Breast Ultrasound & Automated Breast Imaging in Alberta

Breast ultrasound is conventionally used to investigate lumps found through self-examination, physical examination, screening mammogram, or even breast MRI. This exam helps our radiologist identify and assess the characteristics of your lesion (solid, fluid-filled, malignant, or benign) and determine the best course of action. Additionally, this exam can help explain abnormalities such as unusual nipple discharge, inflammation, breast pain, or discolouration.

Breast ultrasounds can be used to precisely identify a location for biopsy, so an accurate sample of the breast tissue or lump can be extracted and examined. Since an ultrasound provides images in real-time, our radiologist can rely on an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy to plan and execute the procedure in a more time efficient and less invasive way.

Mammography is one of the best breast cancer screening methods available for early detection. Unfortunately, human physiology makes some abnormalities and lesions more difficult to detect or interpret through mammography. In particular, dense breasts with a significant amount of glandular and connective tissue can disguise potential concerns. For this reason, we may perform supplementary imaging using breast ultrasound or MRI.

Although MRI provides a higher level of detail than conventional ultrasound, it might not be available or needed in all cases. Our radiologist will work with your doctor to decide the best course of action.

ABUS is specifically designed for detecting cancer in dense breast tissue by providing a comprehensive view of the breast. With mammography alone, dense breast tissue can make it more difficult to identify the appearance of tumour, which is why your doctor may recommend ABUS.

In average-risk women with dense breasts, adding ABUS to routine screening mammography increases the detection of breast cancer by at least 36% (likely more). These cancers tend to be small, invasive, and node-negative meaning they haven’t spread to the lymph nodes. Because ABUS is automated, it decreases your examination time.

Currently offered at our Hermitage, Meadowlark, The Grange, Lendrum Women's Imaging, Millwoods, St. Albert, and Spruce Grove locations, ABUS is a quick, non-invasive exam-taking about 20-30 minutes to complete.

For more information about ABUS, click here.

Diagnostic breast and axilla ultrasounds produce images that show abnormalities within the breast and armpit, scientifically known as the axilla.

More specifically, this form of imaging examines the concentration of lymph nodes in your armpit, looking for irregularities and helping identify abnormal axillary sentinel lymph nodes.

Lymph node status is critical when evaluating medical or surgical therapies. Since your axilla has the largest concentration of lymph nodes in the body, symptoms are more likely to appear there first.