Breast Ultrasound

What is breast ultrasonography?
Breast ultrasonography is used as an adjunct to mammography to distinguish if a lump or mass is solid tissue or if it is simply a fluid-filled cyst.

How should I prepare for an Ultrasound?
On the day of your exam:

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
• You will be asked to remove any clothing from the waist up.

What should I expect during this procedure?
The examination usually takes less than 30 minutes. After being positioned on the exam table, a clear gel is applied in the area being examined. This helps the transducer make contact with the skin. The technologist firmly presses the transducer against the skin and moves it back and forth to image the area of interest.

Generally, the technologist is able to review the ultrasound images in real-time or, when the examination is complete and the gel is wiped off, you may be asked to dress and wait while the ultrasound images are reviewed, either on film or monitor.

What will I experience during the procedure?
Most ultrasound exams are painless. The gel applied to your skin may be a bit cold and you may feel some pressure as the technologist guides the transducer over your breast. 

For more information on this topic, please visit www.Radiologyinfo.org.

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