Advantages and process of ultrasound diagnosis of breast diseases

Breast disease is one of the common health problems for women, including breast hyperplasia, breast inflammation, benign breast nodules, intraductal papilloma and breast cancer. Early detection and treatment of breast diseases are of great significance to protecting women's health. Ultrasound diagnosis, as a non-invasive, convenient and economical examination method, plays an increasingly important role in the diagnosis of breast diseases. We will introduce the advantages of ultrasound diagnosis of breast diseases and the specific examination process to help readers better understand and apply this technology.

1. Advantages of Ultrasound Diagnosis of Breast Diseases

1. Non-invasive and highly safe

Ultrasound is a non-invasive examination method that does not require the use of radioactive substances or punctures, so it is non-traumatic and non-painful to patients. For patients who are concerned about surgery and invasive examinations, ultrasound diagnosis provides a safe and comfortable examination option. At the same time, ultrasound examination has no ionizing radiation and no potential damage to breast tissue and other parts of the body. It is particularly suitable for special groups such as young women and pregnant women.

2. Real-time dynamic observation

Ultrasound examination has the characteristics of real-time dynamic observation. Doctors can observe the structure and changes of breast tissue in real time during the examination. This helps doctors discover the morphology, boundaries, internal echoes and other information of the lesion, providing an important basis for the location and qualitative diagnosis of breast diseases. At the same time, ultrasound examination can also observe the blood flow of the breast, providing auxiliary information for evaluating the benign or malignant nature of the lesion.

3. High resolution and clear imaging

Modern ultrasound equipment has high-resolution imaging capabilities that can clearly display the subtle structure of breast tissue. This allows doctors to more accurately determine the size, shape and boundaries of lesions and improve the accuracy of diagnosis. At the same time, ultrasound examinations can also use different imaging modes and technologies, such as color Doppler, elastic imaging, and ultrasound angiography, to further enrich diagnostic information and improve the reliability of diagnosis.

4. Good repeatability and easy operation

Ultrasound examination is easy to operate, the examination process is relatively fast, and the repeatability is good. This means that doctors can perform multiple examinations on patients when necessary to observe changes in the condition and evaluate the treatment effect. At the same time, ultrasound examination requires relatively low skills for operators, allowing more medical institutions and doctors to carry out this examination and provide more patients with convenient breast disease diagnosis services.

5. High cost performance

Compared with other imaging methods, ultrasound examination is relatively inexpensive and cost-effective. This allows more patients to afford this examination and get timely diagnosis of breast diseases. At the same time, the popularity of ultrasound examination equipment is also relatively high, making it easier for patients to obtain this examination service.

2. The process of ultrasound diagnosis of breast diseases

1. Preparation before the examination

Before undergoing a breast ultrasound examination, patients need to make a series of preparations. First of all, in terms of clothing, it is recommended to choose loose and comfortable clothes so that the breast area can be fully exposed during the examination and unnecessary interference can be reduced. Secondly, in order to avoid the influence of cosmetics or skin care products on the examination results, it is recommended not to apply related products before the examination. In addition, since women's breast tissue may become congested and edematous during menstruation, which may affect the accuracy of the examination results, it is recommended to avoid the menstrual period as much as possible for examination. Finally, it is also very important to carry relevant medical records, which will help doctors better understand the patient's condition and provide more targeted guidance for the examination.

2. Inspection process

During the examination, the doctor will take a series of steps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the examination. First of all, the choice of body position is the key. The patient usually needs to take a supine position to fully expose both breasts and axillae so that the doctor can observe the breast tissue in all directions. Secondly, the doctor will select the appropriate ultrasound probe and examination parameters according to the patient's specific situation, and debug the instrument before the examination to ensure that the image quality is optimal. In terms of scanning methods, the doctor will use multiple sections for scanning, including transverse, longitudinal and oblique sections, etc., to fully observe the structure and echo of the breast tissue. At the same time, the doctor will pay special attention to whether there are abnormal manifestations such as lumps and nodules, and make detailed records and measurements. Finally, in addition to the breast area, the doctor will also scan the bilateral axillae to rule out the possibility of lymph node metastasis.

3. Post-inspection processing

After the examination, the doctor will issue a detailed examination report. This report will include a description of the lesion, a diagnosis, and recommended further examinations or treatment plans. After receiving the report, the patient should consult a clinician for interpretation. The clinician will explain the condition in detail based on the patient's specific situation and the results of the ultrasound examination to help the patient understand his or her condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan. For patients who do not need treatment temporarily, the doctor will arrange corresponding follow-up and reexamination plans. Patients should undergo regular examinations as recommended by the doctor so as to understand changes in the condition in a timely manner and adjust the treatment plan.

3. Notes

1. Understand the inspection process in advance

Before receiving an ultrasound examination, it is best for patients to understand the entire examination process in advance, including preparation before the examination, cooperation during the examination, and precautions after the examination. This will help patients eliminate tension and better cooperate with the doctor's operation.

2. Follow your doctor’s preparation instructions

Patients should prepare for the examination according to the doctor's instructions. This includes wearing loose and comfortable clothing, avoiding applying makeup or skin care products to the breast area, and avoiding the examination during menstruation as much as possible. These preparations will help the doctor better observe the breast tissue and improve the accuracy of the examination.

3. Stay calm and cooperate

During the examination, the patient should remain calm and avoid excessive movement or talking. This will help the doctor better observe the structure and echo of the breast tissue. At the same time, the patient should also adjust the body position according to the doctor's instructions to ensure that the doctor can observe the breast area in all directions.

4. Maintain a positive attitude

When facing breast diseases, patients should maintain a positive and optimistic attitude. Ultrasound diagnosis is only one part of disease diagnosis. Patients should trust the comprehensive and professional judgment of clinicians and actively cooperate with treatment. At the same time, maintaining a good living habit and mentality can also help recover from the disease.

IV. Conclusion

Ultrasound diagnosis is an important means of breast disease examination. With its advantages of being non-invasive, real-time, and high-resolution, it provides strong support for the early detection and treatment of breast diseases. By understanding the process and precautions of ultrasound diagnosis, patients can better cooperate with doctors in examinations and improve the accuracy of diagnosis. At the same time, patients should also maintain a positive attitude, seek medical treatment in a timely manner when facing breast diseases, and receive professional treatment in order to recover soon.

Author: Lin Youdi, attending physician of the Ultrasound Department, Zhanjiang Binhai Hospital, Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province

Graduated from Southern Medical University with a major in medical imaging, he has been engaged in ultrasound work for more than 10 years and is familiar with ultrasound examination and diagnosis of abdomen, urology, gynecology (vaginal ultrasound), obstetrics, heart, peripheral blood vessels, breast, thyroid, superficial masses, etc. He has a deep understanding of common and frequently occurring diseases, and has unique insights into acute abdomen and difficult cases.

He has been involved in the clinical application of ultrasound for many years and has accumulated certain clinical experience in ultrasound guidance for minimally invasive breast Mammotome surgery, thyroid microwave ablation, thyroid breast puncture and other related intraoperative punctures.