Breast Ultrasound FAQ
Why It Is Performed
Breast ultrasound is used to:
Check a breast lump found on breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, Digital Infrared BreastScan 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.
How To Prepare
Wear a two-piece outfit so that it is easy to undress above the waist.
Talk to the Clinical Director about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean.
How It Is Done
A breast ultrasound is done by a radiologist.
You will be asked to undress above the waist. You will be given a gown to drape around your shoulders. Remove all jewelry from around your neck.
Gel will be put on your breast so the transducer can pick up the sound waves as it is moved back and forth over the breast. A picture of the breast tissue can be seen on a TV screen.
A breast ultrasound test usually takes approximately 15 minutes. More time may be needed if a breast exam will be done or if a biopsy is also planned. You may be asked to wait until a radiologist has reviewed the pictures. The radiologist may want to do more ultrasound views of some areas of your breast.
How It Feels
The gel may feel cold when it is put on your breast. You will feel light pressure from the transducer as it passes over your breast, but you should feel no discomfort unless your breast is tender because of fibrocystic breast changes, an abscess, or another infection. You will not hear the sound waves. A special Doppler ultrasound may be used to check the blood flow to the breast; you can hear the sound waves from this type of ultrasound.
Risks
There are no known risks in having a breast ultrasound test.
Results
A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make of picture of the tissues inside of the breast.
The radiologist may discuss the results of the ultrasound with you right after the test.
What Affects the Test
You may not be able to have the test or the results may not be helpful if you have an open wound in the breast area.
What To Think About
An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy may allow the Clinical Director to check a suspicious lump without surgery.
An ultrasound does not replace a mammogram, it can be used to check on a problem seen on a mammogram. It can also be used to show more detail in women who have dense breasts.