Breast Ultrasound Questions and
Answers Latest Version Already Passed
What is the primary purpose of a breast ultrasound?
✔✔A breast ultrasound is used to evaluate breast lumps or abnormalities detected during a
physical exam or mammogram, helping to distinguish between solid masses and fluid-filled
cysts.
How does a breast ultrasound differ from a mammogram in detecting breast issues?
✔✔A mammogram uses X-rays to create images of the breast tissue, while a breast ultrasound
uses sound waves to create detailed images, especially helpful for evaluating dense breast tissue
or cysts.
What kind of breast abnormalities can a breast ultrasound detect?
✔✔A breast ultrasound can detect cysts, solid tumors, abscesses, and abnormalities in the breast
tissue that may require further investigation or biopsy.
What is the role of breast ultrasound in women with dense breasts?
✔✔Breast ultrasound is often used in women with dense breasts to provide clearer images and
help identify abnormalities that may be difficult to detect with mammography alone.
1
,How is a breast ultrasound performed?
✔✔A breast ultrasound is performed by applying a gel to the breast area, followed by the use of
a handheld transducer that emits sound waves to create images of the breast tissue.
What is the significance of an anechoic area seen on a breast ultrasound?
✔✔An anechoic area on a breast ultrasound indicates a fluid-filled cyst, which typically suggests
a benign condition and usually does not require further intervention unless symptomatic.
What does a hypoechoic area on a breast ultrasound indicate?
✔✔A hypoechoic area on a breast ultrasound may indicate a solid mass, which could be benign
or malignant, requiring further evaluation or biopsy to determine the nature of the mass.
What is the meaning of “complex cyst” on a breast ultrasound?
✔✔A complex cyst on a breast ultrasound contains both fluid and solid components, which may
require further diagnostic tests such as a biopsy to rule out malignancy.
How can a breast ultrasound help in guiding a biopsy?
2
,✔✔Breast ultrasound can guide a needle biopsy by helping the clinician locate the precise area
of concern, allowing for accurate tissue sampling of suspicious masses.
What does a "solid mass" look like on a breast ultrasound?
✔✔A solid mass typically appears as a hypoechoic (darker) area on the ultrasound image and
may have irregular borders, suggesting a need for further investigation to determine whether it is
benign or malignant.
Why is it important to compare breast ultrasound results with mammogram results?
✔✔Comparing breast ultrasound results with mammogram results is important for
comprehensive evaluation, as each imaging technique provides different types of information,
especially in patients with dense breasts.
How does a breast ultrasound help in monitoring breast conditions?
✔✔Breast ultrasound is used to monitor the size and characteristics of known breast conditions,
such as cysts or tumors, to check for any changes that might indicate a need for further testing or
treatment.
What is the benefit of using 3D ultrasound imaging in breast evaluation?
3
, ✔✔3D ultrasound imaging allows for a more detailed and clearer view of the breast tissue,
improving the ability to detect abnormalities and guide treatments or biopsies.
What are the limitations of breast ultrasound in detecting breast cancer?
✔✔Breast ultrasound is less effective than mammography in detecting microcalcifications,
which are often an early sign of breast cancer, and may not detect all forms of cancer,
particularly in non-palpable or small tumors.
How can a breast ultrasound aid in the diagnosis of breast infection or abscess?
✔✔Breast ultrasound can help detect the presence of an abscess or infection by identifying fluid
collections or areas of inflammation in the breast tissue.
What are the common reasons a healthcare provider may order a breast ultrasound?
✔✔A healthcare provider may order a breast ultrasound to evaluate a palpable lump, assess a
suspicious area seen on a mammogram, or guide a biopsy or drainage procedure.
What is the significance of a well-defined, smooth-bordered mass on a breast ultrasound?
4
Answers Latest Version Already Passed
What is the primary purpose of a breast ultrasound?
✔✔A breast ultrasound is used to evaluate breast lumps or abnormalities detected during a
physical exam or mammogram, helping to distinguish between solid masses and fluid-filled
cysts.
How does a breast ultrasound differ from a mammogram in detecting breast issues?
✔✔A mammogram uses X-rays to create images of the breast tissue, while a breast ultrasound
uses sound waves to create detailed images, especially helpful for evaluating dense breast tissue
or cysts.
What kind of breast abnormalities can a breast ultrasound detect?
✔✔A breast ultrasound can detect cysts, solid tumors, abscesses, and abnormalities in the breast
tissue that may require further investigation or biopsy.
What is the role of breast ultrasound in women with dense breasts?
✔✔Breast ultrasound is often used in women with dense breasts to provide clearer images and
help identify abnormalities that may be difficult to detect with mammography alone.
1
,How is a breast ultrasound performed?
✔✔A breast ultrasound is performed by applying a gel to the breast area, followed by the use of
a handheld transducer that emits sound waves to create images of the breast tissue.
What is the significance of an anechoic area seen on a breast ultrasound?
✔✔An anechoic area on a breast ultrasound indicates a fluid-filled cyst, which typically suggests
a benign condition and usually does not require further intervention unless symptomatic.
What does a hypoechoic area on a breast ultrasound indicate?
✔✔A hypoechoic area on a breast ultrasound may indicate a solid mass, which could be benign
or malignant, requiring further evaluation or biopsy to determine the nature of the mass.
What is the meaning of “complex cyst” on a breast ultrasound?
✔✔A complex cyst on a breast ultrasound contains both fluid and solid components, which may
require further diagnostic tests such as a biopsy to rule out malignancy.
How can a breast ultrasound help in guiding a biopsy?
2
,✔✔Breast ultrasound can guide a needle biopsy by helping the clinician locate the precise area
of concern, allowing for accurate tissue sampling of suspicious masses.
What does a "solid mass" look like on a breast ultrasound?
✔✔A solid mass typically appears as a hypoechoic (darker) area on the ultrasound image and
may have irregular borders, suggesting a need for further investigation to determine whether it is
benign or malignant.
Why is it important to compare breast ultrasound results with mammogram results?
✔✔Comparing breast ultrasound results with mammogram results is important for
comprehensive evaluation, as each imaging technique provides different types of information,
especially in patients with dense breasts.
How does a breast ultrasound help in monitoring breast conditions?
✔✔Breast ultrasound is used to monitor the size and characteristics of known breast conditions,
such as cysts or tumors, to check for any changes that might indicate a need for further testing or
treatment.
What is the benefit of using 3D ultrasound imaging in breast evaluation?
3
, ✔✔3D ultrasound imaging allows for a more detailed and clearer view of the breast tissue,
improving the ability to detect abnormalities and guide treatments or biopsies.
What are the limitations of breast ultrasound in detecting breast cancer?
✔✔Breast ultrasound is less effective than mammography in detecting microcalcifications,
which are often an early sign of breast cancer, and may not detect all forms of cancer,
particularly in non-palpable or small tumors.
How can a breast ultrasound aid in the diagnosis of breast infection or abscess?
✔✔Breast ultrasound can help detect the presence of an abscess or infection by identifying fluid
collections or areas of inflammation in the breast tissue.
What are the common reasons a healthcare provider may order a breast ultrasound?
✔✔A healthcare provider may order a breast ultrasound to evaluate a palpable lump, assess a
suspicious area seen on a mammogram, or guide a biopsy or drainage procedure.
What is the significance of a well-defined, smooth-bordered mass on a breast ultrasound?
4
