1.1 What is ultrasonography of breast?
ultrasonography of breast is a non-invasive examination that generates real-time images of the breast to assist doctors in diagnosis and monitoring of patients’ conditions.
During the examination, the doctor will use an ultrasound probe to scan the skin of the breast. The ultrasound probe emits high-frequency ultrasound energy, which penetrates the skin and reaches the tissues inside the breast. When the ultrasound encounters the tissues within the breast, it is reflected back to the receiver within the ultrasound probe. Through computer analysis and reconstruction, real-time ultrasound images of the breast can be displayed on the monitor.
1.2 Superiority and limitations of ultrasonography of breast
Breast ultrasound scanning has the following advantages:
- It can clearly distinguish between cysts and solid tumors in the breast.
- Compared to mammography, breast ultrasound scanning has higher accuracy, especially for young women and those with dense breast tissue.
- Chinese women often have higher breast density, which can lead to decreased accuracy with mammography due to tissue overlap. In contrast, breast ultrasound scanning is more effective in detecting small cysts and benign fibroadenomas within the breast.
- This examination does not involve radiation, making it safe for pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.
- The procedure is painless for the patient.
- Ultrasound can be used to guide fine-needle aspiration for extracting cells from breast lesions for pathological examination or core needle biopsy for tissue sampling.
Additionally, doctors often recommend both breast ultrasound scanning and mammography together to increase the likelihood of detecting abnormalities within the breast.
Limitations of ultrasound scanning include:
- It has lower sensitivity in detecting calcifications.
- Difficulty in determining small masses measuring less than ten millimeters.
- Ultrasound waves may be blocked by the sternum and ribs, making it challenging to visualize lymph nodes near the sternum.
- It is more likely to miss small lesions in women with uneven glandular structures or a relatively large breast examination area.
It has lower sensitivity in detecting ductal carcinoma in situ compared to mammography.
1.3 How is ultrasonographic examination of breast done?
This examination does not require fasting or hospitalization. The healthcare personnel will first ask you to lie down on the examination bed and instruct you to roll up your upper clothing. They will then apply a small amount of ultrasound gel to your breast. During the examination, the doctor will gently press the ultrasound probe against your breast skin to conduct the scan. The room lights may be dimmed to allow the doctor to see the ultrasound images clearly on the monitor.
The doctor will carefully examine different parts of your breast from various angles. You should not experience any pain during the examination, although there may be slight discomfort.
After the examination is completed, the healthcare personnel will assist you in removing the ultrasound gel from your body. Breast ultrasound scanning usually takes about ten to twenty minutes.
1.4 Examination tips
- Please bring any reports, scan films, and CDs related to your breast medical history for the radiologist’s reference and comparison.
- When undergoing the examination, please clearly inform the radiographer about your breast medical history.
- Avoid undergoing breast imaging during the week before your period or while menstruating, as breast swelling may affect the accuracy of the scan and imaging results.
- Please wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably a two-piece outfit such as a shirt and pants.
- On the day of the examination, please refrain from applying deodorant or perfume, as these products may affect the quality of the imaging.