Health Encyclopedia

Home | List of Topics | Radiology | Ultrasound

Breast ultrasound

Definition

Breast ultrasound is the use of ultrasonic sound waves (sounds that cannot be heard by humans) to produce an image of breast tissue.

Alternative Names

Ultrasonography of the breast

How the test is performed

You will be asked to undress from the waist up and put on a medical gown during the test. During the test, you will lie on your back on the examining table.

A water-soluble gel is placed on the breast and a hand-held device (transducer) that directs the sound waves to the breast tissue. The transducer is moved over the surface of the breast to create a picture.

The test is then repeated for the other breast, if necessary.

How to prepare for the test

Since you need to remove your clothing from the waist up, it may be helpful to wear a two-piece outfit. On the day of the test, do not use any lotions or powders on your breasts.

How the test will feel

The number of people involved in the test will be limited to protect your privacy.

You will be asked to raise your arms above your head and turn to the left or right as needed.

There is no discomfort from the ultrasound device.

Why the test is performed

Breast ultrasonography may be used with mammography or by itself.

Ultrasonography may be used to detect and classify breast lesions in the following types of women:

• 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)

Normal Values

Normally, the breast tissue will appear uniform and without masses.

What abnormal results mean

Distinctive patterns may indicate:

• Cysts
• Benign lesions
• Malignant lesions (breast cancer)

What the risks are

There are no risks associated with breast ultrasonography.

Review Date:5/3/2006
Reviewed By:Neil Grossman, MD, MetroWest Radiology Associates, Framingham, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.