Course Description
Sonography is a valuable diagnostic modality in breast imaging and is both complimentary and an adjunct to digital mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sonography may also be used as an additional breast cancer detection modality in women who have dense breast tissue and a negative mammogram. Currently, sonography is the primary medical imaging modality recommended for use in guiding breast biopsies and other types of interventional breast procedures for its ability to monitor real-time needle-to-lesion guidance. Although breast sonography may be performed by a sonographer or a trained mammographer, the radiologist also greatly benefits from hands-on real time scanning due to the high operator dependence of sonography. Sonography has evolved from the early days of B-mode 2-dimensional grayscale images to pulsed duplex, color Doppler, power Doppler, and spectral Doppler imaging, as well as harmonic and spatial compound imaging, and elastography. Over time, breast sonography has been incorporated as part of a successful examination process of suspicious lesions found on screening mammography. Advances made in sonographic imaging systems and transducers allow for confident characterization of not only benign cysts but also benign and malignant solid masses. Knowledge and understanding of proper scanning techniques and instrumentation are imperative for maintaining image quality and providing an accurate diagnosis. This includes a thorough knowledge of breast anatomy and the associated lymphatic systems and their interactions. This course will provide a review of current state-of-the-art sonographic technology, including recent advances as well as information on whole-breast and targeted sonography and how they relate to the patient’s clinical history. The role of targeted breast sonography as a complimentary/supplementary imaging technique, in conjunction with other diagnostic imaging modalities including mammography, digital radiography, and breast MRI, for early diagnosis of breast disease and development of subsequent early treatment protocols will also be discussed. Finally, the review, characterization, and categorization of breast lesions as well as the role of sonography in guided biopsies will be outlined.

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the participant should be able to:

• OUTLINE the anatomy of the female breast.
• EXPLAIN the steps involved in patient intake procedures and in preparing patients for a breast sonogram.
• DEFINE the different types of breast composition and density as per The American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification system.
• OUTLINE the role of mammography in the overall evaluation of breast lesions and how breast sonography is employed in further examination.
• EXPLAIN the basic principles, instrumentation, scanning techniques, concepts, and image interpretation in breast sonography.
• EXPLAIN ideal patient positioning for mammography screenings, breast MRIs, breast sonography, and elastography.
• INTERPRET the sonographic appearance of the female breast.
• SUMMARIZE the concepts and principles of the physics involved in sonography imaging.
• EXPLAIN the role of breast sonography in differentiating between benign, complex, and malignant breast masses and in evaluating the axillary and lymph node region of the breast.
• DISTINGUISH the role that color Doppler plays in diagnosing breast lesions.
• DEFINE fremitus and how it is used in breast sonography as an adjunct imaging technique.
• INTERPRET how COVID-19 vaccine(s) may affect imaging studies, and possibly imaging findings, performed on the axillary and lymph node region of the breast.
• SUMMARIZE the role of elastography in the supplementary evaluation and diagnosis of breast lesions.
• ILLLUSTRATE how the role of breast sonography is used for ultrasound-guided breast biopsies.

Categories: Sonography/Ultrasound, Mammography, Professional Development/Patient Care Quality

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 24 out of 32 questions correctly to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 4.0 ARRT Category A credits.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board for MDCB credit.

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.