Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy at Magee-Womens Imaging

After your mammogram, you doctor might want to get a better image of the breast and refer you for a breast ultrasound.

Ultrasound imaging uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time pictures of the body.

Doctors use a transducer probe to get an image of the breast tissue on a computer screen. The image also helps them guide the biopsy needle to the right place.

Breast biopsies help doctors diagnose:

• Abnormalities, such as lumps or nodules.
• An area of tissue change.
• A distortion in the structure of breast tissue.

Keep in mind that finding a lump or problem in the breast doesn't mean it's cancer. Most breast biopsy results are benign.

What to Expect During Your Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy

At Magee-Womens Imaging, board-certified radiologists who specialize in breast imaging do ultrasound-guided biopsies to:

• Target the growth or mass in the breast tissue.
• Help your doctor learn if the abnormality is a fluid-filled benign cyst or may be a risk for becoming cancerous.

During the test, you will lie on an exam table and your doctor will:

• Use ultrasound to find the lump or suspect tissue and place a mark on your breast.
• Look at the image on the screen to guide a needle to the proper place.
• Take a few samples of cells or breast tissue.
• Send the samples to the lab to look at under a microscope and see if cancer is present.

After the test, we'll apply pressure to the biopsy site for 10 to 15 minutes to prevent bleeding.

Because the procedure targets a precise area of the breast using a small incision, you should have:

• Minimal scarring.
• Reduced pain, compared to an open, more invasive breast biopsy.
• A shorter recovery time and return to you daily routine.