Deciphering ultrasound of the mammary glands

Ultrasound of the mammary glands is a painless, safe, extremely informative, and affordable diagnostic method that mammologists prescribe for a preventive examination of the mammary gland or to confirm/refute a preliminary diagnosis. Usually, an ultrasound examination of the breast is performed when seals are found in the organ, discharge from the nipples of unclear etiology, pain in the chest, and other abnormalities. We will figure out exactly when it is necessary to do an ultrasound of the chest, on what day of the menstrual cycle it is recommended to carry out diagnostics, how to decipher it and where it is better to do it.

WHEN TO DO A BREAST ULTRASOUND

Depending on the gender and age of the patient, indications for diagnosis may be different. If we are talking about the female mammary gland, then an ultrasound examination is prescribed by a doctor in such situations:

• during examination and palpation, any seals were found in the structure of the organ;
• the patient notes various pain sensations in a certain area of ​​u200bu200bthe chest;
• when pressing on the chest, the liquid is released from the nipples (of any color and consistency);
• in the process of palpation, a woman feels discomfort, pain, and other unpleasant sensations;
• using breast ultrasound, it is necessary to monitor the effectiveness of previously prescribed therapy;
• the organ was injured due to mechanical impact (for example, a blow during a fall, an accident, etc.);
• swelling is noted in the armpit area, which indicates inflammation of the regional lymph nodes;
• it is necessary to assess the condition of the tissues after plastic surgery for breast correction;
• a mammologist or oncologist suspected the presence of a neoplasm.

Experts advise all women to undergo an ultrasound examination of the breast for prevention purposes at least once a year because diagnostics make it possible to detect pathological processes in the early stages and, as a result, increase the chances of successful treatment in case of oncology.

Men can also be shown ultrasound diagnostics of the breast - in the direction of an endocrinologist, urologist, or andrologist. The purpose of studying the condition of the male breast is to confirm or refute a specific diagnosis. Most often, such a diagnosis is prescribed for:

• an increase in the size of the organ for no apparent reason;
• taking hormonal drugs (lifelong);
• the presence in the patient's history of concomitant ailments;
• need for chest surgery.

INTERPRETATION OF ULTRASOUND OF THE BREAST GLANDS

Before going for an ultrasound of the mammary glands, you need to remember that the structure of the female breast will differ depending on age and other factors (pregnancy and breastfeeding history, phases of the menstrual cycle, childbirth, etc.). If the protocol contains the phrase “hyperechogenicity”, this indicates tissue thickening, and “hypoechogenicity” means that low-density tissue was found in the organ.
If everything is in order with the paired organ, the following can be read in the protocol:

• the skin surrounding the organ is of normal echogenicity;
• the mammary zone has a hyperechoic structure, blotches of hypoechoic tissue of fatty origin are noted;
• milk ducts are hypoechoic, not dilated - 1-2 mm in diameter.

It is important to understand one more thing: the diagnostics we describe are usually performed on patients under 40 years old. After this age, mammography becomes more informative. This is due to age-related changes in the structure of the breast:

• up to 30 years - iron mainly consists of glandular tissue, connective (adipose) is practically not observed;
• from 40 to 50 years - connective tissue gradually begins to appear, which displaces fatty tissue;
• from 50 years old - adipose tissue prevails in the structure of the breast, turgor (tension of the membranes of fat cells) of the skin in this area changes.

Regardless of age, the most obvious symptom of pathology is the expansion of the milk duct. An exception is a period of bearing a child or breastfeeding since, with these factors, the expansion of the duct is considered a normal physiological change. Also, the ultrasound sensor should not find any seals, neoplasms, or pathological inclusions.

ON WHICH DAY OF THE CYCLE IS IT BETTER TO DO A BREAST ULTRASOUND

As with any other gynecological examination, it is important to determine the optimal day of the cycle for the ultrasound of the mammary glands. So, if the cycle is 28 days and regular, the examination should be carried out on the 6-11th day from the onset of menstruation, because it is at this time that the hormonal balance of the female body is as stable as possible and a minimum of sex hormones can be found in the blood (if there are a lot of them, this will affect on the state of the breast and distort the results of the diagnosis).
If we neglect the choice of the day and carry out diagnostics in the 2nd phase of menstruation or immediately before the onset of menstruation, the results will be significantly distorted due to the high level of hormones - the examination will most likely show pathological processes that are not there (for example, mastopathy).

To correctly calculate the day, remember the following points:

1. If you have a regular menstrual cycle that lasts 28 days, sign up for an examination between the 6th and 11th days from the start of your period.
2. If the cycle is associated with an increased level of the hormone estrogen, then you need to sign up for an examination on the 8-15th day from the onset of menstruation (but always before the onset of ovulation).
3. If you are a nursing mother or a mammologist during palpation found any seals or nodes in the breast, the examination can be carried out on any day.

PRICES FOR BREAST ULTRASOUND IN THE COMPLEX SVITYAZ

The cost of examination of the mammary glands in the sanatorium-resort complex Svityaz is from 750 hryvnias. The procedure is carried out on modern high-precision equipment by a professional doctor of ultrasound diagnostics. This allows you to get maximum information about the state of tissues, their structure, and the presence of foreign formations. As a result, a mammologist will be able to prescribe the most effective treatment when pathologies are detected.

REVIEWS ABOUT BREAST ULTRASOUND

In Svityaz, we have been conducting ultrasound examinations of various organs and body systems for many years. Plus - we have at our disposal high-quality modern equipment and highly qualified experts. Therefore, in most cases, we get good reviews about the procedure. After all, ultrasound diagnostics is painless and has no contraindications. Moreover, in many women who systematically undergo the procedure (for prevention), we have already detected the initial stages of various diseases and successfully cured them.