Breast Ultrasound

In order to examine your breasts, it is not necessary to have a referral from a gynecologist, you can undergo the diagnosis yourself if there are certain complaints about their condition or for preventive purposes. In particular, a similar service is provided by the LeoDerm clinic.

Indications for ultrasound of mammary glands complaints:

• painful sensations and discomfort, swelling of the breast and discharge from the nipples;
• a visible change in the shape of one or both breasts;
• an increase in lymph nodes under the armpits;
• asymmetry of the mammary glands (if it was not observed before);
• change in the appearance of the nipple (tightness, erosion, asymmetry, compaction);
• when palpating the breast, tightness is felt on any side;
• painful menstruation;
• when you raise your hands up, "dimples" appear on one of the glands;
• change in color, texture of the skin around the breast, peeling.

Any of these symptoms is a reason to undergo an ultrasound of the mammary glands.

Also, the doctor can refer the patient for diagnosis if necessary:

• assess the state of the mammary glands of pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding and those who plan to become pregnant;
• examine the neoplasm discovered during the examination;
• assess the state of the breast after an injury or during the inflammatory process (mastitis);
• examine lymph nodes (axillary, supraclavicular and subclavian);
• evaluate the effectiveness of therapy in the treatment of dyshormonal diseases.

What diseases are determined by breast ultrasound?

Ultrasound diagnostics can detect such diseases as breast cancer. According to certain diagnostic criteria, ultrasound diagnostics is more informative than mammogram and other forms of examination. In addition, more than half of the initial diagnosis of the disease falls on ultrasound examination. Gynecomastia (in men) allows you to differentiate the type of gynecomastia (true or false), which is key in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. Breast cysts and fibrocystic mastopathy. Ultrasound diagnosis helps to accurately determine the shape, size and location of the neoplasm, as well as to record changes in the lymph nodes. Differentiation of lactase and mastitis, which helps in determining the correct treatment program.

How is the ultrasound of the mammary glands?

The breast diagnosis itself will not take more than 20 minutes. After you are comfortably placed on the couch, the doctor will apply a transparent gel to your breasts and examine them with the help of a special sensor. In addition to the mammary glands, the doctor also examines the lymph nodes under the armpits and the supraclavicular, subclavian, and anterior thoracic lymph nodes.

When to do breast ultrasound?

For a more objective assessment of the condition of the breasts, the examination should be performed on certain days of the menstrual cycle. This is due to the fact that most breast pathologies are sensitive to changes in the hormonal background.

How to correctly calculate the day of arrival?

Mammologists and ultrasound doctors recommend doing ultrasound diagnostics on the following days:

• on day 5-12 of a 28-day cycle;
• on day 7-14, if the duration of the cycle is longer.

However, if you are worried about pain or you have found a tightness in your sternum, the day of coming for the examination does not matter, the main thing is to do it as soon as possible. The day of the menstrual cycle does not matter for women who are breastfeeding, taking hormonal contraceptives, as well as women with menopause (all these factors affect the level of hormones in a woman's body).

Importantly! In order to notice the development of pathology in time, it is recommended to undergo an ultrasound examination at least once a year, and after the age of 50 - twice a year.

What is better: mammography or ultrasound of the mammary glands. What is the difference?

Most ordinary people do not see the difference between mammography and ultrasound diagnostics, however, it exists. First of all, mammography belongs to x-ray methods of examination, and ultrasound - to ultrasound. Ultrasound diagnostics does not have a radiation load, so it can be used for examination of pregnant and lactating women. In addition to the mammary glands, the nearby lymph nodes can be examined with the help of ultrasound. At the same time, mammography is best suited for diagnosing neoplasms in the internal ducts of the glands. Mammography and ultrasound are not mutually exclusive methods, they complement each other. The doctor determines which examination method to choose.

Where can you have an ultrasound of the mammary glands in Lviv?

Experienced doctors offer you their services at the LeoDerm clinic in Lviv. The Philips ClearVue 650 diagnostic device allows you to recognize even the smallest neoplasms in the gland. You can make an appointment at the "LeoDerm" clinic using the contact phone numbers. Come, we guarantee qualified assistance.