Why is this procedure done?
A breast ultrasound is done to help see the tissues in your breast. An ultrasound uses sound waves to make images or pictures. Your doctor may order an ultrasound if your mammogram results show you may have a health problem. It may help the doctor decide what is wrong. An ultrasound shows if you have a mass in your breast, the size of the mass, and if the mass is filled with fluid or not. This test can also show if there is any injury or disease to your breasts. If your doctor wants to find out if more treatment is needed, an ultrasound can guide the doctor during a biopsy. ‚
What will the results be?
Your doctor will look at your ultrasound. The results will help your doctor find out if there is a problem with your breast tissue. Together you can make a plan for further care. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
Most often you do not need to do anything to prepare for your test. ‚
What happens during the procedure?
- You will lie down on a bed. You may need to raise your arm over your head. The technician will place a small amount of gel on your breast. The gel helps transmit sound waves from the ultrasound machine inside your breast tissue. This test does not hurt.
- The technician will use a probe and will move it around your breast. The probe puts out sound waves. The sound waves bounce off of your tissue. A computer picks up the sound waves and changes them into pictures.
- You can see the pictures on a screen beside your bed. The probe may move over your skin and change positions. This will help to get more clear and complete images. The technician may take pictures or a videotape of moving images. Sometimes, the technician may press the probe more firmly on your breast to get a clearer view. You may feel some discomfort. The technician may ask you to move or hold your breath for a few seconds.
- The procedure takes about 30 minutes.
What happens after the procedure?
The technician will wipe off the gel. Your doctor will look at the printed images or videotape. You can go home right after your test. Talk to your doctor about when the results will be ready. ‚
What care is needed at home?
You may go back to your normal activities when you go home. ‚
What follow-up care is needed?
- The results will help your doctor find out about any problems with your breast. You may need other tests to plan for your treatment.
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
What problems could happen?
Ultrasound tests do not cause any problems to your health. ‚
Where can I learn more?
American Cancer Society ‚
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/moreinformation/breastcancerearlydetection/breast-cancer-early-detection-breast-ultrasound ‚
Radiological Society of North America ‚
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastus ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚