Breast Ultrasound Exam
Most often, doctors order a breast ultrasound exam to answer a specific question about a particular area of the breast. Such questions might arise when:
- A mammogram shows an abnormality
- A physical examination of the breast discovers a lump
- A breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test reveals a suspicious area
While a targeted breast ultrasound can be a helpful diagnostic tool, it is not done as part of a routine screening.
How Ultrasound Works
Ultrasonography uses sound waves, instead of radiation or x-rays, to create an image of part of the body. An ultrasound offers more information than a mammogram, which is a special x-ray of the breast. For example, an ultrasound is particularly useful in distinguishing fluids from solids, so it is often used to detect cysts (small fluid-filled structures within the breast).
What to Expect
The ultrasound is painless and will take about 30 minutes. You will lie on your back and the ultrasound technician will put some clear gel on the breast to be examined. This helps the transducer, a small device that the technician holds, make better contact with the skin. The technician will move the transducer back and forth over your breast. As it moves, it sends out silent sound waves. The waves are then reflected back to the transducer, analyzed, and converted into a picture called a sonogram that displays on a monitor.
Results
When the exam is finished, a radiologist reviews the images and may need to perform a brief ultrasound scan to confirm the findings. The radiologist will usually discuss the results with you, or refer you to the doctor who ordered the test.
