Learn about common imaging tests of the breast

  The principle of infrared examination of breast is that hemoglobin has a significant selective absorption of infrared light, so according to this feature, the affected breast or the blood supply near the lump is observed (whether there is thickening of blood vessels, abnormal distribution of blood vessels and morphology and other abnormalities), and the three main features of breast disease, namely the gray shadow of the lump, vascular changes and the relationship between blood vessels and the lump, are analyzed comprehensively. There is no radioactivity, but infrared examination is gradually replaced by color ultrasound, and its use is gradually decreasing.  Mammography (X-ray) is highly sensitive for breast lesions with calcified foci (small, granular clusters of microcalcifications need to be given full attention), and the lumps found on mammography should be observed for burrs at the edges of the lumps, i.e. radiolucent shadows. Compared with other impact examinations, the price is moderate, but there is radioactivity (not as a routine examination for women under 35 years old, and the frequency of examination should not be higher than once a year), and there is obvious discomfort from squeezing.  First of all, color ultrasound is a kind of B-ultrasound, the ordinary B-ultrasound is black and white B-ultrasound, color ultrasound is color B-ultrasound. It can show blood vessels and different colors can distinguish between arteries and veins, and now color ultrasound has basically replaced black and white ultrasound.  It provides a reliable diagnosis in identifying benign and malignant breast lumps, detecting early breast cancer, checking whether there are enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit and supraclavicular area and judging the morphological structure of lymph nodes. It is inexpensive, non-radioactive and currently the most widely used breast examination item.  IV. Magnetic resonance High soft tissue resolution, it can significantly improve the detection rate of breast diseases, especially early breast cancer and occult breast cancer. MRI can be considered when mammogram and ultrasound are ambiguous to confirm the diagnosis, which can provide more information and strong evidence for differential diagnosis. It is less radioactive, but more expensive.  Conclusion: Various tests have their own advantages and are not interchangeable. Listen to your doctor’s opinion and don’t blindly think that if you only do one, everything will be fine!