Puncture is an invasive diagnostic method during which a tissue or organ is punctured to take material for examination. Most often, they resort to his help when examining the female breast. We are talking about the early diagnosis of cancer, which ranks first among all oncopathologies in women. Modern technologies help to perform this procedure with visualization. Ultrasound-guided breast puncture provides high accuracy and information content of the examination, eliminates unnecessary trauma.
Indications for the procedure
This diagnostic method is usually carried out simultaneously with mammography. Puncture analysis is recommended to detect nodules, seals and other neoplasms in the mammary gland. They resort to his help inif during the examination of a woman there is a change in the color and structure of the skin in the chest area, discharge from the nipples. Such symptoms may indicate oncopathology. The main task of breast puncture under ultrasound is to determine the properties of the cellular elements of tissues. They can be benign or malignant.
Thus, the main indications for the appointment of a puncture study are the following violations:
- detection of compaction in the chest during palpation;
- lack of a clear diagnosis after ultrasound;
- changes in the nipple area (redness of the skin, sores, peeling, discharge or retraction);
- Suspicion of nodular mastopathy, fibroadenoma or cyst.
Preparatory stage
Puncture of the mammary gland under ultrasound control does not require specific preparation. It is important to choose the right period when the breast is least affected by estrogens, since the tissue is less dense. The period from 7 to 14 days of the female cycle is considered optimal if it lasts 28 days. If an urgent diagnosis is necessary, the procedure is carried out at any time.
Three days before the date of the study, it is recommended to stop drinking alcohol and drugs that affect blood clotting. We are talking about "Aspirin" and a number of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Decreased clotting can cause bleeding and hematoma formation. On the eve of the study, you need to take a shower, but without the use of cosmeticfunds.
Varieties of research
According to its purpose, puncture of the mammary glands with ultrasound can be diagnostic or therapeutic.
According to the execution technology, the following procedure options are distinguished:
- Fine needle aspiral puncture. This method is used for small neoplasms located close to the skin. Seal zones are first marked with a marker, and then pierced with a syringe with a thin needle. The fluid from the neoplasm is then sent for histological examination to the laboratory. The procedure is not accompanied by pain and does not require specific anesthesia.
- Thick-needle aspiral puncture. The procedure is performed using an automatic gun. It consists of a tube with a microknife at the end. The device cuts off the required amount of tissue with high accuracy. The examination is performed under local anesthesia.
The choice of a specific diagnostic method is determined individually.
Procedure
Puncture research is performed on an outpatient basis. The patient lies down on the couch, after which the doctor administers anesthesia.
Fine needle puncture is done with a syringe. After puncture with a syringe, the tissue material is sucked off, blown onto a glass slide. It is then sent to a laboratory for histological examination. The entire procedure is carried out under the control of an ultrasound machine, which makes it possible to achieve the most accurateget into an atypical neoplasm.
When performing a thick-needle puncture of the breast with ultrasound, biopsy needles with a wide lumen are used. They allow you to pick up a larger amount of material. A gun is attached to the needle. It creates negative pressure. Therefore, the required amount of material is sucked into the needle. Then it is placed in a test tube and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
After the puncture, the doctor closes the wound on the skin with an aseptic bandage. To avoid bruising, an ice pack is applied to the affected area for some time.
Contraindications to the procedure
Any medical procedure, including an invasive one, has certain contraindications. Ultrasound-guided breast puncture is no exception. It is necessary to refuse or reschedule the examination for the future in the following cases:
- presence of an infectious disease;
- pregnancy and lactation period;
- recent breast surgery;
- high temperature.
All contraindications in each specific case should be explained in detail by the doctor during the preliminary consultation.
Transcript of results
He althy breast tissue is composed of cells and fibers of connective elements, fat lobules and epithelium. At the same time, adipose tissue necessarily predominates in the connective tissue, and there are no atypical cells.
In case of a benign processresults of a puncture will differ a little. At the same time, a large amount of connective tissue and epithelium with pronounced degenerative changes are observed in the biopsy specimen.
When puncturing a breast cyst under ultrasound control, the nature of the contents is also necessarily assessed. Normally, the shade of tissues of biological material should be pink. A white or even greenish liquid is typical for a cyst. The presence of red blood cells in the puncture is not a sign of a malignant process. They can get into biological material, for example, if a vessel is damaged.
If atypical cells or elements with signs of malignancy are detected in the sample, tissues are additionally examined for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors. This is an important diagnostic stage, based on the results of which therapy will subsequently be prescribed.
Puncture analysis is usually performed within 3-4 days. If necessary, an urgent study is carried out, and it takes several minutes.
Possible Complications
Significant complications after breast puncture under ultrasound control occur only in every second woman out of 1000. These include hematomas and inflammation. In rare cases, bleeding from the puncture is observed. Approximately 5% of women complain of dizziness or fainting spells.
Relatively mild consequences of the procedure develop in 30-50% of cases:
- painful discomfort;
- bruising on the skin;
- emotional stress.
In case of severe pain syndrome, it is permissible to usepainkillers. If discomfort persists for two weeks, it is recommended to seek medical attention. Unwanted allergic reactions can also be easily avoided by informing the doctor about intolerance to certain medications at the doctor's consultation.
Reviews
Puncture of the mammary gland under ultrasound control is perceived by most women ambiguously. They believe that such an examination always portends cancer. However, after the procedure, the opinion changes, because the result does not always indicate oncopathology. Therefore, reviews after the procedure, as a rule, are positive. There is no particular pain discomfort or complications. On the other hand, fear disappears and an understanding of the need for such a diagnosis comes.
Today you can make a puncture both in a public medical institution and in a private clinic or dispensary. Perform it only as directed by a doctor (surgeon, oncologist or mammologist). The cost of the study varies depending on the region of residence. For example, in the European Clinical Hospital, a breast puncture under ultrasound control will cost a thousand rubles. In Moscow, you will have to pay from 2 to 3.5 thousand rubles for this procedure. It is worth noting that if you have a compulsory medical insurance policy and a referral from a doctor, the examination is performed free of charge, but subject to contacting a state clinic.
