{"id":3345,"date":"2026-01-09T17:17:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T17:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/?post_type=exames&#038;p=3345"},"modified":"2026-02-20T12:48:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T12:48:34","slug":"breast-ultrasound","status":"publish","type":"exames","link":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/exams\/ultrasound\/breast-ultrasound","title":{"rendered":"Breast Ultrasound"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast ultrasound is a safe, painless and widely used imaging exam for the assessment of breast tissue. It allows detailed visualisation of breast structures, helping to detect and characterise nodules, cysts and other abnormalities. It is often used as a complement to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/exams\/mammography\">mammography<\/a>, particularly in women with dense breast tissue.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a Breast Ultrasound and what is it for?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the breasts. Unlike imaging exams that use radiation, this method is considered safe and can be repeated whenever necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is used to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assess palpable breast lumps or findings detected on other imaging exams;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Differentiate solid lesions from fluid-filled cysts;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complement mammography, especially in dense breasts;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guide procedures such as ultrasound-guided breast biopsies;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitor previously known breast changes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is frequently recommended for younger women and pregnant patients, as well as in cases of breast pain, inflammation or nipple discharge.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much does a Breast Ultrasound cost?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The price of a breast ultrasound is <\/span><b>\u20ac30<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on a private basis. X-Clinic also has agreements with:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>ADSE<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (the patient only pays a co-payment of <strong>\u20ac8<\/strong>), ADM GNR, SAD PSP;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Insurance companies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: M\u00e9dis, Multicare, Advance Care, Allianz, Sa\u00fade Prime, Future HealthCare, SS CGD, SAMS Quadros, SAMS, Montepio, RNA, Generali, Mudum, MGEN, Aegon, Vit\u00f3ria, Una Seguros, among others;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Health plans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Medicare, Sa\u00fade Prime, Future HealthCare, Continente Wells, ACP, among others.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Protocols: <\/strong>X-Clinic has agreements with several clinics and institutions that allow you to have the exam done at very competitive rates. In the case of a breast ultrasound, the protocol price is <strong>\u20ac24.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The final price may vary depending on the healthcare system or insurance used.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How is it performed?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast ultrasound is performed with the patient lying on an examination table, in a dimly lit room to facilitate image interpretation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The doctor applies a transparent gel to the skin of the breast, which improves sound wave transmission and allows the probe to glide smoothly. The probe is then carefully moved over the breast and, when necessary, over the axillary region to assess the lymph nodes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Images are obtained and viewed in real time on a monitor and interpreted by an imaging specialist. The exam usually lasts between <\/span><b>15 and 30 minutes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, depending on the complexity of the case.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does it detect?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast ultrasound allows the identification of:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simple or complex cysts;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benign or suspicious solid nodules;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inflammatory or infectious changes;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thickening of the breast ducts;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abnormal axillary lymph nodes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is an essential exam for characterising breast findings and guiding the need for further investigations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In which cases is it indicated?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast ultrasound is indicated in situations such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palpable breast lumps;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persistent breast pain;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in breast shape or consistency;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nipple discharge;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complementary assessment to mammography;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow-up of known breast lesions;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast assessment in young women, pregnant patients or breastfeeding women.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparing for a Breast Ultrasound<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This exam does not require any specific preparation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing that is easy to remove on the upper body and to avoid applying creams or lotions to the breast area on the day of the exam, as these may interfere with image quality.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever possible, bring previous exams (ultrasounds, mammograms and medical reports) and the exam referral, if available, to facilitate comparison and clinical interpretation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where to have it done?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A breast ultrasound can be performed at <\/span><b>X-Clinic<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco, n\u00ba 26 \u2013 mezzanine floor, 1070-110 Lisbon) or at <\/span><b>NRD<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, n\u00ba 11-B, ground floor, 1070-060 Lisbon \u2013 near Pra\u00e7a de Espanha).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3167 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografo-xclinic.jpg\" alt=\"Breast Ultrasound \" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografo-xclinic.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ecografo-xclinic-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":2554,"menu_order":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-3345","exames","type-exames","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exames\/3345","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exames"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/exames"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exames\/2554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.xclinic.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}