Which of the following is not an indication for using ultrasound in conjunction with mammography?

Which of the following is not an indication for using ultrasound in conjunction with mammography?

• A. To evaluate the cellular activity inside a cyst
• B. To assess a solid versus cystic component of a lesion
• C. To measure the size of the lesion
• D. To assess the border margins of the lesion

Answer: (A)

Using ultrasound in conjunction with mammography is valuable for several reasons, particularly in evaluating breast abnormalities. The option identifying the evaluation of cellular activity inside a cyst as not an indication for ultrasound is correct because ultrasound primarily provides structural information rather than cellular details. While mammography can identify the presence of a cyst, ultrasound is used to determine whether a lesion is solid or cystic and to evaluate size and border margins. In contrast, ultrasound is indeed useful for assessing the solid versus cystic nature of a lesion. This distinction is crucial because it affects the management strategy. Measuring the size of a lesion is another application of ultrasound, as it can provide precise dimensions that assist in planning treatment. Similarly, ultrasound helps in assessing the border margins of a lesion, which is important for understanding its potential aggressiveness and impact on surrounding tissues. Overall, while ultrasound has multiple important applications in breast evaluation, its function in determining cellular activity is beyond its scope as it does not provide that level of cellular resolution.

Using ultrasound in conjunction with mammography is valuable for several reasons, particularly in evaluating breast abnormalities. The option identifying the evaluation of cellular activity inside a cyst as not an indication for ultrasound is correct because ultrasound primarily provides structural information rather than cellular details. While mammography can identify the presence of a cyst, ultrasound is used to determine whether a lesion is solid or cystic and to evaluate size and border margins.

In contrast, ultrasound is indeed useful for assessing the solid versus cystic nature of a lesion. This distinction is crucial because it affects the management strategy. Measuring the size of a lesion is another application of ultrasound, as it can provide precise dimensions that assist in planning treatment. Similarly, ultrasound helps in assessing the border margins of a lesion, which is important for understanding its potential aggressiveness and impact on surrounding tissues.

Overall, while ultrasound has multiple important applications in breast evaluation, its function in determining cellular activity is beyond its scope as it does not provide that level of cellular resolution.