Mammography • Cyst Aspiration

Many diseases occur within the breast some of which are benign and some of which are cancerous. Cysts are benign growths, which are extremely common. On mammography cysts are seen as well circumscribed, clearly marginated nodules or masses. Unfortunately it is impossible to determine whether a nodule or mass is a cyst by mammography. Other, more concerning, processes can have a similar appearance on a mammogram and therefore further testing is needed. Ultrasound is an excellent test for determining whether breast nodules or masses are cysts. Usually this is all that is needed however sometimes a sample of fluid is necessary.

The process by which a sample is obtained is called cyst aspiration. If your Doctor can feel the cyst, then he or she may aspirate it in the office. If however, the cyst cannot be felt, ultrasound is used to guide the aspiration. After registering at the outpatient desk, an ultrasound technologist will escort you to the dressing room to change and then to an ultrasound room. The Radiologist will then explain the procedure in detail and the obtain informed consent. The cyst is located on ultrasound and the skin cleansed. Local anaesthetic is then given to numb the area. A small needle is then inserted into the breast. The needle tip can be seen with the ultrasound machine and it is directed into the cyst. The fluid within the cyst is then aspirated into a syringe and sent to the lab for appropriate testing. The technologist will then escort you back to the waiting room. Results are available in 24 - 48 hours.

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