Diagnostic Ultrasound

The primary use of breast ultrasound today is to help diagnose breast abnormalities detected by a physician during a physical exam (such as a lump, or bloody or spontaneous clear nipple discharge) and to characterize potential abnormalities seen on mammography.

Ultrasound imaging, also called sonography, is an imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce precise images of structures within your body. Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show internal structure and movement, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels. This non-invasive, real-time view of the inside of your breast obtained by the sonographer can help the diagnostic radiologist make a more conclusive diagnosis of a breast abnormality.

Ultrasound imaging can help determine if an abnormality is solid (which may be a non-cancerous lump of tissue or a cancerous tumor) or fluid-filled (such as a benign cyst) or both cystic and solid. Ultrasound can also help show additional features of the abnormal area.

Ultrasound as a screening tool

While most commonly used as a diagnostic exam, ultrasound is sometimes recommended as a breast cancer screening procedure for women who meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • at high risk for breast cancer and unable to tolerate an MRI examination
  • at intermediate risk for breast cancer based on family history, personal history of breast cancer, or prior biopsy showing an abnormal result
  • have dense breasts
  • have silicone breast implants and very little tissue can be included on the mammogram
  • are pregnant or should not be exposed to x-rays