogram, echogram, or ultrasound scan.
Image copyright 2000 by Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Why It Is Done
Breast ultrasound is done to:
- Check a breast lump found on breast self-examination, physical examination, or mammogram. It is used to see whether a breast lump is fluid-filled (a cyst) or if it is a solid lump. A lump that has no fluid or that has fluid with floating particles may need more tests.
- Look at the breasts in younger women because their breast tissue is often more dense, and a mammogram may not show as much detail.
- Guide the placement of a needle or other tube to drain a collection of pus (abscess), take a sample of breast tissue (biopsy), or guide breast surgery.
- Watch the growth of a cyst or guide the placement of a needle to drain the cyst.
- Check your breasts if you have silicone breast implants or dense breasts. In these situations, a mammogram may not be able to see breast lumps.
- Find the cause of breast symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and redness.
Back To Services >>
|
