Mammography and Imaging

Ultrasound imaging of the breast uses sound waves to produce pictures of the internal structures of the breast. It is used to help diagnose breast lumps or other abnormalities found during a physical exam, or on a mammogram or breast MRI. Ultrasound is safe, noninvasive, and does not use radiation.

A breast ultrasound typically isn’t used as a screening mammogram, instead it can help diagnose breast lumps or other abnormalities.

An MRI guided biopsy is used to extract a tissue sample from the breast to help diagnose abnormalities. A technician will use an MRI scan to guide the needle to the biopsy site and then will remove the sample.

The procedure typically takes about an hour and the tissue sample will be sent to pathology for diagnostic testing. Your breast health provider will contact you to discuss your results.

Similar to the MRI guided biopsy, a breast imaging specialist will use an ultrasound scanner to guide a needle to the biopsy site to extract a tissue sample from your breast.

Breast biopsies are usually done in office and will take a few hours.

Stereotactic biopsy, also known as stereotactic core biopsy, is a biopsy procedure that uses a computer and imaging performed in at least two planes to localize a target lesion in three-dimensional space and guide the removal of tissue for examination by a pathologist under a microscope.