Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound (ABUS)
Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound is an advanced screening tool used alongside mammography to enhance breast cancer detection. This technology employs sound waves to create detailed, comprehensive images of the breast without the use of radiation. It’s particularly effective for examining dense breast tissue, where traditional mammograms alone might not provide clear results.
The Role of ABUS in Breast Health
For women with dense breast tissue, ABUS is invaluable. Dense tissue can obscure potential abnormalities in mammogram images, making cancer harder to detect. ABUS supplements mammography by offering additional, detailed insights, thus improving the chances of early breast cancer detection.
Who Benefits from ABUS?
ABUS is recommended for individuals identified with dense breast tissue through mammography. Since breast density is not visually apparent but determined through imaging, ABUS serves as an essential adjunct in these cases, enhancing mammography’s effectiveness by providing a clearer, more detailed view.
Your ABUS Examination Experience
Upon arrival, you’ll be provided with a gown for the exam. The procedure involves lying down on an exam table, where a technologist will position you comfortably, often with the aid of a pillow. The ABUS machine uses a transducer to send out high-frequency sound waves, capturing images from various angles. These images are then compiled into a three-dimensional representation of the breast.
The ABUS scan is a non-invasive, pain-free process that lasts about 15 to 30 minutes. There’s no radiation exposure, making it a safe option for additional breast screening.
After Your Examination
A radiologist will analyze the ABUS images and prepare a comprehensive report for your healthcare provider. This report will include any significant findings and recommendations based on current healthcare guidelines. Should there be any notable results, your provider will discuss the next steps or further imaging if necessary.
At Radiology Associates, we’re committed to offering the most advanced diagnostic technologies like ABUS to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care and accurate screening results.
Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound
Diagnostic breast ultrasound is a targeted imaging technique used to examine breast tissue closely, especially when addressing a specific concern, symptom, or following up on another screening test, like a mammogram. Utilizing a transducer and ultrasound gel, this method provides detailed images of the internal structures of the breast without using radiation, making it a safe and painless procedure.
The Role of Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound
Is highly effective for individuals with dense breast tissue, where mammograms might not clearly reveal abnormalities. It excels at distinguishing between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts, with the latter being a common, non-cancerous condition often detected as lumps.
Though invaluable for detailed analysis, it’s crucial to recognize that ultrasound serves as a supplement, not a substitute, to mammography. Mammography is the cornerstone of breast cancer screening, with ultrasound providing additional clarity in certain scenarios.
Your Examination Experience
For the exam, you’ll be asked to change into a gown. Comfortably positioned on the ultrasound bed, possibly with a pillow for support, a technologist will apply a small amount of gel to your breast. The transducer then emits high-frequency sound waves to capture images of your breast and potentially the armpit area if needed.
This non-invasive, radiation-free exam typically lasts between 15 to 30 minutes for each breast. A radiologist will later review the captured images.
After Your Exam
The radiologist will analyze the ultrasound images and prepare a detailed report for your healthcare provider. This report will include any noteworthy findings and subsequent recommendations, adhering to the latest healthcare guidelines. Rest assured, Radiology Associates is dedicated to providing thorough, compassionate care, ensuring you receive the most accurate and comprehensive diagnostic information.
After Your Examination
A radiologist will analyze the ABUS images and prepare a comprehensive report for your healthcare provider. This report will include any significant findings and recommendations based on current healthcare guidelines. Should there be any notable results, your provider will discuss the next steps or further imaging if necessary.
At Radiology Associates, we’re committed to offering the most advanced diagnostic technologies like ABUS to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care and accurate screening results.