Breast ultrasound

Advances in ultrasound technology have dramatically impacted ultrasound’s role in breast imaging. Ultrasound is an inexpensive, convenient, and portable modality used regularly in breast imaging, especially in the evaluation of breast masses. Breast ultrasound has undergone tremendous changes since 1953, when the first breast ultrasound was performed (Woo 2008). While ultrasound has commonly been used for differentiating cysts from solid breast masses, ultrasound is now used to characterize benign and malignant breast masses. Breast masses are usually biopsied with sonographic guidance, and ultrasound is being considered as a screening modality in selected patients (Thompson 2007). In addition, sonography plays a major role in the evaluation of palpable breast abnormalities. Today, ultrasound is an important component of nearly all breast imaging centers.