When a breast lesion is visible solely on ultrasound, which modality is recommended for performing a biopsy?

When a breast lesion is only visible on ultrasound, ultrasound-guided biopsy is recommended for obtaining tissue samples. This technique allows for real-time visualization of the lesion, ensuring accurate needle placement directly into the area of concern. Ultrasound provides the advantage of clearly delineating the target and surrounding structures, which aids in increasing the precision of the biopsy procedure and minimizing damage to adjacent tissues.

Mammography, X-ray, and CT scans do not offer this same level of direct visualization for lesions that are not seen on those modalities. While mammography is commonly used for breast cancer screening and can show many abnormalities, it cannot visualize an ultrasound-only lesion. Similarly, X-rays and CT scans are not standard practices in breast biopsies, especially when the lesion in question is specifically detected by ultrasound. This means that using ultrasound allows for a more effective and less invasive approach for lesions that are invisible to other imaging methods.