High breast density is one of the many known risk factors for breast cancer. Breast ultrasound is not performed as a replacement for mammography, but rather as a supplemental screening tool that may be helpful in detection of cancers in women with dense breast tissue.Įxtremely dense breast tissue can make cancer more difficult to detect on a mammogram. Screening breast ultrasound is performed only in patients who have no signs or symptoms of breast disease. If a biopsy is recommended, our team will assist you in making arrangements for the procedure. The radiologist discusses the results and any follow-up recommendations with the patient and answers any questions. The images are always reviewed by the breast imaging radiologist who also typically examines the patient with ultrasound. Only mild compression is applied with the probe and this rarely causes any patient discomfort. The patient is scanned while lying on her back or slightly on her side. A water-soluble gel substance is placed on the skin of the breast and a small ultrasound probe (transducer) is rubbed over the breast to produce the images which are seen on the computer screen. How is a Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound performed?ĭiagnostic breast ultrasound is performed by a technologist who has been specially trained. ![]() Focal breast pain, not related to the hormonal cycle.A spontaneous bloody or clear (translucent) nipple discharge.A palpable lump or area of thickening in the breast (felt by the patient or her physician).Symptoms which would prompt a diagnostic ultrasound exam include: It is typically a limited exam, directed toward a specific area of interest in the breast. It also is commonly used to obtain more detail about a finding identified on mammography and for follow-up of previously identified lesions to look for changes. ![]() What is a Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound?Ī diagnostic breast ultrasound is a non-invasive, painless test utilized to assess patients with symptoms that might indicate breast cancer or other breast disease. ![]() It is especially helpful for evaluation of breast abnormalities which may be unclear because of dense breast tissue on a mammogram.īreast ultrasound may be a Diagnostic exam or a Screening exam. The sound waves pass through the breast tissue and then are reflected back in different ways from different tissue structures to produce the images.Ī breast ultrasound provides imaging information that can assist in the diagnosis of cysts/fibrocystic changes, solid benign masses, cancers, abnormal lymph nodes, infectious processes and post-operative changes/scar tissue. What is a Breast Ultrasound?īreast ultrasound imaging is performed using high-frequency sound waves that humans cannot hear. Ultrasound also is utilized for breast cancer screening in selected patients. Our doctors work collaboratively with the breast surgeons of The Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy to provide comprehensive care for women.ĭiagnostic breast ultrasound is used to evaluate breast symptoms or to evaluate abnormal findings on mammography. The doctors of The Tyanna O’Brien Center for Women’s Imaging at Mercy in Baltimore, Maryland offer screening and diagnostic breast ultrasound.
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