Radiation-free and painless
Breast ultrasound – sonography of the breast
No X-rays, no pain, no waiting time: breast ultrasound is an ideal complement to mammography and is particularly valuable for young women and those with dense breast tissue. It provides a quick assessment in cases of unclear palpation findings and for monitoring progress.
Basics
What is a breast ultrasound?
A breast ultrasound (also known as mammary sonography or breast sonography) uses sound waves to produce images of the breast tissue. The procedure is completely radiation-free, painless and does not require the breast to be compressed.
A transducer is moved across the skin of the breast with a small amount of gel, producing real-time images of the tissue. This enables doctors to assess cysts, lumps and other abnormalities – and to distinguish immediately whether a finding is fluid-filled (a cyst) or solid.
Breast ultrasound is not a substitute for mammography, but it complements it extremely well – particularly in cases of dense breast tissue and as a diagnostic tool for findings detected on palpation.
Advantages
Why have a breast ultrasound?
Radiation-free
No X-rays – ideal for young women, pregnant women and for frequent check-ups.
Painless
No compression of the breast is required – the examination is not uncomfortable and is completely painless.
Instant photos
Real-time display – the doctor can see movements and structures live on the screen.
Cysts vs. lumps
Clear distinction between fluid-filled cysts and solid lesions – immediately apparent.
Preparation
No special preparation is required. You can eat, drink and take your medication as normal. Please do not apply any gel or creamy body care products to your chest.
Positioning
You will lie relaxed on your back on the examination couch. Your upper body will be uncovered; some ultrasound gel will be applied to your chest to ensure the sound waves are transmitted effectively.
Investigation
The doctor moves the transducer systematically over the entire breast and armpit. The images appear immediately on the monitor. The examination takes around 10–20 minutes, or possibly less.
Diagnosis
Our specialists will review your examination within a few days. Any abnormal findings will be discussed with you immediately. The written report will be sent to your referring doctor.
FAQ
Questions about breast ultrasound
A breast ultrasound is frequently used to investigate palpable lumps or areas of hardening and can complement a mammogram, particularly in cases of dense breast tissue or when findings are unclear. For younger women, as well as during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding, ultrasound is often the first imaging examination carried out. It can also be used to monitor the progression of previously identified benign changes, such as cysts or fibroadenomas.
