Breast ultrasound
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Breast ultrasound
A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of the breast. A breast ultrasound can show all areas of the breast, including the area close to the chest wall.
A breast ultrasound is most often used to check a breast lump found on breast self-examination, physical examination, or on a mammogram. An ultrasound can tell if a breast lump is filled with fluid (a cyst) or is solid. A lump that has no fluid or that has fluid with floating particles may need more tests.
A breast ultrasound does not cause pain. A small handheld unit called a transducer is gently passed over the breast. A computer converts the sound waves into a picture that is shown on a TV screen. The picture is called a sonogram or ultrasound scan.
Breast ultrasound does not use X-rays or other potentially harmful types of radiation.
Credits
| Author | Bets Davis, MFA |
| Editor | Maria Essig |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology |
| Last Updated | April 3, 2008 |
| Last updated: | April 03, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Bets Davis, MFA |
| Reviewed By: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology |
| Editors: | Maria Essig, Tracy Landauer |
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