Breast ultrasound

A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of the breast. A breast ultrasound can show all areas of the breast, including the area close to the chest wall.

A breast ultrasound is most often used to check a breast lump found with a breast exam or on a mammogram. An ultrasound can tell if a breast lump is filled with fluid (a cyst) or is solid. A lump that has no fluid or that has fluid with floating particles may need more tests.

A breast ultrasound does not cause pain. A small handheld unit called a transducer is gently passed over the breast. A computer converts the sound waves into a picture that is shown on a screen. The picture is called a sonogram or ultrasound scan.

Breast ultrasound does not use X-rays or other potentially harmful types of radiation.

Breast ultrasound can add important information to the results of other tests, such as a mammogram or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It also may provide information that is not found with a mammogram. A breast ultrasound may be done to:

• Find the cause of breast symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and redness.
• Check a breast lump found with a breast exam. 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.
• Check abnormal results from a mammogram.
• Look at your breast tissue if you are younger. Breast tissue is often more dense when you are younger, and a mammogram may not show as much detail.
• Guide the placement of a needle or other tube to drain a collection of fluid (cyst) or pus (abscess), take a sample of breast tissue (biopsy), or guide breast surgery.
• Watch for changes in the size of a cyst or a noncancerous lump (fibroadenoma).
• See how far cancer has spread in a breast.
• 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.

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 screen.