Gel Pad Application for Automated Breast Sonography

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 713 - 719
• Main Authors: Kim, Yun Ju, Kim, Sung Hun, Jeh, Su Kyung, Choi, Jae Jeong, Kang, Bong Joo, Song, Byung Joo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine 01.04.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; automated; breast; breast ultrasound; Female; Gels; Humans; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; screening; sonography; Ultrasonography, Mammary - instrumentation; Ultrasonography, Mammary - methods; automated; breast ultrasound; screening; breast; sonography
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.7863/ultra.34.4.713

The purpose of this study was to describe the technical aspects of gel pad application for automated breast sonography and to show its effects on pain relief, scan coverage, and image quality. Twenty patients underwent 2 sets of automated breast sonography with and without gel pad application and were then asked to provide feedback on the examination‐related pain. Scan coverage and image quality were compared quantitatively and qualitatively. The degree of pain was significantly decreased after gel pad application (P < .0001). The scan coverage was expanded particularly at the mid‐portion of the breast. Image quality was satisfactory without significant differences between the sets. Gel pad application for automated breast sonography is easy and provides significant pain relief. The scan coverage was expanded, while the image quality was maintained.