Soft Tissue Mass Ultrasound
Soft tissue mass ultrasound are non-invasive imaging exams that use high-frequency sound waves to assess lumps, bumps, or masses in soft tissues anywhere on the body. These masses are right beneath the skin and may contain fat, fluid, or tissue such as tendons, ligaments, fascia, nerves, blood vessels, or synovial membranes.
Reasons for a Soft Tissue Mass Ultrasound
Your doctor may refer you to Insight Medical Imaging for a soft tissue mass ultrasound to capture images of a soft-tissue lump on your body and the surrounding structures.
This exam can provide your doctor with information on:
- Soft-tissue swelling
- Mass classification – size, location, calcification
- Mobility of the mass
- Invasion of surrounding structures
Your doctor will use this information to determine if a follow-up test is necessary. Sometimes your doctor will request a biopsy following a soft tissue mass ultrasound to aid in diagnosis.
What Happens During My Soft Tissue Mass Ultrasound?
- The sonographer may ask you to change into a gown, depending on which body part we are examining.
- Alternatively, we may arrange your clothing to expose the area of interest so that ultrasound gel can be applied.
- The sonographer will apply a warm, hypoallergenic ultrasound gel and move the transducer (probe) around the area of interest using moderate pressure. This pressure should not cause pain.
- Please inform your technologist of any discomfort.
- The sonographer may ask you to change positions – lying on your side, sitting, or standing – so they can obtain the best possible images.
- After the sonographer has captured enough images, you are free to leave.
- A radiologist will review the images and send a detailed report to your doctor, usually within one business day.
Orientation
During a soft tissue mass ultrasound, you will be on a bed, usually on your back. You may be asked to change position during your scan to isolate limbs or extremities for better imaging.
Cost
If you have an Alberta Health Care card or valid health care card from out of province, there is no cost for a soft tissue mass ultrasound (except in Quebec).
Duration
A soft tissue mass ultrasound scan lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Exam Preparation
Being prepared for your soft tissue mass ultrasound helps us take the best possible images for diagnosis. Visit our exam prep page for more instructions specific to soft tissue ultrasound.
