Breast Ultrasound
What are the prerequisites for having a breast ultrasound done? Breast ultrasound is useful in the following clinical situations: evaluation…
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This is an examination using high-resolution ultrasound equipment to assess the breast tissue in patients who have breast symptoms or where additional imaging information is required (see indications, below). It is particularly useful in younger patients who generally have denser breasts where mammography may miss focal pathology, keeping unnecessary radiation exposure to a minimum.
Breast ultrasound is the preferred imaging technique in patients whose breasts contain dense glandular tissue, such as those aged younger than 35 years or in lactating breasts. It is useful in the following clinical situations:
Patients who have symptoms, clinical concern or clinical signs related to one or both breasts.
There are no absolute contraindications.
There are no medical contraindications, but some patients may feel uncomfortable about the procedure unless they are appropriately chaperoned.
There are no adverse effects of a breast ultrasound.
None.
Breast ultrasound is often complementary to other breast imaging as a problem solving and biopsy guidance tool (see prerequisites, above). In patients with a normal ultrasound examination who have symptoms or clinical abnormalities related to one or both breasts, then mammography, tomosynthesis or MRI may be required for further diagnostic assessment.
Cancer Australia – Breast Cancer
www.canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-types/breast-cancer
Diagnostic Imaging Pathways
Page last modified on 31/8/2018.
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