Breast ultrasound

Breast ultrasound represents an important diagnostic procedure used to detect potential abnormalities in the breasts. The main advantage of breast ultrasound lies in its ability to discover changes that may not be visible on mammography, particularly in women under 40 years old or women with dense breasts.

Advantages of Breast Ultrasound Compared to Other Methods

Mammography often serves as the first step in breast screening, but proves less effective in women with dense breasts or younger women, as dense breast tissue can hide small changes. In such cases, breast ultrasound proves extremely useful by providing a more detailed image and detecting changes that mammography might miss. Additionally, breast ultrasound proves safe, painless, and uses no ionizing radiation, making it suitable for repeated examinations and women of all age groups.

Mammography is often the first step in breast screening, but it may be less effective in women with dense breasts or in younger women, because dense breast tissue can hide small changes. In such cases, a breast ultrasound can be extremely useful as it provides a more detailed picture and can detect changes that mammography may miss. In addition, breast ultrasound is safe, painless and does not use ionizing radiation, which makes it suitable for repeat examinations and for women of all ages.

Who Should Consider Breast Ultrasound?

Breast ultrasound recommended for various groups of women, especially those with additional risk factors or specific needs. Women with dense breasts often advised to consider breast ultrasound as a supplement to mammography, since dense breast tissue can complicate change detection on mammography. Also, breast ultrasound proves useful for women at elevated risk of developing breast cancer due to genetic factors, previous breast biopsies, or other medical reasons.

Importance of Regular Breast Ultrasound Examinations: Who Should Be Aware?

Regular breast ultrasound examinations prove important for all women, especially those with additional risk factors or concerned about breast changes. Always discuss your individual needs and breast screening recommendations with your doctor. Ideally, annual regular breast ultrasound examinations should form part of your preventive breast health routine, enabling early detection and treatment of any abnormalities or changes.

What to Expect During Breast Ultrasound Procedure?

The breast ultrasound procedure proves quick and painless. The patient lies on her back while the doctor carefully moves the ultrasound probe across the breast surface. Gel typically used to improve contact between the probe and skin, facilitating sound wave passage through breast tissue. The procedure usually lasts about 15 to 30 minutes and requires no special preparation.

Understanding Breast Ultrasound Results: What Do Different Findings Mean?

After completing the breast ultrasound, the doctor reviews the obtained images and interprets the results. Normal findings usually indicate healthy breast structures, while abnormalities may indicate presence of cysts, tumors, or other changes. Important to remember that abnormality presence does not always mean cancer, but additional examination may needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Interpreting Breast Ultrasound Results: What Information Is Key for the Patient?

When the doctor interprets breast ultrasound results, crucial that the patient understands what it means for her health. If abnormalities found, the doctor will likely recommend additional tests or biopsy to determine the nature of changes. Important to communicate openly with your doctor about your concerns and ask all questions you have to be fully informed.

Breast ultrasound at Poliklinika Atrijum performed by Dr. Urlić Jadranko.