Early detection of serious breast conditions will enable you to overcome the condition quickly and, in many cases, without the need for surgery.
Detection of pathological changes
from 4 mm
Without prior
training
Pain-free
and non-invasiveness
Absence
contraindications
Quick
result
The possibility of frequent
organisation
Breast ultrasound is an accessible diagnostic method recommended for detecting abnormalities at any stage of development. The incidence of breast diseases is rising every year and requires timely detection and treatment to preserve women’s lives and health. Benign growths are diagnosed in one in three women, and cancer in one in eight.
Breast examinations are carried out on women of all ages. In just a few minutes, the doctor examines:
During a breast ultrasound, the nearby lymph nodes are also examined.
Breast ultrasound is a completely non-invasive and safe method for diagnosing breast conditions. Unlike mammography, ultrasound does not expose the body to radiation, so it poses no risk to the patient’s health, has very few contraindications, and can be performed as often as necessary and dictated by the clinical situation.
Important! An ultrasound scan of the breasts is recommended as a matter of urgency in cases of injury involving bruising, scratches or contusions to the chest. The scan is also recommended for young women before they start taking oral contraceptives.
No special preparation is usually required for a breast ultrasound scan. However, there are some important points to bear in mind when planning an ultrasound examination. The ideal time for an ultrasound scan is between the 5th and 12th day of the menstrual cycle for women of reproductive age. During this period, breast tissue is less dense, which facilitates visualisation and allows for better interpretation of the results.
For women who are postmenopausal (or taking hormonal contraceptives), the day of the menstrual cycle is irrelevant for performing an ultrasound scan.
The patient lies on her back on a comfortable examination couch. Depending on the angle required to view the area being examined, the doctor may ask her to turn onto her side or sit up. A special gel is applied to the breast area to improve contact between the transducer and the skin, eliminating air pockets that could distort the ultrasound waves.
The doctor gently moves the probe across the breasts, obtaining images of the internal structures. The patient may feel slightly uncomfortable due to the pressure of the probe, but the procedure is not painful.
During the ultrasound scan, the doctor assesses the homogeneity of the tissue, the presence and nature of lumps, cysts, nodules and other abnormalities. The size and characteristics of any lesions found, as well as the condition of the lymph nodes and blood flow in the area of the lesions, are also assessed during the examination.
You can receive the results of your breast ultrasound within 10–15 minutes of the examination being completed. These include:
images showing various structures and any possible changes
a detailed written report from the diagnostic radiologist, which includes:
a description of the homogeneity of breast tissue, and the presence and nature of any lumps, cysts, nodules and other structures;
the dimensions and characteristics of any lesions, if detected;
an assessment of the condition of the lymph nodes in the axillary region;
an assessment of blood flow in the area of the detected lesions (if a Doppler scan was performed rather than a standard scan);
an interpretation of the ultrasound findings, indicating possible pathologies and recommendations for further investigation or treatment.
If any abnormalities are detected, your doctor may recommend a mammogram, an MRI scan, a biopsy or a consultation with a breast specialist for a more thorough assessment and to determine the next steps in your treatment or monitoring.
Author of the article: Yulia Vitaliivna Lezhnova – ultrasound specialist, gynaecologist, endocrinologist
Reviewer of the article: Tetiana Vladyslavivna Tsurkan – Chief Physician, international expert, dermatologist, speaker at international dermatology congresses on applied aesthetics and cosmetology
