What is a Breast Ultrasound.
Breast ultrasound or sonography of breast is an non invasive procedure which makes the use of high frequency sound waves to produce images of the breast tissue. The sound waves are not audible to the human ear. They pass through the breast tissue bouncing off them and differentiating normal tissue from the abnormal one. It is an important diagnostic procedure in breast screening to rule out malignancy from any abnormality.
These sound waves are interpreted by a computer and translated into radiological images or videos. This diagnostic procedure is also known as ultrasound imaging or ultrasound scanning or sonography.
Breast Ultrasound|Breast Sonography.
Uses. Breast ultrasound can often tell whether the breast mass is a solid lump or a cyst filled with fluid. Further, it can also differentiate between a benign lump and a malignant one. If a lump has been detected, its precise location as shown on the ultrasound helps to guide the needle during breast biopsy for taking the tumor material for histopatholgy examination. Breast ultrasound or sonography of breast can show the movements of the organ and also the blood flowing through the blood vessels.
Breast Ultrasound Procedure.
The patient is asked to lie down on the back with the upper half of the body totally bare. A water soluble gel is applied over the breast. A soft microphone like device called the transducer is pressed firmly over the skin of the breast and gently moved over the breast. Holding of the breath may be necessary a few times. The procedure is harmless, fast and easy and is completed within ten to twenty minutes. Once the procedure is over, the gel is wiped. Results are immediately available as the radiologist is viewing the computer screen during the procedure and interpreting the results.
Picture of breast ultrasound procedure.
Side Effects and Risks.
Ultrasound does not use radiation. It uses sound waves which are harmless to the body.
Uses and Limitations of Breast Ultrasound.
Breast ultrasound can detect small breast tumors that have been missed in mammography. MRI is more sensitive than ultrasound but not all women can tolerate contrast enhanced MRI. In such women, ultrasound serves as an alternative. Many a times, tumors diagnosed on breast cancer ultrasound turn out to be non malignant (false positive) on breast biopsy. This limits its cost effectiveness.
Ultrasound breast image showing benign mass.
When a breast cancer ultrasound detects an abnormality, biopsy is required for further confirmation. Ultrasound is also used by the doctor to help him guide the biopsy needle accurately into the suspicious part of the breast. As ultrasound produces instant imaging, it becomes a very useful to guide for biopsy procedures.
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