THE USE OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MASSES OF THE BREAST

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 150  (4) , 486-490
Abstract
Contact B-mode ultrasonography of masses of the breast is a simple, safe and noninvasive technique which does not involve the use of ionizing radiation. It is highly accurate in differentiating cystic from solid mammary masses measuring 1 cm or larger. A biopsy of a sonographically solid mass should be done unless it has an unequivocally benign appearance on mammography. A biopsy of a purely cystic mass, if asymptomatic, need not be done for diagnostic purposes. Needle aspiration can be used as an alternate method for diagnosing a cyst, but failure of this method occurs more often than is generally realized. Sonography is the method of choice for such a diagnosis. Its accuracy in masses 1 cm or larger is 100%. When properly used and carefully correlated with clinical and mammographic findings, it can eliminate over 1/3 of all operations on the breast.

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