Benefits of ultrasound:

Can detect lesions in women with dense breasts when mammograms cannot. (1)

Can help identify the nature of a lesion that is unclear from a mammogram.(1)

Widely available, and less expensive than a mammogram. (2)

The only way to tell the difference between a cyst and a solid mass without using a needle to draw out fluid (non-invasive). (2)

Patient is never exposed to radiation during an ultrasound, allowing pregnant women to use this imaging technique. (3)

Can use ultrasound to detect blood flow through vessels. (4)

Most ultrasound exams are quick and painless.(4)

Ultrasounds do not cause any health problems, and there are no known harmful effects to humans. (4)

Disadvantages of ultrasound:

Ultrasound results may identify a potential area of concern that is not malignant. These false-positive results could lead to more
procedures, including biopsies, that are not necessary (1). Preliminary data from a trial being conducted showed that there was a
higher rate of false-positive results with ultrasounds than with mammography (2.4%-12.9% for ultrasound and 0.7%-6% for
mammography).(5)

Although ultrasound is often used in an attempt to prevent an invasive measure for diagnosis, sometimes it is unable to determine
whether or not a mass is malignant, and a biopsy will be recommended.(1)

Many cancers cannot be detected via an ultrasound. (1)

Calcifications that are visible on mammograms are not visible on ultrasound scans, thereby preventing early diagnosis of the
portion of breast cancers that begin with calcifications. (6)

Ultrasounds are not available everywhere, and not all insurance plans cover them. (1)

An ultrasound requires a highly experienced and skilled operator to detect a malignant lump, as well as good equipment. If the
cancerous tissue is not detected at the time of the scan, it will not be caught as early as possible. The ACR-accredited facilities
database is a good way to determine the expertise of a facility in ultrasound imaging. (5) (1)

Ultrasound images are acquired rapidly enough to show the motion of organs and structures in
the body in real time (as in a movie). For example, the motion of the beating heart can be seen,
even in a fetus. Ultrasonography is effectively used to check for growths and foreign objects that
are close to the bodys surface, such as those in the thyroid gland, breasts, testes, and limbs, as
well as some lymph nodes. Because sound waves are blocked by gas (for example, in the lungs or
intestine) and by bone, using ultrasonography to image structures deeper in the body is more
difficult. It can be done only when there is no gas or bone between the transducer and the area
being evaluated.
Ultrasonography is commonly used to evaluate the following:

Heart: For example, to detect abnormalities in the way the heart beats, structural
abnormalities such as defective heart valves, and abnormal enlargement of the hearts
chambers or walls (ultrasonography of the heart is called echocardiography)

Gallbladder and biliary tract: For example, to detect gallstones and blockages in the
bile ducts

Urinary tract: For example, to distinguish benign cysts from solid masses (which may
be cancer) in the kidneys or to detect blockages such as stones or other structural
abnormalities in the kidneys, ureters, or bladder

Female reproductive organs: For example, to detect tumors and inflammation in

the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus

Pregnancy: For example, to evaluate the growth and development of the fetus and to
detect abnormalities of the placenta (such as a misplaced placenta, called placenta
previa)

Ultrasonography can also be used to guide doctors when they remove a sample of tissue for a
biopsy. Ultrasonography can show the position of the biopsy instrument, as well as the area to
be biopsied (such as a mass). Thus, doctors can see where to insert the instrument and can guide
it directly to its target.
Medical ultrasound is an diagnostic imaging technique based on the application of ultrasound. It is used to see internal body
structures such as tendons, muscles, joints, vessels and internal organs.
What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, is an imaging method that uses sound waves to create an image of a part of the
body. A computer program is used to analyze the echoes of sound waves sent into the body and generates an image on screen.

(1)

Unlike mammograms, which use radiation (x-rays), ultrasounds expose the body region of interest to high-frequency sound waves.
Ultrasound images are captured in real time; that is, not only do they show the structure of a particular part of the body, but they can also
show movement of the body's internal organs as well as blood flowing through vessels.