Breast Ultrasound
Breast ultrasound, also known as sonography, is frequently used to evaluate breast abnormalities that are found with screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms, or during a physician performed clinical breast exam. An ultrasound does not use radiation. Ultrasound can often quickly determine if a suspicious area is in fact a cyst or an increased density of solid tissue (dense mass) which may require further studies to determine if it is malignant (cancerous).
A breast ultrasound is usually performed by a specially trained technologist. Gel is put on the breast so that the transducer, a handheld device that is pressed against the skin, can pick up sound waves as it is moved back and forth over the breast. A picture of the breast tissue can be seen on a computer screen. You may be asked to wait until a radiologist has reviewed the pictures.
Wear a two-piece outfit so that it is easy to undress above the waist.
Please arrive about 15 minutes before your exam to fill out a brief questionnaire and history form, or you can pre-fill them out online Click Here
One of our onsite board certified radiologists interprets the images and composes a report of the results. If you had a previous mammogram and additional views, the radiologist will immediately read your exam and we will give you these results while you are in our office. If your breast ultrasound is a 6 month follow-up or is ordered by your referring physician as a screening, a report will be written and sent to your referring doctor within 24 hours, and your doctor will give you a call with the results. We always welcome our patients to pick up a copy of their reports for their own personal records.
The following chart shows the steps normally taken should a breast ultrasound show an abnormality not yet determined to be cancer.
Here is a link for the Fast-Check Forms and Questionnaires.
