What are the limitations of Ultrasound Imaging of the Breast?
• Ultrasound is one of the tools used in breast imaging, but it does not replace annual mammography and careful clinical breast examination. • Many cancers are not visible on ultrasound. • In some cases, ultrasound cannot determine if a mass is cancerous, and a biopsy may be recommended. • Many calcifications seen on mammography cannot be seen on ultrasound. Some early breast cancers only show up as calcifications on mammography. • Many facilities do not offer ultrasound screening, and the procedure may not be covered by some insurance plans. • It is important to choose a facility with expertise in breast ultrasound, preferably one where the radiologists specialize in breast imaging. Ultrasound depends on the abnormality being recognized at the time of the scan as it is a “real-time” examination. This requires experience and good equipment. One measure of a facility’s expertise in breast ultrasound can be found in its ACR accreditation status. Check the facilities in your area by searc
