Reveal the medical imaging secrets of breast diseases and help you have healthy and beautiful breasts!

In fact, most women, as they age, have lower levels of estrogen and progesterone in their bodies. Once the hormone levels drop, the breast tissue shrinks severely, the breast fat decreases, and the breast suspensory ligaments loosen, causing the breasts to become shriveled and droopy. The breasts begin to shrivele and sag, especially after giving birth. During breastfeeding, the glands and fat in the breasts will shrink rapidly after breastfeeding. If you don't pay attention and don't recover in time, it will cause the breasts to shrink and sag. In particular, the longer the breastfeeding time, the greater the impact. In addition, it is also very annoying to suffer from breast diseases.

Breast disease is one of the common health problems for women. Breast diseases mainly include breast hyperplasia, breast cysts, mastitis, breast fibroids and breast cancer. The occurrence of these diseases is related to abnormal proliferation of breast tissue, cyst formation, inflammatory response or tumor formation. Imaging examinations can help doctors determine the nature and location of lesions by observing the morphology, structure and function of breast tissue, so as to make an accurate diagnosis. Common breast imaging examination methods include mammography, breast ultrasound, breast CT, breast MRI, breast mammography, and breast PET-CT. The following will introduce these methods and their indications one by one.

Mammography, also known as mammography, is one of the most commonly used breast imaging methods. It uses low-dose X-rays to irradiate breast tissue and then projects the image formed by the X-rays passing through the breast tissue onto film or digital images. Mammography can show the structure and morphology of breast tissue and help doctors find lesions such as breast lumps, calcifications, and breast duct dilatation. It is suitable for the screening and diagnosis of breast lumps and the early detection of breast cancer.

Breast ultrasound is a non-invasive, radiation-free imaging method that uses an ultrasonic probe to scan breast tissue and then converts the ultrasonic signal into an image. Breast ultrasound can show the internal structure and blood flow of breast tissue, helping doctors determine the nature, size and location of the lump. It is suitable for the diagnosis of breast cysts, breast hyperplasia and mastitis, and is an ideal examination method for young women and pregnant women.

Breast MRI is a high-resolution imaging method that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce images. Breast MRI can show the fine structure and blood flow of breast tissue, which is very helpful for the early detection and staging of breast cancer. It is suitable for high-risk populations, screening and diagnosis of breast cancer, and further evaluation of breast lumps.

Breast ultrasound is a radiation-free imaging method. It is suitable for the diagnosis of breast cysts, breast hyperplasia and mastitis, and is an ideal examination method for young women and pregnant women. Breast ultrasound uses an ultrasonic probe to scan breast tissue and then converts the ultrasonic signal into an image. Breast ultrasound can show the internal structure and blood flow of breast tissue, helping doctors determine the nature, size and location of the lump.

Next, we will introduce a commonly used method - breast CT scan. It uses X-rays and computer technology to generate detailed three-dimensional images. It can clearly show the details of breast tissue. Breast CT scan can detect breast lumps, calcifications and other lesions, and evaluate the size, shape and density of the breast. This method is of great value for the early diagnosis and staging of breast cancer.

Another method is nuclear medicine technology, such as breast positron emission tomography (PET-CT) and breast single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT-CT). These methods can provide more accurate positioning and evaluation of breast lesions, and play an important auxiliary role in the diagnosis and treatment planning of complex cases.

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a strong magnetic field and radioactive contrast agents to produce high-resolution breast images. Compared with other imaging methods, breast MRI has higher sensitivity and specificity and can help doctors find smaller lesions. Breast MRI is suitable for high-risk groups, breast cancer screening, and follow-up after breast reconstruction surgery.

In summary, there are many imaging examination methods for breast diseases, and each imaging examination method has its own unique advantages and indications. Doctors will scientifically select the most appropriate examination items for patients based on their actual conditions, so as to help patients make a clear diagnosis of the disease as soon as possible and develop a reasonable treatment plan.

In short, the earlier the imaging examination related to breast disease is performed, the more it can help patients detect and treat breast disease early, thereby improving the treatment effect and survival rate.

About the Author

Zou Can, female, senior engineer of medical devices, graduated from Hunan University of Chinese Medicine with a major in medical imaging. She is the administrative deputy director of the Radiology Department of the Fourth People's Hospital of Yulin City, Guangxi. She is also a standing member of the Yulin City Radiological Quality Control Center. She has been engaged in imaging work for many years and has studied in the Nanhai District People's Hospital of Foshan City and the First People's Hospital of Yulin City. Many academic papers have been selected and accepted by the Radiological Cardiothoracic Imaging Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the Interventional Radiology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the Musculoskeletal Radiology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the Radiology Branch of the Chinese National Health Association, the 15th National Youth Science and Technology Academic Conference of Medicine and Health, and the Radiology Branch of the Guangxi Medical Association, and included in the journal collections. So far, she has published more than ten academic papers and won the city's Outstanding Academic Paper Award for four consecutive years. She has participated in the editing of one monograph and participated in one provincial and ministerial-level Chinese medicine research project as the project leader.