Breast Ultrasound in Royal Oak, MI
Our specialized, Royal Oak radiologists use breast ultrasound to examine masses or changes in breast tissue and arrive at an accurate diagnosis in a timely fashion.
Detect Abnormalities With an Ultrasound of the Breast
Ultrasound is a radiology imaging technology that uses sound waves to visualize lumps, masses, or changes in the breast. These high-frequency sound waves enter the body through a wand known as a transducer and then echo off of tissues to produce an image, or sonogram. Specialized radiologists can interpret these images to distinguish various findings, looking for changes such as masses or a slight pulling of the tissue called architectural distortion. Many of the findings we see on a breast ultrasound are too small or too deep to be felt on examination.
Getting a regular screening mammography offers women the best chance of finding early changes on a mammogram before they can be felt during a clinical or breast self-examination (BSE). If a mass is found on a screening mammogram, then diagnostic radiology imaging such as breast ultrasound or a diagnostic mammogram is recommended to get a closer look at a particular area. The appropriate diagnostic imaging tools for next steps will depend on many factors, including:
- The reason for the exam
- The patient’s age
- Any risk factors such as family history
What Do Radiologists Look for in an Ultrasound?
The radiologist will look for particular criteria of the mass, such as:
Shape
Orientation
The margin of the mass
Lesion boundary
Echo pattern
Posterior acoustic features
This lexicon for masses is called the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS), established by the American College of Radiology. The numerical scale ranges from 0-6, with each number corresponding to a classification that estimates your breast cancer risk. This is where experience matters. Together Women’s Health Imaging Center specialized radiologists have decades of experience to help provide a more certain diagnosis.
If we discover an indeterminate or suspicious finding, the radiologist may recommend a needle biopsy to determine if the mass is benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancer). A lesion seen by ultrasound can be biopsied using ultrasound as a guide, even if it cannot be felt on clinical or self-breast examination. The physicians at Together Women’s Health Imaging Center use their extensive clinical experience to determine the need for an ultrasound guided breast biopsy.
Understanding When Breast Lumps Are Abnormal
What to Expect During a Breast Ultrasound
Though a mammogram is often the first preventative imaging exam to look for breast cancer, if the Radiologist finds a nodule or mass on the initial screening mammogram, then a breast ultrasound will be recommended to obtain a better view of the mass to help finalize the results. Here’s what to expect if your doctor recommends a breast ultrasound.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Ultrasounds
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