What is Breast Ultrasound
Breast ultrasound or breast ultrasonogram, is a procedure that is used to check for breast problems. A breast ultrasound uses harmless sound waves and a computer to create pictures of the inside of your breast.
This procedure can help determine whether a lump in your breast is a fluid-filled sac (cyst), a solid tumor, or a growth. It can also help determine whether a tumor is cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Sometimes a breast ultrasound is done to locate nodules in the breast that are too small to feel but need to be removed during surgery. A breast ultrasound takes about 30 minutes.
Tell a health care provider about:
- Any allergies you have.
- All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
- Any blood disorders you have.
- Any surgeries you have had.
- Any medical conditions you have.
What are the risks?
Breast ultrasound is safe and painless. Ultrasound imaging does not use X-rays. There are no known risks for this procedure.
What happens before the procedure?
You do not need to prepare for a breast ultrasound. You will undress from your waist up, so wear loose, comfortable clothing on the day of the procedure.
What happens during the procedure?
- You will lie down on an examining table.
- A health care provider will apply gel to your breast area.
- You may be asked to hold your arm above your head.
- The health care provider will move a handheld probe, which looks like a microphone, back and forth over your breast.
- The probe will send signals to a computer that will create images of your breast.
- When the procedure is over, the gel will be cleaned from your breast, and you can get dressed.
What happens after the procedure?
- You can go home right away and do all of your usual activities.
- It is up to you to get the results of your procedure. Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the procedure, when your results will be ready.
Summary
- A breast ultrasound is a procedure that is used to check for breast problems.
- This procedure uses harmless sound waves and a computer to create pictures of the inside of your breast.
- This is a safe procedure.
