Breast Ultrasound
Alternate Names : Ultrasonography of the Breast
DefinitionThe use of ultrasonic sound waves (sounds that cannot be heard by humans) to produce an image of breast tissue.
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Why is the Test Performed?
Breast ultrasonography may be used to supplement mammography or as an independent examination.
Ultrasonography may be used in the following types of women to detect and classify breast lesions:
- Women with dense breasts
- Women with fibrocystic breast disease
- Women with a lesion that cannot be well classified with mammography alone
- Young women with masses
- Pregnant women with masses
- Women with silicon breast implants
- Women who refuse exposure to X-rays (mammography)
- Women who should not be exposed to X-rays
If a cystic lesion is identified, ultrasound can be used to guide needle drainage or biopsy.
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